The Brian Travis Band formed in Hollywood in December 2002, and has played its way into a number of legendary LA venues while generating a large fan base and critical acclaim in the Los Angeles area for their rock-heavy, soaring California sound.
Expanding their fan base well beyond Los Angeles, the band frequently tour the west coast and the UK. In fall of 2004 the band completed a 19 date UK club tour playing venues in Wales, England, Scotland and Ireland. The band have recently caught the attention of Ranch Recording, an indi-label in Santa Barbara, Ca. and have signed on with Ranch to record the follow-up to their recent self-produced release "Past The Breakers" with producer Cyrus Clarke.
The music contained in the band's latest release, Past The Breakers, explores thematic landscapes of change, loss, and rebirth from a group of musicians who have firmly found a sense of place in the limitless expanse of rock and roll. The musical roots of the group center equally on the songwriting talent of Brian Travis (acoustic guitar/harmonica/lead vocals), the guitar-driven assault of Jason Gonzales (lead guitar/lap steel dobro/ mandola/vocals), the dynamic rhythm section delivered by Thaddeus Wiseman (drums/acoustic guitar/vocals) and Manny Vega (electric and upright bass), and the textural keyboard magic of Matt Brown (keyboard/vocals)
 Brian Travis, a California native raised in the Ozarks, discoverd rock and roll after moving back to his home state as a pre-teen growing up in the San Fernando Valley. While still in high school, Brian decided that he wanted to play the guitar and sing after experiencing a free rock concert at UCLA. After relentlessly begging his mom to buy him a guitar for his 16th birthday, she took him to a guitar shop and purchased a right-handed guitar that Brian re-strung left handed in order to teach himself how to play and write songs. Brian excelled as a songwriter and played his first professional shows in northern California while studying music and art at college. A natural band leader, Brian has put together many projects and has recorded 3 CD's of all original material. Brian has also toured both as a solo artist and as the frontman in bands all over the UK, Ireland, Europe and California. If Brian could have one wish, he would likely forfeit his lifelong dream of world unification and everlasting peace on earth and instead settle for a place to live in Topanga, a dog and a motorcycle.
 Jason was born and raised in Santa Barbara County CA, where (along with his twin brother) he started raiding his dad's record collection at a very early age. After seeing The Whos "The Kids Are Alright" in 6th grade, he became determined to become a professional musician. Joining his first band at 13 (on bass!), he got his first “pro” experiences playing at school dances. Jason continued to pursue his musical goals, first attending UCSB as a classical guitar student, then studying jazz improvisation at Santa Barbara City College, eventually earning a Bachelors degree in Jazz Studies from Sonoma State Univ. in 1992. Along the way, he has played in close to 30 different bands, appeared on over 75 recordings, and has toured through much of the United States and the UK. In addition to the guitar, Jason also enjoys playing the banjo, mandolin, steel guitar, and Hammond organ. Now, with over 20 years in to his music career, he still loves playing in bands, and spends his free time with his wife Lesley and daughter Iris. He also routinely sings the praises of flax seed oil and aloe vera much to the chagrin of his band mates.
Hailing from the midwest and transplanted to LA, Thaddeus spends his days scouring the internet for odd music-related jobs that pay the rent. He is currently following in the footsteps of Brian who is jobless and driving a piece of shit car. Thads' car is still pretty nice, but as a result of talking to Brian on his cell phone while driving in an attempt to find a 6 letter adjective for "The LA Music Industry" he has dented it up considerably.
Manny Vega was the first member of the Brian Travis Band to be deported during their 2004 UK/IE tour. He is the "quiet one" who is lucky when it comes to members of the opposite sex. When he was eight years old he ran across the wreckage of a UFO and spoke at length with one of the surviving aliens about the importance of mango farming and rodeo clowns in 21st century american society. Manny plays a mean stand up bass and lets the band rehearse in his basement in Glendale.
|
