Jana Johns: Lead vocals, drums, percussion
Michael McAllister: Bass guitar, vocals
Jason Thomason: Lead guitar
Brant Leeper: Guest keys
Influences
Jana: Okay, here's the deal: I'm influenced by so many artists and genres that I could never list them all. Truth is, I'm a music junkie, collecting obscure bits of history in an ever changing soundtrack. Mostly, I'm heavily influenced by strong women: Etta James, Big Mama Thornton, Janis Joplin, Billie Holiday, Mavis Staples, Ruthie Foster, Patty Griffin, Koko Taylor. But not just their vocal style: I've also learned from their attitude, their interaction with people, and their fearless approach to sharing their innermost selves (strength or vulnerability) through their voices...I think that has more to do with it than anything. But I'm equally influenced in timing and soul by Buddy Guy, Katie Webster, Nina Simone, Freddie King, and anything that vaguely resembles funk or soul infused music. Vocally, I'm most compared to Janis, which always surprises me. In live performance, I can see that because I let the music take me wherever it wants to go -- maybe that's what people are really trying to say? You give a listen and see who you can find in there...It's all about being inside the music. Most definitely, my favorite place to be.
Jason: My influences change everyday, and im not only influenced by music but also by nature, people, expereiences, and life in general. Anything with soul in it!
Michael: for starters, Jimi Hendrix and Metallica...need I say more?
Brant: Billy Preston, Allen Toussaint , Prof. Longhair, Dr. John, Moses Tyson Jr., Monk, Brother Jack McDuff, Wild Bill Davis, Ray Charles, Johnny "Guitar" Watson, Louie Prima, Bill Withers, Mose Allison, Jamie Cullum, William Bell, Bill Doggett, James Booker, Booker "T"
Sugarhouse is a passion-powered blues trio which reflects eclectic influences, ranging from the grinding grooves of funky juke joints to the electric diversity of sophisticated urban rhythm and blues.
These players explore the limits of the blues genre and pull no punches with their music. Often compared to the likes of Big Brother and the Holding Company or the Hendrix Experience, Sugarhouse just might give answer to the question: What could have happened if Jimi Hendrix ever shared a stage with Janis Joplin?
Jana Johns leads the band in vocals and drums with an infectious passion and energy that demands a full dance floor, while Jason Thomason travels the outermost reaches of guitar virtuosity. Michael McAllister rounds out the trio with an amazingly solid performance on bass and backing vocals.
This trio is as tight as they come, having played together for more than five years, garnering fans in the Four Corners area while opening for such named players as Smokin’ Joe Kubek, David Allen Coe, Bachman Turner Overdrive among others. You never know what might happen at a Sugarhouse show, but one thing is for sure:
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you won’t be sorry you came!
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Animas River Blues Fest - 2009
Sandi's Pics from Mt KIA/MIA Celebration:
Salut à vous chers zamis myspaciens... Un concert avec invités spéciaux sur Paris ce vendredi avec le groupe MEKTOUB... ça vous dit ? VENDREDI 11 DECEMBRE 2009 à 20h30 au BAROC' (Paris 10°) métro Belleville / Colonel Fabien 36, rue de Sambre et Meuse - 75010 Paris PAF 5 euros (pré-réservations au 06 72 08 35 35)
I had a blast at the blues fest this year!! LOVE U LOVE U LOVE U!!!!! Cant wait till next year!! better yet you guys should come tear it up in aztec somewhere soon b4 next year!!! lol I WISH
THANKS FOR THE ADD! I JUST WANTED TO CHECK AND MAKE SURE YOU GOT THE PICTURES FROM THE ANIMAS BLUES FEST THAT I E-MAILED, AND TO TELL YOU AGAIN THAT YOU GUYS ARE GREAT!
Yeah I think my parents r gonna come out to visit. But I have two weeks Im not sure if their gonna stay for the whole time. The break is sep 20th through oct 3rd. F thang is mine and you can work on it 4 sure!!!!
You know...I don't know how to say it other than Sugarhouse fucking rocks the planet. I simply LOVE LOVE LOVE hearing you guys and seeing you in person. There is nothing quite like a Sugarhouse show - seeing and hearing is believing. I love you guys : ) Cindi
Had an awesome time Saturday at the Blues Fest in Aztec! Sugarhouse is the best! We enjoyed your music! Looking forward to hearing you play again next year! Miss you!
THANKS FOR THE ADD!!! I MISSED UR FIRST FEW SONGS AT THE ANIMAS RIVER FEST AND WAS SOOO DISSAPOINTED IN MYSELF BUT AS I STOOD THERE FOR A BIT YOU BUSTED OUT AND PLAYED MY VERY VERY FAVORITE(BABYGIRL)SONG AND THE DISSAPOINTMENT LEFT AND I HAD A WONDERFUL TIME ........ UR MUSIC ALWAYS SEEMS TO DO THAT TO ME!!! ANYTIME THERE IS NEGATIVITY IN MY ATTITUDE YOU GUYS BRING A SMILE TO MY FACE!!! I ABSOLUTLY ADORE YOU ALL, SO MUCH TALENT AND WHAT A WONDERFUL ENERGY YOU PUT OFF!!! CANT WAIT TO SEE YOU AGAIN LIVE.... UNTILL THEN ILL BE JAMMIN YA IN THE CAR AND AT HOME!! LOVE IT LOVE YA LOVE IT, YOUR FOREVER FAN AND FRIEND, SHERIDON NICOLE
I'll say . . . especially the dirt part! : ) Seriously, you guys BLEW THE ROOF OFF on Saturday! Your hair was not the only thing flying! All of our spirits were, too, and then some!
Thank-you for the comment, you guys sound killer too!!! Keep the music coming and let me know if you guys are ever playing in Los Angeles. I'm friends with Blu J down here, he showed me your stuff the other day. Take care!!
Woaw ! What a voice Jana and what a groove ;) It's great ! and you seems to be cool people... Thanks for the add, and sharing the music ! Do you watch our music video ?, it's the first one ;)
lov ya...
