Suspicious Package

“When Josh Meyer asked me if I could play the drums, I said sure! I thought ‘How hard could it be?’ I borrowed an electronic kit from my cousin and started to teach myself. It turns out it suited me, but it still took about a million hours of practicing,” team member Tom Toles told Hollywood on the Potomac regarding how he ended up in the band. “I turned our DC basement into a music room, asked Christina, Tim and Bryan to come play with us and the rest is history. It is the nature of bands to break up and we have had some titanic battles over matters great and tiny, yet we endure. We share lead vocals equally among the four singers and everyone contributes song suggestions. We play to the best of our abilities, but our focus has always been to connect with the audience and try to get everyone to have a great time.”

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“Suspicious Package is proof that stranger things have happened! None of us had ever been in a rock band, and I would never have imagined starting one as an adult playing keyboard and singing —  much less the incredible experiences we have had over the past 15 years playing many Ambassador’s Residences, Nationals Ballpark, an aircraft carrier in New York City and more.   Highlights for me have been singing Dancing Queen for  Queen Silvia of Sweden, playing keyboard alongside Rolling Stones keyboardist Chuck Leavell on Jumping Jack Flash at the White House Correspondents Jam, and singing an original song I wrote with bassist Tim Burger in a castle arena in Italy on national television! I was also excited to play guitar for the first time at our 15th anniversary show at Madam’s Organ.  The best part is sharing these concert experiences with hundreds of friends and the strong community we have developed over the years, so many good memories.  And my bandmates Tim, Tom, Bryan and Josh are like the brothers I never had.  Biggest thanks to my husband Steve for all the support and carrying heavy amps around town.  When I’m in my rocking chair and have forgotten most everything else,  I will probably remember making music.” Christina Sevilla

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“One of the most unforgettable highlights for Suspicious Package was playing Arena Benjamino Gigli, an 11th century castle fortress in Porto Recanati, Italy on the Adriatic Sea in August 2010 for over a thousand people! We were interviewed on national television RAI, had a carabinieri police escort and tour bus, and appeared in Rolling Stone Italian edition, and about a dozen national newspapers and magazines. We were shocked to see posters of Suspicious Package all over the city! We were entertained by local fashion designer Piero Guidi, went truffle hunting with the Mayor of Acqualagna, and our Italian manager Cristiano Traferri will always be a dearest friend of the band! It takes a lot of work and love to keep a band family together, and now we have our sights on 30 years. Grooving in the pocket of a meaty cover or playing an original song occasionally – once in a while — feels like you’re discovering fire. In those moments, it doesn’t matter if you’re at Wembley, a Norman Castle, on the USS Intrepid or back in the basement. It makes it all worthwhile.” Tim Burger