Artist description Accoustic/Electric alternative rock band with fluid, melodic songs fused with jazz colors.

Music Style Acoustic Alternative

Similar Artists Pearl Jam, Goo Goo Dolls, Dave Matthews Band

Artist History Oka Road is a 3-year-old Santa Cruz/San Francisco Bay area electric/acoustic rock band known for strong musicianship powered by creative songwriting.

Group Members Dave McReynolds began taking music lessons when he was 10 years old. Since then, he's played in numerous groups, with styles ranging from jazz to speed metal, experimental to gothic rock. When Dave was 14, he gained the nick-name "Three-legged Dave", due to his exceptional speed on double bass. Influences (too numerous to include them all) include Dennis Chambers and Captain Jean Luc Picard. Will Bright played bass in his first band when he was 13. Since then, he has played guitar, bass, banjo, and drums. He has played blues, funk, jazz, bluegrass, and traditional Ghanian music. Will is the most recent member of Oka Road. John Busboom began teaching himself to play guitar at age 14. At age 15 he co-founded the band Nothing Sacred, which later became The Curbs, and has since played in various other bands. During the next 8 years The Curbs helped shape the modern style punk that is so popular today, while sharing the stage with noted bands such as NOFX, No Use For A Name, and Green Day. John helped co-found Oka Road with drummer Dave, acting as guitarist/songwriter. John's style ranges from punk rock to mainstream, with Zappa-esque solos and rhythmic strumming similar to Dave Matthews. Kevin Martin has been playing blues guitar on the East coast for over 15 years. Being a roots player, he?s fully versed in slide guitar and finger picking styles. He?s played in countless jazz and blues bands, and brings this sound into band. His major influences are Eric Clapton and Larry Carlton. Rob Owen is the primary songwriter for Oka Road. Rob's distinctive vocals give Oka Road its unique sound. He has been singing in Bay Area bands for more than 10 years. His major musical influences include Peter Gabriel, Live, and The Goo Goo Dolls. Mike Orlando began playing percussion about 6 years ago is his spare time while pursuing a marine biology degree (although the first year was spent playing on everything, including the kitchen sink) except actual drums). After being completely sucked in to playing, he joined the drum troupe, Liberation Drummers, who he played with for about a year. Mike has played with Oka Road for about a year, a late addition to the band. His playing is not reminiscent of any one traditional style, but is a fusion of many, including African, Middle Eastern, and Greek.

Albums Oka Road

Press Reviews "With a radio-friendly electric/acoustic rock sound and a front man who's mastered the gravelly, side-of-the-mouth singing style that's dominated modern music since the age of Eddie Vedder, the guys in Oka Road sound like they're aiming their darts at the top of the charts. The band's arrival on the Santa Cruz music scene neatly coincides with the completion of their self-titled debut album." Damon Orion, Good Times, Nov 14-20, 2002

Location Santa Cruz, California - USA

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