In the first week of Spring 1998, we hosted a concert by THE PAINTED ID. The show was attended by nearly 60 people. This emerging group from the L.A. music scene plays a very lyrically rich blend of acoustic folk rock with an alternative twist. Lead singer Tori Solomon and lead guitarist Peter DeBaets wrote all the songs on their 1995 debut CD, Killing Birds With Stones.

The Painted iD is composed of Tori Solomon on vocals, Peter De Baets on guitar, Ricardo "Rico" Belled on bass guitar and Barry Schapira on drums and percussion. Tori and Peter, who grew up together in the same small town, began writing songs and formed the band in 1993. As Tori's folk style grew a contemporary edge and Peter's rock-n-roll licks went acoustic, the band converged upon a sound that mingles Joan Osbourne with Shawn Colvin. The result was their first independent full-length CD, Killing Birds with Stones, and numerous live appearances throughout Southern California. The addition of Dutch-born Belled and multi-talented Schapira has added a depth to the iD's songwriting, bringing more diverse rhythms and layered harmonies.

The iD's new CD, The Painted iD, reflects the group's metamorphosis and is one of our very favorite albums of the last several years. The CD is produced by Jon Mathias and was released in the tail end of 1998 to all-around excellent reviews. For more information, visit the Painted iD Home Page at www.thepaintedid.com.