Artist description Who is Jon Bare? Jon Bare is the driving force behind the highly acclaimed Hula Monsters “Party Platter” CD. Wearing many hats from producer and engineer to lead guitarist with the Monsters, Jon is also the founder and CEO of Mega Truth Records. He is a major player on the L.A. club scene, with many favorable reviews to his credit. He has graced the stages of most of the major clubs and large festival events in Southern California. As the Hula Monsters continues to thrive (check out their web site at http://users.aol.com/hulamon) Jon has created a new, raunchier sound with the aid of Chet McCracken (Doobie Brothers) on drums, James Lomenzo (Ozzy Osborne) on bass and Rich Harper (Rich Harper Blues Band) on rhythm and slide guitar. Jon, as usual, plays his heart out with a sweet-sounding ‘63 Strat and a new Fender Hot Rod Deville amp. That’s a perfect combination for playin’ the blues. Jon Bare & The Killer Whales Blues Band has a new CD entitled “Shredzilla” which has national distribution. It features some of the tastiest blues guitar playing to come along in a long time. To his credit, Jon does not try to sound like Stevie Ray Vaughan. Instead, he has his own sound which lies somewhere closer to Santana or perhaps the Allman Brothers.

Music Style Rock & Blues

Musical Influences Allman Brothers, Carlos Santana

Similar Artists Eric Clapton hopped-up on goofballs

Artist History The Killer Whales Blues Band had its start back in 1993 when it was called the Killer Whales. With Tim Bogert (Jeff Beck, Vanilla Fudge) on bass and Chet McCracken on drums, Jon Bare fronted an awesome rhythm section. Their debut CD entitled simply KILLER WHALES gained national distribution and considerable press. The current version of the band offers Rich Harper on rhythm guitar and backing vocals. Rich is a master of the bottleneck slide guitar and Chicago-style blues. James Lomenzo replaces Tim Bogert on bass. James has numerous stage and studio credits, and is Chet’s favorite string-man. Chet, James and Jon are all veterans of the Hula Monsters. Rich and Jon are long time friends and the Rich Harper Blues Band has recently completed its new CD for Mega Truth Records entitled “Don’t Think, Just Play” -- released in June 1997. In addition to his duties as guitarist with the band, Jon Bare also writes for Recording magazine, a national publication catering to the home recordist. His recent articles on recording and mixing have included examples from his experiences with the Killer Whales and the Hula Monsters, helping to get the word out nationally. He also writes product reviews, and can be heard demonstrating new state-of-the-art gear such as Roland’s VG-8 guitar controller on the magazine’s series of CD-ROMs, entitled ‘Playback’. Look for Jon’s new book and CD-ROM, “Recording The Electric Guitar,” published by Recording Magazine and due out in Spring 1999. “Blues is a personal thing,” says Jon. “Some people prefer traditional blues, while others just want to hear Johnny B. Goode again. I prefer blues with a lot of soul, but it’s a fun kind of blues that makes you happy. When blues is fun to play, it usually sounds good too.”

Group Members Jon Bare - lead guitar & vocals.... Chet McCracken (Doobie Brothers) - drums.... James LoMenzo (White Lion, Ozzy Osbourne) - bass.... Rich Harper (Rich Harper Blues Band) - guitar.

Instruments Killer Drums, Monster Bass, Burning Guitar

Albums Shredzilla (MTR 9706), Killer Whales (MTR 9306)

Press Reviews Here’s what people are saying about Jon Bare & the Killer Whales... “Some great stuff from Jon Bare & the Killer Whales. Definitely some good-time music there. These guys have definitely been around. Man, have they been around! They’re old Local Licks alumni and sounding really fantastic on their new CD.” -- Kelly Cox, KLOS Local Licks “Our review in two words: Great Music!” -- David A. Fusco, Blues Deluxe (nationally syndicated radio show) “Jon Bare is a local guitarist with a lot of skill and fire. Bare has a very sure hand with the guitar showing off some fast moves, but never losing sight of the thread of the music. This is a very good disc and deserves a place in anyone’s collection who likes and appreciates the electric guitar sound. Bare is the real deal, and that’s a fact.” -- Jon Pepper, Southland Blues Magazine “Jon Bare once again plays with precision and powerful confidence. He has assembled an excellent collection of tunes, well performed by the other musicians. Congratulations are in order. Favorite songs are You Shook Me and the instrumental, Orca.” -- John Rhys, Bluepower Hour “Studio wiz Jon Bare steps into the performing spotlight w/ new release Shredzilla and scores big! Good hooks, above-average vocals and a stage-presence that rivals Axl, Steven Tyler (Aerosmith) and others lucky enough to be girl-magnets!” -- Doug Deutsch, L.A. Jazz Scene Magazine & University Reporter “Jon Bare & the Killer Whales are a blues-rock group in the mold of the Allman Brothers or ZZ Top. This is guitar-driven blues with a rocking backbeat. Jon Bare is a top-notch guitar player and a good vocalist, which is exactly what is required of a blues-rock guitar player of this type. This is a band of very, very solid musicians, and they do not disappoint. “Jon Bare & the Killer Whales has good energy and good chemistry among the members -- in fact, interplay between Bare and Harper on the two guitars was excellent. This kind of music makes people want to dance and have a good time. “All in all, this is a very good group, that does not disappoint musically. The musicians are all consummate professionals and never let anything get out of hand. This group is on its way.” -- Jon Pepper, Music Connection Magazine “This is a bluesy rock album that contains that old style, foot stompin’ good ol’ rock n’ roll tracks. It’s something that you don’t come across often in today’s spice girls and MTV musicland.” -- Mike Checkwood, No Cover Magazine

Additional Info Available at Tower (800-ASK-TOWER), cdnow.com, amazon.com, musicblvd.com

Location Culver City, CA - USA

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