Virgin Mary
Kapolei, Hawaii, United States | SELF
Music
Press
“They’re pure fun—their sound reminds me of 1990s No Doubt—with solid songwriting and good musicianship.” - Conde Nast Traveler Magazine
A - Star Advertiser
From the mastermind behind A Sedated Nation and Sleepwaves, comes a band that has been winning new fans everywhere they play - Virgin Mary. Virgin Mary is fronted by Marc Holyoak with an all girl backing band, and these chicks rock! Daphne slaps the bass, Cassie strokes the keys, Brittany shreds on guitar, and Aly beats the drums. Despite the fact that they have been together in this line up for only about three months, their sets keep getting tighter and tighter.
Marc describes Virgin Mary's sound as "Beatles meets Weezer with an indie edge," and this sound is definitely a winning combination. Overheard at Virgin Mary's last show at Jazzmind's: "This is band is SO good. On my god. I'm so STOKED right now!" Audience members flocked to the stage to grab free VM stickers halfway through the set.
Beyond the regular instruments that you're used to seeing on stage, Marc incorporates some wild cards into their show. The beginning of "Emily" starts with the low rumble of a didgeridoo, followed by matching notes on the guitar and keyboard. In "Archaeologist," a favorite song for the band to end on, Marc pulls out a chaos pad, creating futuristic space-like sounds while the band jams on a trippy (some say Pink Floyd-esque) riff. A bit of Hawaiian influence seeps into the music as Marc pulls out the ukulele for the song "Sing."
Virgin Mary's music is so catchy, I will actually give you this warning: I have had their song "Black Pearl" in my head for going on 72 hours and I cannot get it out! In fact, this song has an interesting story behind it. The owner of a pearl diving company which dives for black pearls in place like Tahiti and sells them here in Hawaii asked Marc if he could write a song about black pearls. He did, accentuating their sensual nature with lyrics like: "When you wear black pearls/ I can't resist /how I'm falling in love... Sexy pearls upon your body / take my thoughts astray."
Check out this uber-talented band at http://www.VMrock.com. Their first CD is set to come out in September, so be sure to check their website regularly. Seriously, if you like rock, pop, or indie music, you do not want to miss this CD. Lots of catchy songs with interesting music, thoughtful lyrics, and a lot of personality and style. Virgin Mary may be new to the scene, but its member are scene veterans and this band is quickly gaining a following with its quality sound. - The 808 Scene Zine
From the mastermind behind A Sedated Nation and Sleepwaves, comes a band that has been winning new fans everywhere they play - Virgin Mary. Virgin Mary is fronted by Marc Holyoak with an all girl backing band, and these chicks rock! Daphne slaps the bass, Cassie strokes the keys, Brittany shreds on guitar, and Aly beats the drums. Despite the fact that they have been together in this line up for only about three months, their sets keep getting tighter and tighter.
Marc describes Virgin Mary's sound as "Beatles meets Weezer with an indie edge," and this sound is definitely a winning combination. Overheard at Virgin Mary's last show at Jazzmind's: "This is band is SO good. On my god. I'm so STOKED right now!" Audience members flocked to the stage to grab free VM stickers halfway through the set.
Beyond the regular instruments that you're used to seeing on stage, Marc incorporates some wild cards into their show. The beginning of "Emily" starts with the low rumble of a didgeridoo, followed by matching notes on the guitar and keyboard. In "Archaeologist," a favorite song for the band to end on, Marc pulls out a chaos pad, creating futuristic space-like sounds while the band jams on a trippy (some say Pink Floyd-esque) riff. A bit of Hawaiian influence seeps into the music as Marc pulls out the ukulele for the song "Sing."
Virgin Mary's music is so catchy, I will actually give you this warning: I have had their song "Black Pearl" in my head for going on 72 hours and I cannot get it out! In fact, this song has an interesting story behind it. The owner of a pearl diving company which dives for black pearls in place like Tahiti and sells them here in Hawaii asked Marc if he could write a song about black pearls. He did, accentuating their sensual nature with lyrics like: "When you wear black pearls/ I can't resist /how I'm falling in love... Sexy pearls upon your body / take my thoughts astray."
Check out this uber-talented band at http://www.VMrock.com. Their first CD is set to come out in September, so be sure to check their website regularly. Seriously, if you like rock, pop, or indie music, you do not want to miss this CD. Lots of catchy songs with interesting music, thoughtful lyrics, and a lot of personality and style. Virgin Mary may be new to the scene, but its member are scene veterans and this band is quickly gaining a following with its quality sound. - The 808 Scene Zine
Live-music followers will note that Honolulu trio Move Minor Standard is playing both at Metalfest and a free, all-ages CD release party for up-and-coming act Virgin Mary.
Virgin Mary’s release party has two stages, with local bands Shatterbomb, Saving Cadence, Naked Babies, the Bougies and Kevin Jones in addition to the headliner.
