Save Ferris

Come On Eileen, sung by Monique Powell

Its 1997 and the band Save Ferris released their first album, It Means Everything, featuring vocalist Monique Powell who was perceived as the next Gwen Stefani (from the band No Doubt). Save Ferris and vocalist Monique Powell Monique was born in Orange County, CA, on August 20, 1975. When Powell was a child, her desire was to be a ballerina, but a sudden spurt of growth prevented her from achieving that aspiration. While Monique Powell was attending college, she began her life-time adventure in the Southern California ska music scene. She joined an all-female ska band, but the music team broke up after their first performance. Monique moved on, and while she was providing vocals for the the group LARRY, she was discovered by members of the early Save Ferris band who were inspired by Powell’s style and sound. Following this, Ms. Powell was asked to be the front line representative and vocalist for Save Ferris. So, with Monique Powell leading the group’s image and sound, the Save Ferris band was signed to Epic Records in 1997. It is also interesting to note that prior to this, the band No Doubt had achieved a multi-platinum sales record with very similar music; a combination of ska and punk. And this was done a year before Epic Records discovered Save Ferris, hence the Save Ferris band become viewed by some music observers as a copycat. Making matters worse, Monique was being criticized as a Gwen Stefani imitator. None the less, Monique’s contagious, venomous vocal tone has found an audience of her own. As shown in the video above, Monique Powell and Save Ferris’ cover of Dexy’s Midnight Runners’ MTV classic “Come on Eileen” demonstrates her affection for ’80s new wave. Still, this has done little to convey that her group possessed any originality. Finally, the Save Ferris’ 1999 album Modified was a big commercial disappointment. Since then, the original instrumentalists of the Save Ferris band have quit working with Monique, but she continues pushing forward with her sound and the name Save Ferris with new musicians backing her.