For many years, people thought it would never happen. A music legend's most devoted fans would never even verbalize it happening.
But sure enough, it did. Many, many times.
The music legend in question is Brian Wilson, the musical genius behind the Beach Boys, one of the 1960's greatest rock and roll acts. After an all-too brief heyday which included massive hit singles, gold records, critically acclaimed albums, and a body of work that has stood the test of time in terms of popular appeal, Mr. Wilson went through some troubled times. Tortured comebacks were liberally littered during these times, but by 1999, thanks to proper care and a stable home life, the shocking happened. The Beach Boy who had been reluctant to perform with his fellow Cousin, Friends, and Brothers (as an old friend once put it) was now performing. If Mr. Wilson had found performing with his Cousin, Friend and Brothers a stress to his psyche, he now found performing with his new band a pleasure, a pure delight. Which brings us to the main event of this Myspace page.
Brian Wilson has toured the world several times since 1999. He and his band have thrilled Beach Boys fans who, long ago, had given up on the touring Beach Boys. They have also wowed rock royalty and British royalty. They have performed the Beach Boys' classic PET SOUNDS album in concert flawlessly and emotionally true to that great record's sound. And, in 2004, they did the impossible. They performed the long-lost SMiLE album, a song cycle that celebrates the American spirit, the spirituality of life, and the power of redemption. While Mr. Wilson is most deserving of the praise for such works and performances, we now shine the light on his stellar group of musicians. Coming from varied backgrounds, they all show great respect to the values that made the music of Brian and the Beach Boys great. Let's meet the band!
Scott Bennett Scott is a versatile multi-instrumentalist who has played keyboards, mallets, percussion, and an incendiary lead guitar on occasion. He possesses a golden tenor. Plus, he looks like he could have been a Beach Boy! Originally from Chicago, but now based in L.A., Scott is also a composer and recording artist in his own right. He released in 2004, THE DOTTED LINE, an album that melds modern rock with a strong melodic sensibility. In addition to his work with Brian, Scott has also lent his talents to artists like Liz Phair and the Flaming Lips. His boundless energy certainly adds a great deal to the Brian Wilson concert experience.
Nelson Bragg Playing percussion and singing great Mike Love-style backgrounds (and providing a lively energy) is the newest member of the Brian band. Nelson is a multi-instrumentalist who plays with several bands in L.A's underground pop scene including the
Mello Cads,
The Mockers,
The Now People and others. 2006 was a busy year for Nelson with an album release from The Now People and a solo album from Nelson titled DAY INTO NIGHT. (Samples of Nelson's music can be heard at his Myspace page). A fresh voice in the world of power pop has emerged.
Jeffrey Foskett A great vocalist who can emulate the sounds of a young Brian Wilson, a student of the classic surf guitar style of a young Carl Wilson, and a power pop artist who has written and recorded with power pop luminaries such as Doug Fieger (The Knack), Bill Lloyd, and Marshall Crenshaw. Jeffrey has recorded roughly a half dozen CDs of his own Wilson/early Beatles influenced music. And he also has a "best of" disc called STARS IN THE SAND on the Pop Collective label. Jeff is also a member of California's
Papa Doo Run Run. Jeffrey has enjoyed a 25 year association with Brian and the Beach Boys, having spent 10 years as a sideman in the Beach Boys touring band and a key member of Brian's touring band. In addition to Brian himself, Jeffrey was one of a handful of musicians who performed at both the original Live Aid concert and the Live 8 sequel in Berlin.
Probyn Gregory Another of the great multi-instrumentalists in Brian's band (are you noticing a pattern?) Probyn has shared the stage with the crme of L.A.'s underground pop crop. He has performed on most if not all of the catalogues of
Wondermints and
The Negro Problem (and on the solo releases of TNP frontman Stew). A true bohemian soul who was raised in the disparate climates of California and New Hampshire, Probyn brings a hidden musical element to the Brian show that is not unlike what Al Jardine brought to the Beach Boys. He plays guitar, banjo, trumpet, French horn and the tannerin (featured on "Good Vibrations") and adds a beautiful tenor voice to the harmonic blend. His guitar playing has garnered praise from no less than Eric Clapton who complimented his slide guitar playing. Probyn has also played and/or recorded with The Eels, Love, The Mello Cads, The Now People,
Riviera and many, many others. He also is a longtime Beach Boys fan. To date his fanhood, back in the 1980's, Probyn placed a classified ad in L.A.'s RECYCLER pleading that Capitol Records (or someone with clout with Capitol) release the SMiLE album. Little did he guess that two decades later
Jim Hines and Bob Lizik Chicago's finest rhythm section, drummer Jim Hines and bassist Bob Lizik are veterans of that city's fine jazz music scene. Jim and Bob perform in a jazz trio with Kraig McCreary. Also, Lizik and McCreary are members of Big Roy. Bob himself is a veteran of countless commercial jingles and in addition to working with Brian, he has recorded with Barbra Streisand, Kylie Minogue, Lisa Sansfield, Styx, and former Styx frontman Dennis DeYoung. Bob and Jim lay down the foundations for the recreations of Brian's great pocket symphonies.
