Asbury Park Press from Asbury Park, New Jersey • Page 112

jersey alive! April 18, 2008 eaeonxon rnemay i 4 i 1 C5t 'r7 rW radons sie oKthe If li i i I i '-tultcr bv nd Hook Manna -v i iA-j i. MUM Me Talk Pretty performs Saturday at Asbury Lanes. File photo warn Ml 'fc lJ L5 V. .1 ii Me Talk Pretty is determined to be heard mm By ED CONDRAN Correspondent i iii hands," Preotu said, while calling from Manhattan. "I didn't look at it as a language barrier.

To me, the language is music, not English. So you understand the name of the band. But I knew I would learn English eventually." Preotu, 22, was a quick study. She speaks with a bit of an accent, but traces of her roots are difficult to detect while she's belting out her band's catchy, intense, guitar-driven tunes. The exotic, playful Preotu is at her best wailing recklessly Author David Sedaris' "Me Talk Pretty One Day" did not inspire the name of emerging Manhattan-based pop-rockers Me Talk Pretty.

When vocalist Julia Preotu arrived in New York from Romania five years ago, she desperately wanted to front an American band, though she spoke very little English. "I used to talk through my Comedy Nite Mother's Day Brunc Dreakfast while guitarist Leon Lyazidi renders melodic lines. "We've had a great connection from the start," Lyazidi said. "Maybe it's because we were both born in other countries." Lyazidi, 27, spent the first seven years of his life in Madrid and Morocco. "We all grew up with different kinds of music," he said.

"Every group has its own bag of tools and tricks. We're from other countries, but what connects us all is rock. We like to go out there and put on a sweaty rock show." At a recent performance at Irving Plaza in Manhattan, the group including guitarist AJ Pappas, bassist Nate Meng and drummer James Kluz witnessed CBS Evening News anchor Katie Couric grooving to their tunes in the crowd. "We saw her at the end of the show," Lyazidi said. "We didn't think much of it.

She came to the (merchandise) table, and bought some stuff. She was very nice. It caught us by surprise." Me Talk Pretty hopes to spread the news about the band through its East Coast tour, which makes a stop Saturday at Asbury Lanes. "We have to get the word out," Preotu said. "We're playing some places for the first time, and we're playing Asbury Park for the third time.

We're going to do whatever it takes to get our music heard." ME TALK PRETTY 8 p.m. Saturday Asbury Lanes, 209 Fourth Asbury Park $10 (732) 116-6160 Croi88ant8, assorted Muffins, Danish, Bagels, Cereals, Oatmeal, Granola, assorted Cheese and Cracker display 9 Chaffing Dishes Penne Vodka, Chicken Balsamico, Potato Hash, Scrambled Eggs, Sausage, Smoked Applewood Bacon, Salmon with Chambered Cream, stuffed Crepes, Banana stuffed French Toast Omelet Station Assorted Toppings and assorted Cheeses Itelgium Waffle Station Raspberry whipped cream, macerated Strawberries, warm Maple Syrup Carving Station Roasted Turkey Smoked Cured Salmon on marble with cream cheese, capers, minced red onions, chopped hard boiled eggs Orange nice, Apple Juice and Coffee included 11:00 AM 1:00 PM $30 per adult $10.95 per child ri0 OFF Purchase over $50 I Not valid with any other otter. I Cyu 732-872-1007 Only good with coupon. Exp 43008 Reservations recommended by 732-872-1007 or by www.juliasrestaurantnj.com 91 First Avenue Atlantic Highlands Kenny Michaels Gino Bisconti Karaoke wCindy Norman 560 Shrewsbury Avenue Tinton Falls (comer of Apple Street) A Pub Grille Honrs: Monday thru Thursday 4 PM -10 PM Friday Saturday 4 PM 11 PM www.CJMontanas.com (CVLS) Sunday 11 AM -10 PM.