girlpope

Since forming in Buffalo, NY, in the mid-'90s, Girlpope has received much critical acclaim as a top-contending unit in the power pop arena of rock music. Led vocally by guitarist Mark Norris and ably accompanied by bassist/vocalist Richie Campagna, drummer Brandon Delmont, and newcomer Tommy "The Kid" Stanford on sax and guitar, Girlpope was named Best Local Band by the Buffalo News within their first year as a band. Their first recording, a 7" single titled I Was a Teenage Jesus became a staple on local radio. After winning a local battle of the bands contest, Girlpope recorded their first full-length CD Cheeses of Nazareth on P22/Atom Smash Records. The disc earned national distribution, was recognized as Best Local Album by the Buffalo Times, and received international airplay, landing a coveted slot in the Top Ten list of Radio Belgium's year-end polls. All this attention eventually resulted in opening for bands Cheap Trick, Shudder to Think, Mercury Rev, and Everclear. Girlpope was chosen twice to perform at the International North by Northeast Festival in Toronto and holds the honor of being one of the few bands selected to play at Ontario's Friendship Festival, sharing the bill with Barenaked Ladies, Billy Bragg, and others. Upon release of Girlpope's second disc, the eight-song EP The Whole Scene Going, the band was named Outstanding Rock Group of the Year by entertainment journal Artvoice, the Buffalo News, and Buffalo Beat Music. In 2001, Girlpope paired with labelmates Bobo to release Live at the Mohawk Place and continued performing live while working on their third studio album. ~ Roxanne Blanford