Personnel: Jeb Bonansinga, vocals and guitar; Tod Bonansinga, rub board, percussion and vocals; Guy Lawrence, accordion; Tom Harmon, drums; Earl Carter, bass.
Formed: December 1991.
Current lineup together since: This is the original lineup.
Background: Jeb and Tod Bonansinga are brothers. Jeb Bonansinga and Harmon were in a band called Red, Hot and Blue, playing mostly college gigs. They met Lawrence at the Sundowners Ranch, ”a good musicians` hangout.”
Carter played with rockabilly band the Deacons.
Sound: ”Zyde-billy,” a mixture of zydeco and rockabilly with blues, country and Cajun elements thrown in.
Influences: Elvis Presley, T-Bone Walker, Webb Pierce and Tex-Mex accordion hero Flaco Jiminez.
Songwriting: Jeb Bonansinga and Lawrence are the writers. Most of the band`s show material is original. ”We could do all originals, but most club owners insist on some covers,” says Bonansinga.
Onstage cover versions: Include ”Who Were You Thinking Of,” by the Sir Douglas Quintet, and ”There Stands the Glass,” by Webb Pierce.
Namesake: ”We put 50 names on a sheet of paper and voted. We use a Tex- Mex, `Day of the Dead` motif on our promo materials,” says Jeb Bonansinga.
Memorable experience: Performing with country band the Sundowners.
”They`ve been in the business forever, but they`re not at all jaded, they`re first-rate musicians and they`re really nice guys,” says Bonansinga. Recordings: A seven-song audiocassette is available at Rip Tones performances. The band`s video of ”Carry On” will be in light rotation on The Nashville Network`s ”Video Morning” and ”Video P.M.” shows beginning Monday, says Bonansinga.
Local viewpoint: ”Chicago has a great music scene-you can see any kind of live talent for about $5 any night of the week. But the pay for musicians hasn`t changed in about 10 years. You really need a 40-hour-a-week day job if you want to continue to put out good music,” says Bonansinga.
Philosophy: ”Artistically, Garth Brooks is like the Fabian or Vanilla Ice of country music,” says Bonansinga. ”But his current popularity is helping to break down a lot of doors. It`s encouraging to see more people opening up to country and other styles of music.”
Goals: ”To get on a medium-size record label and get our product distributed to a wider audience.”
Next appearances: March 14 at Bub City; April 24 at Schubas; April 25 at the Clearwater Saloon (opening for Austin, Tex., band the Killbillys).
