Brotherly local band Melva gains frontwoman after 13 years
Nick Young, Reporter
Issue date: 2/28/08 Section: Entertainment
After some quick adjustments, the sound of humming electricity changes into a barrage of notes reminiscent of early Incubus and Primus. In the end, the sound is all Melva, a four-piece band constructed primarily of students at Youngstown State University.
Melva isn't a new band, but their lineup recently changed. Senior Jessica Speece now does some vocal work for the band, and she's the only member who doesn't have a family tie in the band. Junior Joe Mook is on bass and vocals, his cousin freshman Steve Cianciolo is on guitar and vocals, and Steve;s brother Rick plays drums.
"We've been playing together about 13 years,' said Mook, but Speece has only played with them for one year.
They inherited part of their sound from Mook and the Cianciolo's fathers, who also played in a band together.
The band hails from Ellsworth, west of Canfield. Despite the years of playing together, Melva has only played three shows in the area, the first in November 2007 at the Ice House Inn in Austintown. The other two shows were at Barley's downtown, where Melva will appear again Saturday with local bands Captain Braskey and Wesker.
The acquisition of Speece could be the reason that Melva is starting to make their way onto the Youngstown scene lately.
"She taught us a lot," said Steve, referring to Speece's singing ability. The band is back to a three piece on Saturday while Speece is on a college tour, however.
None of the guys are exactly sure how they even roped Speece into the band.
"I'm pretty sure I just brought the idea up to her casually one day and she was in," Mook said.
With or without their female vocalist on stage, Melva puts on an entertaining show. They include Tool, Led Zeppelin, The Beatles, and Ded Sullivan, their parents' band, as their influences.
Melva isn't a new band, but their lineup recently changed. Senior Jessica Speece now does some vocal work for the band, and she's the only member who doesn't have a family tie in the band. Junior Joe Mook is on bass and vocals, his cousin freshman Steve Cianciolo is on guitar and vocals, and Steve;s brother Rick plays drums.
"We've been playing together about 13 years,' said Mook, but Speece has only played with them for one year.
They inherited part of their sound from Mook and the Cianciolo's fathers, who also played in a band together.
The band hails from Ellsworth, west of Canfield. Despite the years of playing together, Melva has only played three shows in the area, the first in November 2007 at the Ice House Inn in Austintown. The other two shows were at Barley's downtown, where Melva will appear again Saturday with local bands Captain Braskey and Wesker.
The acquisition of Speece could be the reason that Melva is starting to make their way onto the Youngstown scene lately.
"She taught us a lot," said Steve, referring to Speece's singing ability. The band is back to a three piece on Saturday while Speece is on a college tour, however.
None of the guys are exactly sure how they even roped Speece into the band.
"I'm pretty sure I just brought the idea up to her casually one day and she was in," Mook said.
With or without their female vocalist on stage, Melva puts on an entertaining show. They include Tool, Led Zeppelin, The Beatles, and Ded Sullivan, their parents' band, as their influences.
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