Pretty Quick was a Rock and Roll band based in Brooklyn and Manhattan, comprised of members Daniel Richard Rozell, Blake Burkeholder, Dave Ready, Josh Martin, and Tony Mann. Although the group is currently inactive, Josh and Daniel continue to collaborate on songwriting and maintain a close friendship. The name "Pretty Quick" was inspired by co-founding guitarist Josh Martin, who paid tribute to the 60s Garage Rock band "The Chob" and their beloved anthem "We're Pretty Quick."
The band's inception stemmed from a recording session initiated by Daniel, who sought a guitarist to perform energetic cover versions of classic American rock standards. Tony Mann, an ex-drummer for GG Allin and the Jabbers, played drums and co-produced the session alongside Paul "Ena" Kostabi, a co-founder of White Zombie and former Posh Boy Records manager. Paul became interested in Daniel after Tony recommended him, having bonded with Daniel over their mutual admiration for the New York Dolls during a chance meeting at a UFO concert in Times Square.
Initially, Daniel approached Josh Martin to record a cover of Johnny Preston's classic "Feel So Fine," enlisting Tony for drums—Tony had performed on several of GG Allin's notable tracks, including "Live Fast Die Fast." At the time, Daniel and Josh were roommates in a well-known Williamsburg loft nicknamed "The Ranch." Josh, a lifelong fan of GG Allin, was excited to join the project and work with Tony.
Daniel's inspiration for forming a high-energy band was rooted in a memorable experience while serving as a roadie for the NWOBHM band Raven in Germany. He had listened to an album by Rose Tattoo's Angry Anderson and Peter Wells, which infused Australian energy into American rock standards. This experience ignited Daniel's commitment to Rock and Roll, and upon returning to New York, he felt he had assembled the right musicians to realize his vision.
The band recorded "Feel So Fine" along with "Chicodee Honey," a song that bassist Dave Ready co-wrote with Daniel one evening on the roof of "The Ranch." After bringing Dave into the fold, Josh helped refine and enhance the song, contributing his experience as the lead singer and guitarist of notable Atlanta bands like The Carbonas and Beat Beat Beat. Daniel's previous work with the Boston-based garage band The Aboriginees and a brief tenure with the Dutch heavy rock group Dzjenghis Khan fueled his desire to prove himself further.
A pivotal moment came when rock photographer Leee Black Childers, who managed artists like David Bowie, Mott the Hoople, and Johnny Thunders, discovered Daniel at Mars Bar and asked if his band could perform at his 65th birthday party. Without prior acquaintance, Leee assumed Daniel was the lead singer. Following this serendipitous encounter, Leee booked Daniel's new band, which he named The Shrimpton's, as he believed Daniel resembled the iconic actress Jean Shrimpton. Pretty Quick made their live debut at The Delancey the following weekend, delivering a performance that showcased their musical abilities and camaraderie.
The initial lineup played several shows during that year and the next; however, Daniel’s loyalty to drummer Tony led to challenges in the lineup, preventing the band from fully realizing its potential. Ultimately, the departure of rhythm guitarist Blake Burkeholder, who left to focus on his career as a celebrity hair stylist, marked a turning point. Blake's energy and contributions, particularly on songs like "Mr. Mint Condition," were sorely missed.
The band faced difficulties, including a lack of management, substance-related issues, and a series of record deal offers that led to disagreements rather than fruitful outcomes. Despite their short-lived existence, the bond between Josh and Daniel endures as they continue to write together. They plan to re-record and complete a studio album by 2023, reigniting their creative collaboration.
Daniel's fondness for Pretty Quick and the songs he wrote during that time remains unmatched by any other group. He occasionally performs at tribute concerts or Halloween events in Brooklyn and keeps his connection to music alive by tour-managing bands like Daddy Long Legs and The Dickies, as well as driving for his friend and mentor Sonny Vincent. He also co-organized a 40th-anniversary celebration for The Dead Boys, featuring Cheetah Chrome and Johnny Blitz, and facilitated a festival appearance at SXSW.
Daniel's journey into Rock and Roll began with a disillusionment with the Boston Hardcore scene, which he still appreciates. This led him to connect with older rock musicians, including Joe Hasselvander, who mentored him as he worked as a roadie. His early experiences with bands like Raven and Blue Cheer shaped his ambitions, and by the age of 21, he was fronting a garage band he called "The Aboriginees."
Currently, Daniel is pursuing a degree in writing at Framingham University in Massachusetts and resides on Cape Cod with his girlfriend. Josh Martin lives in Atlanta and performs with The Carbonas at reunions and festivals worldwide. Dave Ready has embraced fatherhood while remaining a celebrated figure among friends. Blake Burkeholder continues his career as a sought-after hair stylist for some of Hollywood's biggest names, and Tony Mann remains active in Manhattan, contributing to the music scene as an author, filmmaker, and co-founder of the Marc Bolan School of Music in Sierra Leone alongside Gloria Jones and Rolan Bolan.
