Today we’d like to introduce you to Chris Nurding.
Chris, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
IT’S NEVER 2L8 is the culmination of a dream I had as I retired from a 30 year career as an Air Traffic Controller in 2012. I needed something to “fill the void” after vectoring heavy jets around San Diego, L.A., San Francisco, and Seattle for 3 decades and thought I’d give music a shot.
So I bought a bass guitar, an amp, and took bass and voice lessons just for fun.
I also had a very small sound studio built in my backyard so I could practice regularly, and before I knew it, I was playing professionally in a couple small local bands. While with one of those bands for 6 months, I met and performed with Deanna Haala (arguably the best female lead singer in San Diego County), Dan Stelter (lead guitar), and Alan Neff (drummer). New lead guitarist David Lane is a fairly recent addition to the band having previously played with longtime San Diego cover band Cheap Date.
In October of 2016, IT’S NEVER 2L8 landed the band’s first professional gig at Costa Azul Cantina, a small Coronado favorite among locals, and we were off to the races! Since then IT’S NEVER 2L8 has booked over 125 appearances at clubs and festivals all over San Diego County including dates at The Belly up, The Kraken, Humphrey’s Backstage Live, McP’s Coronado, Full Circle Saloon, Pala Mesa Resort, Beaumont’s La Jolla, Coyote Bar and Grill, Mr. Peabody’s, Winston’s O.B., The San Diego County Fair, and multiple street fairs, yacht clubs, and outdoor festivals to name a few. With quality offers still pouring in every week, the sky is truly the limit for us in 2018! Proof positive that you’re never too old, and IT’S NEVER 2L8 to rock and roll!!!
Has it been a smooth road?
Our ascension has not been without its challenges. To try and break in anew into the highly competitive SoCal music scene takes a lot of research, legwork, palm pressing, e-mails, texting, phone calls, P.R. website and Facebook updates. Long hours put in by me, the band leader. So much for retirement! Lol.
Also, Deanna Haala, Dan Stelter, and Alan Neff play in other bands on occasion. Trying to schedule around 2-3 other bands has proven to be a huge challenge and source of frustration but we make it work! Also, in July IT’S NEVER 2L8 was forced to make a change at drummer. After tryouts with a couple different people, we were lucky enough to land longtime San Diego area percussionist Alan Neff who has brought with him a great stability to the band! And new lead guitarist David Lane brings a full sound, great vocals, and unwavering commitment to IT’S NEVER 2L8 lending to an even brighter future for us going forward!
We’d love to hear more about your business.
We are a 4 piece female fronted rock, classic rock, pop and dance band based in San Diego county called IT’S NEVER 2L8. With lead singer Deanna Haala at the helm, arguably the best female lead in all of San Diego County, no song or venue is too big for us. And yet our capability to tone down in a small acoustic setting lends us a versatility seldom seen with most other cover bands.
In this, our second year of existence, we have garnered multiple bookings at The Kraken, Beaumont’s La Jolla, The Field Gaslamp, Patrick’s Gaslamp, McP’s Coronado, Pala Mesa Resort, the Coronado Yacht Club and Cays Yacht Club, Costa Azul, Coyote Bar, Tower 13, The Landing, Pounders, Navajo Live, Carvers, The Sunset Market Mainstreet Fair, the Bahia Belle Cocktail Cruise, Mr. Peabody’s, Humphrey’s Backstage Live, The Belly Up and The San Diego County Fair to name a few.
We believe that our upbeat, hugely popular setlist of timeless covers and great vocals is perfect for your venue! We also offer an acoustic duo featuring Dan, our lead guitarist, and Deanna, our amazing lead singer, for certain events. We also carry our own professional sound and lighting system as well as special effects for certain occasions!
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
I love the ambience, the scenery, the truly world-class weather, the constant vacation-like atmosphere, the overall healthy lifestyle, and the boundless entertainment opportunities for individuals and families alike!
I dislike people who “don’t get” America’s finest city and simply dismiss it as an over-priced tourist trap!
Contact Info:
- Address: 708 B. Ave. Coronado, CA 92118
- Website: www.itsnever2l8rocks.com
- Phone: (619) 313-3961
- Email: cbatc111@gmail.com
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/ITSNEVER2L8
Getting in touch: SDVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
