GATJA Biography

Evolving out of the disintegration of several musical endeavors in early 2001, the band GATJA was established. Since their inception, the band has taken a radical departure from the West Coast's musical manifesto by creating unique songs that embrace harmony, guitar solos, and memorable hook-laden choruses. The band managed to obtain a sound of their own while melding aggressive guitar driven riffs with acoustically inspired melodies that are all tied together by poignant and emotion-filled lyrics.

The band's first full-length album, Paradox, recorded on a budget of one-hundred dollars in a garage has sold to fans on four continents, has garnered radio play across the United States and in at least 5 other countries. This band has managed to sell several thousand copies of their music (demos and album) by word of mouth and fans sharing their music in places they have yet to perform.

Desiring to build on their past successes this band released their second album, Through the Looking Glass, in late 2006. Since then the band has embarked on an extensive promotional campaign that included radio, internet, printed media, video, and live performances to bring their new songs and album to a much broader audience.

GATJA is working on a new album yet to be titled with a release date in 2010.

"The band rocks out onstage, sometimes blowing out the power and creating sparks."
T. Ramirez (Fresno Bee/Get Out! Publication)

"A kick ass band…They ROCK!!! The band has an awesome sound..."
Laney Goodman (Women in Rock/Women on Air/Fem Frequency)

"It should be obvious that Gatja is a band that has something special to offer. If you have any doubts about that, listen to the album. You'll be a fan by the second or third song. I can almost guarantee it. I'd also suggest keeping your eye on this band because I believe they're gonna go places because "Paradox" is an album that's screaming to be heard and the more people who hear it, the better."
Paul Autry (Ballbuster Magazine)

Individual Band Member Bios

Greg | Mandibella Jewellz | Tiffany | Jerome | Allen

Past Members

Angela Wilder - Vocals (2001 to 2007)

 

Press & Reviews

Press & Reviews here

Here are a few reviews, comments and press articles about the band that have been taken from various websites, publications and persons.


From: Raginpit.com

Merced County Fair 2006 92.5 The Bear Stage Review ~ Click here for full article


From: Raginpit.com

103.1 KRZR's Battle of the Bands @ The Crossroads 2006 ~ Click here for full article


From: WomenonAir.com

Laney Goodman
Women in Rock/Women on Air/Fem Frequency

"A kick ass band…They ROCK!!! The band has an awesome sound and Angela's voice is powerful."


From: BallBuster

April 2005
Gatja
"Paradox"

by Paul Autry

Gatja is a female fronted rock band, it's as simple as that. I never heard their music before and I hardly know anything about 'em. But, their eleven song release, "Paradox," really knocked me for a loop. They've got a sound that's all their own. I mean, "Left Behind" kinda brought Guano Apes to mind. Other than that, I can't really think of any other band they remind me of. For once, I'm actually at a loss for words. It's good to know that I'm not the only who feels this way. I saw a review on their website that said their music is hard to describe and I thought to myself, "No kidding!" Let me tell you something, it's a real pain in the ass when you like something and you can't explain why you like it.

It should be obvious that Gatja is a band that has something special to offer. If you have any doubts about that, listen to the album. You'll be a fan by the second or third song. I can almost guarantee it. I'd also suggest keeping your eye on this band because I believe they're gonna go places because "Paradox" is an album that's screaming to be heard and the more people who hear it, the better.


From: CD Baby

2005
Great CD. Catchy and melodic but with a bit of crunch.
Reviewer: Eric Reimel

This CD is very good musically, and will appeal to alot of different audiences. The music is both melodic and at times very heavy. The female vocalist has an excellent voice that fits the music well. Unlike many of the female vocal bands out there, the guitars have some crunch in the mix, yet the music is still very catchy, almost in a commercial way. I would recommend this CD to just about anyone(except diehard death or black metal fans).


From: CD Baby

Mon. Jan. 24, 2005
The music of Gatja is loud, but with a feeling for melody as well
Reviewer: Toine van Poorten/Metal Maidens

GATJA hails from central California, and consists of Greg Willard on guitar and vocals, Jerome Zawolkow on drums and vocals, Allen Willard on guitar and vocals, and the two metal maidens of the band; Angela Wilder on vocals and Tiffany Hamlet on bass and vocals. Catchy songs, that could very well be played on national radio, if it was up to me. You hear many loud guitars, but when you listen to some of the more alternative bands, you’d hear them as well. The music of GATJA is very hard to describe. It’s catchy, yet not commercial. It’s loud, but with a feeling for melody as well. It’s alternative without being experimental. It’s groovy, it contains guitar solos, so maybe we don’t have to be too difficult here and label it as ‘ROCK’, with a capital R. It’s the kind of music, that will appeal to many music lovers, because of its catchiness. It’s nowhere over the top, and it stays between every border imaginable. It never gets too loud, too mellow or too alternative. A safe choice maybe, but this can only be done by bands that are good in what they’re doing. And that’s the case with GATJA. They certainly knew to keep me focussed for forty minutes and eleven songs, without getting bored. And that’s very well done, I think. I can hear some ANOUK in Angela’s voice, but I know that Angela could never have listened to this Dutch wildebeest. So, if you want to hear a CD full of exciting rock music, then I suggest to have a listen to “Paradox” of GATJA. Bet you’ll be positively surprised! Playing tips (read: highlights) for me are: “Set Me Free”, the heavy “Never”, that contains some marvellous guitarwork, and CD closer “Ragdoll”.


From: GetOut!

Sat July 31, 2004
"The band rocks out onstage, sometimes blowing out the power and creating sparks." - Tessa Ramirez
*The whole article will be posted soon*


From: CD Baby

2004
Reviewer: Courtney Banuelos

This CD was great. My husband loves music and he has not taken this CD out of his player for days. The songs are written very well. I am telling all the people I know to buy it. They will not regret it.


From: Planetgig.com

10 out of 10
Sun Mar 30 15:53:36 2003
You rocked Friday night at J Street! Enjoyed your music.


From: Planetgig.com

9 out of 10
Sat Jan 11 22:38:32 2003
At first I was gonna give you guys a 9 star, but then I remembered the 2 hot chics in the band...definitely a 10. But then there is the drummers sweaty towel...well anyways, just dial in your levels, and you'll be good to go! Awesome songs!


From: Soundclick.com

hick-up posted on Wed January 8, 2003

Hey....I just got done listening to Ragdoll. That's the coolest sh*** I ever heard. Man, I thought I was an angry, drunk, bastard. That song actually made me feel better. I only had 2 six packs today instead of my usual 4. Thanx GATJA, you guys changed my life.