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Devyn Dacus

All-girl band gaining popularity

April 6, 2016 By Kevin Weiss

A group of 13- to 15-year-old Tampa girls are turning heads in the local music scene.

Extra Celestial, an all-girl band made up of vocalist Casey Banales, 14; guitarist Devyn Dacus, 15; bassist Caitlin McHale, 15; and drummer Anabella Vivero, 13, will be performing several live shows in the next two months.

They’ll be at Skipper’s Smokehouse on April 8, the Hard Rock Café on April 30 and The Orpheum on May 14.

Extra Celestial was formed in August. From left, Annabella Vivero, Caitlin McHale, Casey Banales and Devyn Dacus. (Courtesy of Marlene Fox Photograph)
Extra Celestial was formed in August. From left, Annabella Vivero, Caitlin McHale, Casey Banales and Devyn Dacus.
(Courtesy of Marlene Fox Photograph)

The band, formed in August by Jim Chambers of Jim Chambers Music Box, is also working on recording its first single, “Restart.”

Chambers, a former 15-year record executive who won three Grammys with Maroon 5, the Dave Matthews Band and Flyleaf, had been trying to put an all-female band together for some time.

“I had worked with them in the past,” said Chambers, who works closely with three other bands. “I finally was able to assemble them.

“I think they’re the only all-female band in Tampa. Each of them do have (good) qualities; they all play very well.”

The band, described as “alternative rock with pop leanings,” mainly plays cover songs from the 1980s to contemporary.

Some of their favorite tracks to perform include “Helter Skelter” by The Beatles, “Heartbreaker” by Pat Benatar and “Exes and Ohs” by Elle King.

“We don’t really stick to one specific area of music. We kind of just do everything,” said McHale, a sophomore at Steinbrenner High School who’s played bass for two years.

From left, Casey Banales, Caitlin McHale, Annabella Vivero and Devyn Dacus. (Kevin Weiss/Staff Photo)
From left, Casey Banales, Caitlin McHale, Annabella Vivero and Devyn Dacus.
(Kevin Weiss/Staff Photo)

While it’s “much easier” for the band to learn cover songs, the group also has its eyes set on creating a few more singles, and possibly creating an EP, extended play.

Their single, which they’ll record in a studio on April 17, was written by Banales and riffed by Dacus. The process of crafting the single to make it “sound good” took about a month, band members said.

“I think it will be easier now to put out more (songs) since we understand the process of songwriting more,” McHale said.

The band, which typically rehearses twice a week, has developed a close camaraderie since forming several months ago.

“I think it’s because we’re all from different cliques at school,” explained Banales, a freshman at Cambridge Christian High School. “Like, we’re all so different that we get along so well; none of us are alike each other.”

Despite being the lead vocalist, Banales was initially hesitant about joining a band.

“One of the reasons I didn’t want to be in a band was because I don’t like having to get to know new people,” she said. But, she said her mom encouraged her, saying: “‘Do it. You’ll like it.”

So, Banales decided to give it a try and discovered she liked it.

“They’re all actually really cool,” she said, referring to her band mates.

Over time, the group has become closer through learning to communicate and express opinions with one another.

Also helping the band’s development is Chambers’ vast experience throughout the music industry, which included stints at Sony/BMG and VH1.

“I just show them how to navigate that process…and manage them, like, ‘How do you make a flyer, how do you use social media,’” Chambers said. … “It’s really ‘Record Label 101’ and ‘Band Management 101,’ too.”

“It’s good to have someone tell you what you’re doing wrong just because sometimes we don’t notice…when it sounds bad or off,” McHale said.

According to Chambers, pitching a young band to certain venues can be a tough sell — until management witnesses their talent and the ensuing crowds the group draws to their shows.

“It’s a big deal Skipper’s is allowing them to perform on a Friday night,” Chambers said, emphatically. “Often…you see a young band and you’re like, ‘Okay, we’ve seen this show before.’ But, our bands kick (butt); it’s like, ‘Whoa, they’re quite good.’

“It’s a really tough pitch, but when you bring 300 people, they’re like, ‘Oh, he wasn’t kidding.’ I did that on a Sunday with them,” he said.

While the band was initially nervous when they first had to perform in front of a live audience, the group now has no problem headlining on a big stage.

“When there’s a lot of people, I don’t get as nervous,” Banales said.

Dacus agreed, saying, “When you’re around people you don’t know, it’s kind of easier.”

With youth and potential on their side, Extra Celestial has no plans of slowing down anytime soon.

“I would love to do it professionally,” McHale said. “I don’t know if that’s where it’s going to go, but I think that would be pretty cool. I’d love to do that.”

