Another Pretty Face
A Theatrical Presentation

REVIEWS:

ENCORE June 2004
I normally avoid bands that wear makeup and employ gimmicks in their live show. I find it to be a crutch due to a lack of musical talent, Britteny. At first I was extremely skeptical when this nights act walked on the stage in white face at DLs in Fayetteville. So why did I enjoy this one man show, Another Pretty Face? The reason is simple. It was good. George Conrad isn't signed to any record company. Yet this is a solid professional solo entertainer. As a female Max Head Room played on videos monitors to set the stage. He positioned himself behind several keyboards and preceded to entertain the audience none stop for 80 minutes. As if he were playing in a sold out coliseum. Images would occasionally flash on the monitor screens in time with this one man orchestra.

People before him such as Thomas Dolby have pioneered the keyboard soloist routine. But this was nothing like Mr.She Blinded Me With Science. This is more aggressive. Conrad's voice is huge and belongs along side the likes of Roger Daltry, Jim Morrison and Phil Collins. His keyboard ability, crafty. Reminded me of Keith Emerson. But what struck me most about him was his presence.That and the instant acceptance the crowd had for a stranger in white tuxedo tales wearing makeup.

His original songs show his creativity. They are operatic in a sense that they have a theme. It obvious this presentation isn't mindlessly thrown together. The songs he covers are not your run of the mill club band songs. Another Pretty Face performed music by Rush, Yes and Genesis. A winning combination to show off his skills.

Going to see Another Pretty Face is more than say, going out to a club and dancing to music by a live band. Tonight the regulars from the Lumberton and Fayetteville area were treated to a concert. A show reminiscent of the golden age of concerts. A time when live music was exciting.

It's easy to see that George has years of road experience. He has two self released Cd's, New World and Psychological Abuse, which are receiving international airplay on dozens of radio stations. The whole concept can be enjoyed by young rockers and old hippies. I fall into that later category.

When I got to express my surprise to him concerning why he hasn't been picked up by a label. He looked at me dead pan and responded " I don't have an MTV face." Is he purposely flying under the radar? I couldn't tell. But the fact remains, Another Pretty Face is a remarkable indie artist with a dramatic show and passionate music. It's all achieved by mixing 70s progressive rock, 80s new wave, topped off with new millennium sounds. I look forward to hearing more from Another Pretty Face. Musical entertainment like this is hard to come by.

Nine Volt Magazine - “There’s video, there’s smoke, there’s lights and music. All wrapped up in an over the top package to excite your senses.”

Review by Marcus Barone, film/TV music supervisor, composer, publisher, and former executive in charge of Music Orion Pictures, and former music director for Tristar Motion Pictures
Anything George Conradi touches influences anybody on a creative level. Conradi can be described as "in your dreams or your holy creative unconscious." He surely influenced me. Conradi became my proving ground that eventually led me into motion picture music scoring. Guitarist Steve Stevens (Billy Idol), another former Conradi band member used to bump into each other and talk about George. George is my rock/theatrical & lyrical mentor. It was a pleasure being his partner.

Review by Brooke Evans, Atomic Magazine
This one caught me off guard. Psychological Abuse by Another Pretty Face is a different kind of independent cd. It's keyboard based and symphonic. And that itself makes this a refreshing sounding disk. For the progressive rock fanatics, George Conradi is reminiscent of Rick Wakeman, Peter Banks, and Keith Emerson. But with his second cd the difference is this is more "art rock" then progressive rock. There is a fine line between the two genres. Prog rock is heavily laced with calculated mathematical rhythms combined with harmonic runs overlapping the next. Where as art rock relys on melody, emotion, and grandure. The opening track "This Is So Wrong" is a modern instrumental classical piece. What could have been a serious mistake to open a cd. Happens to come across as nothing short of masterful playing with orchestral power. The emotion in it not only makes it acceptable, but desirable. There's plenty of dissonance here and it works. Track 2 is "Sick Bastard". Here is where art rock flirts with techno. One can taste the madness with it's climatic ending. The production and recording is solid and impeccable. The over all feel of Psychological Abuse ( a game for the whole family ) is big budget and compelling. With only 6 songs, it clocks in right under a half hour. But no 2 songs sound the same. And each sound out like their own one act play. With stories that are open to interpretation by each individual listener. This type of music has only received little airplay in the history of radio. And in spite of that it has a strong dedicated cult following with sold out shows and several festivals through out the world. If your looking for the standard-fare rock tunes. Then I suggest getting the latest from Linkin Park. If it's something creative you desire to sink your teeth into. Psychological Abuse (a game for the whole family) will satisfy your pallet.

