About Surrender Dorothy

There are more than one Surrender Dorothy. The Milwaukee Version began as a jamming rock band at Marquette University in Milwaukee, WI back in 1985. Dan Carney, Tom Connell, Linda Heegeman, Tim Heuer, Tom Huguelet, Steve Jaracz and Kurt Urban formed the heart of the revolving door that was to become Surrender Dorothy for the next few years. In true rock band style, many members came and went, and some came back again... In 1987, the revolving door slowed down and a lasting formation took shape. The addition of Tommy Boesch on country-tinged guitar and J. Finnegan on barefoot stompin' bass was the beginning of a new era that has proven to be a life long connection for Surrender Dorothy's current band members. Kurt Urban made his move from front man with the killer vocals Tom Connell and Dave Wolff were tag team drummers over the next couple of years. Linda Heegeman continued in her role as female vocalist and percussionist and took over band management. It was at this time that they transitioned from playing Marquette bars and functions to playing bars, clubs and festivals throughout the Milwaukee, Madison and Chicago Areas. Surrender Dorothy rocks more than ever now with the upcoming release of two new studio albums, the re-release of a 1990 album and a national cross-generation network of fans ready to make the trip for our recent select appearances. Over the past 7 years, members of the band have traveled from Britain and across the country to play several "Surrender Dorothy Final Farewell" tours, "Surrender Dorothy Reunion" tours, and to volunteer a show for the Milwaukee based Enderis Park Neighborhood Association's "Concerts on The Green". Summer 2007 highlights included another trip into the studio followed by a spot at the Milwaukee Summer Soulstice Festival, and a return to their MU roots with a Marquette University Class of 1987 Reunion Gig and a Surrender Dorothy Reunion show at Conway's including members past and present. September 2008 marked the long awaited return of Jigglesfest. Fans from as far as England, Colorado, California, Florida, Ohio, Michigan, Illinois and Wisconsin traveled to attend with their friends and families. The band is a true Milwaukee tradition for the large number of Milwaukeans and X-Milwaukeans alike. Fans from across the country (and across the Atlantic!) look for reasons to make the pilgrimage back to Milwaukee - a Surrender Dorothy show tops the list. The other version is made up of Rehgina (vocals) Peter Murray (bass) Norman Laco (guitar) Dave Stevenson (drums) Surrender Dorothy formed in 1987 when drummer Dave Stevenson asked Rehgina to sing lead for the band he was in at the time. Like most bands, though, it took a few years before they found the lineup that worked, involving Rehgina, Stevenson, bassist Peter Murray, and guitarist Norman Laco. In 1990 they got one of their demo recordings on CFNY's Modern Rock album, and were a featured part of a Canadian music showcase in Texas in March 1991. In 1992, the band spent six months planning, gathering funds, and applying for (and receiving) financial assistance from FACTOR and SOCAN to do a short tour of Europe in the fall of that year. Arriving a week before their first gig, all the things that could go wrong did, but they got themselves sorted out during that week and proceeded to impress the European media and audiences alike. When they got home they made the record label rounds with the four-song demo they'd recorded before they left for Europe. One song, "...here's my heart...", was eventually released on a CD-single for radio, and appeared on the Bullseye Records Compilation "Unsigned, Sealed And Delivered Volume 5", which received national distribution. Due to the success of the 1992 European tour, the band returned in the fall of 1993, once again to critical and public acclaim. Subsequent tours in 1994 and 1996 culminated in a licensing deal with universal music's German office in 1996. Their debut CD, 'Serum", was co-produced with Toronto's Matt Dematteo (Big Wreck, Ashley MacIsaac, Big Sugar) at Presence Sound. (from: http://jam.canoe.ca/Music/Pop_Encyclopedia/S/Surrender_Dorothy.html)