BREATHE(™)

Breathe is the collaboration of two talented musical artists,(BigBadWolf) Marcel Donea’ Henderson & Van Christie.
Marcel was born in Washington, D.C. his family moved from the ghettos of D.C. to the suburban Midwest of Wisconsin, now with Classical, Motown, Sly, and P-funk flowing through his veins and 70’s & 80’s Rock, Pop and Country in his ears. Marcel returned to his birthplace to study music. Afrodisiacx & Black Steel became his first two bands. He was headed down a Militant Hip Hop path with groups like Ice-T, P.E. the Beastie Boys, Chili Peppers and Fishbone. This led him to a friend in guitar class who was starting a band. One audition later and Skuttl’Butt began to play all over D.C., Virginia, Maryland and New York’s famous CBGB’s, where they headlined for Lisa Lobe and Nine Stories. Skutttl’Butt also earned the reputation as the heaviest band at the “Black Rock Coalitions” 1995 “Stalking Heads” tour. Host and founder Vernon Ried of “Living Colour” was inspirational in Marcel’s goals and direction. Occasionally the two spoke about the future of black rock.

In 1996 Skuttl’Butt was signed to a small independent label called D-Cide Records. Soon after, the drummer announced he was quitting, sighting money issues. This inspired Marcel’s move to New York, where he hoped to push the group to a major, but unfortunately the other members didn’t follow with his enthusiasm. Marcel tried out for a few bands, but the chemistry wasn’t there.

Marcel is a career chef, was offered an executive position at Chicago’s Radisson Hotel where he stumbled upon the talented young producer/engineer and musician, Van Christie. Van, born and raised in Wisconsin was a former student of G.I.T. (Guitar Institute of Technology) and former member of Die Warsaw, an 80’s top 10 electronic pop rock band. The two had a musical semblance, which bound their project. Van also owned and operated one of the most successful recording studios in Chicago where artists such as R-Kelly, Gravity Kills and Poi dog Pondering spent their time making hits with him at the controls. Add a couple of soundtrack credits i.e.: Escape from NY/L.A. as well. Van only needed one more thing, a partner.

The two began writing and mixing immediately and the chemistry had been found. Van, with his versatile electronic rock influences, superior mixing and producing skills and a variety of ideas combined well with Marcel’s hip hop rock lyrical stylings, unmistakable tones and dynamic presence. The duo is destine to create something hip, heavy and original.

THE FUTURE:
Future plans for the duo include acquiring representation, forming a racially and sexually diverse group of secure quality musicians to tour and promote the anxiously anticipated, clear-cut sales success from songwriters Marcel Donea’ & Van Christie’s first EP “INN”’.