Rock Out, Atlanta! ▼ Douglas Brake and the
Sizzle, Hiss, Pop Band
douglasbrake.com
▲ Laughing Pizza laughingpizza.com
n Band Members: Lisa (lead vocals, guitar, piano), Billy (guitar, bass, drums and various other instruments) and daughter Emily, 15 – aka “The Pizzas” n The Music: Up-tempo, bubbly songs that encourage kids to jump around and dance. They also sing an assortment of ballads, including one titled “Daddy,” which brings tears to the eyes of parents in the audience. n Let’s Talk: One topic that could keep Lisa and Billy talking forever? Their daughter. Emily plays five instruments, writes songs, raps,
22 Atlanta Parent January 2012
sings, and designs clothes. She’s also excelling in her online school. Oh, and she “died” four times when she was a baby due to trachea complications. Such a crisis has the power to tear families apart, but the family grew stronger through surgery after surgery. The move to Atlanta from New York came after Emily was finally healthy. Atlanta was viewed as a sort of “do-over place” and a chance at a normal life, Lisa says. The family has reached some pretty big milestones, including winning six Parents’ Choice Awards. n CDs: “Let’s Go Play!”; “Love Makes a Family”; “Pizza Party”; “Meet the Pizzas”
n Band Members: Douglas Brake (lead vocals, acoustic guitar), Greg Peay (bass, backup vocals), Tony Tiberia (drums, percussion, backup vocals), Chuck Bell (keyboards, accordion, percussion, backup vocals), Greg Ratzel (electric guitar, lead penny whistle, backup vocals) n The Music: Brake compares his music to “campfire songs.” The catchy, humorous tunes have even earned him a station on Pandora Internet radio. n Kids Say the Darnedest Things: At one show Brake noticed a child staring at him during the entire performance. When he went up to ask if she was having a good time, the little girl responded: “You need to take a shower.” n CD: “Sizzle, Hiss, Pop”
www.atlantaparent.com