We are Hazel Strange, a female fronted, original rock band located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. We play all original, emotionally charged, edgy rock and roll with raw, honest lyrics of personal turmoil, inner struggles, relationships, and failure. Due to our love of A Minor, the saddest of all chords, we don't really like to write happy songs. Our influences are many, and also none. We listen to a wide variety of music, but don't try to emulate any of it. Everything is purely original (at least we think it is). We've been told we don't sound like anything else out there. Our musical idols include such artists as Led Zeppelin, Bob Dylan, Soundgarden, CCR, and Joni Mitchell. Hazel Strange began life as The Westgoing Zax, an acoustic trio that played several shows around Southern California throughout winter and spring of 2005. As the band moved toward electrification, the new name was decided on, new songs were written, and a plan was made to relocate the band to Minneapolis. Just prior to relocation, founding member, Greg DeFuria, decided to leave the project to form his own band in San Diego. In June 2006, drummer Sean "Woodstock" Lange joined the lineup and Hazel Strange officially came to exist. Hazel Strange played it's debut show in Chris and Jamie Holm's hometown of Clearbrook, Minnesota in mid-July. In August, guitar player James Gould, also of The Early Effect, and keyboard player Melissa Lindemann joined the band to fill out the lineup. Recently, Woodstock was replaced by Drew Finseth on drums. Hazel Strange has played several shows around Minneapolis/St. Paul in such venues as The Uptown Bar & Cafe, The 400 Bar, Station 4, and Christensen's Big V. Hazel Strange's debut album, "Poor Little Girls" was released on December 15th, 2006.