Storm Large
Encyclopedia
Storm Large is a singer best known as a contestant on the CBS
reality television show Rock Star: Supernova.
. Since around age five, Large has been singing and writing songs. She graduated in 1987 from St. Mark's School
, a prestigious private school whose alumni include Ben Bradlee, Prince Hashim of Jordan, and Franklin Delano Roosevelt III. Her father Henry Large was a history and religion teacher there, as well as the football team coach before he retired.
After high school, she attended the American Academy of Dramatic Arts
in New York., where she earned an associates degree in 1989.
Soon after leaving the American Academy of Dramatic Arts
in 1989, Storm moved to San Francisco and got involved in the music and drug scene. She had a brief addiction to heroin in San Francisco but credits music with getting her off the drug. While in San Francisco Storm became involved in a variety of musical endeavors.
Storm moved to Portland, Oregon in 2002, originally planning to quit music and attend the Western Culinary Institute, but at the urging of friends and in particular Frank Faillace, owner of the Portland rock club, Dante's Inferno, she began singing again with a band she called "The Balls".
Storm is bisexual, though she dislikes the term and instead calls herself "sexually omnivorous."
Storm, Inc. featured Shaunna Hall of 4 Non Blondes
and P-Funk
fame as a rhythm guitarist. Shaunna was featured on The Calm Years LP and toured with the band for a few months after the album's release.
. They perform "lounge-core, mash-up" renditions of artists such as ABBA
, Black Sabbath
, Cheap Trick
, Billy Idol
, Led Zeppelin
, Motörhead and Olivia Newton-John
as well as their own compositions. Large worked part-time as a bartender at Dante's when not touring with The Balls. The Balls opened for Everclear, Nina Hagen
, Hank 3, Pleasure Club, and Nancy Sinatra
, to name a few.
The Balls' Davey Nipples and James Beaton were also touring musicians with Everclear
. Drummer Brian Parnell was formerly in the band Motherload.
Storm has also sung with John Doe, Rufus Wainwright, China Forbes, Darcelle, George Clinton, Katey Sagal, Michael McKean, Eric McFadden and Animotion.
) with Drumattica out of Portland.
with her former bands Storm Inc., Storm and Her Dirty Mouth, and FlowerSF. During that time, she tended bar at Rat and Raven in Noe Valley
.
in a Portland Center Stage
(PCS) production of the musical
Cabaret
. PCS is also the site of the premiere of her autobiographical musical Crazy Enough.
She has finished filming RID OF ME (by James Westby), starring Katie O'Grady, John Keyser, Theresa Russell, and Art Alexakis (Everclear). It can be viewed on You Tube.
In 2008 Storm Large premiered her autobiographical, one woman show, "Crazy Enough" at Portlands Center Stage. She got rave reviews. In New York the show is scheduled to appear Off-Broadway in the spring of 2011. A book version of the autobiography is also in the works.
She appeared in Randy Newman's
Harps and Angels at the Mark Taper Forum
from November 10 - December 22, 2010.
recorded a guitar track for her single "Ladylike" and she was slated to open for the band Rock Star Supernova on tour in January 2007, though she and fellow contestant Magni Ásgeirsson
were dropped from the billing for financial reasons. On October 14, 2006, "Ladylike" debuted at #5 on Billboard
s "Hot Singles Sales" chart.
on September 11, 2006. She discussed her childhood (and her unique name) with Ellen and performed Queen
's "We Are the Champions
" with Paul Mirkovich from the Rock Star: Supernova house band
accompanying her on piano.
On September 26, 2006, Large sang "The Star-Spangled Banner
" on the second season finale of ESPN
reality television show The Contender. She performed the national anthem again on November 4, 2006 at the Portland Trail Blazers
' opening home game of their 2006-2007 NBA season. The broadcast appeared on Fox Sports Northwest, the Seattle and Portland affiliate of Fox Sports Net.
Storm Inc was featured in an episode of TMC "Locals Only" show. There are many YouTube videos of various song from this performance.
Storm appeared in a street interview in an episode of Real Sex
on HBO.
She is currently touring with the band Pink Martini
from July 4 through December 16, 2011, as a temporary replacement for vocalist China Forbes
, who underwent vocal chord surgery.
