Brian Boland's drumming career began in 1982 in sixth grade band. Soon after he switched to a drumset and it was rock-n-roll from then on. The first real band was in 1985 when Cheetah was formed, which lasted a few years. Afterwards, he and Marcus Breaux formed Hiwire and continued work on that project until 1999 when Rockin Horse was formed.
Influences include The Allman Bros, Little Feat, Santana, Led Zeppelin, Rolling Stones, and Zach Boland, his 9 year old drummer son, to name a few.
Brian is currently playing DW drums and Zildjian cymbals.
Marcus has been playing guitar for 23 yrs. (since age 11). He played his first gig when he was 15 years old. Met drummer Brian Boland at age 17 and they've been playing together ever since. Both graduated in 1989. Marcus and Brian started up Hi Wire in 1991 and the band lasted until early 1999...an incredible 8 years! Brian and Marcus joined up with Tom Janise (from Reality Check) in 1999 and Rocking Horse was formed.
Marcus has taught guitar for a living for the last 16 years. His guitars of choice are a couple of vintage Les Pauls, but he also plays a Strat, a Gibson SG (for slide work), and a very cool Firebird (recent acquisition)... amps by Marshall and Overbuilt.
Favorite artists include The Stones, The Band, Jimmy Buffet, AC/DC, The Beatles, John Coltrane, The Allman Brothers, Santana, and Zeppelin.
I grew up in the heyday of bands like ZZ Top, CCR, Jimi and Janis, The Stones, and Steppenwolf . It was a great time to be young and naive about music. There were so many great influences, many of them local, that it was hard not to develop a broad appreciation of rock and blues. My Dad had an old F-Top Silvertone acoustic that I used to bang around on. When he had lost all hope that it might just be a passing fancy, he bought me a Kent electric guitar and an old Falcon amp from Friedman's Pawn Shop. It was on .
Over the years I've had the privilege to work with bands like Hazardous Waste , Third Stone , The Electric Grapevine , Stone Angel , Night Shift , and Reality Check before joining up with The Horse .
My gear includes a beautiful '73 Les Paul Custom, several Strats... including a '91 with Muy Grande pick-ups, an '82 Strat Elite, and a Texas Fat Strat. A couple of good acoustics, made by Carvin and Parkwood. My amp of choice is an Overbuilt Barn Boss 2x12. After trying and buying an almost impossible array of guitar amps... from Crates and Peaveys to Marshalls , Mesas, and Fenders... I have come to the conclusion that the Overbuilt is quite possibly the best sounding guitar amplifier on the planet. I also own a Fender Concert and a hand-built Moser Dragon , both great sounding amps in their own right, and somewhat easier to carry than the Barn Boss.
I also want to mention here that I was given the chance to co-publish The Connection Magazine , a music newspaper geared to local music and musicians. Steve Piccone and I had a great time with the paper... we met some cool people and made some great friends. The Connection hosted the area's longest running Open Mic Night at area clubs like The Handlebar (North and South), Changing Times , The Stoned Crow , and Antone's . A lot of area bands, and some pretty lasting friendships, owe their beginnings to those crazy Tuesday nights over a stretch that lasted nearly ten years! I miss doin' the Open Mic thing, the players and the Patron, but it sure was tough getting up for work on those Wednesday mornings! The Connection published it's last issue in 2001, and folks are always askin' me when we're gonna crank it back up. I usually tell 'em that we're ready to go, if they're ready to put in some really long hours and help pay for some press time!
My amp of choice is an Overbuilt Barn Boss 2x12. After trying and buying an impossible array of guitar amps... from Crates and Peaveys to Marshalls, Mesas, and Fenders... I have come to the conclusion that the Overbuilt is quite possibly the best sounding guitar amplifier on the planet I also own a Rivera Suprema and a hand built Moser Dragon, both great sounding amps in their own right You're welcome to come play them all at Open Mic Nite!
Instruments: bass (duh). Also guitar, synth pedals, vocals
Influences: Eric Clapton, Rush, The Yellowjackets (the early stuff), Kevin Keith
Favorite sayings: "Less is more" "Dropped your watch" "Is smoke supposed to be coming from there?" "Cooperative Beer Effort"
Years playing: 35
Seriously: 28
Relevant gear (bass): Parker Fly-5, Ibanez SG400, Eden WT800, Schroeder cabs, dbx compression
Past bands: Constellation (79-81), Northwestern Oklahoma State University Soundsations (80-81), Northwestern Oklahoma State University Jazz Ensemble (79-80), The Pelger-Huet Group (2001-03)
Current bands: Rockin' Horse, Too Laid Back
States played in professionally: Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, Iowa, Colorado
Music played: Anything but country, techno-crap, and screamo metal
Nicknames: Picker, Smitty, Doc, Stephen King
Interests outside of music: sailing, hematopathology
Family: Teresa (wife), Shaun (son), Nikki (daughter), Oreo, Cocoa, and Snicker (border collies)
Favorite Drinks: an ice cold beer in a frosted mug, certain single malt scotches