Eliza Neals and the
Narcotics
Eliza was born in Detroit, Michigan but grew up in a suburb of Detroit in a town called Southfield. She is a third generation Armenian from both sides. She has two sisters one older and one younger than her. Eliza's dad was in the military and decided each of his daughter's middle names should be 'Robert'. At least with Eliza, this middle name would later shape her blues character. All of the girls loved singing.
Later Eliza went to Wayne State University where she studied music, eventually touring Europe in a choir. One of her main topics of study was opera. She was supposed to go to Vienna to be an opera singer for a scholarship. She was told she would become one of a big opera singers in that line of music. Deep within, her heart was rooted in the blues and rock. All of that formal study proved to be useful as Eliza took in all the many aspects of the vocal range. One part of her learning process was taking up classical piano which came very easily to her as she had taken piano lessons all her life. Eliza's family pushed piano, dance and singing in order for all the girls to be well rounded in the arts. As for studying opera, her teacher said singing the blues would ruin a pure operatic voice but Eliza took into account the techniques in order to sustain her rock voice singing five to seven nights a week. She worked towards earning a Bachelor's degree in music. Since her dad had passed away, she knows that he would be proud of her accomplishments today.
When Eliza sings, her smooth graveling gritty yet velvety voice voice seems to come from her toes, up her body and out of her lips as she works the blues with ease. Barrett Strong was one of her favorite mentors. She learned to make the songs of her favorite soul, funk, easy listening and hard rock influences into her own sound as well as composing her original tunes. Eliza's one rule is to get inside of each song and it is there in her movements and fluctuations as she passionately vocalizes each one.
During her musical band career, Eliza went by the name of Eliza Neals as the name of her band as she, respectfully, is the lead singer. It wasn't until 3 years ago she added the name 'and the Narcotics' to add mystery and help people to feel high or get high from listening. The latest line up includes the incomparable Howard Glazer - International Blues Guitarist, Michigan Blues HOF and Detroit Music Awards (Harmonica Shaw + EL34’s), Lenny Bradford - Bassist and John Medeiros - Drummer. Eliza Neals is the lead singer plus keyboardist, arranger, songwriter and the brainchild who put everything together regarding all the music .... and hired all the band members including The amazing Howard Glazer plus the other musicians who back her up on the road.
Eliza's latest album, 10,000 Feet Below, started 2017 at #2 on international Blues-Rock radio charts on Roots Music Report and #6 on Rack-O-Blues B.B. Kings, Bluesville! Two Nominations from the new “Independent Blues Awards 2017” and Five nominations in 2016! Descending into your musical soul she transforms you and emerges unscathed.
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Cleotus - Heavy distortion. An acoustic blues guitar works it into a natural tune. 'Cleotus walked into my store one day. 'Cleotis. Cleotis. Cleotis said he wanted to be my man some day. Cleotis. . . . .'
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Another Lifetime - Slow electric blues. 'What in the world in my heart trembles, trembles. You kissed my lips, my lips, my lips and my soul remembers. . . . .'
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Burn The Tent Down - 'Gonna burn the tent down. Gonna burn the tent down.' Slip slapping full electric blues. 'I said there's going to be a party tonight. I'm going 'til the morning light. . . . .' The party you enjoy will burn to the core with concentrated blues and soul.
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10,000 Feet Below - Eliza emerges lily white. Being that far underground never phased her . What madness did she meet? She lives to tell the story. Stomping with the beat. 'Just got back from hell and the devil's after me, I just got back from hell and I stomped him with my feet. He'll be begging me for mercy. . . . .'
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You Ain't My Dog No More - 'Ain't my dog no more. Ain't my dog no more.' Blues guitar at its finest talking in between the words of the song. She means it! 'Don't go coming around no more. . . . .' Howard Glazer plays the blues to perfection.
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Cold Cold Night - Acoustic guitar, piano and drums. Eliza's voice comes on strong and bluesy. ' Why you do the things you do? I'm crazy for my baby. I'm talking to you. . . . .'
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Hard Killing Floor - Piano. 'Hard times are here. Everywhere you go. Times are harder than ever before. . . . .' The guitar whines with its mournful sound.
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Call Me Moonshine - Drum and cymbals with a slow sassy rhythm and blues with Howard's electric guitar. 'You call me up. So here I am. You said you needed me to be your right hand man. . . . .'
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Downhill on a Rocket - Tripping drum beats. The electric guitar wails. Eliza's voice moans. 'She's a voodoo woman with a cross in her hand. . . . .'
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Merle Dixon - The electric guitar expertly talks as Eliza sings. 'Gonna take you on a trip at sundown. . . . .'
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At The Crossroads - An echoing voice is heard in the distance. A piano begins to play as the guitar plays along with it. 'Oh the light is flickering blue. Birds are swimming; fish are flying through. An evil woman, she smiles at you. . . . .'
Eliza Neals
Dynamic front woman with guts, soul, funk and grit. Able to deliver with powerful energy. Eclectic drenching blues and rock. To find out more about Eliza and her band go to:
Barret Strong
Howard Glazer
Lenny Bradford
John Medeiros
Denise L. @DL7855 2017