Music: That's What She Said

THAT'S WHAT SHE SAID!

New tri-state dance band gets everybody moving with an irresistible, energetic set-list

Singer TJ Tanoos is no stranger to the Evansville music scene. As a former frontman for the city's biggest ever cover band, The C.R.O.W.D., through to his recent stint with Tastes Like Chicken, his musical projects have proven to be a huge draw at tri-state bars. But after the latter group called it a day last year, the ambitious entertainer found himself languishing on the sidelines for a spell, eager to get back in the game. And he knew just what direction to go, having noted that the best elements of TLC were the danceable segments of the set - the songs that got everybody moving. Like Ginuwine's "Pony" and virtually anything by Bruno Mars. "We would sequence those songs so they sounded full - not just with guitar, bass and drums but with all the bells and effects because we were playing to a click track," Tanoos explains. "We saw how much that worked more than anything else." Then he asked himself a simple question: What would I want to hear if I went out to see a cover band? The aforementioned artists, of course, but also classics by the Jackson 5, CeeLo Green, Journey and even Neil Diamond. With a danceable concept in mind, Tanoos simply needed to find the right mix of local musicians to help bring his musical vision to life.

Tanoos first reached out to Mike VanBibber, a ferocious guitarist who's previously played with Nine Stitches and Stolen Remains - both heavy outfits a mile away from the dancefloor; yet, the veteran scenester jumped in head first. Next, former TLC bass player Jonathan Gluff signed on. Unfortunately, his responsibilities with Stackin' Eights, an in-demand southern rock band, became an impediment to his participation; however, he helped to land a fantastic drummer for Tanoos in the form of Jeremy Lewis. And the open bass position was quickly filled by Nick Wildeman, former player with Bombshell - the Rock Show! That left only a vacancy for a female vocalist - the key piece to the puzzle. Tanoos' girlfriend, Denise Adams, suggested Lakyn Kingrey, her daughter's best friend. Primarily a country singer, the budding talent was all ears when it came to taking direction, easily mastering the more pop elements of the proposed setlist. And her country background meant that Tanoos could broaden the appeal of the band, too, adding some of the biggest hits out of Nashville.

After a trial run at TJ's Stockyard Inn on August 5, That's What She Said! (a totally Tanoos band name) rocked KC's Time Out Lounge to the tune of 500 people a few weeks later. Then Tiki On Main a couple weeks after that - another runaway success. The dance-centric concept is clearly catching fire with the band booked twice a month through 2022 - no surprise to Tanoos who just knew this approach would have mass appeal. "You could be in an old folks home and they're going to eventually creep out of their walkers and wheelchairs and figure out how to twerk with canes to the songs we're playing."

Photo Credit: Mustard Seed Photography

Catch That's What She Said! at KC's Time Out Lounge on October 29.

We would sequence those songs so they sounded full - not just with guitar, bass and drums but with all the bells and effects because we were playing to a click track.