BAND BIO
Brother John and the Surrogates is a Seattle-based group focusing on original Americana music and select cover material, often leaning into the music of Tom Waits. The groups’ sound ranges from dreamy ballads to blues-based grooves to edgy progressive compositions and everything in between. As a music collaborative, every BJS performance is unique and presented by top-notch players. BJS performances come in different formats (solo, duo, trio, quartet, etc.) dependent on context and are always designed to impress.
PLAYER BIOS
JOHN WIES – Acoustic Guitar, Banjo, Ukulele, Vocals , Band Leader
With commanding stage presence, distinctive vocals, and inspired lyrical presentation, John establishes the musical mood. Rooted in a percussive playing style, John’s music present unique, genre-crossing arrangements. John has taken the stage in far-flung locales such as Japan and Korea, has had his music showcased in theatrical performances and on Mongolian radio and was front-man for The Bleeding Romeos.
JON LANTHIER – Keyboard, Back-up Vocals, Core Band Member
A multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, documentary producer, former member of The Bleeding Romeos, and a long-time ‘Surrogate’, Jon has performed synth-pop, jazz standards, dive-bar blues and more up and down the West Coast. Jon’s intuitive playing transports listeners to gin-joints, street corners, and drunk-tanks favored by those with an affinity for virtuoso keyboard work. Jon may not have been drinking, but clearly his piano has been.
JERRY ANDERSON – Stand-up Bass, Core Band Member
Exuding moods from cabaret jazz, to heartfelt blues, to stadium rock n' roll, Jerry’s playing is a testament to being a true student of the low-end. Prior to moving to France, where for decades he performed with jazz combos across Paris, Jerry studied jazz and classical bass at Cornish and was co-founder of Seattle based 70’s neo-R&B band Red Dress. Jerry has also played with numerous free-jazz, big band swing, blues and rock acts in the Pacific Northwest and was a former member of The Bleeding Romeos.
STEVE SMITH – Drums, Core Band Member
Steering the ship, Steve possess a deft hand with sticks, brushes, or palms. Among others, Steve’s performance history includes long stints with Rat City Brass, Knut Bell and the Blue Collars, Review Mirror, the Brian Butler Blues Band and The Bleeding Romeos. With a nuanced touch and an understanding of multiple music genres, Steve swings with the best of ’em - and keeps his unruly band mates from going completely off the rails.
Terry Kingen - Electric Guitar
Terry Kingen has been studying music and playing guitar since he was a youngster with a crew-cut. He has worked with several Seattle area artists including Tim Noah, Knut Bell, Brian Butler, The F Street Project, Mary McPage, The Shed Players and Rear View Mirror. He holds equal reverence for jazz, blues, country, rockabilly, rock'n'roll and 20th century classical musical forms. When he's not playing guitar he also works on them. People pay him to do so.
MIKE YOUNG – Drums, Percussion, Back-up Vocals, Noise
Driving the beat with an arsenal of percussive accouterments and one of the original ‘Surrogates’, Mike also provides backup vocals and has been known to whip out flutes, whistles, his melodica, and harmonicas. Mike’s professional music career began in 1980 when he provided backup vocals for African singer/songwriter Saidou Richard. Since then he has performed and recorded in the Seattle area with a variety of groups, most recently with singer/songwriter Doug Fleming Jr. Mike’s main influences include progressive rock, jazz, Irish music, and classical.
CHRIS ‘Cleanhead’ MOONEY – Bass
Chris picked up the doghouse bass after hearing his first Eddie Cochran record and spanking the plank ever since. Recently arrived in Seattle from Chicago, Chris has played and recorded with many Midwestern bands over the years, including Beat-the Naked! (“Nobody I Know Likes This Government) and the Dead Beat Jacks (“Graveyard Chicks Are Easy”). He is currently changing his strings.
KYLE BAUMAN (aka: Shimoda Hito, Chief, Gangan) – Things
From time to time Kyle creeps into the lineup from his Minnesotan lair, perhaps lugging an accordion, harmonicas, concertinas, a set of vibes, a morin khuur, taiko drums or various percussive instruments. When in the mix, you’ll surely know it and should probably snap a photo and send it on to us. The one we have depicts only one of Kyle’s aliases and we need more evidence.