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Brother Shamus
The quintet blends folk, rock, and funk into an uplifting sound.
The quintet blends folk, rock, and funk into an uplifting sound.
Brother Shamus
Brother Shamus blends folk, rock, and funk into an uplifting sound.M. Todd Miller (lead vocals, guitar) Michael “Todd” Miller was born January 5, 1974, and has lived in the Northern Virginia area ever since. He started playing drums and guitar at age 13. At age 18, Todd started playing professionally in clubs and bars in the DC Metropolitan area, in some cases using fake identification when necessary. Brother Shamus blends folk, rock, and funk into an uplifting sound.M. Todd Miller (lead vocals, guitar)
Michael “Todd” Miller was born January 5, 1974, and has lived in the Northern Virginia area ever since. He started playing drums and guitar at age 13. At age 18, Todd started playing professionally in clubs and bars in the DC Metropolitan area, in some cases using fake identification when necessary. Though being a drummer, Todd has always been a lyricist/songwriter for each of his projects: (Flood Thought, Bunsen Honeydew, and Lamont). Todd has also played and/or recorded with other projects such as: (Lucky Dog, Mike Holden, Steve Hagadorn, Claire Gilbride, The Pharmacy Profits, and April Park Theory). Brother Shamus is the first project that he has been the guitarist/front man for - now playing and singing the songs he has written. “It’s much more natural to sing and play songs you’ve written yourself as opposed to trying to write for someone else and/or trying to ‘feel’ what someone else has written for you. Brother Shamus allows me, for the first time, to completely be myself style-wise, the way I am. So that’s it. All you’re going to get. Hope you enjoy.” His influences include Tom Waits, Otis Redding, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Thelonius Monk, Tom Petty, and Medeski, Martin, and Wood.
James Main (percussion, vocals)
In 1995, James Main relocated to Arlington, VA, from New England to join the band Bunsen Honeydew; this is when he and Todd Miller began playing music together. After a year (Bunsen Honeydew had ended), Main helped form another indie/punk bank Luka Brazzi. In 1999, Main left Luka Brazzi and joined Miller full-time in the acid/funk band Lamont, which was together for 7 years. Lamont released their record “Rooster Rickshaw” in 2000, around the same time Main joined Miller and bassist Rich de los Reyes in the funky party band Lucky Dog. In early 2001, Lucky Dog became the house band at Madam’s Organ, a popular DC music venue. In early 2004, with Lucky Dog on an extended hiatus and Lamont disbanded, Main and Miller began rehearsing several songs written by Miller. Rich De los Reyes and Eddie Hartness joined the duo 3 months later and Brother Shamus was formed. Along with playing in Brother Shamus, Main continues to play in Lucky Dog and the occasional Lamont reunion.
Richard Delos Reyes (bass, vocals)
Richard Delos Reyes (a.k.a. Ritchie) a born native of Arlington, VA, has been playing music pretty much all his life. When asked of his mother the first time she knew that she’d have a musician on her hands she said at the age of 3 Ritchie took an affectionate relationship with the family piano. “Smackin’ the crap outta those keys entertained him to no end.” When asked of his influences Ritchie just smiles and says “There’s a lot”. If I were to list them all to this day I’d have to build my own web-page but off hand let’s see…. Mom and Dad, my big brother, and last but not least my older sister who also happens to be my arts and crafts guru as well. His childhood friends were indispensable as influences; “Sully” was always there to jam and figure out songs, Matt and Alex helped me realize that music can be explained to other musicians other than going…duh duh duh duh duh and then we go dant dant dant! Eddie has always made me realize that dreams do come true but it’s called “Show Business and not Show Fun for a reason”.
Hunter Sapp (drums, percussion, vocals)
Originally from Asheville, NC, the 25 year old drummer has been playing for 10+ years and has been a professionally gigging musician for over 6 years. Growing up in Asheville, NC, a very artistic community, Hunter recalls, “I had great musician role models, and when I was growing up my drum teachers told me the key to being a great drummer is don’t strive to be just a drummer, strive to be a musician.” In Asheville, Hunter played in: The Drive Home, The Jor Sutton Trio, Otherwise, The Morsels and The Royal We. He also contributed on tracks in the Vietnam documentary, In Our Fathers Eyes, with The Royal We and Dave Hamilton of The Great Slide. Soon after, Hunter set his sights on Los Angeles to pursue a formal education in percussion. In 2004, he attended The Los Angeles Music Academy’s Drum Program. After graduating, Hunter moved to the DC Metro area to pursue his music career. Some of his noteworthy teachers include; Jeff Sipe of Jazz is Dead, Byron Hedgepath of The Asheville Symphony, Jor Sutton, Ralph Humphrey of Frank Zappa fame, Mike Shapiro who among many has also played with Sergio Mendes, and Gilberto Campello, of House of Musical Tradition. Sapp is now teaching drums several days a week and most recently assumed the throne for Brother Shamus.
Michael Provenzano (keyboard)
Born in March of 1963, Mike is the oldest member of Brother Shamus. Being a lifelong native of the Northern Virginia area Mike has been involved with music since the tender age of 11 when he first discovered his love for the sound of a church organ. He started learning piano in his spare time on the family Steinway. Throughout high school he played in lots of basement bands with friends from school. In college he continued playing in pick up groups until he met members of a very popular local college band called Offbeat Uninhibited Fun. He played with OUF for 3 years until graduating from Radford University in 1985. In 1986, he moved back to the DC area and left music for a while until around 1990 when former members of OUF gave him a call to join another newly formed group called Dirty Campaign. The mighty campaign had Mike Clem of Eddie From Ohio fame as the bass player who was replaced by Rich DelosReyes when EFO began to take off in the early 90's. Mike and Rich bonded. The Campaign played many gigs in the area and even did a showcase in LA as well as gigs in Ocean City and Dewey Beach. As luck would have it, the Campaign went through several formations before disbanding. Out of the ashes of D. C. another band was formed with Mike on keys and Rich on bass. This one was called Electric Larry. Again many local gigs were played in and out of the area and, as with Dirty Campaign, albums were recorded and released. Once again Lady Luck stepped in and Mike took another couple year break from music to record albums for various local artists in his extensive home studio. “I like to keep in touch with my former band mates. In doing so I came across a new band Rich was playing in called Brother Shamus. I was taken by the singer/songwriter Todd Miller." After seeing Brother Shamus many times, Mike stepped in to help out with running sound and eventually came to be relied upon as the sound guy until he was asked to join up on his legendary keyboard playing reputation. “I must say its an honor playing with these guys. We have a lot of fun playing Todd's music. Its just awesome.”
Aaron Keener (guitar)
Aaron Anthony Keener’s interest in the guitar began when he was a child, and upon receiving his first guitar at 14, he was hooked. He taught himself the guitar, listening to the greats and eventually made his way into local bands in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area. His calling led him to study music at McLennan Community College in Waco, Texas, where he earned two degrees in three years, graduating in May of 2000: Associate of Arts and Sciences in Music Performance and Associate of Arts and Sciences in Audio Production. While attending McLennan, he also began to teach at local music shops and was a member of the Jacob Jiles Band, which performed all over Texas and was heard on radio and TV. After graduating, Aaron worked as an engineer and session musician for recording studios in Texas alongside Grammy winning musicians. He also continued to teach at performing arts schools. In 2005, Aaron began teaching independently, at his home studio, and continued playing in local bands. In 2006, Wiseguy, a trio for which Aaron played lead guitar, was granted the prestigious award of Best Band of the Bay in Houston, Texas. In August of 2006, Aaron moved to Arlington, Virginia, where he continues to record and teach music.