Extra Celestial
Band Bios
Casey Banales, vocalist: Banales is a freshman at Cambridge Christian School. She began singing at age 6, and also played violin when she was younger. Banales is a member of her school’s basketball, volleyball, track and cheer teams.

Devyn Dacus, guitarist: Dacus is a sophomore at Steinbrenner High School. She first started playing music, on the piano, as a 4-year-old. When she was 10, she started playing the guitar.

Caitlin McHale, bassist: McHale is a sophomore at Steinbrenner High. She has been playing bass for two years after first learning how to play the guitar. She also plays soccer at Steinbrenner.

Annabella Vivero, drummer: Vivero is an eighth-grader at Cambridge Christian. She’s been playing drums since age 5, when she took classes at the American Rock School in Tampa. She is a member of her school’s basketball and track teams.

Published April 6, 2016

In Print: Ice, summer school and young interns

June 4, 2014 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Last week was a big one for Pasco County, especially the Wesley Chapel area, when developer Z Mitch LLC unveiled its plans to build a 150,500-square-foot ice and sports complex just off State Road 56.

It shows how far this stretch of road between Bruce B. Downs Boulevard in New Tampa and State Road 54 on the edge of Land O’ Lakes has come in the past decade or so since it was first built. And it’s just one piece of a rather large and prosperous future for the area.

Pasco County commissioners Pat Mulieri, left, and Ted Schrader listen as commission chair Jack Mariano introduces the new ice and sports complex planned for Wesley Chapel. (Photo by Michael Hinman)
Pasco County commissioners Pat Mulieri, left, and Ted Schrader listen as commission chair Jack Mariano introduces the new ice and sports complex planned for Wesley Chapel. (Photo by Michael Hinman)

The new facility will feature four ice pads — two of them designed to NHL standards, while another will be at Olympic standards — as well as other courts for sports like basketball, a restaurant, and even a second neighboring hotel. It’s a way to bring in people from all over the region, just like what similar ice complexes in Brandon and Oldsmar do there.

“Two rinks would’ve been great, three rinks is phenomenal. But with four, everyone is going to want to come here and play this from all around the world,” Pasco County Commission chair Jack Mariano said during a press event last week attended by reporter Michael Hinman. “If you had to go to Canada or down here to play hockey, where would you want to go?”

The answer to that question seems obvious, but read the full story in this week’s print edition of The Laker/Lutz News, or read the free e-edition by clicking here.

The ice complex is at least a year away, and summertime is here, and ice is the last thing on most people’s minds. Instead, some kids might have to think about summer school.

Those programs through Pasco County Schools will cost $1.3 million, but serve 6.580 students — including younger children.

“The need is there,” school board member Steve Luikart told reporter B.C. Manion. “We’re doing everything we can to help more kids.”

This year’s classes will include two pilots addressing literacy and mathematics, which will help nearly 800 students primarily from economically challenged neighborhoods.

To read more about the program, pick up this week’s print edition of The Laker, or check out our free e-edition right here.

This week, the Lutz News begins its profile series by reporter Michael Murillo looking at each of the candidates running for the honorary office of Guv’na.

This ceremonial role is a way for the Lutz community to raise money for charities. And candidate Jerome Smalls might not live in Lutz yet, but feels the community has given so much to him that it’s time to give back.

“The people are probably the No. 1 thing,” Smalls said of those residing and working in Lutz. “The people are really friendly and outgoing.”

What does Smalls have planned for his run at the Guv’na position? Find out in the print edition of the Lutz News, or read our free e-edition by clicking here.

Finally, Ashley Schrader is just 13 years old, but you wouldn’t know it by her professional attitude and excitement about jumping into a journalism career.

Schrader was an intern recently at The Laker/Lutz News through a program set up by Countryside Montessori Charter School — one of several eighth-graders checking out the real world from the business perspective.

“Internships are like an opportunity for us to see the real world,” Devyn Dacus, 13, told her classmate, Ashley. “Since we are not yet adults, internships are one of the few chances we have to see the work force.”

What else did these interns learn? You’ll just have to pick up this week’s print edition of The Laker/Lutz News, or read our free e-edition right now by clicking here.

All of these stories and more can be found in this week’s The Laker/Lutz News, available in newsstands throughout east and central Pasco County as well as northern Hillsborough County. Find out what has your community talking this week by getting your local news straight from the only source you need.

If The Laker/Lutz News is not coming to your door, call us to see where you can get your copy at (813) 909-2800, or read our free e-edition by clicking here.

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Friendly reminder: #EarlyVoting runs thru Aug. 20, just as it does at the Wiregrass Ranch Sports Campus in Wesley Chapel! #localpolitics #localnews

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