‘Pretty After All’ by Paul Magill - My reluctance to see Another Pretty Face was based on what I read in the Richmond Music Journal.  I now chastise myself for placing too much weight on other's opinions instead of keeping an open mind. I deprived myself of the pleasure of seeing someone who admits to "being one sick bastard " the title of his show. Prudishness, I'm convinced, is the domain of very unhappy people.

George's shows are not for everyone, but they provide more entertainment and tongue-and-cheek fun than television, and are definitely superior to mediocre renditions of "Free Bird".  A buzz ran through the crowd at the Blvd Deli, like an audience anticipating a Broadway show. The lights dimmed, a spotlight came on, flash pots exploded, and a fog machine cranked out a dense mist. My attention was riveted on a lone figure surrounded by 5 keyboards. He wore horns on his head, black wings on his back, white grease paint, fishnet body suit and a tux. He was also wearing a g-string jock strap and high heeled boots.

He served as his own M C, with a toothy wry smile as a headset mic bobbed in front of his face.  After the "Sick Bastard" the opening song, he played The Beatles "The Benefit of Mr. Kite" and then the appropriate "The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway".  Pausing to tell a packed house what they could expect to hear and what they wouldn't hear.  He also threw out some insults causing a female to loudly yell "shut the fuck up and play." So he launched into " Yours Is No Disgrace." The crowd gets their money's worth from his flipping buttons, knobs, and slid bars on his excellent equipment.  Following a brief intermission, he rearranged his equipment and was joined by drummer Jerry James from XL102 and Joel Benson, the bassist from the now defunct Seth.  Jerry and Joel are good choices for band mates. Jerry is a solid drummer with the skills, strength, and stamina to tackle the difficult songs George selects.  Joel, dressed in black patent vinyl from head to toe with a ruffled shirt, moves effortlessly around the stage like a hair band leopard.  He contributes vocals, comments and banter with the crowd. It was a great performance from a band with only 18 days to prepare. George is a great organizer. The show had lighting by Thomas Foster and the massive amounts of equipment was set up and torn down in a ballet like controlled chaos. Much of the credit goes to George's "King Rat roadie" Troy Chiles. Another Pretty Face will play Richmond once a month. It behooves you to see this original act soon. For your home listening enjoyment, they have a new cd out which can be purchased on line at http://anotherprettyfacemusic.com   Paul Magill is a writer for the “Richmond Music Journal” and his own “Ashland Music Scene.”

Queens Ledger - Another Pretty Face blew into Queens with the artic blast last week and delighted the crowd at Cranberries. There was some advance promotion with print ads and posters. To be honest I was very curious about A.P.F.  The hype worked because the club was at capacity . Several members of local bands braved the fridged tempetures to check out this act. What got me even more curious was noticing there was no drum set up in the pit which serves as the stage at Cranberries. Just a large keyboard set up. George Conradi, a former New Yorker is the sole member. He now resides in Richmond Va. A veteran from the days of New York's  Max's Kansas City scene and the Andy Warhol crowd. He's able to perform and sound like a complete band using samples and prerecorded backing tracks. This dynamic and eclectic performer wearing mime make-up brought his dramatic arena rock back home to support his indie cd release NEW WORLD. Surrounded by keyboards. He had complete control entertaining an audience with his thift shop theatrics and melodramatic music. Another Pretty Face is not the kind of "band" where people get up and dance or sing along to the songs. It is more of a presentation. Influenced by Britians big prog rock bands such as Pink Floyd, Yes and ELP. His voice is all his own but can be best compared to the likes of Ronnie Dio or Roger Daltry. In a mist of fog he appeard dressed in a Dr. Jekyll costume and began playing a mix of original and covers. He held the audience attention and had most in their seats hanging on to every word he sang. In one song " Sick Bastard" he pointed a sardonic finger at himself and others like him which brought laughter from the packed house. During his set someone yelled out for "Stairway to Heaven". Pausing, he asked the crowd, "so, we like Led Zeppelin? Down south they shout out for Free Bird." He then proceeded to play "Kashmir". The crowd response was enthusiastic. After his hour long show I watched as he socialized around the room and sold several cds. I got to speak with this talented and outspoken musician about his performance. "I'm more of an entertainer than just some guy in a band playing a few songs" he commented." I want people to get more bang for their buck when they come to my show. I realize the term "show" gets thrown around very easily these days. I hear and see some bands playing in clubs that feel they will let the music "do it". From my point of view it's a pretty out dated notion. Just take a look at todays society. The types of entertainment we have now have come a long way from the radio and television. This is a time of big budget movies, video games, internet porn sites and all those other genres of entertainment out there. It's just my way of getting a fair share of the attention. I think all it really comes down to is having an imagination and not being inhibited." Some would say this is all a gimmick. And some would be right. But Another Pretty Face accompishes what he sets out to do. The people came and he put on a show. And everyone was happy.

