friends’ projects

I have had the honor to be a part of a number of great music projects.

I want to turn you on to some truly talented friends who are creating some amazing music.

Please click on the image of each artist to learn more about them.

 

Salisbury

Music from the guitar player from Superjam, Eric Lysaght. We’ve been friends and played together for some 15 years in various projects, including a tribute to David Bowie called Ashes to Stardust. Eric plays a lot of solo acoustic gigs around St. Louis, and is an accomplished visual artist. We are on opposite sides on many issues, but remain close friends, and have succeeded in not engaging in fisticuffs. Not yet anyway!

And They Rise

Mathias Leavitt (bass and lead vocals) and Blake Nelson (drums) play with me in the band King of Pain (tribute to The Police.) Guitarist Scott Davis played in a few bands with me also, and is currently working crew with Guns N’ Roses. Old friends and talented singers and players all. There have been shenanigans and great stories along the way. Our favorite shot was the Spark Plug: cappuccino, Bailey’s, and vanilla vodka, I believe, which most likely led to said shenanigans .

THE SUN SAWED IN 1/2

I’ve played sax, keys and sing occasional lead vocals with this St. Louis power pop group since 1991. The Sun released 7 critically acclaimed albums available here (click picture for link.) We traveled all around the Mediterranean and played shows from Texas to California to Michigan. There are 3 new EPs out now and a double CD dropping Spring ‘22 on Kool Kat Muzik.

Falling Fences

I play with Sean Canan occasionally in Voodoo Zeppelin. Sean was with a Grateful Dead tribute called The Schwag for years, and is a frenetic and enigmatic guitar player. He lives a few blocks away, I run into him walking his dog sometimes. Falling fences is an acoustic trio with eclectic Bluegrass, Irish, and Americana roots.

The Matching Shoe

I met Dillon Wilfong (lead vocals, guitar) when he made a guest appearance in El Monstero. The Matching Shoe is a sixties influenced rock group with a fun brit rock sound with lot’s of jangle and cool lyrics. You would swear from their polished sound and pocket grooves they were old veterans of the scene. But being in their twenties, they are just getting started. I am expecting more great music from them! Was on a canoe trip and ran across a river party they were playing, got to hear them jam, and had some great bbq!

Mike Zito

I played with Mike for years in different projects. Mike is an accomplished Blues artist, touring constantly and getting lots of airplay. He founded the Royal Southern Brotherhood with Cyril Neville and Devon Allman. A phenomenal and fluid guitar player, I learned a lot from Mike about entertaining the audience and keeping the energy high.

Devon Allman

I played on some records of his, and did a show with him opening for his dad, Gregg Allman. He’s got that Allman blood, you can hear it in his singing and playing. His dad told me some of the old Selmer saxophones were made from shell casings from WW2.

Funky Butt Brass Band

Funky Butt played in El Monstero with me and were featured on The Sun Sawed in 1/2’s Elephants into Swans album. I have hopes of including these good dudes and great players in a future live show. Their Christmas show, which they do in pajamas, is not to be missed. It’s entertaining, hilarious and features many St. Louis music scenesters.

Tony Campanella

I sat in a lot with Tony in a soul/rock/r&b band called The Sliders. Daryl Whited, the drummer on my EPs, was in that band too. Tony makes that guitar talk, expressive soulful strains, not afraid to walk that fine line between virtuosity and total chaos! Got to hear him sing at a show my band played on and, damn, he killed it! Supremely talented dude. I’m proud to call him a friend.

Ellen Hilton Cook

I played on one of Ellen’s records. She’s got a quirky, playful style with enigmatic lyrics, inventive piano playing, and sings like a pissed-off pixie. I met Ellen where I’ve met most of my friends, in a bar playing music. She’s still slugging it out playing originals, making great art.

ESSENTIAL KNOTS

I haven’t played with these guys yet, but I know they’re great and local! 60’s inflected jangly pop with darker shades of the shoe-gazer 90’s bands like the Posies. Great ambient guitar sounds and nice harmonies. Definitely worth checking out!