Artist description John Oakes, once a drummer for various local and national acts including Chubby Checker, combines various musical styles to create a unique collection of original songs. John’s lyrical style various widely from the outright comical to solemn motifs. John released two self-produced albums, Anything Off the Bottom Shelf (1998) and I’m an Acorn, I’m a Tree (2000). In December 2001, John released an EP containing remixes of three songs from each album. The albums features John on vocals, drums, acoustic guitar, piano and various other instruments with help from talented friends who perform with various tri-state area bands. Two of the songs from his albums, “Mr. Tofu” and “Better” have been featured on 105.5 WDHA’s Home Grown Spotlight. The band has appeared in the NYC area @ such venues as VH1 Battle of the Band at Ramapo College, The Elbow Room in NYC, Liberty Bar in Hoboken, Possible Side Effects Improv Comedy Troupe, Montclair State University and the Bergen County SummerFest 2001. John also performed an unplugged concert in Erfurt, Germany. John has been a professional drummer since the age of 12. John toured nationally as the drummer for the Twist legend Chubby Checker and the Wildcats in 1996. On that tour, he performed at such venues as the Summer Olympics in Atlanta and with such artists as Johnny Johnston and Jerry Lee Lewis. John has also performed with the alternative rock band Liquid Carousel recording their 1998 release A Beautiful Mess. Although John found performing with other bands very rewarding and exciting, he decided that he would focus on developing his own music and expressing his own views and ideas through music. John taps upon all of his musical experiences when writing and doesn’t try and fit into one mold. John Oakes is currently working on material for his third album.

Location Montclair, NJ - USA

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