Frozen Charlottes
Frozen Charlottes began on January 1st, 2016 as Operation Mockingbird by Chandler and Janell Grace. Throughout the following years the band took on many forms, with the two performing often as a duo around the Los Angeles and Orange County areas of Southern California. By 2019 the Graces felt that it was a time for change and growth so they shed the old name and took on the Frozen Charlottes name along with a new drummer and bassist. Throughout 2019 the band played extensively and recorded Wax Venus, their debut album.
Of course the world came to a screeching halt early in 2020, but that did not stop Frozen Charlottes. As restrictions let up, the band pushed ahead, taking on select shows with a solid lineup of hard working musicians. Their reach has grown further and further as time goes on, with performances in Mexico City and their sights firmly set on Europe. With a steady stream of new music released from the band, it will not be too long before a followup to Wax Venus will be in made available.
Janell Grace :Vocals:
Vocalist Janell Grace started in the band accidentally. She tagged along with Chandler to practice one night, and was put on keys. Even though she had no previous experience as a singer, she quickly moved into lead vocals, and writing lyrics and melodies. She found an in-depth way to express the poems she’d been writing since her teens.
Janell is also an assemblage artist and creepy doll maker. Her work brings together themes of trauma, memory, compartmentalization, mortality, and the passage of time, topics she also writes about in her lyrics. She is a collector of vintage ephemera, bones, dried flowers, rusted metals, broken clocks, porcelain dolls, and wooden boxes. Objects that display history and imperfection. Objects that are fragile, and yet resilient.
Chandler Grace :Guitar/Synth:
Chandler was originally the bassist when the band first started back in 2016, however it was quickly realized as both he and Janell were going to be performing as a duo it was time to actually learn how to play to guitar. This decision felt right and Chandler has since used his instrument to create the chilling undertones that Frozen Charlottes' music has become known for.
Music is a massive part of Chandler's life, having first taken piano lessons at age 7 (though he regrets not taking these seriously at the time) and moving on to bass in his early teens. He has played in several bands thoughout his life, though it has long been a lingering desire to start a band that blends psychedelic rock with classic goth/deathrock.
Riley Phenomena :Rhythm Guitar:
Riley first joined Frozen Charlottes as the Bassist and would play 2 shows before switching to Rhythm guitar. His playing style consists of heavy down picking and dissonant chords. He first started playing at age 9 influenced by watching Doyle, HR, Greg Hetson and Tony Iommi. After playing in different local punk bands from age 14-19 with ever growing and changing interests the main influences became Daniel Ash, Nick Zinner, Jack White and Mick Mars. Riley has always been passionate about music and connecting with people through creating and performing.
Gary Dade :Drums:
Gary has been playing drums since the age of 15. He started in metal, punk and hard rock bands. Most of the bands he has been in have played original music. “I want to create a sonic landscape of hard hitting, intense, powerful drumming.” Gary’s influences are Stephen Perkins, Danny Carey, Alex Van Halen and Tre Cool among many many others.
