The sound of Estrum is focused on extreme dynamics from beautifully haunting to aggressively heavy.  It showcases Zena McKelvy’s virtuosic vocal abilities as well as the band’s stunning instrumentation over an undercurrent of strongly syncopated drumming.

Estrum made big waves in their short time together.  They garnered praise and attention from the blogging world, print magazines, and radio in the United States and abroad.  Estrum is on Spotify and other streaming services.

  The day after a show at a notoriously rough hard rock club, the promoter, Jay Pate, was quoted in the newspaper,

“Anyone that brings a banjo on stage at the Town Pump might expect to be attacked with a pool stick, instead Abandon Theory commanded the audience’s attention with intelligent lyrics, jumpy hooks, and enough dynamics to make Tool bust a nut!” 

Abandon Theory on Spotify 

 Part of what endears Abandon Theory to their fans is their ability to "roll with the punches."  They have dealt with being harassed and arrested by law enforcement, plagued by vehicle break downs and dishonest promoters, as well as having band members move to Japan, L.A., Austin, and Asheville.  Still they managed to record 5 great albums!  Those that don't know the stories or the history still relate with this "band of hard knocks" through Jesse's candid and colorful lyrics.    

One Eyed Doll was the creative creation of Kimberly Freeman.  She is an outstanding musician, artist, performer, and person.    The band was a duo of Kimberly on guitar and vox and Junior (Jason Rufus Sewell) on drums.  They decided to enhance the sound by bringing bass into the mix and brought me onboard.  We toured for a couple years and shared bills with some great bands (Mushroomhead, Orgy, & Otep).   

While on the road with One Eyed Doll my life style caught up to me and the autoimmune disease I suffer from landed me in the hospital.   As I was unable to continue, the band reverted to rocking shows as a duo, and we all agreed they should continue as such since my health rendered me unreliable.  

Be Brave Bold Robot is Dean Haakenson's band.  There have been various members throughout the years, and on different albums.  The music is beautifully orchestrated indie-rock,  with  thoughtful and whimsical lyrics that can make you laugh out loud or weep in your beer.  And the live shows are always entertaining, one never knows what Dean might do or say. 

I had the privilege of playing many shows with the band when I lived in CA, and I also added my banjo to a few songs on a couple of the albums.  

Vid for Wish I Was 

Cattywampus was my first band and a project I still hold dear to my heart.   I played guitar, percussion, and also added vocals.    My high school skater friend and (now) brother in law played bass.  We created self-indulgent avant jazz/ rock jam freak music and had some great experiences opening for acts like Marc Ribot (Tom Waits), Chris Wood (MMW), and Elliot Levin.  

Pleasure to Burn was a visceral  alternative rock/metal band whose energy made people move and mosh.   Pleasure to Burn gigged regularly in their hometown of Asheville, NC as well as regionally throughout the southeast.  Their highly anticipated album is in the final phases of production .  

Band pic from Odd me hanging outside and smirking 

                                                    Discography & Musical History