Paul "Von" Mertens Another great Chicago-based musician, Paul plays woodwinds, harmonica, and arranges and conducts orchestral arrangements for Brian's shows. Paul is also a member of venerable Chicago band,
Poi Dog Pondering having appeared on their most recent release IN SEED COMES FRUIT. Paul, in collaboration with Darian Sahanaja, crafted the string arrangements that graced the finished 2004 SMiLE. Paul has also performed with the likes of Cyndi Lauper and Dan Fogelburg.
Taylor Mills Looking like the quintessential California girl that might have inspired a young Brian, Taylor has become a popular member of Brian's ensemble. Originally from Des Moines, Iowa (about as far away culturally from California as one can get), Taylor has added her wonderful voice to the vocal blend. Taylor has cut her teeth in various cover bands, local (Chicagoland) and regional (Midwest) commercial jingles and demo singing before joining Brian Wilson's band. Since then, she has shared the stage with the likes of Sheryl Crow, Paul McCartney, Eric Clapton, Elton John, Billy Joel, Roger Daltrey, Eddie Vedder, Jackson Browne, Bonnie Raitt, Neil Young and others. Taylor recently released her first solo effort, Lullagoodbye.
Darian Sahanaja and Nick Walusko Last, but certainly not the least are the guys in the band with probably the greatest "street cred" (along with Probyn Gregory) with hardcore Beach Boys fans. Darian and Nick are the founders of the L.A. pop underground's greatest band, Wondermints. Keyboardist/vocalist Sahanaja and guitarist/vocalist Walusko are both longtime Beach Boys fans/followers having contributed to 60's L.A. pop historian Domenic Priore's legendary
DUMB ANGEL GAZETTE 'zines (including the classic GAZETTE issue devoted to the SMiLE-era titled LOOK!LISTEN!VIBRATE!SMiLE!). Although they don't share the vast performing experiences that their colleagues share, they are both active students of classic 60's pop production techniques and arranging styles (Priore has stated that back in the 80's, Darian and Nick used to wow their pals with note-perfect living room renditions of PET SOUNDS numbers).
They started writing and recording their own songs for themsleves and other artists (a Christmas album by
Lisa Mychols titled LOST WINTER'S DREAM, and
Baby Lemonade's EXPLORING MUSIC). The band was performing at a 1994 Brian Wilson tribute show in Santa Monica when Brian himself first saw them perform. It was during their set that Wilson remarked, "If I had these guys in 1967, I could have taken SMiLE out on the road." That is exactly what happened. Darian Sahanja, with his keen studio expertise was credited as "musical secretary" for the 2004 SMiLE. Armed with a laptop full of the original music from the multi-tracks (and his own collection of SMiLE boots), Darian helped Brian and SMiLE collaborator
Van Dyke Parks put the pieces of the SMiLE puzzle together culminating in one of the greatest pop events of 2004, if not of the new millenium. They are both supremely talented singers/songwriters with three studio albums of original songs to their credit and one "covers" album as well. For more on Darian, Nick, Probyn and the rest of Wondermints, go to www.myspace.com/wondermints .
The Stockholm Strings 'n Horns Hailing from Stockholm, Sweden, this is the orchestral ensemble that performed and recorded with the band in 2004 and 2005 for the SMiLE shows, studio CD, and live DVD, as well as playing on the 2007 tour of That Lucky Old Sun in the UK. They came to the attention of 60's pop fans via their performances with Arthur Lee and Love during a tour where the classic Love album FOREVER CHANGES was performed. Their work greatly enhanced the SMiLE experience live, and they clearly had a lot of fun onstage.
There you have it! The ensemble dubbed "the best touring band in the world" by no less than Paul McCartney! And this MySpace page is in tribute to The Best Touring Band in the World! Period.
May the surf ALWAYS be up!
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