J Leigh Nelson

writer, book publicist, podcaster, animator, video producer, web designer

MUSIC

SIMPLE ASSAULT (2003-2005)

In the beginning, there was a band, and the band was simple.

Starting as a 9-part all-girl band, the group was quickly whittled down to five. Though members came and went, the majority of the time was spent with Maddy on vocals, Ashton on percussion, Jaime on rhythm guitar, Lindsey on bass, and Nicole on violin. "That Thing You Do" was a popular cover, but the band did some of their own music as well. They produced a music video for "Broken Chair" (written by Ashton). Eventually, the band dwindled to three: Maddy, Ashton, and Jaime. There was talk of a revival and name change, but in the end, the band defunkified as high school was ending and the real world was soon upon them.

"Gunfire erupted from a window high above them, but it was only a bass player getting shot for playing the wrong riff three times in a row. A huge electronic drum kit hurtled through the window high above them and smashed itself to bits in the street in front of them. There was a helicopter above them now which seemed to be involved in a side skirmish with the band upstairs. Smoke was billowing from the building. The sound engineer was hanging out the window by his fingertips, and a maddened guitarist was beating on his fingers with a burning guitar. The helicopter was firing at all of them. The few surviving members of the rock band had agreed to recognize their musical differences and pursue solo careers."
-- Douglas Adams
(So Long and Thanks for all the Fish)

SERENITY (2000-2003)

Serenity started with Jaime, Kirsten, Jolie, and Brianna in the summer of 2000 recording the song and making the music video "Five Senses" with Yahara River Digital.

After that project, they added Whitney, Nicole, and Pang to do an act in the middle school talent show singing and dancing to the Sailor Moon song, "Who Do You Think You Are?" They were cut from the show before it started.

After this let down, they decided to write and record their own music. Thus new music was born. They began recording in small groups, just recording with who ever showed up to the recording session.

In 2001, Alternate Universe Survivors began, a series of stories about Serenity and the fictional boy band, Raison D'etre, in their fantasy adventures. In 2003, they recorded the first episode.

In 2002, Lindsey and Amanda were added to the band to try out again for the talent show with their original, "Dreaming of You." This time, they succeeded.

In 2003, the band ended with the production of the CD to make way for Simple Assault.

Track List:

Dreaming of You
Baby Stay Away
Cheating on Me
Is this Love?
Repetition of Randy
Repetition of the Repetition
Serenity and Raison D'etre
Dreaming of You (talent show remix)
Cheating on Me (premix)
Repetition of the Repetition (Scream remix)
Serenity and Raison D'etre (AUS remix)
Dreaming of You (Calculus remix)