Pop quiz: You have heard Monsters Are Waiting if you: (a) watch angst-y teen melodramas such as One Tree Hill, (b) frequent concerts by acts such as She Wants Revenge and Boy Least Likely To, (c) constantly scan MySpace for new bands, or (d) have great taste in music. The answer, of course, is (e) all of the above.

The music of Monsters Are Waiting, whose debut album Fascinations was released last month, was prominently featured during one of One Tree Hill’s notorious makeout scenes. The band hails from Echo Park, Calif., and consists of Annalee Fery (vocals/keys), Andrew Clark (bass/guitar), Jonathan Siebels (guitar/bass), and Eric Gardner (drums).

They came together quite accidentally, explains Fery, when the guys heard some songs that she had written. “They were like, ‘Let’s just play together,’ so we just started playing and we just kept playing,” she says with a laugh. “We just couldn’t stop.”

During our telephone conversation, she is full of insight and modesty, with a hint of self deprecation, especially when it came to her keyboarding skills. “I don’t even think I know how to play the keyboard that well,” she says, laughing. “It’s the moron kind of playing…I want to actually take a class and learn how to play the piano really well. It seems like a nice challenge.”

Don’t believe her for a second though, for Monsters Are Waiting’s debut disc is superb, with bass-driven tempos and sultry melodies. They will be hitting the big time in no time.

Not that it’s all about fame or fortune. Professes Fery, “We really just want to make music and have fun doing it. Not worry about anything else. Whatever comes comes. Just take it day by day.” Spoken like a true soon-to-be rock star.

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