LAURALEA & TRIPP FABULOUS

Totally Fabulous

            When asked what kinds of things she has signed at shows for fans, LauraLea Taraskus of the local band Tripp Fabulous, replies "Chests, breasts and hair nets! I even signed the back of a guy's parking ticket once". Although it may seam that LauraLea likes to joke about some of the aspects of being a musician, she, along with the rest of the band, take what they do very seriously. "Music," says LauraLea, "is to the mind and soul as oxygen is the brain and heart". Music itself is what inspired her to be a musician and aside from maybe being a "Super Robot who wears a cape and fights crime in zoos and animal shelters" she wouldn't want to do anything else.    

            This rockin' female fronted band consists of four extraordinary musicians that all have deep roots in the Philly music scene. Ritchie Hate, who plays bass guitar and sings back-up vocals, came from a nationally touring original band called Fabulous Disaster. He then joined Tin Pan Alley where he first teamed up with LauraLea. He began playing music at age 18 and was inspired by Nikki Six of Motely Crue.

            Steve Miceli is extremely talented on the lead guitar and also sings back-up. He started playing in bars when he was just 13 years old. At 17, Steve recorded an instrumental guitar record and toured clubs in the tri-state area for over a year. He also attended Berkley College of music for a year and even taught guitar lessons. Steve started playing guitar after he saw Eddie Van Halen playing in a music video. He feels "Very fortunate that [he] can earn a living playing guitar. LauraLea is a super talent". If he didn't play guitar, Steve would want to be the next Wayne Gretzky but first he would have to learn how to skate.  

            On the drums is John Kelly who has a very extensive resume when it comes to bands. He has been a part of more then ten local cover bands including Speed, Last Man Standing, Love Stone, Buz, Eurobash, and Cities into Salt. He has also filled in for numerous bands like Steamroller Picnic, Flavor, and Mr. Greengenes. John has been with Tripp Fabulous the longest in his career and says that "playing with LauraLea is a privilege and an honor" and he is "having an absolute blast".

            Finally, LauraLea Taraskus the founder and leader of Tripp Fabulous as well as front woman extraordinaire, has played with local bands like Eve's Apple, The Schoolboys, and Tin Pan Alley. She has a beautiful powerhouse voice and she also rocks a mean rhythm guitar and plays the keys. LauraLea has been honored for her talents at the Philly Music Awards where she has won the Best Female Entertainer Award twice. LauraLea also has her own CD of original music that has sold over 5,000 copies.  

            Tripp Fabulous has played at venues all over the area including shows at the Trocodero in Philadelphia, TLA, Electric Factory, The Dewey Beach Music Festival, The Tin Angel, and the annual Shamrock Fest in Virginia.

            This week, Tripp Fabulous will be playing Thursday at Kildares on 2nd Street followed by Brownie's 38th Street on Friday the 14th and at The Rusty Rudder on the 15th. You can also see LauraLea with Brian Bortnick of Octane playing an acoustic show every Sunday at the Borgata starting at 8:30pm. Catch LauraLea at the Philadelphia Wings home games as she is the official National Anthem singer! Additional shows and information can be found at the Tripp Fabulous web site: www.TrippFabulous.com.  

            To book Tripp Fabulous today for your bar, nightclub, or event, call Shore Bets Management Agency at 215-884-HELP or visit www.ShoreBets.com.