All's Wellville

January 6, 1998

What a way to end the year. As I walked into the new House of Blues on a chilly Tuesday evening, Wellville was just taking the stage. Before I could ask, "Who's the new guy?", Liz's lush voice draped over the room like a velvet blanket. The sound seemed to resonate from every crevice of the all-wooden room. I felt like I was inside a giant acoustic guitar.

Surrounded by the works of Howard Finster and R.A. Miller, Wellville - who shared the bill with Gumwrapper Curb and Big Sky - took control. Mesmerized teens bellied up to the stage while the rest of us spread out to dance. Listening to Liz's powerful vocals and feeling Dave's bass in my chest and along the back wall, I recalled a vision of Liz, five years ago, singing in a tiny but beautiful voice in my living room. Finally she was where she belonged.

With a sound as big as a Buick with Joni Mitchell at the wheel, Wellville's set delivered one diverse hit after the other - my favorites ranged from "Serial Killer" to "This Town" and of course the rich finale, "Home," which I keep in a special place in my heart. Liz claims to have written this jewel after talking to me on the phone a couple of years ago about my family. Hearing Liz sing this song now at The House of Blues with a great band behind her, made me know, surely and clearly, that I was witnessing perfection. The rest of the crowd seemed to agree. Winter Park "Mayor" Bruce Marshall came over to tell me that Wellville is "fresher than Springtime and better than Blondie."

I guess introductions are in order at this time - Wellville is the gorgeous Liz Larizza, lead singer-guitarist and principal songwriter, bassist David Kazyk, guitarist Litton Parker, and the amazing Matthew Brown wreaking havoc on the drums. I often tease Matt that he should be playing drums for The Makers. Wellville has been together only one year, yet they seem like family. "The new guy", by the way, is lead guitarist Scott Mabry of The Denizens, Liz's favorite local band "besides The Hate Bombs". He'll sit in from time to time and make Wellville's sound even richer. Matt says Wellville's glad that Scott's "got a long leash."

The band will be recording their cd in February and hope to have it out by April. Happy New Year, Wellville - it's your world.

Carol Benanti
I wrote kids books for years. I'm a script coordinator for Nickelodeon, and I'm a frustrated Hate Bombs/housewife. I'm especially fond of rockabilly, surf-punk, and dancing.