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THE VILLAS

ANGIE VILLA (songwriting/lead guitar/vocals), was born in Elizabeth NJ, home of the (real) Sopranos. Her musical influences include The Smiths, REM, The Rolling Stones, The Beatles, Neil Sedaka, Cheap Trick, Aerosmith, Steve & Edie, and her dad.

During and after college, Angie fronted two bands (Paint Box and Angel & The Young Swingers), both characterized by her ingeniously economical guitar riff-driven songs. The club crowds loved her, especially when she wore bootylicious outfits like this.

BILL VILLA (songwriting/rhythm guitar/lead vocals), was born in Allentown (made famous by Billy Joel) PA, 1.5 hours West of Elizabeth. His musical influences include The Beatles, Brian Wilson, Burt Bacharach, David Bowie, Jackson Browne, The Ramones, and Elvis Costello. Bill’s dad, Bill Villa, was a band leader and singer in the US Army. Bill’s dad’s dad, Bill Villa, played guitar, banjo, mandolin, and bowed saw for a variety of bands, including The London Criterions. Bill’s first vocal coach was his mom, Helen Villa.

Bill was lead singer/co-songwriter of The Fops, a songwriting and recording think tank with best friend from 4th grade, Kevin Curry. Their songs garnered the most requests of any artist played on Muhlenberg College's WMUH radio station a few summers ago. Bill also co-wrote for and managed The Daddy Licks Band to regional prominence and several close-but-no-cigar record deals.

THE VILLAS met through a personals ad Bill penned in May 1997. His first draft went: "Lottery winner, 6 weeks to live." Final copy told the truth: "chain-smoker compulsively working on music." (Editor's Note: Bill quit smoking on 1/4/05 ... be careful around him). It was the best ad Bill ever wrote. Angie responded. They met in a bookstore on a blind date. Bill was carrying a cassette tape of his songs; Angie was carrying a cassette of hers. That's how they recognized each other. Upon hearing each other’s songs, they’ve been inseparable ever since. Angie and Bill married on 6/27/99.

Just 2 weeks after their debut CD “Secrets” was released in April 2000, THE VILLAS were invited to perform at the International Pop Overthrow Festival in Hollywood, California, having made their stage debut in NYC just weeks earlier, and with THE VILLAS being Bill’s first band ever. Chutzpah. Since then, THE VILLAS have been wowing audiences in Los Angeles, New York City, Philadelphia, Santa Fe, and in their hometown area of Allentown, Pennsylvania.

Some Villas hi-lites along the way so far include:

* CD Review Raves (see "Raves")
* Villas signed by Blue Buddha Entertainment, Los Angeles
* VillaSong "Always Ending" on Dawson's Creek 4th Season DVD
* Villas open for Los Lonely Boys in Santa Fe, NM
* Villas open for Lucinda Williams in Santa Fe, NM
* Villas open for Steve Kimock in Bethlehem, PA
* Villas open for The Fixx in Jim Thorpe, PA 
* Villas nominated by DJ Staff @ WXPN (Philly) for Local Band Of The Year
* VillaSong "Way To Go" makes Village Voice Pazz & Jop Critic's Poll
* Villas awarded annual grant from ASCAP (2001-2002-2003-2004)
* Villas chosen to perform @ Underground Garage Battle of The Bands, 
   Philadelphia playoff
* Radio Play on 68 stations from Pennsylvania to Portugal  ("Secrets" + "Set For Life")
* Villas play "Leicht Lunch" on-air @ WXPN, Philly
* WDIY (Bethlehem, PA), Top 5
* WMUH (Allentown, PA), Top 10
* KBAC (Santa Fe, NM), Top 25
* WCNI (New London, CT), Top 25
* WDIY (Bethlehem, PA) Best Of Year ("Set For Life")
* KEOA (Lahaina, Hawaii) Best Of Year ("Set For Life")
* Jangle Radio (Kilgore, TX) Best Of Year ("Set For Life")
* David Bash (Audities) Best Of Year, ("Set For Life")
* WVIA (Scranton, PA) Best Of Year ("Secrets")
* WDIY (Bethlehem, PA) Best Of Year ("Secrets")
* WXXE (Syracuse, NY) Best Of Year ("Secrets")
* Villas featured in Metro (Philadelphia)
* Villas featured in Amplifier Magazine (Boston)
* Villas featured in Devil In The Woods Magazine (San Francisco)
* Villas featured in South Florida's Entertainment News & Reviews (Miami)
* Villas featured in Lehigh Valley Magazine (Bethlehem, PA)
* Villas featured in Lehigh Valley Style Magazine (Allentown, PA)
* Villas featured in The Morning Call (Allentown)
* Villas featured in The Allentown Times (Allentown)
* Villas featured in the Weekender (Allentown)
* Villas featured in Eastern PA Business Journal (Bethlehem)
* Villas featured in Pulse Weekly (Allentown)
* Villas featured in The Express-Times (Bethlehem)
* Villas featured in the East Penn Press (Emmaus, PA)
* Villas featured in The Times News (Lehighton, PA)
* Villas featured in The Pococo Record (Stroudsburg, PA)
* Villas featured on WLVT-TV, Lehigh Valley PBS: TEMPO (Bethlehem)
* Villas featured on WFMZ-TV Channel 69 News (Allentown)
* Villas 1st (and to date only) rookie local band to headline
    Godfrey Daniels (Bethlehem)
* The Villas multi-media "Mad Fun Downtown" at The Theatre
   Outlet (Allentown) SOLD OUT (a week in advance)

On stage, THE VILLAS are sometimes joined by dancer/choreographer SHEENA VILLA, and PATRICK VILLA, videographer.

THE VILLAS are BILL VILLA on lead vocals and guitar,  ANGIE VILLA on lead guitar and vocals,  BILL WEHBE on keyboards, MARC WALDMAN on bass, and KEVIN GROLLER on drums. . 

THE VILLAS released their 1st son, Gianni William "Geege" Villa, on September 1, 2001.

THE VILLAS released their 2nd CD, Set For Life, in April 2003.

When THE VILLAS are gigging or recording, Gianni hangs out with Angie’s mom, “Nee-Nee.”

To book THE VILLAS for a live gig, music festival, corporate event, or custom songwriting project (including advertising jingles), click Contact …

[Foto Credits: Ken Ek, Paul Keller, Joe Billera, Dona L. Jones, Kevin Curry, Hub Willson, Nick Piperata, Dave Baun, Anthony Ali, Mike Smitreski, Traci Wehbe, Amy Joseph, The Villas]