Nikki O'Neill Band at Sketchbook Brewing Co

The Nikki O’Neill Band is a soul-rock band from Los Angeles featuring singer/guitarist Nikki O’Neill, drummer Rich Lackowski, and bassist Joshua “Cartier” Cutsinger. Their key elements are Nikki’s soul-influenced vocals and lead guitar playing, an earthy Hammond organ, and a powerful rhythm section that fuses rock with r&b, funk, gospel and reggae. The band writes most of their songs and lyrics together. Cutsinger doubles as the band’s producer and engineer when he isn’t working on projects with artists ranging from Mavis Staples to Bob Dylan. They released their self-titled EP in April of 2012. The six-song album opens up with the riff-heavy ”Say What You Think”. “Push Me Down” and “The Problem Ain’t The Man” bring on more of the funky soul-rock, with the latter one featuring a horn section and a wailing guitar solo by O’Neill. But they make sure to add other flavors to the core sound: the reggae-meets-rock-meets-gospel “Higher Levels” started out as an online collaboration with reggae icons Sly & Robbie, while “You Are So Good For Me” channels Al Green and New Orleans-flavored soul. The closer, “Distance,” is a tip-of-the-hat to George Harrison with its poppier chord progressions, girl-soul vocal harmonies and melodic guitar lines. All songs on the album feature guest keyboardist Ed Lyon (Cubensis, Electric Blue, Rum Runners). Their two main goals are to be inspiring and to be able to deliver live. They’ve played numerous clubs, acoustic shows, bar gigs, red-carpet events and festivals, including International Pop Overthrow Festival (IPO); the NAMM music trade shows, and city festivals in Southern California and Chicago (Rich and Josh both hail from The Windy City.) Nikki O'Neill is endorsed by Daisy Rock Guitars and Seymour Duncan pickups; Rich Lackowski is endorsed by Vic Firth sticks and Evans drum heads. Official website: www.nikkioneillband.com