October 6, 2006

Evergreen classic rockers Referral seek community
support in the KFOX Last Band Standing Competition

If you’re in Evergreen and hear what sounds like a live band playing classic rock tunes, it’s most likely Referral, a local youth band practicing in their garage.

Local teen Ryan Scripps, a talented 14-year-old guitarist, sings both lead and backup vocals, providing the band with its well-rounded sound.

Referral is a five-piece cover band from Evergreen covering all different genres of rock, from alternative like Third Eye Blind and Social Distortion to classics like Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Pat Benatar and Van Morrison. Formed more than a year ago by a group of Evergreen kids who had a passion to play classic rock, this group of musicians has grown tremendously and continues to refine its sound and live performances. They are now playing regularly at local clubs, private parties, weddings and local community and school functions.

At the core, and firmly anchoring the band’s rhythm section, is the trio of Lucien, Leonce and Laurent Dias. A trio of such talented brothers is a rare find under one roof. The strong bass riffs are hammered out by the youngest of the three, 13-year-old Lucien, while Leonce bashes away on the drums. The eldest Dias, Laurent, provides rhythm and lead guitar, as well as vocals.

Another local teen on lead guitar/vocals is Ryan Scripps, a talented 14-year-old guitarist who also sings both lead and backup vocals, providing the band with its well-rounded sound.

Finishing off the band is Tiffani Sturges, a vocalist with experience in theater who has been singing for most of her life.

Referral can also be heard on local radio, as the band will appear on KFOX 98.5 after recently entering the station’s Last Band Standing Competition in the Under 18 category. The band hopes to make the Top 8 cut on Friday, Oct 6. If the group makes it to the first voting round, the Evergreen community can help support them by going online to www.KFOX.com, click on the “Last Band Standing” icon and listen and vote for “Referral.”

Sponsored by KFOX 98.5 and disc jockey Greg Kihn, this competition is a great way to support the youth in the community and provide them with a chance to make it big by playing live on the radio, at KFOX-sponsored events, and by gaining exposure on the radio to recording studios and even record label producers.

Winners will perform live on the Greg Kihn morning show, and listeners will again vote for their favorites, to determine the Last Band Standing winners in each category. The winner of each category will receive a $500 gift certificate to Guitar Showcase, a $300 gift certificate for amp repair or modification at King Amplification, and they'll get to play at the KFOX Can Jam in November. 

Referral’s next live performance will be at the Laurelwood Elementary School Harvest Festival, Friday, Oct. 27, in the late afternoon.

For more information or to book the band, call (408) 892-1695 or e-mail referralband@aol.com.