Playing in support of its just-released debut album, “Ecstasy,” the five-piece Virgin Mary, pictured, is fronted by singer-songwriter Marc Holyoak with support by an all-female crew of drummer Alyssa Onaga, guitarist Brit Haynes, keyboardist Cassie Fillhart and bassist Daphne Morlan.
Holyoak and Haynes grew up in different parts of Montana. Holyoak moved out here six years ago in a “spirit of adventure.”
“I describe our sound as a blend of Beatles songwriting with Weezer’s guitar sound,” Holyoak said. Despite the band’s name, Holyoak said they have no religious affiliation.
Virgin Mary distinguishes itself musically with the use of the Kaoss Pad, a touch-sensitive sampler and effects processor that Holyoak runs his vocals through.
“We experiment as much as possible,” he said, “like with different time signatures.”
The current lineup, with the addition of Haynes, is just 6 months old, but the musicians are all experienced enough to pull off a strong repertoire of appealing pop-rock.
“It took about a month to record ‘Ecstasy,’ and I’m really happy with the album,” he said.
Virgin Mary is also playing a 5 p.m. show Saturday at the Road Runner Music Hall, live-streamed at thehall.tv. - TGIF section- Honolulu Star Advertiser
Live-music followers will note that Honolulu trio Move Minor Standard is playing both at Metalfest and a free, all-ages CD release party for up-and-coming act Virgin Mary.
Virgin Mary’s release party has two stages, with local bands Shatterbomb, Saving Cadence, Naked Babies, the Bougies and Kevin Jones in addition to the headliner.
Playing in support of its just-released debut album, “Ecstasy,” the five-piece Virgin Mary, pictured, is fronted by singer-songwriter Marc Holyoak with support by an all-female crew of drummer Alyssa Onaga, guitarist Brit Haynes, keyboardist Cassie Fillhart and bassist Daphne Morlan.
Holyoak and Haynes grew up in different parts of Montana. Holyoak moved out here six years ago in a “spirit of adventure.”
“I describe our sound as a blend of Beatles songwriting with Weezer’s guitar sound,” Holyoak said. Despite the band’s name, Holyoak said they have no religious affiliation.
Virgin Mary distinguishes itself musically with the use of the Kaoss Pad, a touch-sensitive sampler and effects processor that Holyoak runs his vocals through.
“We experiment as much as possible,” he said, “like with different time signatures.”
The current lineup, with the addition of Haynes, is just 6 months old, but the musicians are all experienced enough to pull off a strong repertoire of appealing pop-rock.
“It took about a month to record ‘Ecstasy,’ and I’m really happy with the album,” he said.
Virgin Mary is also playing a 5 p.m. show Saturday at the Road Runner Music Hall, live-streamed at thehall.tv. - TGIF section- Honolulu Star Advertiser
Discography
September 2011- LP- Ecstasy
Photos
Bio
Virgin Mary (VM) is a male lead vocalist fronting an all-female rock band. This never-before-seen lineup gives them an extremely unique chorus sound and ensures shock and awe when the unsuspecting listener realizes the band is comprised almost entirely of females.
They have been performing since 2010, repeatedly breaking new ground in the local music scene. Their very first live performance was the LAST rock show to ever be held at the legendary Pipeline Cafe, where they opened for indie stars The Posies, from Seattle.
In September of 2011, they played in the now-defunct Roadrunner Music Hall. The privilege of performing there was reserved only for well-known touring acts, but occasionally promising local artists such as Jack Johnson and Pepper had been allowed to play. Virgin Mary was the first local rock band to ever achieve this honor.
On Halloween night 2011, they opened for Owl City at Hawaii Theatre. In December of the same year, they opened for Everclear. In March of 2012, they performed live on Channel 2 morning news for 36,000 viewers and in October 2012, they opened for New York ska legends The Toasters. VM's tracks have had numerous spins on the radio in Honolulu, Maui, Los Angeles, New York and other places. Their music can also be found on iTunes, Pandora, Spotify, and countless other internet radio sites.
They have also been featured on the 2012 "Highway to Hempfest" Compilation CD featuring tracks from well-known artists such as Slightly Stoopid, Rehab, and Potluck.
VM's unique lineup and excellent sound have also earned them sponsorship opportunities from Pork Pie Drums, DR Strings, a beverage company, local pipe shop and even a distributor of Tahitian black pearl jewelry. Indeed, it seems the sky is the limit when considering what Virgin Mary is capable of accomplishing.
Their debut full-length album, Ecstasy, entrances the listener as they experience a sonic explosion of Oahu's diverse culture, blended into a tight pop-rock package of ear candy. They are currently in the studio recording their second album. "This next album is going to have a lot of the same rock/pop/reggae vibes as the last one, but it will be more dynamic- with heavier guitars and more experimental pseudo-electro breakdowns," says singer/songwriter Marc. "The last album was the kind of album that walks you home from school and carries your books for you. This next album will beat you up and take your lunch money."
Band Members
Links
