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ANDY WERTH - vocals, keys, guitar
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| In late 2006, Andy walked into Fastback Studios with a group of local musicians and recorded a three-song EP called Back to the Sun. The songs were unusual—throwback 1970’s AM radio-sounding tunes with horns, piano and classic arrangements, but with a decidedly modern feel. The songs stirred up a lot of local press and radio support, and Andy decided to get those musicians together again and take the songs to the stage. Word of the band’s powerful live show spread, and soon they were headlining prominent local clubs like the High Dive, Chop Suey and the Tractor, as well as the main stage at the Fremont Fair and other regional festivals.
In 2007 Andy released his five-song EP Seeing Stars. The response far outpaced Back to the Sun, earning Andy and his band in-studio appearances on KEXP, more positive recognition from local and national press, licensing deals, and airplay on dozens of national college radio stations.
Andy and his band have just finished work on their first full-length record Burn the Maps and Bury the Compass. The new record blends the organic sounds of traditional rock and orchestral instruments with electronic sounds and beats, and cuts across genres from upbeat rock to electronic soundscapes.
Andy was raised in the foothills of the Colorado Rockies. He moved to Washington State in high school and learned the trumpet, piano, guitar and other miscellaneous instruments. He lived in Portland for a few years, where he first began writing music. He left the rain of Portland for the rain of Seattle, where he eventually started playing music with the people you’ll read about below.
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STEVE MCPHERSON - bass, vocals
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| Steve's been Andy's bass player since the beginning, laying down basslines with his electric and stand-up bass on all of Andy's records and live shows.
Steve grew up in Everett, WA, and eventually moved to the east coast. He moved back to the Left Coast, settled in Seattle, and started writing songs and playing in bands, among other things. Steve can play the guitar, piano, and can sing, but Andy somehow got him to play the bass. It turns out that's Steve's a naturally badass bass player. Andy told him this early on, but Steve didn't believe him until a very famous bass player heard him play and told him this.
Steve's the most fashionable member of the band, and the tallest. |
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MATT KACHELE - guitar, voice, keys
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| Matt plays all sorts of things on stage, from guitar to keys to random percussion instruments, and sings most of the harmonies (see picture). His voice has been compared a young Stevie Wonder (comparison made by Matt). We think he sounds like either Hall or Oates.
Matt grew up in Las Vegas. Finding that town too humdrum for his tastes, he moved to the wild expanse of uncharted land that lies between Seattle and Bellingham to help settle the wilderness. He occasionally travels south for practices and shows, and for supplies.
A little known fact: Matt was once the lead singer of a ska band, where he honed the jumping and strutting skills that fans of Andy's band enjoy every time Matt takes the stage. |
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GEORGE STEWARD - trumpet, flugelhorn
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| When Andy needed a lead trumpeter, he called the Everett Symphony hoping that maybe one of the musicians had a precocious student who'd be interested.
The songs got the attention of the precocious principal trumpet of the Everett Symphony, George Steward. Equally at home with the second Brandenburg Concerto and the less-than-baroque stylings of "Stay Here With You," George is as versatile as they come.
George always wears a helmet when riding a bike. He has lamps made out of trumpets. We've asked FactCheck.org to substantiate our assertion that George is the only musician to play the Comet Tavern who has a Master's Degree from Yale. |
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CAREY RAYBURN - trumpet, flugelhorn
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| Andy needed one more trumpet player, so he called Seattleite AllenVizzutti, possibly the greatest player on the planet, for suggestions. Allen didn't want to jeopardize his lucrative world tours to sit in with Andy's band, but he did recommend Carey Rayburn, who was a student and a sick, sick trumpet player (our words, not Allen's). Carey's played regularly with outstanding local bands like Mullally and Kay Kay and His Weathered Underground.
Carey can play Jeremiah Clarke* or Clark Terry** and doesn't mind letting you know (he's actually never said that, but that's just the attitude we get from him).***
Carey is frequently objectified (see picture). His most common facial expression is drowsy boredom. He works on electronic mash-ups when he's supposed to be practicing
*Classical composer of the most popular version of the trumpet voluntary
**Jazz trumpeter/flugelhornist for Duke Ellington, et. al.
***We apologize for a play on names that necessitated footnotes
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JEFF ROESER - drums, percussion
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| Jeff is one of the best drummers in Seattle. That is a fact. Jeff's drummed for several outstanding local bands, including The Young Sportsmen, a band that defined the pinnacle of power pop in Seattle and released widely acclaimed records.
Jeff's drumming helped make Andy's first EP Back to the Sun a success, and he played on Andy's new record. He can be found on stage with Andy's band keeping the songs insanely tight.
Jeff breaks sticks. He goes through more lumber than Paul Bunyan on steroids. He once played a drum kit just to watch it die. But he can also play with the quiet precision of a well-oiled turret lathe.
The picture on the left is used without Jeff's permission. |
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