Steve Antonakos--lead guitar, 1995-1999
Pete DeMeo--drums, 1996-1999
Paul Foglino--bass
Dave Helberg--drums, 1984-when he quit
Tom Meltzer, guitar, lead vocals
Charlie Shaw--drums, ??-1996
Neil Thomas--keyboards
Kevin Trainor--lead guitar, 1986-1995
Honorary Chinese Brothers include: Mark Ettinger, keyboards; Wally Griffith, guitar; David Hamburger, guitar and dobro; Mike Azerrad, drums; Mark Horn, drums; Steve Greenfield, saxophone; Jennifer Collins, saxophone
Influences
Chuck Berry, Bob Dylan, Gram Parsons, Little Eva, Claudine Clark, Das Hoders, the Coasters, Rockpile, Achtung Accordion, John Prine, Harry Smith, the Blue Chieftains, the Surreal McCoys, Robbie Fulks
5 Chinese Brothers began life as The Special Guests, a collection of college buddies dedicated to playing great bar band music. At first an all-cover band, the Special Guests morphed into an originals band that blended 12-bar rock, R&B, and country. Numerous personnel changes eventually suggested a name change was in order. The band was The Bugs for one gig, then received a cease-and-desist order from The Bugs of San Francisco. A drunken pow-wow resulted in the unfortunate selection of the name 5 Chinese Brothers, evoking scowls from Chinese audience members and from those expecting an REM cover band. Nonetheless the band persisted through 4 albums and numerous tours that took it to 34 states, 5 foreign nations, and several expulsions from Canada. 5 Chinese Brothers threw in the towel in early 1999 but they'd be willing to play a reunion show just for you, if the price was right.
Hi Guys! Congrats! Your song "Dear Santa" is in our top ten this week, out of over 2300 Christmas songs, rated by over one hundred thousand listeners!!!
Paul was nominated for a national cartoon award. If you have a moment, could you please follow this link and vote for cartoon #9 (under the name "Paul Malden"):
I have to pull out my CD of "Singer, Songwriter, Beggarman, Thief" every once in a while. Had it for about 14 years, I think. It never gets old. Great music! Glad I found you on here. Had some great times at the Rodeo Bar back then. Wish all you guys happiness and success!
Hey! Thanks for adding me. I love a lot of your songs, but my absolute favorite is probably Midnight at the Liberty just for being so simple and so darn beautiful at the same time. Nice.
it must be time for a reunion gig...or tour!...come on fellas....you can sleep in my house when you're in england!..come soon...my teeth are so long now I have to walk on tip toe...
love & peace
jorge desayuno
