“MESMERIZING” TAMMY BRYANT/ U2 PUBLICIST “THIS BAND GIVES ME NEW FAITH THAT ROCK IS NOT DEAD!” KRISHTA ABRUZZINI / KNAC.COM Who Is Sweety? Better yet, who the hell would name their band Sweety? They’d better have something to say with a tag like that. But if you‘ve ever found yourself a member of their audiences as the sonic roller coaster smacked you in the face and gently laid you down only to step on your throat and blow you a kiss while smiling innocently, you’d get the picture. Here’s the story… A few years back you may have found yourself watching any or all the members of Sweety performing at your favorite concert hall or nightclub, maybe even at the same time. The Catch…you would have to watch three different bands in order to do it. The crew that has come to be known as Sweety is actually the collective efforts of three of the northwest’s most recognized and celebrated bands. Portland based, The Dragonflies, from which comes guitarist Scott Byrd, bassist Jeff Buehner and drummer Steve May; Seattle’s Dinsdale and the Geoff Tate solo project heralding vocalist/guitarist Jeff Carrell; and Portland’s Tripleswift lending the talents of guitarist Brian McGrew. It all started when Jeff Carrell had just finished touring and co-writing with Geoff Tate for his self-titled solo project (SANCTUARY). Tate developed a great respect for Carrell’s vocal and songwriting abilities while Carrell was playing with the band Dinsdale and asked him to join his solo project. After recording and touring with Tate, Carrell began sketching ideas for something new. On a weekend visit to Seattle, longtime friend and bassist from The Dragonflies, Jeff Buehner, laid down some bass tracks and a new sound began to emerge. Guitarist Scott Byrd and Jeff Carrell began forging a new songwriting partnership and together with drummer Steve May it became apparent that this collective effort was much more then just a “project.” After hours of writing and collaborations, the band found it’s “face” and an EP was recorded at Falcon Recording Studios in Portland, Oregon. Because of the many layers on the orchestration, the need for another guitarist became apparent and Brian McGrew fit the bill. The band was now complete and longtime friends began looking to the future to create and be a part of something special.