Peter Kaufman, The Innsbrook Foundation - “We loved Another Pretty Face. Innsbrook loves to showcase new or different types of talent and APF is definitely both. From wild lighting to swirling synthesizers, APF held the crowd in his hands for the entire set. I can’t wait to have him back.”

John Porter, WNCW - “I was absolutely blown away by Another Pretty Face. It’s an amazing collection of art rock. It’s performance art with rock music. Very entertaining, yet thought provoking”

Jay Smack WRXL XL-102 - “another pretty face is a one man art rock extravaganza”

NY VILLAGE VOICE - “In a time of loud guitars and screamers, another pretty face stands out”

Another Pretty Face - “what I do is a dog and pony show, it’s all smoke and mirrors. but the music takes it to a different level. it’s very impressionable.”

Henrico County Leader - ‘Another Pretty Face Draws Fans’
     These days it seems like the world is filled with sameness. Too many bands sound like too many other bands. Into this pasteurized world comes an individual who doesn't just break rules, he breaks molds. Meet George Conradi, a New York native who now calls Glen Allen home. Better known by his stage persona  Another Pretty Face. Conradi is a top-hatted white-face demon who plays 6 different keyboards and sings songs that don't make you dance. They make you think.They reach into your soul and rip-off the mask that hide the darker sides of our lives. When Conradi is in his show makeup and character, he becomes a creature who reminds us we need people like him in order to feel better about ourselves.
       Conradi says "I'm not your average hum & strum solo act." With an act as different as Conradi's it's difficult to draw parallels to his music. Some compare his work to the likes of Alice Cooper, David Bowie or Marilyn Manson. Those are fair comparisons, although you would have to also list people like Keith Emerson and Rick Wakeman, because Conradi is a consummate musician.
       With clean, even riffs and the multi-tracking and sampling that comprise his signature sound, Conradi's covers and originals are amazing. He attributes some of the appeal to sheer experience. The audience however, can rarely perdict what Conradi will do next. Even though the stangeness of his act is definitely calculated. "When i walk on stage during my intro" he says, "no matter where I am the place stops and thats before I hit the first chord. I can hear them thinking "you better be good." "Once they get past the effects they get real music. When I see a band on stage wearing hockey shirts and cut off jeans I find it sad, boring and unimaginative.I want to develope a stage show to play in art galleries and legit theaters. I want to develope my own brand of guerilla theater. But mainly I want to entertain people."

Susan Triggs, Focus ‘ Another Pretty Face Qeetus Backlash’
Another Pretty Face was already playing to a big crowd when I arrived at the Three Chop Sports Grill. This is the second time I have seen this one-man band. A large part of his appeal is off center. His mime make-up, costume and hand gestures immediately gets everyone to stare. His singing is expressive with different characterizations... even with his undeniable NY accent. The lyrics are still understandable. George Conradi is the man behind the make up. His set was made up of originals and deep cut cover songs. His version of the Genesis song “Moma” started out raw then in the middle sounded fully orchestrated. In an original song, “Tribes” he set the mood with the sound of howling wolves, chanting and native american drums. This is new age, performance art, sometimes classical. All mixed with electronic drums. Best line of the song was, “Their yesterdays dissappear tomorrow”, very John Lennon. Not being as over the top as Peter Gabriel or David Bowie, their influences are evident in his presentation.

Peggy Allen, Richmond Music Journal, November 2001
       If your looking for wow, it was at the Sick Bastard Show at the boulevard Deli the next night. Dave Sullivan opened, shedding his Sly Sullivan Band to perform solo on guitar with prerecorded music. He sounded great. The backing tracks were K.D. Lang, Prince and Rod Stewart. He sang with soul and the people were into it. Anything less would have been karaoke. He is one of the better singers on the club circuit. But the buzz was for Another Pretty Face, the Sick Bastard. No one knew what to expect. First came a disclaimer that what was coming was not for the sensitive, then the stage went dark. Another Pretty Face was in the middle of a keyboard set up and played weird, ominous, symphonic music with two guitar players. It got everyone’s attention. Then the lights came on and there he was with a shaved head, horns and hideous make-up, looking every bit a sick bastard in fishnet body stocking from Fredericks of Hell.
     “Come and watch my suicide,” he sang. It was musical theater and shock rock. The sound was freaking unbelievable. The bass rattled your rib cage. His new songs are more in your face, an edgier George Conradi, harder, with industrial sequencers--Nine Inch Nails meets ELP with a touch of the Rocky Horror Show. The guy has balls and no problem showing them when someone requested “Free Bird.”
     One song was called, “I Want to Fuck the Girl in the Wheel Chair,” and a nurse wheeled out a patient in a wheel chair. As he sang, he slipped his head under the patient’s hospital gown. That was disturbing, but this was a sick bastard show, with TV monitors, videos, voice overs, and actors doing parodies during the songs.

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