The Nuance, “arguably, pound for pound Sacramento’s tallest band” formed in early 2004 with the sole purpose of creating music that the band felt was no longer being made by mainstream artists: Music created for the sake of creating something pure, something original but most of all, music made with soul. “Intricate Simplicity” is their debut, self-produced album released in 2007. Recorded in two consecutive weekends at Paradise Studios with double-platinum recording engineer Scott Reams (Cake, The Bennys, Sans Similar) this is the album fans of their increasingly packed out live shows have been asking for. Essentially a rock band with a solo cellist, the band has found a way of creating one of the rarest things in music: An original sound. Blending elements of rock, funk, reggae, the blues, and classical music, The Nuance lives up to its name by fusing these different styles to create a new sound unlike anything currently in your ipod, CD player or on the airwaves. At times it is progressive-sophisticated chord progressions featuring cello solos with odd key changes-and at others, you find yourself transported to the dark side of the moon. This band can blend electric, acoustic and slide guitars together and shift gears in a way that hasn’t been done since Zeppelin. The album doesn’t miss a beat in integrating styles of music and lyrics that were more popular in the peace and love era of the sixties and early seventies than anything being done these days yet still finds a way to sound contemporary in a non-adult contemporary kind of way. Sit back and preview some or all of the material and see for yourself.
The Nuance can be found most Monday nights as the house band downtown Sacramento at Old Ironsides as well as playing live shows all over Northern and Southern California. The music is as diverse as the guys that made it with members comprised of musicians from San Diego to Chicago, Salt Lake City to the East Bay of California. They are currently recording their follow-up album "Same Familiar Strangers" and still accepting any and all takers in a game of basketball.
Band Members
J. Pettyjohn - Guitar/ Vocals/ Songwriter
Started playing the drums at the age of nine. Earliest career aspiration was to be the first white Harlem Globetrotter. Learned to play the guitar by reading Guitar World magazine and playing along to his five Hendrix albums. Clinically speaking, is numerically dyslexic. Quit playing baseball in college to pursue a career in art and then later on into music. Made the seamless transition from "starving college student" to "starving musician" like a pro. Got hung up in customs once trying to get back into the country for joking around with what turned out to be the one customs agent in the place without a sense of humor. Arm-chair movie director, film school wanna-be movie geek with a full fledged unwavering devotion to anything by the Brothers Coen: To his friends' disdain, celebrates their entire catalog, often. Lobbied hard to get a recount from the Academy when Kung Fu Panda lost to Wall-E for best animated feature. (Much like Nobel Prize winner Al Gore, was denied time and time again when the proper credentials couldn't be produced. His people could not be immediately reached to confirm or deny this account.) About six drummers and three bass players ago, he recorded all the instruments on a nine song demo that became the catalyst for putting a live band together to recreate those songs live. About half those songs appeared later on what would become most of the band's first album, Intricate Simplicity. He and Lare have been writing and recording the follow up album, Same Familiar Strangers (due out later this year) for quite some time now. Co-founder of Home Team Productions.
Brett "Sticks" Senechal - Guitar
Code Name: Sticks...because he's not the drummer. Raised in Danville, CA Sticks headed south to work the baywatch beaches of LA after graduating from high school and then began attending college in Santa Barbara shortly thereafter. It is most impressive that he attended a regular American high school for a full four years yet there remains not one picture of him, yearbook or otherwise, that can even prove he existed during this time period. With such an early foundation in maintaining the lowest of profiles coupled with an uncanny knack for shooting and killing things, starting work as an independent contractor for the CIA seemed like manifest destiny. Some time after the super-secret Uncle Sam entrance exams but shortly before the physical examination (no one can say with any certainty) he had what he refers to as a moment of epiphany one night on a desolate and rainy road. This experience would forever alter his path away from a career of terminating people for the US government and point toward a new future; one where only the wild ducks from the Northern skies would have to fear his presence. A musical allegiance was then forged in the local watering holes of Sacramento sometime around the turn of the century where the idea was formed to put the band back together. Brett owns something like 14 bikes, seriously. He is in better shape than anyone else in the band, although not the tallest and Utah claims to be faster in an all-out sprint, not necessarily long distance. But not in the present day, back when Utah was 18, even though Brett would've been more like 24 or 25 at the time. In some weird space/time continuum in an alternate universe, if they both could have raced when they were 18, Utah claims he would've left him six or seven legs behind in a forty yard sprint, without pads but preferably with cleats.
