The members:
Marshall Allen (The God Father) from Ferndale on lead vocals; Larry Pinho (The Pres) from Bloomfield Hills on guitar and vocals; Derek Washington (DC) from White Lake on bass guitar; David Allen (District of Attorney) from Pontiac on keyboard and vocals; Kat Orlando (Homework) from Bloomfield Hills on lead vocals, saxes, flute and harmonica; Chris Donaldson (Junior) from Pontiac on drums; and Mike Woodard (The Captain) from Utica as sound man, web master and recording engineer.
The history:
Starting in 1991, Larry Pinho and Marshall Allen were together in a previous band called “Open Invitation”. During this period Larry and Marshall were also playing with Greg Nichols a Pike Street Restaurant, Pontiac and with James Greenway at the Kingsley Inn, Bloomfield Hills. Larry met Derek at the Kingsley Inn and asked him to sit in with the band. Larry and Marshall were impressed with Derek’s playing and felt some good chemistry thus decided to form another band. Starting in 1995 the band had numerous Keyboard players and Drummers. The previous keyboard player, Mike “Cozy” Blevans committed to playing with Hidden Agenda Band until 2000 before departing to his new band “Group Therapy”. It was then Derek invited his long time friend David Allen to listen and audition with Hidden Agenda Band. Again, the chemistry was there thus Dave joined the band. Our first real gigs were at Hoops Bar, Auburn Hills and Rosie O’Gradys, Ferndale. Just when things were going well the previous drummer for 3 years, Will Knox suddenly departed. Dave invited Chris Donaldson to audition and once again the chemistry was there. Chris took the band up to the next level and really established the Groove of the band. By now the band was really gigging however there was some-thing that was still missing. In 2001, Derek was invited to hear another band, “Sound Byte” where Kat Orlando was the headline of her own band. Derek called Larry and said we need to get this talent, not only can she sing lead but she also plays a mean alto, tenor, soprano sax as well as flute and harmonica. To lure her in we decided a paid audition was in order. For about a year Kat played part-time before joining the band full time in 2002. On August 13, 2006 Larry and Kat got married. A former project has been doing charity work for Toys for Tots and other various fund raisers. In 2001 the band recorded a demo CD for promotional/marketing purposes.
What's up with the name:
Larry came up with the name Hidden Agenda Band. Why? The band can perform such a wide variety of music styles. So when our audience first sees us they might try to categorize the band’s style but then surprised how the band can jump from Motown to R&B then to smooth jazz and then jump over to some country.
The style:
I think for the most part we try to have our own unique sound; our patterns are following The Motown Spirit, R & B and smooth Jazz. One of the coolest things we have is that edge in the rhythm section. The Bass Player and the Drummer have that strong Church rhythms and when you add that to top 40 or Funk, Rock, or even country you get a very unique sound. When Kat plays her Horn with so much soul and David laying down a Jazz feel on top, the possibilities are endless, not to mention Larry on guitar adding “electrifying” solos to give our sound flavor.
But what tops it off is having a male and female lead singer that makes this band one you should come see and hear. Marshall Allen who is relentless in singing songs that he feels the people in the audience wants to hear. He offers various styling of Marvin Gay, Lou Rawls, Stevie Wonder and Jeffery Osborn just to name a few. Marshall never stops entertaining, even after the band has performed and its time to go home, bar tenders and some audience will hang around for a few more laughs. Kat sings and dances to the styling of Chaka Khan, Aretha Franklin. It is very powerful when Kat and Marshall sing a duet.
What’s even more exciting is that most of the band is wireless so when they perform you might not see them on stage but in your lap or on the dance floor with the people that love their music.
Got anything recorded?
The Band has been working on original music project for about two years. Mike their sound man has just completed a home studio where the band will plan to record. The plan will be to finalize the CD late summer early Fall.
In is interesting that each year the band is doing less and less club dates and migrating more toward performing at more wedding receptions. This is where it really pays off to be able to perform a wide variety of music.
Tell us your future?
The band is very fortunate to have the same members for so many years. The members of the band are now at a place in life where we can take this to another level. For so many years most of us were doing the day career and raising kid’s, now that were older and established, we have a window of opportunity to really play full time and hopefully promote our upcoming CD and play overseas.
Website:
www.hiddenagendaband.com
