Learning Curve: Bands We Love

Members of Learning Curve are, from left, Pete Lavaroni, Ross Perry, Jeff Ray and John Lavaroni.

by CHRIS SAMSON
ARGUS-COURIER

Learning Curve is a North Bay pop-rock band that blends rich vocal harmonies, intelligent song crafting and a rock-solid beat to create their trademark sound.

Their original upbeat pop-style songs are influenced by such bands as the Eagles and Crosby, Stills & Nash.

“We draw on our life experience, good and bad, for the subject matter if our songs,” according to the band’s bio. “We just like to rock hard, have fun and deliver a good show.”

Learning Curve has appeared at many venues in Sonoma and Marin counties, including the Sweetwater, Rancho Nicasio, 19 Broadway, Sweetwater Station, the San Rafael Italian Street Painting Festival, and art and wine festivals in Novato, Alameda and San Anselmo.

While the band prefers to play its original material rather than cover tunes, it does have its share of songs by other artists that it plays during its shows.

The band members include both Petaluma and Marin County residents. Multi-instrumentalist Ross Perry plays bass, guitar and ukulele. His former projects include the Young Republicans, New Romans and the Natural Gas Band.

Petaluma resident Jeff Ray is the band’s multi-keyboardist and rhythm guitarist. As a composer, he has scored commercials and film sound tracks, as well as worked as a recording session musician.

Brothers Pete and John Lavaroni round out the band. Lead guitarist John Lavaroni has been voted best male rock vocalist in Marin County. Brother Pete keeps a steady rhythm on drums.

All four band members contribute lead or harmony vocals to the band’s sound.

The band’s newest CD is titled “Mannequin Dump.”

Genre: Classic Rock / Pop / Pop Punk

Hometown: San Anselmo, California
Website: http://www.myspace.com/learningcurverocks
Calendar: http://www.myspace.com/learningcurverocks/shows
Listen to the band: http://www.myspace.com/learningcurverocks

Members:
John Lavaroni-Guitar/Vocals
Ross Perry-Bass/Vocals
Jeff Ray-Keys/Vocals
Pete Lavaroni Drums/Vocals

For more information about the band, visit www.myspace.com/learningcurverocks, or e-mail learningcurverocks@gmail.com or call Ross Perry at 415 302-6297.