Who is Becky Chace?

If you answered the leader of a band known for its outstanding rock shows in which the audience is treated to a performance that reminds them nightly of music's ability to liberate their spirit, you'd be correct. Then again, you'd also be correct if you answered an incredible acoustic performer whom either by herself or in collaboration with her guitarist Brian Minisce, puts on shows that demonstrate the power and beauty of a lone voice. Of course, you'd also be correct if you simply answered one seriously good singer. In short, there is no definitive answer to the question nor would Becky attempt to limit herself in such fashion. For in synthesizing much that has gone before her, Chace and her band have created their own unique style, which can only truly be described as Becky Chace music.

"Becky has the voice of an angel who just got her heart ripped out by the devil."
-- Pete Dodd, The New Haven Advocate.

Becky began singing, writing, and playing guitar at the age of 16. In 1998, she entered the studio to record a CD of original material. During the making of the CD, Chace won the 1998 WRX Acoustic Challenge in Newport. In October of 1998 she released a solo CD entitled "Play Me." An eclectic collection of original tunes, it quickly garnered favorable reviews.

"Play Me is a polished collection of rock and pop songs with a variety of flavors...Chace's voice is a full bodied alto with the warm tone of the best folk artists, but also the lived-in quality of the most compelling rock and blues singers."
-- Jay Miller, The Patriot Ledger

After finishing the CD, Becky assembled a band which since its inception has featured the guitar stylings of lead guitarist and fellow songwriter Brain Minisce. Fans quickly discovered that the live shows were separate entities unto themselves and presented something new and different each time. In the best tradition of rock's great live acts, her show is never the same. It is a dynamic experience. In one performance the audience gets it all - a little folk, some blues, a touch of country, and a whole lot of rock and roll.

"Has someone seen the future of rock and roll and her name is Becky Chace? Well, there seems to be a strong argument for it, and Chace herself strives to put on a show of Bruce Springsteen caliber."
-- Charlene Arsenault, Worcester Magazine.

In 1999 and again in 2003, the Becky Chace Band (BCB) landed a coveted spot in Boston's annual NEMO conference. In addition to playing throughout New England and in New York City at venues such as The Bitter End, the BCB participated in both The Club MP3 Tour and The Women Of MP3 Tour. They have opened for acts as diverse as America, Judy Collins, Big Brother and The Holding Company, The Gin Blossoms, and Southside Johnny and The Asbury Jukes.

As Becky and the band continued to win over fans with their live performances they began recording a new CD. "Take Your Shot" was released in September of 2000. It featured ten new songs and reflected her musical diversity. In recognition of this music, the band captured four awards in the 2001 Providence Phoenix Best Music Poll. In addition to Becky being named Best Female Vocalist for the second consecutive year, The BCB was voted Best Act; "Take Your Shot" was selected as Best Album and "St. Joan" was chosen Best Song.

"A stunning collection of original roots rock, folk, and blues."
-- The Boston Globe review of "Take Your Shot"

The highlights for the band continued at a frenetic pace. "St. Joan" was chosen for inclusion on the BostonBands.com CollegeFest 2000 compilation. In May of 2001, the band completed the filming of its first video for the song "Absolute Warhol." In June of 2002, Chace was named Best Female Vocalist for the third consecutive year in The Providence Phoenix 2002 Best Music Poll, an honor she was to win for a fourth time in 2003, and a fifth time in 2005!!

In the spring of 2002, the BCB released its first all-acoustic CD, "Used Cars." Many of the songs on the CD had made their live debut at the band's highly acclaimed acoustic shows. "Used Cars" showcased the band's ability to strip down their sound and connect with their audience on a different level. They then went back in the studio and in August of 2002, released "Entertaining Road Hazards," an EP which featured five songs recorded live in the studio and four new songs.

"On the new Entertaining Road Hazards Chace runs right up the gut with ...songs (that)... rip with Minisce's searing guitar lines and Chace's coal-charred voice."
-- Bob Gulla, The Providence Phoenix

Even with all this new material being made available, the band continued to write new material at an amazing pace. As they had done numerous times before, the band continued to debut new unreleased songs at their live shows.

This led to the release of the BCB's most acclaimed work, "Rescue" in April of 2004. The CD brings together all the elements of Chace's music in a way that proves the magic of music itself still exists. Released in an era saturated with the latest pop flavor of the day, "Rescue" while reminding its listeners where the music came from, more importantly shows where the music is capable of going.

"Becky leaves herself open in her music in many respects, and that intimacy creates the potential for genuine human connection. She does this throughout Rescue as she has in the past."
-- Jim Vickers, Motif

Chace herself says, "These songs, for me, are a little bit of light and dark. They're the interplay between the good stuff and the pain and the feeling that we're all connected by both."

As superbly demonstrated on CD and in her live shows, Becky believes passionately that music still has something meaningful and powerful to say. Like Dylan, Springsteen, and Lucinda Williams before her she also believes this can be done in many different ways. Whether by rocking the house playing electric rock and blues or by playing in an intimate setting with just an acoustic guitar and her voice to get her message across, Chace proves genres and styles don't matter as long as the singer expresses herself with passion and conviction. Anyone who has seen her sing in any setting knows she does this every time she takes a stage.