Lare Crawley - Bass/ B3/ Songwriter
A legendary musician with legendary skills that are nothing short of...Legendary. Confirmed by numerous credible sources as "The Original Black Space Cowboy". Has forgotten more about music than you will ever know. In the parlance of our times, I believe the proper nomenclature would be to say that he is a proud Trekker that was there right from the beginning when it was just a weird little television show. Has the very distinct notoriety of having had Tom Petty and Journey (pre-Steve Perry power-ballad era and thank God for that) open up for his band. Loves the Arizona Energy tonic and has a weakness for the silver tequila unparalleled among people that don't even like alcohol. Played guitar for both the Dave Chalmers Band and Run Toto Run. To date, has appeared on 11 full-length albums and countless other recordings. Moonlights as a composer, arranger, sound man, consultant and spiritual mentor to those with ears to hear the uncensored, real-deal truth of the matter. Has gone under the knife and come out the other side with all digits still intact. Has a pure unadulterated loathing of texting by way of the cell phone. Believes in safety first in all aspects of the workplace. Could very well be the hardest working "showman" in show business.
Donny Utah - Cello
There was some talk early on of the Julliard School of Music, but the details are fuzzy, blurry at best. I believe those records are considered sealed since the events that took place did so before he reached the age of 18. Utah is not a fan of music, doesn't even own a tuner. His intentions for even being in the band are more mysterious than the truth behind who was really behind 9/11...but I digress. We're talking about Utah so let's get back to it. He enjoys talk radio, poker and golf more than the average bear. Has an affinity for the malt liquor/beer Old English like you couldn't believe as well as long, sunset-soaked walks along the beach in the summer time. He is, and some might argue has always been, a true renaissance man. However, don't let the nice guy veneer fool you: Utah WILL STEAL YOUR LIGHTER without batting an eyelash and then blame you for giving him the opportunity to do so. Has a gift for fiction the likes that would make Hemingway green with furious envy. Has the world's coolest stand for the cello but prefers to leave it laying on it's side so others can trip, fall, and do all manner of innumerable damage to it and to themselves. Founded, yet didn't copyright, the terms and catch phrases that will soon be found in common, everyday American vernacular, "Operation Clear Eye", "Your mama's mama" and "That dope is Dope yo!" Is the proud father of a beautiful baby girl that obviously takes after her mother.
Mad Matt Cassidy - Drums
Born and raised on the mean streets of a Northern California town with no name, Matt gravitated towards the skins at the early age of 4. Inspired by the old Muppets reruns, he found himself transfixed by the drummer on the televison pounding away with reckless abandon behind the orchestra. It was then and there on an unseasonably cold September evening that young Matthew vowed to himself to one day rock as hard as that little orange puppet. After years of playing around Sacramento and Chico, he received a call one day from the Sixth Man asking if he was currently involved in any project. As luck would have it, he was in between bands and The Nuance was looking for a rock drummer, through and through. (It should be stated here that he was far too short to continue calling the band the tallest in Sacramento but after all, taglines-however clever and true they might be-were meant to be broken. Ed. note) After that first audition the band was cautiously optimistic that, after years of searching for the drummer with the soul of Bonham and the voice of an angel, they had finally found the right man for the job.
Tommy G - Percussion
No one is more down to play music than Tommy G. Willing to play whatever needs to played for the given tune, whether that be the drums, bass, or guitar he is the quintessential musician that can play them all. Could very well be the coolest human being you might one day run into, but not with your car, he wouldn't like that. Has the most diverse music collection of anyone in the band. Literally put together one of Sacramento's most successful hard rock bands back in the day because he's that kind of an artistic visionary. Yeah, that's a bold statement but the Tommy, he is one bold cat. Also plays guitar in his own band the Latin/Jazz group La Sociedad Cafe. Both he and his older brother Dominic were both drummers for the Nuance in the early days. His license is expired but outside of being banned in the People's Republic of Davis, CA, you really can't hold that against him, or anyone else for that matter. Is the only guy in the band that is actually from the city of Sacramento.
