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The Avatars Biography

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Formed in Ann Arbor, MI, in the spring of 2003, the Avatars wasted little time establishing themselves as one of the more popular and well-respected bands in the Detroit-area music scene. Playing straightforward rock & roll brimming with pop hooks, garage rock swagger, and an R&B undertow for the folks who felt like dancing, the Avatars featured several veterans of notable Michigan bands. Guitarist Chris "Box" Taylor played with Mazinga and Powertrane; drummer Claudia Leo kept time for new wave revivalists Rael Raen; and vocalist Mariah Cherem sang with the Done Wrongs, which also featured future Von Bondies members Jason Stollsteimer and Don Blum. With bassist Theresa Kiefer rounding out the lineup, the Avatars soon found themselves sharing stages with the cream of the Detroit-area rock community, including the Von Bondies, the Sights, the Gore Gore Girls, and the Detroit Cobras, and in November of 2003, the group recorded its first single, featuring the songs "Wait" and "There Was a Time." By the time the record was released in early 2004, the Avatars had expanded into a five-piece with the addition of second guitarist Charlie Lorenzi, who, like Leo, formerly played with the Argentine group Thee Coronados. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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