This is a practice recording of a song describing considerations of abandoning a relationship.

Alive In The Wood Shop: All I Feel

This is a practice recording of a song with a message of inter-connectivity and hope.

Alive In The Wood Shop: Hold On

This is a practice recording of vamping on the famed lyric of Johnny Costa.  This iteration highlights the common fear-based reaction to human physical characteristics.

Alive In The Wood Shop: Jeepers Creepers

This is a practice recording of a song with a message about torn feelings of leaving familiar environs fraught with paradox.

Alive In The Wood Shop: Ran Tan Tan

A little ditty about consumer therapy, inspired by a unplanned visit to the Hobby Lobby

45% Room Record 11 19

BAND BIO: 
When not the fronting a Tom Waits tribute band (The Bleeding Romeos) band leader John Wies is crafting original material with his group Brother John and the Surrogates.  Rooted in Wies’ percussive acoustic-guitar playing style & nuanced percussion and keyboard, Brother John and the Surrogates incorporate various genres, presenting listeners with something uniquely familiar.

PLAYER BIOS:
JOHN WIES – Acoustic Guitar, Vocals 
John's playing style, distinctive vocals, and inspired lyrics present a body of work that is familiar to the ear yet challenges traditional categorization. In addition to performing locally as a soloist & in bands in Puget Sound for years, currently as front-man for the Tom Waits tribute band The Bleeding Romeos, John has taken the stage in far flung places such as Japan and Korea, had his work showcased in Alaskan theatrical performances, and gotten air-play on Mongolian radio. His influences include blues, rock, bluegrass, jazz and numerous singer/songwriters.

MIKE YOUNG – Drums, Percussion, Back-up Vocals, Noise
Driving the beat with an arsenal of percussive accouterments, Mike also provides backup vocals and has been known to carry flutes, whistles, a melodica, and harmonicas.  Mike’s music career began in 1980 when he provided backup vocals for African singer/songwriter Saidou Richard.  Since then he has performed and recorded in the Seattle area with a variety of groups, most recently with singer/songwriter Doug Fleming Jr.  Mike’s main influences include progressive rock, jazz, Irish music, and classical.

JON LANTHIER – Keyboard, Back-up Vocals
Jon brings subtle embellishments to Brother John’s music and lyrics with piano, Wurlitzer, organ, and chromatic percussion sounds. A mostly self-taught musician, Jon performs in a wide range of styles, and can be seen around Seattle playing in jazz-funk, R’n’B, and vocal groups. His major influences include Terry Adams, Victor Feldman, Charlie Christian, and Ludwig Wittgenstein.