Comprised of Sharon Middendorf on vocals and guitar, Ron Mancuso on bass, and Lez Warner on drums, the NYC trio Motorbaby mixes straight-ahead rock with trippy psychedelia. Middendorf was raised in Cleveland, OH, and started pursuing music at an early age after being encouraged by her mother and grandmother (both music teachers). Later on, she decided to relocate to New York City to make it as a musician.
To support herself during these early, lean years, she became an extra in rock videos (on the Beastie Boys' "She's on It" and Cheap Trick's "Tonight It's You"), as well as modeling for High Times magazine and an appearance with ZZ Top as a dancer at the first MTV Video Music Awards. Soon after forming the band Ten Wings (who released the album Wishing Well on Cargo Records), Middendorf also found time to collaborate with other musicians, improving and perfecting her songwriting along the way.
After Ten Wings folded, Middendorf formed Motorbaby with fellow musicians/friends Mancuso (ex-Beggars & Thieves) and Warner (ex-Cult and Waterboys). Their melodic yet rocking self-titled debut was released on Mercury in mid-'98. Finding themselves caught up in the major label wars Middendorf formed independent music label Ten Wings Music and released 2002's Rise, featuring David Bowie, T-Rex producer Tony Visconti and The Go-Go's, Kathy Valentine. In the interim Middendorf had her first starring role in the film, Terror Firmer, unveiled by Troma Films and 13 Going on 30. ~ All Music Guide
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Motorbaby album "RISE"
has 14 rocking tracks plus the CD is enhanced with a music video "You Can't Download Me." Guest producers and songwriters include musician Kathy Valentine (The Go-Go's,) producers Tony Visconti (David Bowie, T. Rex,) Godfrey Diamond (Lou Reed, Aerosmith) and Eve Nelson (Sandra Bernhard, Heather Nova.)