Deb's Page

Deb grew up across the midwestern US; born in Chicago as the first daughter of a blues saxophonist, and spent later years in rural Mississippi and finally Michigan. Later she was fortunate enough to live in Oxfordshire, then in New Hamphire.

Musical lineage: Music was in Deb's genetic structure. Her father, Robert "Mickey" Boss was a self taught blues saxophonist, her uncle James (Son) Thomas was regarded as a classic Mississippi Delta blues guitarist. Her other uncle, Al (The Perker) Perkins was a music producer (One Way) as well as a premier DJ in the original Detroit R&B scene. Her aunt, Velma "Vee" Allen has a crystal soprano, as recorded on her album/single "Age Ain't Nothin But a Number".

She grew up surrounded by music, but not the expected gospel -- ripping soul/R&B, steamy blues; it was common place to sing, or to play music for hours. Every place in the house had some sort of instrument, and musicians came and went. Her first concert, at the age of 12 was the Parliament/Funkadelic tour, where she and her siblings ran about backstage with the trademark "flashlights" of the show.

Other genres of music were incorporated; classical music from public school orchestras and choirs, showtunes/Broadway from her drama/theater training, listning to folk and early rock with her family, and later discovering heavier forms of atypical rock and roll via the radio.

While living in the UK she discovered the music that would drive her to create; the gothic/New Romantic genre. She heard her first Siouxsie there--and was *done*.

Instruments played:

• Voice (alto & second soprano)
• Violin
• Viola
• Piano
• Orchestral percussion--
  • bells
  • chimes
  • glockenspiel
  • timpani
  • marimba
  • xylophone
  • vibes
• Marching percussion
  • cymbols
  • tri-toms
• Electric guitar
• Acoustic Guitar