
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, April 19, 1991                   TAG: 9104190019
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV5   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: Kim Sunderland
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG                                LENGTH: Medium

LOVE FOR ANIMALS DRIVES ALEKA'S ATTIC

Aleka's Attic, a socially motivated and progressive musical group from Florida, hasn't put out an album yet and has done minimal touring. However, most people have heard of the group even if they haven't heard them or seen them live.

But you can hear the band here when they perform at South Main Cafe in Blacksburg on Sunday night.

And why would you want to, you ask?

What's brought the band under the spotlight is that the five-member rockers include a well-known actor, River Phoenix of "Stand By Me" fame, as well as the group's political outspokenness regarding animals.

Vegetarianism and a love of animals is what drew the band together. They all consider themselves to be peaceful, loving and talented people that believe in the same things, which they express in their music.

Formed about three years ago in Gainesville, Aleka's Attic hasn't had a lot of exposure outside of north Florida, but their popularity is growing.

In addition to singer-guitarist River Phoenix, his sister, Rain, joins the group on vocals with singer-bassist Josh McKay, drummer Josh Greene, and Tim Hankins on viola. McKay and River are the primary songwriters.

Now under contract with Island Records, the group has plans to release new material in the fall.

Although they don't have an album out, they have a single, "Across the Way," on the new album "Tame Yourself," a project to benefit PETA - People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. Others on the album include the B-52's, the Pretenders, Michael Stipe and the Indigo Girls, k.d. lang and Howard Jones. The album has been reviewed in Rolling Stone, Spin and Billboard, among others, and has received national acclaim.

Aleka's Attic's first tour was in 1989 and it took them up the East Coast and culminated in a performance at the Palladium in New York City for "Rock Against Fur."

The group also has participated in the "Ancient Forests of America" benefit show in Washington and did a performance at the Wetlands Preserve, also in New York City.

While the band is coming up through the alternative music circuit, the musicians hope to avoid outright comparisons to other progressive groups. They aren't afraid to voice their concerns, nor are they afraid to put them to music.

Call the South Main Cafe at 951-8202 for details.

by CNB