NEW BAND RISING FROM LEGENDS OF THE PAST
The first time I saw Sean & Chad Bierman perform, I think they were about 12 years old, and their band (at that time called The Flannels) were contestants in Huntington Beach's Surf City's Got Talent. They were great. Small boys covering big songs from classic bands like Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, and The Beatles. You could tell these were kids who listened to a wide variety of classic rock, funk and soul, and blended selections from the best of the current genres.
"The Bierman Brothers" became a staple for live music around Long Beach, Seal Beach, and Huntington Beach. You could see them regularly down on Main Street in Huntington Beach playing to the large crowds that gathered for Surf City Nights, and around other popular Orange and LA County venues. As they grew, so did their own music, their band, and the venues they play. In 2021, Nonso Ikeji joined the band, bringing strong musical chops with his bass, keys and vocals. Around this time they changed their name to Familiar Faces, and have worked on developing a new sound that is clearly rooted in familiar classic rock yet gives way to the originality of a new generation. They've performed in legendary rock venues, festivals, tours and on Southern California's favorite classic rock radio station KLOS.
I've been fortunate to have photographed Familiar Faces in some of Southern California's most iconic venues, like the Viper Room, The Mint, and on the Santa Monica Pier. As wonderful as they are as musicians, they quite possibly are even better as performers. Their energy, soul, and dedication shine through every single moment they are on stage. They are a joy to watch from the first note to the last. And, as they are ridiculously photogenic, they are an equal joy to photograph.
What strikes me most about Sean, Chad and Nonso goes far beyond their musical abilities and talents. They are genuinely good people. They are kind. They are humble. They look you in the eye when they talk to you. They ask about your day and your life. And more importantly, they listen. And not just in a respectful way, but in a truly genuine way that demonstrates their interest in learning and connecting with as much as they can.
They listen to legends from older generations who share their stories and advice, like Larry Dvoskin as he freely shares the depth and history of his experience in the music industry working with top names in the business like Al Jardine and The Beach Boys to Robert Plant and Sammy Hagar. It's no wonder Larry chose to collaborate with Familiar Faces on a song that he pulled out of his archives to breathe new life into. The song, This New Age, is a seamless blend of old and new, written 40 years ago but highly relevant today. It's not surprising this epic piece of music is also Familiar Faces' first foray into GRAMMY nomination territory.
They also listen to their producer in the studio when he comes up with ideas to enhance their recordings. When a band brings their music into a studio with a producer, something magical happens. A collaboration of thoughts, notes, ideas, words, feelings that start in the minds of individuals but make their way into the universe via the instruments, voices and passions combined in a studio and produced for your enjoyment. I know this because I've been a fly on the wall with a camera, photographing the band working with the UK’s 2024 Upcoming Producer of the Year, Tayte Nickols studio with them on a couple of occasions. Watching them work and collaborate seamlessly with Tayte at the beautiful Apogee Studios in Santa Monica made clear why Tayte has earned the accolades he has, and why Familiar Faces is on the trajectory they are.
I am excited to see what comes next for Chad, Sean, Nonso and those they bring along the way. Be sure to check out their GRAMMY-nominated collaboration "This New Age" with the one and only Larry Dvoskin, and keep an eye out for more exciting things to come.
