About Me
BIOGRAPHY (updated on October 15, 2009)
The rock band, The Rebel Set, was formed in early 2006 by Tom Gilliam (vocals/lead guitar), Gavin Spencer (vocals/bass/harmonica/accordion) and Jason Johantges (rhythm guitar). Feeling they needed to expand the band’s musical diversity to capture the sound they were seeking, they soon added friends of the band Adam Kempf (drums/trumpet) and Ken Hall (keyboards/trombone), rounding out the final band lineup. By November, the band had completed their first two demo tracks for the songs “130†and “Radio†and had played their debut live show to a sold out crowd at The Nite Owl in Dayton’s Historic Oregon District.
Throughout the rest of 2006 and much of 2007, The Rebel Set tightened their sound and added many fans as they continued to play live shows around the state of Ohio. In August of 2007, The Rebel Set headlined the Official After Party for the National Rollergirls tournament taking place in Columbus, Ohio. The time the band spent together practicing and playing shows allowed them to create a wealth of original music. This led them to the recording studio in August to record their full length debut album.
Working with engineer/producer Patrick Himes (who engineered the Ryan Adams debut solo album “Heartbreaker†plus albums by fellow Dayton bands Shrug & Flyaway Minion) in August and September of 2007, the band was able to record 11 original songs to complete their album debut, Ghost Town Silence. On March 29, 2008, The Rebel Set played the "Ghost Town Silence" album live in its entirety during their CD Release Party to a completely sold out crowd at The Oregon Express, located in their hometown of Dayton, Ohio. The show broke a 24 year attendance & alcohol/food sales record at The O.E. for a non-holiday event (second only to Saint Patrick's Day).
The band recently completed recording of the follow-up CD to "Ghost Town Silence" called "Across The Relentless Sea" at Babblefish Recording Studios in Franklin, Ohio. A CD release party for the album will be held @ The Oregon Express in Dayton, Ohio on November 14, 2009.
We have had the pleasure of sharing the stage with the following bands/solo artists: Hqax, Akillis Green, Tom Vollman, Snake Oil, Stereo Deluxe, Ryan Smith, The Stapletons, Tupelo Honey, Nate McDonough, Reece & The Renegades, Matt Haupt, Joey Hebdo, Sleepybird, Murmur, Appalachian Heartache, Brian Hoeflich & The All-Nighters, Suicide Hill, Adam Haroff, The Gem City Ramblers, Atomic Johnny, Electric Smoke, The Youngers, Okay Lindon, Drexel, Jordan Hull, To Catch A Matador, Frontier Folk Nebraska, The Turkish Delights, The Twitches, Eric Campbell, Me & Mountains and Vanity Theft.
PRESS
Dig the new breed: Top local debut albums of 2008
By Don Thrasher
Contributing Writer
Friday, December 26, 2008
6 - The Rebel Set — "Ghost Town Silence" (self-released)
This rootsy bar band employs touches of rockabilly, power pop, country, surf and even new wave. Despite the disparate influences, the group manages to twist their influences into a unique and focused sound all its' own.
"The Rebel Set is a unique gang. A bit of the jangly rock made famous by Bob Dylan, a little irony a la Elvis Costello and wicked cool use of a trombone, piano and stand-up bass. If the opportunity arises, throw down a few bills for the band's album "Ghost Town Silence."" - Andy Sedlak, ActiveDayton.com/Dayton Daily News (Sep 12, 2008)
"The Rebel Set is another band willing to cruise down a distinctive musical boulevard. Gavin Spencer plays an upright bass, harmonica and accordion. Ken Hall often busts out a trombone and Adam Kempf is no stranger to the trumpet. The Band would be proud. And this band ought to take pride in that." - Andy Sedlak, ActiveDayton.com/Dayton Daily News (Jul 30, 2008)
"The Rebel Set boasts sing-songy melodies that practically tap people on the shoulder, asking them to dance. The songs are intelligently written, and lyrically conscience. Their number, "Where This Road Goes" sounds like Jakob Dylan covering Steve Earle and is carelessly brilliant." - Andy Sedlak, ActiveDayton.com/Dayton Daily News (Jun 25, 2008)
Our debut CD "Ghost Town Silence" can be purchased locally @ Gem City Records in Dayton, Toxic Beauty Records in Yellow Springs & DaddyKatz Kustom Kulture in Kettering/Moraine! You can also buy the CD directly from any member of the band. The price for the CD is $10 but the stores will mark it at $9.99.
Purchase "Ghost Town Silence " on iTunes for $9.99!
Purchase "Ghost Town Silence " on amazon MP3 for $7.99!
Download "Ghost Town Silence " on emusic (subscription)!
THE REBEL SET IS:
Tom Gilliam - lead vocals/lead guitar
Gavin Spencer - upright King bass/lead vocals/harmonica/accordion
Jason Johantges - rhythm guitar/problem solver
Ken Hall - keyboards/trombone
Adam Kempf - drums/trumpet
CREW
"Alabama" Johnny Popel - Road Manager/Security/Head Roadie
Tom Gilliam - Band Coordinator
Rupert Noton - Photographer
Jeff Rudolf, Justin Kees & Mark Marchal - Graphic & Show Flier Designers
The Rebel Set Facts
•The song 130 was written about the death of James Dean. 130 was the racing number of James Dean's Porsche Spyder. Dean had a fatal accident in the Spyder en route to a race in Salinas, California.
•Gavin Spencer and Jason Johantges have appeared in the music video “Sweep the Leg†by No More Kings.