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
reality television show Rock Star: Supernova.
Personal life
Large was born and raised in rural Southborough, MassachusettsSouthborough, Massachusetts
Southborough is an affluent town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. It incorporates the smaller villages of Cordaville, Fayville, and Southville. Its name is often informally shortened to Southboro, a usage seen on many area signs and maps. Its population was 9,767 at the 2010...
. Since around age five, Large has been singing and writing songs. She graduated in 1987 from St. Mark's School
St. Mark's School (Massachusetts)
St. Mark’s School is a coeducational, Episcopal, preparatory school, situated on in Southborough, Massachusetts, from Boston. It was founded in 1865 as an all-boys' school by Joseph Burnett, a wealthy native of Southborough who developed and marketed the world-famous Burnett Vanilla Extract . ...
, a prestigious private school whose alumni include Ben Bradlee, Prince Hashim of Jordan, and Franklin Delano Roosevelt III. Her father Henry Large was a history and religion teacher there, as well as the football team coach before he retired.
After high school, she attended the American Academy of Dramatic Arts
American Academy of Dramatic Arts
The American Academy of Dramatic Arts is a fully accredited two-year conservatory with facilities located in Manhattan, New York City – at 120 Madison Avenue, in a landmark building designed by noted architect Stanford White as the original Colony Club – and in Hollywood, California...
in New York., where she earned an associates degree in 1989.
Soon after leaving the American Academy of Dramatic Arts
American Academy of Dramatic Arts
The American Academy of Dramatic Arts is a fully accredited two-year conservatory with facilities located in Manhattan, New York City – at 120 Madison Avenue, in a landmark building designed by noted architect Stanford White as the original Colony Club – and in Hollywood, California...
in 1989, Storm moved to San Francisco and got involved in the music and drug scene. She had a brief addiction to heroin in San Francisco but credits music with getting her off the drug. While in San Francisco Storm became involved in a variety of musical endeavors.
Storm moved to Portland, Oregon in 2002, originally planning to quit music and attend the Western Culinary Institute, but at the urging of friends and in particular Frank Faillace, owner of the Portland rock club, Dante's Inferno, she began singing again with a band she called "The Balls".
Storm is bisexual, though she dislikes the term and instead calls herself "sexually omnivorous."
Career
While in San Francisco Storm formed the bands Flower SF, Storm and Her Dirty Mouth, and Storm, Inc. Storm also performed with Micheal Cavasito as the duo Storm and Michael or Storm and Friends.Storm, Inc. featured Shaunna Hall of 4 Non Blondes
4 Non Blondes
4 Non Blondes was an American rock band from San Francisco, California, formed in 1989. The group was formed by bassist Christa Hillhouse, guitarist Shaunna Hall, drummer Wanda Day, and vocalist and guitarist Linda Perry. Prior to the release of their first album, Roger Rocha replaced Hall on...
and P-Funk
P-Funk
P-Funk is a shorthand term for the repertoire and performers associated with George Clinton and the Parliament-Funkadelic collective and the distinctive style of funk music they performed...
fame as a rhythm guitarist. Shaunna was featured on The Calm Years LP and toured with the band for a few months after the album's release.
The Balls
The Balls, also known as Storm and the Balls, were formed in May/June 2002 after Large moved to Portland from San Francisco. Storm and the Balls consisted of Davey Loprinzi (aka "Hotrod" Davey Nipples, formerly of Sweaty Nipples) on bass guitar, James Beaton on keyboards, and Brian Parnel on drums. The Balls drew what local media called a "cult-like" following in clubs, primarily during Wednesday night shows at Dante'sDante's
Dante's is a nightclub and live music venue in Portland, Oregon, United States, that opened in February, 2000. Since opening, the club has hosted numerous internationally-famous bands, solo-acts, troupes and performance artists....
. They perform "lounge-core, mash-up" renditions of artists such as ABBA
ABBA
ABBA was a Swedish pop group formed in Stockholm in 1970 which consisted of Anni-Frid Lyngstad, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson and Agnetha Fältskog...
