Lennon

(from On Stage: This Week's Best Bets in the 02-17-06 Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

Lennon and Shannon Curfman

Lennon, who goes by one name, and Shannon Curfman, who goes by two, represent everything that's missing in today's women in rock equation.

While both twentysomethings are attractive - these days apparently the main factor label execs consider when promoting female acts - Lennon and Curfman also happen to be talented musicians with distinctive personalities that they channel into their art.

Curfman's 1999 release, "Loud Guitars, Big Suspicions," generated hoopla both for her age at the time (a mere 14) and her maturity as a guitarist and singer. She spent the rest of her teens in label limbo, however, choosing to finish high school and stick to her self-described "no-fluff rule" rather than give in to the pressure to morph into a Britney or Ashlee.

Curfman's story parallels that of co-headliner Lennon, who coincidentally started her music industry rollercoaster ride on the same major label. While Curfman's sound leans closer to blues-rock, Lennon's material has a more metallic punch. After an ill-fated debut release date of Sept. 11, 2001, Lennon languished in a promotional purgatory.

Lennon and Curfman have new music they've released independently or are shopping to labels that will take them as they are. Turning out Wednesday night to see them perform live is a vote in their favor -and against the army of lip-synching Barbie clones who've taken over pop music.

— Gemma Tarlach