Dante Adrian White
Dante Adrian White aka "Dante Aliano", "Dante Adrian", "Dante White-Aliano", and "Dante White", is a Rock and Roll and Alternative songwriter, vocalist, guitar player and recording artist from Monterey, California. His work has appeared on over 80 recordings on several record labels, including Gold Standard Laboratories, Dim Mak, Sympathy For The Record Industry, Infrasonic Sound, 10,000 Baby Names, Cold Sweat and Flapping Jet. He is currently the leader of the Los Angeles based band, Dante Vs Zombies. Previously, he was the main songwriter, vocalist and guitar player for The Starlite Desperation as well as the vocalist for The Lost Kids and a guitar player for The Detroit Cobras. He currently lives in Los Angeles, Ca.
Early years
White's family moved often within Monterey, Santa Cruz, eventually settling in East Asia. He began playing marimba at the age of 8. At age 11, he abandoned the marimba in favor of the Clarinet, which he played until shortly after his father gave him his first guitar, a short scale Peavey electric, on his 13th birthday. In the 8th grade, he began singing in his school choir. Throughout high school and college, he continued teaching himself guitar and bass, occasionally dabbling in the formal study of music theory, as well as choral singing, film, creative writing and theater.
The Starlite Desperation
In November 1995, White formed The Starlite Desperation with Jeff Ehrenberg on drums and Dana Lacono sharing songwriting and guitar duties. Often described as a blend of glam rock, post-punk, garage rock, and psychedelic music, the band went through numerous line up changes, toured the United States and Europe and released 3 7" singles, 1 EP and 4 full length CD/LPs. From 1999-2000 they lived in Detroit, Michigan. In 2001, they relocated to Los Angeles, Ca.
Lost Kids
In late 1999, while living in Detroit, Mi. White formed the Lost Kids with Jennifer Pearl, Yasmine Smith (Also of Starlite Desperation), Dave Buick and Ben Blackwell. In 2000, Pearl, White and Smith relocated the band back to Salinas, Ca. After touring the U.S.A. in support of their sole release, the Belle Isle is On fire EP, the group disbanded.
Detroit Cobras
White played guitar in The Detroit Cobras for the bulk of the time he lived in Detroit and appears on the Life, Love and Leaving LP as "Dante Aliano".
Lion Fever
After disbanding The Lost Kids, White and Pearl relocated to Portland, Oregon and formed Lion Fever. Although White co-wrote numerous songs with the band, he quit before the band made any recordings. He is, however, given songwriting credit on the "Lustre" Ep and the "Haunted Water" LP.
Dante Vs Zombies
In September 2009, White began performing and recording under the name Dante Vs Zombies. The single "Yes, I'm Stalking You" was released on Albino Crow Music in October 2009. Current members include Jeff Ehrenberg, Gabriel Hart, Jada Wagensomer, Matt Polley and Laena Geronimo.
Aliases
On record and in the media, White is often credited with different surnames, including Aliano, and Adrian. Aliano is the last name of his step father, and was adopted by White at the age of 7 for use on various academic and legal records. Adrian is White's middle name.
The Heart Is Deceitful Above All Things
White's song "Born To Be Dizzy" , recorded by The Starlite Desperation, and appearing on Violate A Sundae, closes the film, The Heart Is Deceitful Above All Things, directed and starring Asia Argento .
Vocal style
White's voice falls within the baritone and tenor ranges and in has been variously compared in reviews to Elvis Presley, Devo's Mark Mothersbaugh , The Gun Club's Jeffrey Lee Pierce , Glen Danzig , Jim Morrison , Duran Duran's Simon LeBon , Mick Jagger , Queen's Freddie Mercury , and Bryan Ferry.
Guitar style
White's self taught and eclectic guitar style has drawn comparisons to Surf Music, The Troggs , Joy Division , The Yardbirds , Chuck Berry , Bo Diddley , The B-52s , The Stooges , The Rolling Stones, Christian Death, The Birthday Party , The Gories , Blue Cheer , Bauhaus , The 13th Floor Elevators and The Jesus and Mary Chain , among others.
Discography
2010 Dante Vs Zombies "Yes, I'm Stalking You" single 10,000 Baby Names Songwriter/vocalist/all instruments/Producer
2009 The Starlite Desperation "Take It Personally CD/LP Infrasonic Sound Songwriter/Vocalist/Guitarist/Bassist/Co-producer
2006 The Starlite Desperation "Don't Do Time CD Double Zombie Songwriter/Vocalist/Guitarist/Co-producer
2005 The Starlite Desperation/Indian Jewelry I Lost My Bees/Going South Split 7" GSL Songwriter/Vocalist/Guitarist/Co-producer
2004 The Starlite Desperation Violate A Sundae EP/CD Cold Sweat/Capitol (Appears as Dante Adrian) Songwriter/Vocalist/Guitarist/Co-producer
2004 Lion Fever Haunted Water LP/CD Dim Mak Co-writer
2003 Lion Fever Lustre EP/CD Dim Mak Co-writer
2001
Lost Kids
Belle Isle Is On Fire EP/CD
GSL
Vocalist, Co-writer, Songwriter, Co-Producer
Recorded by Jim Diamond
2001 The Detroit Cobras Life, Love and Leaving CD/LP Sympathy For The Record Industry (Appears as Dante Aliano) Guitar Player
2000 The Starlite Desperation Go Kill Mice CD/LP Flapping Jet (Appears as Dante Adrian) Songwriter/Vocalist/Guitarist/Co-producer
1999
The Starlite Desperation
Hot For Preacher 7"
GSL
Songwriter/Vocalist/Guitarist/Co-producer
Produced by Kid Congo Powers
1998 The Starlite Desperation Show You What A Baby Won't LP/CD GSL Songwriter/Vocalist/Guitarist/Co-producer
1998 The Starlite Desperation/Sunshine Shut My Door 7" GSL Songwriter/Vocalist/Guitarist/Co-producer
1997 The Starlite Desperation Our Product/It Rhymes With Bitch... 7" Catchpenny Songwriter/Vocalist/Guitarist/Co-producer
References
NME, April 28, 2000
Your Flesh, Issue # 41, 1999
Skyscraper Magazine, Issue #6, Summer 1999
Mishmash Magazine, January 2007
Dusted Magazine, Sept 30, 2008
Buddyhead Magazine, Jan 29 2010
Contact Music.com, May 2004
Ink 19, "Ready To Kill Mice", April, 2000
LA Weekly, August 28, 2008
La Weekly, March 3, 2008
Willamette Weekly, March 29, 2000
Epitonic, 11/29/01, Jesse Ashlock
