THE STAYING POWER OF ISIS

By Nancy Marchbanks

Staying power...that’s the term used when entertainers don’t lose their edge as the years go by. Staying power means that they are just as hot as when they started, they always draw a crowd, and you know that you will always have one helluva great time when they take the stage. Very few bands can boast about such a history...but then, there is ISIS. Mr Kevin Williams founded ISIS in 1990 and since that time they have repeatedly been named the Coast’s # 1 band.
Kevin is the lead vocalist and band leader of ISIS. Stefan Prescott, vocalist and primarily plays keyboards, has been with the band for over 7 years. Tia Black joined in October of 07, she sings lead vocals, back round vocals and plays the trumpet. On lead guitar, Mr. Scott Hinson, who has been with ISIS for over 15 years. Youngest member, Jayson Moseley fondly refers to himself as an ISIS rookie. Jayson is the drummer and percussionist, who also sings back round vocals. Mr. Kenny James is also a vocalist, he plays bass and keyboards. Kenny has been with ISIS for 12 years. Melanie Thomas has been with the band for almost one year, she is a vocalist.

ISIS began their career working the casino circuit. At one point, the group was considered the “house band” in 3 different casinos, playing at least two to three weeks each month under contract. ISIS was the first band to play on the stage of the Brew Pub(now Coast), and remained at the Beau for four years. Word got around about this incredibly talented group of musicians, and soon they received offers for bookings in Las Vegas.

The corporation that owns the Beau, also owns The Golden Nugget, The Bellagio, and The Mirage in Vegas. When ISIS traveled to Nevada and did some shows, they fell in love with the Bellagio and wanted to stay. They moved their families on the promise of a new life, as house band at the Bellagio. Things did not go as planned because the Sigfried and Roy Show had to shut down at the Mirage, just as ISIS arrived. It was decided that they were just what the Mirage needed to spice things up again. For the next year and a half, ISIS was under contract to the Mirage. When the contract expired, they happily began working for the Bellagio as originally planned.

Luckily for us, ISIS came back to the Coast following Katrina because...there is no place like home. They are currently at Chill, at the IP casino and will be through mid June. ISIS pulls from a catalog of over 200 songs, and they completely dominate cover tunes from the 70’s and 80’s. Check out their web site for more information on
www.isisband.com