, Black Sabbath
Black Sabbath
Black Sabbath are an English heavy metal band, formed in Aston, Birmingham in 1969 by Ozzy Osbourne , Tony Iommi , Geezer Butler , and Bill Ward . The band has since experienced multiple line-up changes, with Tony Iommi the only constant presence in the band through the years. A total of 22...
, Cheap Trick
Cheap Trick
Cheap Trick is an American rock band from Rockford, Illinois, formed in 1973. The band consists of members Robin Zander , Rick Nielsen , Tom Petersson , and Bun E...
, Billy Idol
Billy Idol
William Michael Albert Broad , better known by his stage name Billy Idol, is an English rock musician. A member of the Bromley Contingent of Sex Pistols fans, Idol first achieved fame in the punk rock era as a member of the band Generation X...
, Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin were an English rock band, active in the late 1960s and throughout the 1970s. Formed in 1968, they consisted of guitarist Jimmy Page, singer Robert Plant, bassist/keyboardist John Paul Jones, and drummer John Bonham...
, Motörhead and Olivia Newton-John
Olivia Newton-John
Olivia Newton-John AO, OBE is a singer and actress. She is a four-time Grammy award winner who has amassed five No. 1 and ten other Top Ten Billboard Hot 100 singles and two No. 1 Billboard 200 solo albums. Eleven of her singles and 14 of her albums have been certified gold by the RIAA...
as well as their own compositions. Large worked part-time as a bartender at Dante's when not touring with The Balls. The Balls opened for Everclear, Nina Hagen
Nina Hagen
Nina Hagen is a German singer and actress.-Early years:Hagen was born as Catharina Hagen in the former East Berlin, East Germany, the daughter of Hans Hagen , a scriptwriter, and Eva-Maria Hagen, an actress and singer...
, Hank 3, Pleasure Club, and Nancy Sinatra
Nancy Sinatra
Nancy Sandra Sinatra is an American singer and actress. She is the daughter of singer/actor Frank Sinatra, and remains best known for her 1966 signature hit "These Boots Are Made for Walkin'"....
, to name a few.
The Balls' Davey Nipples and James Beaton were also touring musicians with Everclear
Everclear (band)
Everclear is a rock band formed in Portland, Oregon in 1992 best known for their radio hits spanning more than a decade. For most of its existence, Everclear has consisted of Art Alexakis , Craig Montoya , and Greg Eklund . Eklund replaced original drummer Scott Cuthbert in 1994...
. Drummer Brian Parnell was formerly in the band Motherload.
Storm has also sung with John Doe, Rufus Wainwright, China Forbes, Darcelle, George Clinton, Katey Sagal, Michael McKean, Eric McFadden and Animotion.
Drumattica
During live shows, Storm has filled in for Jen Folker on vocals alongside Rob Wynia (of FloaterFloater (band)
Floater is an American rock band currently based in Portland, Oregon. The band was started in 1993 by Robert Wynia, Peter Cornett and David Amador. They are known for their progressive concept albums, stylized storytelling, intense live performances, and devoted fanbase...
) with Drumattica out of Portland.
San Francisco
Before moving to Portland, she performed in the San Francisco Bay AreaSan Francisco Bay Area
The San Francisco Bay Area, commonly known as the Bay Area, is a populated region that surrounds the San Francisco and San Pablo estuaries in Northern California. The region encompasses metropolitan areas of San Francisco, Oakland, and San Jose, along with smaller urban and rural areas...
with her former bands Storm Inc., Storm and Her Dirty Mouth, and FlowerSF. During that time, she tended bar at Rat and Raven in Noe Valley
Noe Valley, San Francisco, California
-Location:Its borders are generally considered to be 22nd Street to the north, Randall Street to the south, Dolores Street to the east, and Grand View Avenue to the west. These borders are understood to be somewhat flexible, particularly by real estate agents...
.
Theatre
Large played Sally BowlesSally Bowles
Sally Bowles is a fictional character created by Christopher Isherwood. She originally appeared in Isherwood's 1937 novella Sally Bowles published by Hogarth Press. The story was later republished in the novel Goodbye to Berlin...
in a Portland Center Stage
Portland Center Stage
Portland Center Stage is a theater company based in Portland, Oregon, United States. Theater productions are presented at the Gerding Theater at the Armory in Portland's Pearl District. PCS was founded in 1988 as the northern sibling of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival in Ashland, Oregon...
