It's probably not the best way to start a band practice, but for Milwaukee-based band The Toms, watching "American Idol" is sure a fun way. Conversation flows from the "Idol" contestant on to other important topics like, which kind of Little Debbie snack cake is the best? (Strawberry Shortcake roll seemed to be the band favorite.)
The Toms are preparing for their first show this Saturday night at Linneman's Riverwest Inn, 1001 E. Locust, with the current four members: Carlan Johnson (guitar), Ashley Dolhun (lead vocals), Steve Whitford (bass) and Jess Cushion (drums).
The Toms was Johnson's brainchild.
"Basically, I had been trying to get a band together for awhile and I've played guitar since I was 17," says Johnson. "I couldn't find anybody and then I met Ashley and found out she could sing. I basically forced her into singing with me, almost against her will."
"She begged and begged and begged me and I couldn't commit at first," says Dolhun. "I had only sung in my car."
Dolhun finally agreed to join the band and the two began singing acoustic folk and cover songs. About a year ago, the two changed the format to electric and the search began for a drummer and bassist.
This is where the name The Toms comes in.
"It's a name that one of our friends thought up," says Johnson. "It represents a play on tomboyish females and sort of a play on gender. We were an all female band at first. It kind of made sense."
Now the band has added a male to the group and replaced the original drummer. Whitford and Cushion are both happy to have found their places in the band.
"I tried to get them to let me try out with the band for a long time with no avail," says Whitford. "Though I'm charming and beautiful, they were looking for a girl."
Johnson and Dolhun both say that he's not telling the complete truth. They didn't think Whitford was really into the band and their music at first.
Whitford admits, "At first listen, it's not what I was looking for. The hooks and changes were different and I liked that. It's looking past the skin deep and there's something insanely beautiful about (the music)."
"I'm having a great time," says Cushion. "Ever since I started playing drums at 12, I've had dreams to have a band. It's great to find a group that are serious about it and are very good at what they do."
The Toms can be described as a mix of pop punk and folk, at times. Johnson says the music that she and Dolhun write is personal, but it's not fluffy.
The band came up with a bit of a motto to describe the music, as well: "Melodic, heart-torn rock 'n' roll with a splash of in-your-face pop punk."
The foursome is ready to showcase their musical chops at Saturday's show. Plus, they will be doing a little celebrating; both Johnson and Cushion have birthdays within two days of the show.
"I'm excited for all kinds of reasons for the show. It's my first show ever with the band, right after my birthday," says Cushion. "I get to celebrate my birthday and the show all at one time with all my friends and it's going to be crazy."
Johnson agrees. "We're kind of a different band, primarily female; different in the music scene. We have really good music... I like our music a lot. It's always a good time."
Saturday night's $5 show starts at 9 p.m. and also features The Blissters and Alpha Dog. The Toms' Web site is myspace.com/thetoms.
Originally from Des Plaines, Ill., Heather moved to Milwaukee to earn a B.A. in journalism from Marquette University. With a tongue-twisting last name like Leszczewicz, it's best to go into a career where people don't need to say your name often.
However, she's still sticking to some of her Illinoisan ways (she won't reform when it comes to things like pop, water fountain or ATM), though she's grown to enjoy her time in the Brew City.
Although her journalism career is still budding, Heather has had the chance for some once-in-a-lifetime interviews with celebrities like actor Vince Vaughn and actress Charlize Theron, director Cameron Crowe and singers Ben Kweller and Isaac Hanson of '90s brother boy band Hanson.
Heather's a self-proclaimed workaholic but loves her entertainment. She's a real television and movie fanatic, book nerd, music junkie, coffee addict and pop culture aficionado.
