Jeff Wells

Jeff Wells was born in Washington, DC on Jan 29, 1975. Born into a musical family (father Michael was a musicologist, and mother Nancy played various instruments throughout her life) Jeff seemed to be destined to be a performer. Growing up in a city of amazing musical heritage (Duke Ellington, Marvin Gaye, Bad Brains, Henry Rollins, Minor Threat, Fugazi, Dave Grohl, Jorma and Jack from Hot Tuna and Jefferson Airplane are just a few that hail from DC) Jeff seemed to be surounded by music from a very young age. During Jeff's younger years, Washington, DC gained a reputation of having two of the country's great forms of underground music-Punk Rock (in particular Hardcore) and DC Go-Go. These two styles of music were no doubt strong influences on Jeff's musical tastes. He was also fortunate to grow up in a very racially and ethnically diverse culture. The strong African (in particular Ethopia), Jamaican, and Middle Eastern populations were also large parts of his musical influence. In 1983, at the young age of 8, Jeff and his brother Lindy discovered NYC Hip Hop culture. It wasn't long until Jeff and his brother gained a reputation as two of the best Breakdancers in the DC area. They also participated in other forms of Hip Hop culture including Rapping, Beatboxing, Turntable spinning, and Graffiti art. When Jeff was 12 he picked up the guitar and fast became a prodigy. At the young age of 14, he joined his first band-Deranged. Jeff pursued metal music for the next few years and played in various Thrash, Death, and Hardcore metal bands including- Cerebral Death, Strict 9, and Epedemic. In 1992, Jeff and his brother formed Another Brother with drummer Donnie Lilly (first drum teacher of Nirvana/Foo Fighters Dave Grohl) and on vocals Donnie's brother Chris (Medussa, The Regeans). Another Brother quickly gained attention in the Northern VA/DC music scene. Another Brother combined many musical elements into one solid groove. Vibes of rock, reggae, funk, metal, hip hop, folk, and even jazz could be heard in Another Brother's music. In 2000, Another Brother was featured on an extreme motorcross sports video-Crusty 2000 The Metal Mellenium. On this same soundtrack were metal greats Metallica, Godsmack, Ministry, Rob Zombie, and Agent Orange. Other highlights of 2000 and 2001 for Another Brother were playing the legendary Smoke-In Marijuana Legalization rally and concert on the mall at DC and the Eastern Shore of MD's-Lovefest. Personal, legal, and professional conflicts came about and Another Brother split up in 2003. Various reincarnations and reunions of the band have gone on every since. In the fall of 2004, Jeff moved up to Brooklyn, NYC for a career opportunity. From 2004-2008 Jeff performed in many electric, and acoustic musical acts as well as various breakdancing crews in NYC. Performances included gigs at Piano's, Arlene's Grocery, Jimmy's 43, Greenwich Village Bistro, the Knitting Factory, the Trash Bar, and PS1 at the Moma in Queens. In late summer of 2008 Jeff decided to return to his hometown, Washington, DC where he continues to perform solo acoustic acts as well as sitting in with various bands. He is currently looking for musicians in DC to jam and/or play gigs with...