(PCS) production of the musical
Musical theatre
Musical theatre is a form of theatre combining songs, spoken dialogue, acting, and dance. The emotional content of the piece – humor, pathos, love, anger – as well as the story itself, is communicated through the words, music, movement and technical aspects of the entertainment as an...
Cabaret
Cabaret (musical)
Cabaret is a musical based on a book written by Christopher Isherwood, music by John Kander and lyrics by Fred Ebb. The 1966 Broadway production became a hit and spawned a 1972 film as well as numerous subsequent productions....
. PCS is also the site of the premiere of her autobiographical musical Crazy Enough.
She has finished filming RID OF ME (by James Westby), starring Katie O'Grady, John Keyser, Theresa Russell, and Art Alexakis (Everclear). It can be viewed on You Tube.
In 2008 Storm Large premiered her autobiographical, one woman show, "Crazy Enough" at Portlands Center Stage. She got rave reviews. In New York the show is scheduled to appear Off-Broadway in the spring of 2011. A book version of the autobiography is also in the works.
She appeared in Randy Newman's
Randy Newman
Randall Stuart "Randy" Newman is an American singer-songwriter, arranger, composer, and pianist who is known for his mordant pop songs and for film scores....
Harps and Angels at the Mark Taper Forum
Mark Taper Forum
The Mark Taper Forum is a 739 seat thrust stage at the Los Angeles Music Center built by Welton Becket and Associates on the Bunker Hill section of downtown Los Angeles...
from November 10 - December 22, 2010.
Rock Star
Large is most widely known for her appearances as a contestant on Rock Star: Supernova. She was eliminated on September 6, 2006 (in the last show before the season finale). After elimination, host Dave NavarroDave Navarro
David Michael "Dave" Navarro is an American guitarist who plays in the alternative rock band Jane's Addiction and cover band Camp Freddy. He has also played with the Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Panic Channel, and many others.- Early life :...
recorded a guitar track for her single "Ladylike" and she was slated to open for the band Rock Star Supernova on tour in January 2007, though she and fellow contestant Magni Ásgeirsson
Magni Ásgeirsson
Guðmundur Magni Ásgeirsson , is a singer, songwriter, and musician. He is also currently the frontman for the Icelandic pop band Á Móti Sól. Outside of Iceland, he is most famous for being a contestant on the CBS reality show Rock Star: Supernova.-Biography:The third of four children, Magni was...
were dropped from the billing for financial reasons. On October 14, 2006, "Ladylike" debuted at #5 on Billboard
Billboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
s "Hot Singles Sales" chart.
Other appearances
In addition to being a contestant on Rock Star: Supernova, Large appeared as a guest on The Ellen DeGeneres ShowThe Ellen DeGeneres Show
The Ellen DeGeneres Show, often shortened to Ellen, is an American television talk show hosted by comedian/actress Ellen DeGeneres. Debuting on September 8, 2003, it is produced by Telepictures and airs in syndication, including stations owned by NBC Universal. For its first five seasons, the show...
on September 11, 2006. She discussed her childhood (and her unique name) with Ellen and performed Queen
Queen (band)
Queen are a British rock band formed in London in 1971, originally consisting of Freddie Mercury , Brian May , John Deacon , and Roger Taylor...
's "We Are the Champions
We Are the Champions
"We Are the Champions" is a power ballad written by Freddie Mercury, recorded and performed by British rock band Queen for their 1977 album News of the World. One of their most famous and popular songs, it remains among rock's most recognisable anthems...
" with Paul Mirkovich from the Rock Star: Supernova house band
House band
For the British band that existed from 1984-2001, see The House BandA house band is a group of musicians, often centrally organized by a band leader, who regularly play an establishment. It is widely used to refer both to the bands who work on entertainment programs on television or radio, and to...
accompanying her on piano.
On September 26, 2006, Large sang "The Star-Spangled Banner
The Star-Spangled Banner
"The Star-Spangled Banner" is the national anthem of the United States of America. The lyrics come from "Defence of Fort McHenry", a poem written in 1814 by the 35-year-old lawyer and amateur poet, Francis Scott Key, after witnessing the bombardment of Fort McHenry by the British Royal Navy ships...
