JANA SUMMERS Jimmy Gnecco, lead vocalist
of the band Ours, sings along with David Milone
accompanying him on the guitar on Wednesday.
By Michelle V. Gonzales
Daily Bruin Contributor
Beneath the tattooed sleeves of Jimmy Gnecco, lead singer of the
modern rock band Ours, is where the collection of inspirations
ranging from Motown to U2 congregate and exalt a sound that gives
listeners an emotional hangover. Fans fall for Gnecco’s
emotional and personal lyrics that glow under dark rock and his
unique vocal stylings.
On Wednesday, a crowd gathered in Westwood Plaza to listen to
the band, which performed a rare acoustic noontime concert.
Students stopped by to hear several stripped-down renditions off
Ours’ album “Distorted Lullabies.”
It is clear that Gnecco is truly passionate about his music and
about connecting with the fans through giving a song to their
emotions. His songs are personal and he feels that they are
inspirations.
“You’re only going to be a product of your
inspirations,” Gnecco said while sitting on the side of the
Westwood Plaza stage shortly after his performance. “Whatever
goes in is what is going to come out.”
The group released its debut album in May of this year on
promotional giant Dreamworks Records.
 JANA SUMMERS Keyboardist for the rock band Ours,
Anthony DeMarco, plays for the UCLA crowd at
Westwood Plaza on Wednesday. The production of the album took one
year. The singer/songwriter Gnecco was signed by himself and then
set out to find the perfect bandmates. That interval of time
between record contract and record release allowed Gnecco to write
songs and develop a working unit-like band that shared the same
philosophies on life and music.
The 28-year-old musician melds his lyrics from an array of
topics. The introspective and personal feel of Gnecco’s songs
are easy for young people to relate to.
“People, relationships, everything in life that makes you
feel something,” Gnecco said. “It can be just about
anything. If it makes me feel something then it potentially becomes
inspiration for a song.”
Everyone from Michael Jackson, Elvis Presley, and early Run-DMC
make his list of musical inspirations.
According to Gnecco, the New York and Los Angeles scenes have
been friendly to the band. Ours recently played the famous Roxy
Theatre on Sunset Boulevard.
“People say that L.A. and New York are really hard, but we
grew up playing in New York so we are usually used to a pretty cold
response,” Gnecco said. “But that hasn’t been the
case out here so far. People have been so supportive and open to
what we are doing.”
Ours will continue to tour throughout the rest of the year
hitting clubs on the West Coast and Midwest. Check out Ours online
at www.ours2.net.