"Jimmy G." on Lead Guitars, Vocals & Backing Vocals, has a musical career, that started with him being a member of the following local Lansing bands:
1995 [The Blade Brigade] 1997 [The Blues Express] 1999 [The Straight Edge Band] and finally forming his own band in 2002 [Jimmy G. and the Capitols]
Kevin on Drums, Percussion & Backing Vocals, started playing back in 1970 while in the 4H Club and ended up traveling with them as they played all over the state of Michigan.
He was, then, bitten by the "bug" (the Rock Bug) and all Hell broke loose!
He studied and studied, then ended up here in this "kick-ass Rhythm & Rock band," that breaks down barriers of what, we like to call, "Scorchin' Hot" Rhythm & Blues/Rock 'N Roll.
Roger on Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals & Harmonicas, spent time in the 70's singing & playing in northern, suburban valley Cincinnati bands [Beouwulf, Sinbad & Fat Chance], and then reverted to doing sound reinforcement for a few more years after that. Only in the past few years has he been able to go back to what he always had a real drive to do, singing & playing Blues and R & B.
Joel started playing Bass in 1993 after playing alto, tenor and baritone sax. He's played bass in many different progressive and rock bands before settling into Lansing's blues scene.
Jimmy G. and the Capitols has been an opening act for the following touring groups: John Lee Hooker Jr., Priscilla Price, The Bill Lupkin Blues Band and Harmonica Shah & The Will Riot Band as well as playing the 2008 Old Town Blues Festival, Lansing, MI.
Jimmy G. and the Capitols is currently made up of Jim Gleason on Guitars, Vocals, Backing Vocals; Kevin Lairsen on Drums, Backing Vocals; Roger Gentry on Harmonicas, Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals and Joel Bence on Bass.
Roger is from Cincinnati and has a smooth voice that contrasts nicely with his warm, edgy, blues harmonica tones. Joel is now on bass with a flare for most things related to Motown. Kevin can play anything from a standard shuffle to a progressive jazz off beat with an uncanny sense of when to keep it straight and when to spice things up a bit. Jim plays guitar with the raw bark of a junkyard dog in one breath, to the sweet purr of a sleeping kitten in the next. Relying heavily on an improvisational style that has been polished over the years, he has tried to put together a band that can express this energy and have fun doing it.
Jimmy G. and the Capitols is a progressive-blues band, influenced by Muddy Waters, Johnny Winter, John Lee Hooker, Freddie King, etc. This band may not be the most precise, but the energy, effort and fun is what truly translates when it comes to the Blues isn't it? We are just out there trying to spread the gospel of the Blues to the masses and having a great time doing it. Let's all support the Blues and we will all benefit with a world that is filled with music that refreshes the soul.
~ Jim Gleason of Jimmy G. and the Capitols ~
* Their Blues, is what they like to call: PROGRESSIVE BLUES AND ROCK! *
SHOWS by, Jimmy G. and the Capitols:
2009 Memphis Smoke - Royal Oak, MI.
2009 The Barn - Featured Band - Grand Ledge, MI.
2009 Renegade Theater Festival - [Old Town] Lansing, MI.
2009 Southside Lansing “Showcase Community Fair" [7th Annual] - Lansing, MI.
2009 Rookies Restaurant & Bar [Benefit] Lansing, MI.
2008 "Breakin' Bread w/the Blues" Benefit [Lansing Food Bank] - Lansing, MI.
2008 Memphis Smoke - Royal Oak, MI.
2008 Veaches Office Bar - Jackson, MI.
2008 "OLD TOWN BLUES FEST" - Lansing, MI.
2008 "Blues Brawl" - Participant - Capital Area Blues Society - Lansing, MI.
2008 "Harmonica Blow-Off" - Centerstage at the Gem Theater - St. Louis, MI.
[Opening act: Bill Lupkin Blues Band of Chicago, IL. AND
Harmonica Shah & the Will Riot Band of Detroit, MI.]
2008 The Barn - Featured Band - Grand Ledge, MI.
2007 John Lee Hooker Jr. AND Priscilla Price - Opening act - Detroit, MI.
2007 "Blues Brawl" - Participant - Capital Area Blues Society - Lansing, MI.
2007 "Music & Arts Fair" - Participant - Band Competition - Portland, MI.
2007 The Barn - Featured Band - Grand Ledge, MI.
2006 "Music & Arts Fair" - Participant - Band Competition - Portland, MI.
2006 The Barn - Featured Band - Grand Ledge, MI.
2006 Bonnie's Place - Lansing, MI.
Review from: The Blues Ambassador newsletter, June 2007
Jimmy G. and the Capitols is a progressive blues band with influences from blues artists as Muddy Waters and John Lee Hooker. This was their initial debut and the band seeks to “spread the gospel of the blues to the masses.” Roger Gentry has a smooth voice contrasting his edgy, bluesy harmonica playing. These traits were evident with an excellent cover of “Someday After A While” by Freddie King. This was a good live debut of this bands current line-up. [May 20, 2007 web page writers note]
~ G. Wilson (Capital Area Blues Society, Lansing, MI.)
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