" on the second season finale of ESPN
ESPN
Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, commonly known as ESPN, is an American global cable television network focusing on sports-related programming including live and pre-taped event telecasts, sports talk shows, and other original programming....
reality television show The Contender. She performed the national anthem again on November 4, 2006 at the Portland Trail Blazers
Portland Trail Blazers
The Portland Trail Blazers, commonly known as the Blazers, are an American professional basketball team based in Portland, Oregon. They play in the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . The Trail Blazers originally played their home games in the...
' opening home game of their 2006-2007 NBA season. The broadcast appeared on Fox Sports Northwest, the Seattle and Portland affiliate of Fox Sports Net.
Storm Inc was featured in an episode of TMC "Locals Only" show. There are many YouTube videos of various song from this performance.
Storm appeared in a street interview in an episode of Real Sex
Real Sex
Real Sex is a television series broadcast on and a production of HBO. As its name implies, Real Sex is a sexually explicit "magazine" which "explores sex '90s style."...
on HBO.
She is currently touring with the band Pink Martini
Pink Martini
Pink Martini is a 13-member "little orchestra" from Portland, Oregon, formed in 1994 by pianist Thomas M. Lauderdale. They draw inspiration from music from all over the world – crossing genres of classical, jazz and old-fashioned pop.-History:...
from July 4 through December 16, 2011, as a temporary replacement for vocalist China Forbes
China Forbes
China Forbes is an American singer and songwriter, best known as the lead singer of Pink Martini.Forbes was born and raised in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Her father is American of French/Scottish descent, and her mother is African American...
, who underwent vocal chord surgery.
Studio albums
| Album Name | Release | Storm's Alias |
|---|---|---|
| Big Daddy Large | 1995 | FlowerSF |
| Storm and Her Dirty Mouth | 1998 | Storm and Her Dirty Mouth |
| The Calm Years | 2000 | Storm Inc. |
| Hanging With The Balls | 2003 | The Balls |
| Vasectomy | 2005 | The Balls |
| Ladylike Side One Ladylike Side One Ladylike Side One is an EP by Portland's rock singer Storm Large.-Track listing:# "Beautiful" – 4:46# "Ladylike" – 3:08# "Fat Chick's Revenge" – 3:34# "You & You & Me" – 2:23# "Twisted Jimmy" – 3:00# "Under You" – 4:48... |
June 5, 2007 | Storm Large |
| Crazy Enough Crazy Enough Crazy Enough is an album by Portland's rock singer Storm Large. It contains all the songs performed in the eponymous theater piece written and played by Storm.-Track listing:All tracks written by Storm Large and James Beaton except where noted.... |
2009 | Storm Large |
Singles
| Single Name | Note | Release Date |
|---|---|---|
| Ladylike | Storm and The Balls | 2006 |
| Ladylike | Featuring Dave Navarro Dave Navarro David Michael "Dave" Navarro is an American guitarist who plays in the alternative rock band Jane's Addiction and cover band Camp Freddy. He has also played with the Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Panic Channel, and many others.- Early life :... |
2006 |
Other album appearances
- "Little Drummer Boy" (as FlowerSF) on Christmas Time in San Francisco by Various Artists 1995
- "Ego" (as FlowerSF) on She's a Rebel by Various Artists 1997
- "About You," "Let Go" on Infinite Syndrome by Bugs 1997
- "I'm not alright", "Lust", "Superman", "Ima Yora", "Geraldine", "Crazy Love" on Storm & her dirty mouth by Storm & her dirty mouth 1998
- "You Don't Bring Me Flowers Anymore (Ruff Mix)" on You Are Here by Insecto 1999
- "Rape Me" (as Storm Inc.) on Nearvana: San Francisco by Various Artists 2002
- "Down," "Lovetractors 4 Sale" on Planet of the Fish by Alien Lovestock 2004
- "Valentine's Day," "Closer Closer," "Ruin Everything" on Sessions at East by Auditory Sculpture 2006
- "Asylum Road" on Dearly Departed by Various Artists 2008