Check out the interview and hear what The Outskirts Of Town had say!

SMMO: What's the name of your band, who are the members, and what do they play?
Outskirts:The Outskirts of Town – Davi Anson-Dross- founder, lead singer, acoustic and percussion – Pauline Anson-Dross – lead singer, lead guitar, guitar synthesizer – Sandy Dumas – lead guitar, singer – Susan Sharp – lead singer, bass, percussion – Joan Schaffner – drums. There is more info on our website.

SMMO: Describe your music to someone who has never heard your music before.
Outskirts: The Outskirts of Town is an all girl kick-ass party/dance band that plays Top 40 Hits from the 60’s till today with a lot of style, showmanship and talent. There is no all girl band like us in the entire mid Atlantic region and maybe even in a wider radius than that. We are very unique and very FUN!

SMMO: What's better, stage or studio?
Outskirts: Definitely our stage presence is the best. We put on a show that is visually pleasing and we spontaneously get our audience involved. Lots of movement, energy and laughs.

SMMO: How often, and how long does your band rehearse?
Outskirts: We rehearse 3 days a month and are constantly adding new songs and ideas to the show.

SMMO: Do you promote more on the Internet, or by "word-of-mouth"?
Outskirts: We promote by Internet, “word of mouth”, hand out professional schedules, sign-up new fans on our mailing list, send out an e-newsletter twice a month, interviews, and we participate in anything that helps to increase our fan base. We do everything we can.

SMMO: What can your band offer the Southern Maryland audiences that other bands don't?
Outskirts: First of all, being one of the only all girl band in the Washington D.C. area alone is a plus, but, we are more than that. We are very good at what we do. We are a band that acts like a DJ. We go song to song and do long dance medleys to keep the crowd going. We get the dancers to participate in what ever we are doing and they are all songs everyone knows! Also, by having our own sound tech and by using top quality PA equipment, this always ensures us the best sound possible without being too loud. We also have a consistent following because we are a friendly band. We are very approachable and fans love that connection.

SMMO: How can audiences find out more about you, do you have a website?
Outskirts:We play all over the Mid Atlantic region and a lot in Southern MD. but yes, our website is www.outskirtsoftown.com

SMMO: How did the band get its name and how long has the group been around?
Outskirts: The band started by Davi Anson-Dross in 1997, but it didn’t really start to “take-off” till 2000. There is a full history on our website about it. The Outskirts of Town use to be called just The Outskirts but we changed it because it seemed that there were a few other bands with that name in this country.

SMMO: Most encouraging moment as a band, most discouraging moment.
Outskirts: Getting voted “Best Musicians” in the Washington Blade for 2003 in a readers/editors poll was a pleasant shock! The unexpected calls from new clubs wanting to hire us are wonderful and to see several tables reserved when we walk in to set-up for our gig that night is encouraging. The biggest disappointment we encounter is when a club that wants to book us but is not willing to give up their Saturday night DJ nights to have us play and we cannot play a Friday because of the long distance. We try to work it out as best we can though. Once it finally works, we prove ourselves, and then it’s easier.

SMMO: Do you perform original songs or cover songs, or both?
Outskirts: We are mostly a cover/party/dance band that does mostly covers. It is on our agenda to do a “live” CD and eventually some of our originals because we get so many requests for a CD. Our heavy schedule makes this a long process because we all work full-time as well, but eventually it will happen.

SMMO: What is your secret method of providing the best show possible for the audience?
Outskirts:Serve our fans! We do what the AUDIENCE wants, not what WE want. Tapping into the “bigger picture” and more of the “collective groove” of our audiences. The good news is…since R-n-R is 50 years old, there is a lot to choose from and we can enjoy themselves without too much repetition. Also, always adding new songs!

SMMO: Why is Southern Maryland a good regional area to perform live music?
Outskirts: Southern MD is one of our favorite areas to perform because there is so much support from both club owners and our fans. Fans seems to follow us just about anywhere! From Indianhead, to Waldorf, to Soloman’s Island, to Ridge MD, they are there! Some of us live in Virginia and downtown DC. We don’t mind the travel because of all the love!

SMMO: What goals has the band set for its future?
Outskirts: We want to eventually have a live CD and one of originals. We play about 70-75 gigs a year and we do not want to increase that number but we want to cover more areas around the Metro DC Area and continue to build our fan base. We want to continue to spread our fun and talent and be the best all girl band the Mid-Atlantic area has ever known. We want to be known for our fun and talent without compromising who we are and alienating anyone for who they are either! Diversity lives peacefully by teaching tolerance!

SMMO: Is there a lead songwriter who comes forth with the majority of original material?
Outskirts: Currently, Davi has the originals we have. Pauline and Susan have some songs we are all looking at. This year, there will be more work with originals in general, but we will never give up being a party band because it’s just too fun!

SMMO: Is there anything you would like to add that we have not thought of?
Outskirts: We play in Philly, Rehoboth beach, Del, Norfolk, VA, Richmond, VA and allover the DC area and although we love playing all those places, Southern MD is our most supportive fan base. Thank you for supporting us! If you are not having fun, we are not doing our job! As long as you want us, we’ll be there!