These songs are only a sneak preview of what we have been working on in the studio. Our self-produced full length album, eight songs and three instrumentals should be finished and available late august.
Member Since: 09/01/2006
Band Website: http://www.happycactus.net
Band Members: Happy Cactus was conceived in 2000 by founding members Jason Thorpe Buchanan and Don Severns. Several years later, they were joined by guitarist Alfred Aguiniga and later bassist Elijah Herrmann. Their independent creative growth spawned several other projects as the group rehearsed and recorded sporadically for several years before their current lineup, including guitarist Mike Walker and bassist Tony Bella. They are in the process of completing a full-length album, which includes several experimental tracks in addition to more straight-ahead rock tracks. Their use of odd meters, internal production principles and realizations of complex musical concepts make them an ensemble poised on the cutting edge of rock music as we know it today.
Jason Thorpe Buchanan - Guitar, Piano, Pro Tools and Lead vocals
Jason currently resides in San Jose, CA where he studies composition and music technology at San Jose State University. His most recent compositional projects include arrangements for a feature length animated musical, an independently produced rock album, a duet for two sopranos and piano, as well as a commission by the San Jose State University Concert Choir. He is currently working on a multi-movement sextet for woodwind quintet and piano, as well as a piece for Horn and electronics.
Don Severns - Drums, Percussion and Harmony vocals
Don currently resides in San Mateo, CA where he independently studies structural engineering and composites. He privately runs a surfboard manufacturing company and is an avid surfer and mountain biker.
Mike Walker - Guitar, Horn, Mellophonium and Harmony Vocals
Mike currently resides in San Jose, CA where he studies horn performance at San Jose State University. He regularly performs in various orchestral ensembles, wind bands and chamber music ensembles.
Tony Bella - Bass Guitar, Guitar, Piano, Harmony Vocals
Tony currently resides in San Jose, CA where he studies jazz guitar at San Jose State University. He regularly performs in several jazz ensembles on both guitar and electric bass.
Former Band Members:
Elijah Herrmann - Bass
Alfred Aguiniga - Guitar
Influences: Our influences include but are in no way limited to: Avenged Sevenfold, The Beatles, Beck, Johannes Brahms, Cake, The Catherine Wheel, Deftones, Elliot Smith, Foo Fighters, Harvey Danger, Paul Hindemith, King Crimson, Gyorgy Ligeti, Marcy Playground, The Mars Volta, Michael Manring, Muse, Nirvana, Palo Alto, Pink Floyd, Radiohead, Arnold Schoenberg, Smashing Pumpkins, Richard Strauss, Igor Stravinsky, System of a Down, Tenacious D, Tool.
Sounds Like:
Recorded live October 2006.
(don messing around in his boxers...)
Recorded live in the garage in September 2005.
(sorry about the audio quality, it was done with a built-in dv cam mic...)
Type of Label: Major