THE BAND
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Tiik.Angela.Ebony are G.U.T.S. (Give Us The Strength), a passionate, Washington DC based, power-risk, post-punk trio. They have one album out and one on the way. GUTS music builds on their years of varied experiences and ultimately grows out of that mystical place between classic rock/punk and new rock. G.U.T.S. has played venues from Virginia to Connecticut in clubs, festivals & backyard BBQ's. |
Tiik
G.U.T.S. founding member, Tiik, is an award winning singer/songwriter, rhythm + lead guitarist who has been in the national rock/punk scene for many years, as well as having a long and colorful herstory in the women’s alternative rock scene; including being band mates with the inspirational Toshi Reagon and the release of her first album, National Tears. She is also a member of the Girls Rock!DC(GR!DC) Leadership Team as well as GR!DC After School Program (GR!ASP). During the GR!DC summer camp she teaches as a band coach.
"I loooove playing with Angela and Ebony. They just make me so happy!" |
Angela
Angela Drago is a passionate singer, song writer and multi-instrumentalist from the Washington, DC area. She joined G.U.T.S. in 2014 as a guitarist and currently plays bass. She brings a wide range of musical styles and influences, having played with various bands, including a post-hardcore punk band, a '70s classic rock band and a Grateful Dead Tribute band. Angela, a songwriter in her own right, has collaborated on tunes with Tiik, and has her own solo project.
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Ebony
Ebony Smith hails from the Washington DC Metro area with over 12 years of percussion experience. Her musical career began at a young age, studying under the direction of various percussion instructors, symphonic band leaders, workshops, and the Caribbean influence of her father, a reggae guitarist. Her style is unmatched and unique; a mix of raw energy,rhythmic ... and precise technicality. When she was 9 years old, her father enrolled her in drum lessons. By the age of 13, she owned her first drum set and spent her weekends playing for hours inside her childhood home. She lists her influences to include Sheila E., Venzella Joy Williams, and Jose Pasillas.
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Some G.U.T.S. Herstory
 G.U.T.S.@GW - JohnnyX.Julie.Tiik.Mo
Founding member, Tiik Pollet is a native Washingtonian with a long herstory in the bi-coastal music scene. She formed G.U.T.S. the first time around in 1992 in DC, with Jimi Quan on drums, JohnnyX on guitar, and rotating between Julie Ellison and Maureen Tobin on bass. The band played local DC gigs and then sadly, suddenly, Jimi died in a motorcycle accident on his 25th birthday.
The band was renamed Native Ban and released their first album, "National Tears", recording with Geoff Turner in Washington, DC.
In 2008, Tiik was driven to continue to create G.U.T.S. and connected with Tina Bulaong through the helpful social networking tools of the internet! Together, Tiik and Tina rocked in DC until they found their thunderous bass player, August, through the chromatic magic of Artomatic and their friend, Phil.
NOTE: Tina Bulaong is the incredible self-taught drummer who’s love for drumming extends into her business as a drum builder with District Drum Co.; she has built for Les Warner(ex The Cult), Rob San Pietro(ex Meatmen,(now Hot Buttered Elvis), Leesa Squyres(Lez Zepplin), producer Ron Saint Germain(Bad Brains, etc) and more.
Bulaong is also AIR-HOST for the UBER-COOL 900 Seconds Radio Show: fun and laid back cyber radio show with the MAIN focus on interviews w/ drummers. Email District Drum for more info. |
 G.U.T.S. @Black Cat, - DC, w/The Cold and Lovely
NYC @Sidewalk Cafe -
w/Lee Free.drums, Amanda Ruzza.bass & Christine Kharazian.violin
While Tina had job details overseas on & off for 4 years, local drummer, Ebony Smith subbed on drums and became the official G.U.T.S. drummer in 2015.
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