Sinferno

Origin: Sinferno was based in Portland, ME from 2004-2006, founded by Peri (Bracy) Broadbent and Salli Wason to be an all-female rock band. Peri and Salli started practicing songs together, Peri on bass (which she had no previous experience playing), and Salli on guitar (though her primary instrument had always been bass), playing Overkill and Blitzkrieg before writing their first couple of songs. Peri was the primary lyric-writer, though the two often collaborated on lyrics.

After becoming more confident with their playing and song-writing potential, they decided to approach Sarah Mallory to play drums (also a beginner), and Melynda Amann to sing (formerly a back-up singer for Swamp Witch Revival). Both women were interested, and the group practiced in Sarah's basement at Tony D'Agostino's house. Despite the risk of electric shock and equipment damage from the unfinished, wet, and spidery basement, the four women managed to write a set of five songs, and played their first gig at Geno's Rock Club at the original Brown Street location, in Portland, ME. The other bands that played were Pushing Zero and Ogre. Since it was their first show, and all four members had a pretty extensive network of friends, the turnout was great, and Barb Moran - the booking agent - was impressed. Some video footage exists of this show.

Line-up changes, shows, and recordings:''' Melynda leaves''' Sinferno moved into a rehearsal space on Warren Avenue, sharing with Supersoul Challenger (Tony D'Agostino's band at the time), and continued to work on getting the music tight, and writing more songs. Melynda joined another band, By Blood Alone, around this time. The group played another show at Geno's with the original line-up, then Melynda was encouraged to focus on her other band, since the style of music seemed more suited to her personality. The parting was amicable, and the bands played shows together a few times afterwards.

Eliza joins Sarah suggested Peri and Salli check out the karaoke night at a bar called Bottomz Up, stating that she had seen one particular woman who sang really well, in the rock style they were looking for. All three attended, met Eliza Jacobson after hearing her sing, and asked her if she would be interested in trying out. She didn't seem to take it seriously at the time, but when she finally did audition, she was enthusiastic and prepared, which was great for the morale of the other three. Plus, she had a great, strong voice and could scream. She had no problem singing the lyrics that Peri and Salli wrote, so they continued to be the primary song writers. The first show with this new line-up was at Bottomz Up, with SexFace. Video footage of this show exists.

Sarah leaves' After the initial boost of having a new singer who met all expectations, some discontent started brewing, for various reasons, and Sarah quit the band, just hours before a gig. This resulted in some basic rock band lessons learned the hard way, and unfortunately prevented some members from being friends for several years. However, the remaining members wanted to keep it together, so the search for a new drummer - and a new rehearsal space - began.

Brandye joins Peri searched ads on the Maine Music Forum (now defunct, RIP), and responded to an ad that was from a female drummer looking for people to jam with. The members of Sinferno met Brandye Devine at Norm's Bar and Grill in downtown Portland, and after Eliza tested her "rock-ness" by making her take a shot, then the whole band getting together to jam, Sinferno had their new drummer, and the work of rebuilding began. Since the band had a gig booked, and Brandye had not learned all of the songs yet, Peri's boyfriend, Will Broadbent (Ogre), sat in on a show at the Free Street Taverna - Sinferno's first show with Covered in Bees - and Brandye was present in the audience, wearing a wife-beater that Eliza made for her, emblazoned with "I'm the Real Drummer" on the front. Some video footage exists of this show.

Armed with new songs, and tighter than ever before, Sinferno played in the Portland area often, as well as O'Brien's in MA, and a gig at CBGB's in NYC. Erin "McNallica" McNally set up a bus trip for anyone wanting to attend the show, band members included, and an amazing event of debauchery ensued. The band played one of the best sets of their entire existence, and the sound guy commented that they reminded him of the Stooges. Around this time, plans to record a demo were in motion. Ben Cowles (Inner Sanctum, Great Dane), in West Hartford, CT, had a home studio in his basement, and, being a friend of Peri's and Will's, agreed to record the band free of charge.

Activism

Not only was the band known for providing a wild rock n' roll spectacle at their shows, but soon, they became known for their charitable works as well. They donated their time to raise awareness for suicides at a benefit show. Their rabid fan base took to this cause, and the chant of "NO MORE SUICIDES! NO MORE SUICIDES!" could be heard at every show thereafter. One benefit show in Old Orchard Beach inspired an impromptu version of "Patriot Corn" to be sung as "Easter Seals are the best seals".

Salli leaves, demo recording Some differences in lifestyle started to cause friction among the four members of Sinferno, and Salli - being a tee-totaller - was often the odd woman out. Eliza, Peri, and Brandye spent more time together outside of practice, and reveled in the basic rock band activities of after-parties and such. Rehearsal space had been moved to Prime. Eliza was much more comfortable with her position, and became less vigilant of her performance quality, which became increasingly obvious to everyone - including the audience. Peri was the main person to communicate concerns to her, but Salli had enough long before. To keep the peace between Salli, Brandye, and Peri, a discussion without Eliza took place, and there was a mutual decision made that Salli should leave the band, but not before recording the demo. Whether that was in the best interest of the band or not, no one will ever know.

Adam joins The weekend spent recording the demo cemented Salli's reasons for not being in the band, but produced a gritty, low-fi recording that the band was proud of. A new guitarist was found fairly quickly - though not a female. Adam Houghton was a shy but talented guitarist, and all agreed he was the best choice. Erin had taken some managerial duties for the band at this point, and her opinion was counted. Once Adam got up to speed on the older songs, and a couple new songs were written, Sinferno had their first show with him at the Alehouse, at a low-key Sunday private performance. The attendees were the first to obtain a copy of the demo "Paint the Town Dead", with sleeves and inserts handmade by the members of the band with duct tape and paper. Later copies were self-printed with a cover drawn and designed by Peri.

This line-up played many shows, often at the Alehouse, and also got a gig at CBGB's Gallery, which - with Erin's help - became a four-band, two-bus, trip of Portland bands to invade NYC. Big Coffin Hunters, Covered in Bees, and Claymore Minds were the other three.

Rehearsal space was moved to a warehouse in Biddeford, ME, shared with Aepril Schaile & the Judgement and at least one other band. Adam, Brandye, and Peri practiced twice a week, every week, getting tighter, and Eliza began missing weeks of practices at a time. She rarely came to practice, and when she did, she put forth minimal effort. It became very clear to the others that her drug and alcohol habits were out of control, and affecting her commitment to the band. Knowing how important the band was to Eliza, a last ditch effort was finally made - after an extremely painful period of deliberation among the other three members - and Peri gave her an ultimatum to clean up or she was out. Eliza chose to leave the band rather than take a three month break to clean up, and after the trauma of making that decision, no one had the heart to continue. All former members are currently friendly with each other, with the exception of Eliza, who has only maintained a relationship with Brandye. Salli and Peri later reunited to form Hatchetface & the Vipers, and Brandye, Peri and Adam were in a short-lived project called Guttersnipe.

Despite the drama that is always involved in a band made up of fledgling musicians, Sinferno left a nice burn mark on the Portland music scene, and was worth every moment, once the wounds scarred over. = Former Members =


 * Eliza Jacobson - Lead Vocals
 * Brandye Devine - Drums
 * Adam Houghton - Guitar, Vocals

= Founding Members =


 * Melynda Amann - Lead Vocals
 * Peri (Bracy) Broadbent- Bass, Vocals
 * Salli Wason - Guitar, Vocals
 * Sarah Mallory - Drums