TOM HOOVER - Bass Guitar, Lead and Backing VocalsInfluences: Berry Oakley, Jack Casady, Jack Bruce, Chris Squire, Greg Lake
Equipment: Les Paul 5-string with Bartolinis, Tobias Killer Bee 5-string with Bartolinis, SWR 750 head, SWR 8X10 cab, Senheiser digital wireless, and Senheiser wireless headset mic
Desert Island Discs:1) All the Young Dudes - Mott the Hoople
2) Eat a Peach - Allman Brothers
3) Spoken and Unspoken - Andy Timmons
4) Pornograffiti - Extreme
5) Tales of Topographic Oceans - Yes
Tom started playing sax when he was three and picked up the bass when he was 14. He honed his chops playing in a half dozen bands in New Jersey before moving to Texas in 1977.
In the late 70s-mid 80s, Tom began playing bass and/or acoustic guitar with numerous country / rock duos and trios. The names of the bands are missing along with the rest of Tom's 80's experience. When he re-gained consciousness in the 90s, he returned to Rock with a passion.
Tom has played with Live Bait and Fire Lane as well as lending his talents to numerous unnamed benefit projects. He sat in with Nothin' Fancy for a couple of gigs and has done some studio work for Billy Rawlett on three CDs as well as some demo work for a couple of country singers. Probably the biggest influence in Tom's bass playing would be Berry Oakley from the Allman Brothers Band which would also be his band of choice to play one night with.
DAN MUTCHLER - Drums and PercussionInfluences: Bill Bruford, Alex Van Halen, Denny Carmassi, Tommy Aldridge, Curly Smith, Jerry Shirley, David Garabaldi, Barriemore Barlow, John Bonham, Ringo, Dave Clark (Five), Adrian Young, Thousands of others.
Equipment: Ludwig Vistalite drums and Paiste Colorsound cymbals
Desert Island Discs:1) Van Halen - Van Halen II
2) Montrose - Montrose
3) No Doubt- Beacon St. Collection
4) Frank Zappa - Joe's Garage
5) The Beatles Second Album
Lifelong musician, studied music at North Texas State University, played in every kind of band imaginable, Rock, Punk, Reggae, Jazz, Country, including The Molly Maguires, Andy Timmons, Johnny Solinger, most recently Swan Song, the Led Zeppelin tribute. Been in several tribute bands covering The Beatles, No Doubt, Pink Floyd and The Eagles. Spent 5 years in Europe in the 70's, speak German, Spanish and Serbo-Croation. I was once asked to describe myself in 3 words: Dysfunctional Misfit Screwball. Fortunately for me, The Saints do not discriminate against the mentally handicapped.
My advice for young, up and coming drummers:
- Never pet a burning dog.
- And don't get married. Studies have shown that marriage is THE LEADING CAUSE of divorce.
My personal philosophy: I like young girls. Their stories are shorter.
My wish for the world: Be excellent to each other. And call your mother!
JOHN SWANNER - Lead Guitar, Backing vocalsInfluences: Jimi Hendrix, Leslie West, Andy Summers, Eric Johnson
Equipment: USA Fender with Seymour Duncan's, Agile 2000, Marshall DSL 100 half stack, Boss pedals, Small Stone Phase Shifter
Desert Island Discs:1) Flowers of Evil - Mountain
2) Any Hendrix
3) ZZ Top's First Album
4) Robin Trower - Live
5) Argus - Wishbone Ash
In the late 70's and early 80's John played lead in a gaggle of Hard Rock bands hitting the circuits of Texas, Arkansas, Colorado and Memphis including Zep cover band Alen Rench, the Scoop, and the Suspects. Alen Rench gained notoriety with the original song "Ready to Rock Again" and became a favorite of Q102's Texas Tapes show.
In 1985, a sit-in gig with a country band led to the eleven year collaboration as Cherokee Rose Band. Highlights include two albums featuring the John penned songs "Last Train To Lonely" and "If That's What It Takes", performances at Farm Aid II, Willie Nelson's picnics, opening for hundreds of top acts including Garth Brooks, George Strait and Steve Wariner, and appearing in and contributing original music for the movie "Action USA".
In 1989, during a break in the bands schedule, John took a road gig with Kerry Lee and the Tomcats, a funky horn based R&B band. "That was a killer band -saxes, trumpet, blues harp, whisky drenched vocals and a rhythm section that purred like an old Caddy whose muffler had seen better days."
In 1999, John wrote and played the lead guitar parts on Christian artist Daryl Colyers' critically acclaimed "Walk of the Believer" album.
Going on his fourth year as a Saint, says "I love the fact that this band lets me play a wide variety of lead tones and styles - this band is like a culmination of everything I've done. I don't think you'll find better talent in the whole state and you never know what to expect at a Saints show."
JIM SPURLOCK - Piano, Keyboards, Backing VocalsJim's talent and ability ranges from average with occasional moments of above average-ness. He has played piano since childhood; we're not really sure whose childhood. He can be characterized as a frequent cut-up with a heart of mold.
Among his other vast contributions to the band, you can also include piano, organ, synthesizer, brass, toilet flushing extraordinaire and the occasional crickets in the silent night. Jim sings background vocals but stops if it appears the sound man is soloing his mike through the headphones.
Jim has played in many bands going back to junior high, some I'm sure you've seen written in the bathroom walls at sometime in your life. They included Eldorado Drano Lizards, Free Beer, and Stumble-butt.
Jim's ambition can be described as spotty at best. His idea of reaching his musical pinnacle would be spending an evening with Earl Scheib and the Two-Tones. We just hope music would be involved at some point.
NICK NICHOLS - Lead vocalistInfluences: The Cult (x 100!!), Zakk Wylde (x100!), Robert Plant, Jim Morrison, Freddie Mercury, Brian Johnson, Ozzy Osbourne, James Hetfield, Sammy Hagar, David Lee Roth, Jack Russell, Steve Perry, Steven Tyler, Rob Halford, Spinal Tap, The Vienna Philharmonic "Umm-Paa" Orchestra, Lawrence Welk's "Polka 'Till You Puke" Boxed Set
Equipment: Shure Wireless Beta 58 Mic and Receiver, Ultimate Quick Lever Lock Mic Stand, Tea + Honey, Watered-Down Bar Cokes, Orbit Gum, Saline Nose Spray and LOTS O' SPIT
Desert Island Discs:1) Rare Cult (Complete Studio Recordings Boxed Set)
2) The Doors - Complete Studio Recordings Boxed Set
3) Led Zeppelin - Boxed Set #1
4) Queen - Greatest Hits Volume 1
5) Zakk Wylde - Book of Shadows
Nick began singing at age 10 when he got his first 45, "Another One Bites the Dust". He would play it for hours and determined Freddie Mercury was GOD.
He began playing rhythm guitar (his second love) when he was 19, working his way from numerous garage bands to fronting a Led Zeppelin cover band, which led to a series of bar bands playing the circuit throughout Indiana, Illinois, Tennessee and Kentucky. While playing with one of these bar bands, Minx, Nick and the band opened a show for .38 Special. "It was a real treat and privilege to share the stage with one of the most respected bands in Rock."
While taking a break following the "Great Metal Meltdown of the 90's", Nick completed school and moved to the Dallas area in 2001. Nick's philosophy: "Sometimes I'd rather sing than eat. This is the sign of a SICK mind. If I could go back in time, I'd jam with Zeppelin on their '73 tour. I was only three then, so it would have been hard to reach the mic."