(UPDATED 7/15/24 5:58 PM EST)
https://www.howardnema.com/2024/07/13/ice-angel-1988-live-drops-9-1-24
On August 1st, one month after ICE ANGEL 1990 drops, recently discovered LIVE performances of 10 original songs from 1988 will be released on September 1st!
These recordings while raw, have remarkable clarity and quality, considering both the age of the cassette tape source and that the songs were originally recorded on a Panasonic stereo boom box.
The performances recorded on March 20, 1988 truly capture the essence and energy of the band. The recordings stand as both a testament to history and a tribute to the power and magic of ICE ANGEL. If you were to have seen ICE ANGEL live — you’ll get it. If not, this collection of 10 LIVE songs is as close to their magic as you will ever get.
COMING SOON!
Until September 1st . . . .
PRE-SAVE ICE ANGEL 1990 on Spotify!
https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/iceangel/1990
In 1988 Howard Nema, Maria Corbo and Keith Ratner were seeking a new drummer and bass player after the demise of the short lived, MIDNIGHT SUN. Soon after, Nemaizer met Craig Keller, who introduced him to the powerful John Schwarz/Russ Zweig rhythm section. Everything clicked from the very first rehearsal.
The band called themselves, “Shadow,” until finally settling on ICE ANGEL, the name of one of Maria Corbo and Howard Nema’s songs. ICE ANGEL quickly became popular regulars at Nobody’s in Flushing, Queens.
As fate would have it, in the early spring of 1990 Howard found Maria in bed with keyboardist Keith Ratner. Finding himself in what became an untenable situation, Howard stuck it out for the band, despite Maria’s constant flirty and touchy feely attention given to Keith on stage.
The drama escalated with every show, culminating in a fist fight between Howard and Keith outside the Fifty Yard Line bar in Little Neck, Queens. Still, the band stayed together for 6 months, rehearsing and playing shows until December 1990.
ICE ANGEL ended on New Year’s Eve 1990. Bassist Russ Zweig held a party that night. After taking advice from music insiders the band was hoping to procure a record deal from, it was decided to replace Maria with another singer. When Maria was told she was out of the band, Keith immediately quit. ICE ANGEL as it was, was over.
The other members obviously realized this would happen. But the truth is, the band had become toxic, suffering from Fleetwood Mac Syndrome. Howard Nema and Maria Corbo were dating since 1987. They first founded MIDNIGHT SUN, a short lived band, with Keith Ratner on keyboards, Kevin Toye on bass and Rob Cohen on drums. The band rehearsed at on the fourth floor of the Music Building in Jamaica Queens. Metallica also rehearsed in the building on the 6th floor at this time.
related:
Flushing filmmaker shows ‘We Were All Nobody’s’ documentary at Festival of Cinema NYC – QNS
EQUIPMENT USED BY ICE ANGEL
Vocals – Maria Corbo
Shure SM 58 microphone
Guitar – Howard Nema
1977 Ibanez Custom Double Neck
1986 Ibanez GRX 70
1982 Gibson Les Paul Custom
1982 Ibanez Artwood Series 12 String Acoustic
Guitar Effects (RACK MOUNT)
Korg SDD-2000 Digital Delay
Yamaha R1000 Digital Reverb
Behringer Multigate Pro Noise Gate
Guitar Effects (PEDALS)
Electro-Harmonix Electric Mistress Flanger
Ibanez Compressor
Ibanez Chorus
Ibanez Vintage Tube Screamer
The Rat Distortion Pedal
Morley Basic Wah Pedal
Dunlop Crybaby Wah pedal
Bass – Russ Zweig
1987 BC Rich Warlock
Drums – John Schwarz
Sonor 7 Piece Drum Kit (1) Paiste 18″ Ride, (1) Full Crash, (1) Signature Fast Crash (1) Power Crash (2) Splash Cymbols, Zidjian 14″ Hi-hats
Keyboards – Keith Ratner
Korg Poly 61, Casio AZ-1, Casio SK 2100 Keyboards
Amps & Cabs
Peavey Roadmaster Vintage Tube Series 160 Watt Guitar Amp head
2 Pair of Peavey 4 x 12 Celestian Speaker Cabinets
Peavey MK IV 300 Watt bass amp head
Peavey 1801 Black Widow 18″ Bass Cabinet
PA Equipment
Crown CE1000 2 Channel 1000 Watt Power Amplifier
2 Electro-Voice MTH-2 PA speakers
2 Electro-Voice MTH-2/94A PA Speakers
2 Electro-Voice MTL-1X PA Speakers
Outboard Gear
Yamaha PM 430 8 Channel Mixer (VOCALS/KEYS)
Yamaha PM 400 8 Channel Mixer (DRUM SUB MIXER)
Roland SRV 2000 Rack Mount Digital Reverb
ADA Digitizer 4 Programmable Rack Mount Digital Delay
In the end, it got ugly for ICE ANGEL. But the band left behind a solid body of work. Togehter they created magic and gained a loyal following as a progressive rock band at a time when metal ruled the world.
ICE ANGEL’s music was unique, creative and dynamic. They created a sound that is all their own that is still fresh, vibrant and musically relevant today.
ICE ANGEL’s music has stood the test of time– as the world will soon see on August 1st!
PRE SAVE
ICE ANGEL 1990
8/1/24
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