Biography
Formed during the Spring of 2005 from an eclectic mix of gentlemen from both coasts and a little of the Midwest, Quactus came together in Los Angeles after guitarist Seth Gordon, drummer Matthew McDuffee, guitarist Gabriel Weiner, and bassist Greg Zachan had the good fortune of crossing paths with each other. The members of Quactus have over 30 years of musical and audio instruction amongst them in both private and college level courses, which has given the band a strong command of music theory, songwriting, improvisation, vocal technique and music production skills.
This combined experience finally culminated in the release of the band’s self-produced and recorded debut album, “Once a pond, a spine…”, in early 2008. The album’s release, along with incessant promotion via the internet, has garnered a wider following for the band outside of Southern California, including a win on Jambands.com's "New Groove of the Month" Poll for May 2008 and an invitation to become a member band in the Home Grown Music Network, which has led to further national exposure and radio airplay. Additionally, the band has shared the stage with several national acts, including Tea Leaf Green, John Popper (Blues Traveler), Leo Nocentelli (The Meters), Bobby Vega (Sly and the Family Stone), CR Gruver (Polytoxic/Outformation), Marc Ford (Black Crowes), Steve Molitz (Particle), Banyan, Underground Orchestra, Delta Nove, Big Organ Trio, Jamie Janover, Leon Mobley, and Al Howard & the K23 Orchestra. Individual members of Quactus have also shared the stage or bill with Umphrey’s McGee, Melvin Seals and the Jerry Garcia Band, Mr. Blotto, and NOFX.
Taking its cue from the classic jam bands, including the Grateful Dead, Phish, and the Allman Brothers, Quactus, has developed a diverse style that blends various genres of music. Harmonious vocals set atop shifting textures and moods, mixed with subtle meter changes, intricate melodies, and a cohesive improvisational style backed by a solid rhythm section comprise the core of the Quactus sound. Yet, their jams may run the gamut from psychedelic to trance-like to ultra-funky or even heavy metal excess. In a live setting, the band never performs a show the same way twice, often including on-the-spot composition via hand signals between band members. The band is also known for throwing in a cover tune or song tease from time to time. As a result, Quactus is establishing itself as one of the most exciting new live acts to emerge from the Southern California scene.
Instrumentation
GREGORY ZACHAN - Bass, Vocals
GABRIEL WEINER - Lead Guitar, Vocals
SETH GORDON - Rhythm Guitar, Vocals
MATTHEW MCDUFFEE - Percussion, Vocals
Discography
"Once a pond, a spine..." (2008) - Debut Album (released on iTunes, CDBaby, HomeGrown Music Napster, Rhapsody, Amazon)
Radio
Auburn, AL - WQNR 99.9 FM
Bridgeport, CT - Fairfield Univ. - WVOF 88.5 FM
Burlington, WI - WBSD 89.1 FM
Carbondale, IL - WDBX 91.1 FM
Charlotte, NC - Gaston College - WSGE 91.7 FM
Chattanooga, TN - Univ. of Tenn - WUTC 88.1 FM
Colorado Springs, CO - KHEN 106.9 FM
Columbus, OH - WCBE 90.5 FM
Franklin, MA/Providence, RI - WGAO 88.3 FM
Greensboro, NC - Guilford College - WQFS 90.9 FM
Hackettstown NJ; WNTI - 91.9 FM
Jamaica, NY - St. Johns Univ.; WSJU
Kearney, NB; KPLR-FM 91.3 FM
Las Vegas, NM/Santa Fe, NM; KBAC 98.1 FM
Manchester, VT/Albany, NY - WEQX 102.7 FM
Melbourne, FL - WFIT 89.5 FM
Myrtle Beach, SC - WYAV 104.1 FM
New London, CT - E. Connecticut State Univ. - WECS 90.1 FM
Ontonagon, MI - WOAS 88.5 FM
Red Hook, NY - WKZE 98.1 FM
Sharon, CT/Poughkeepsie, NY - WHDD 91.9 FM
St. Louis, MO - KDHX 88.1 FM
State College, PA - Penn State Univ. - WKPS 90.7 FM
Sweet Briar, VA/Lynchburg, VA - WNRS 89.9 FM
Syracuse, NY - WKRL-KROCK 100.9 FM
Trenton, NJ/Philadelphia, PA - Burlington County College - WBZC 88.9 FM
Whitley City, KY - WHAY 98.3 FM
Woodstock, NY - WDST 100.1 FM
Internet Radio
Robin Hood Radio (www.robinhoodradio.com) - based in Connecticut
IndieSF (www.indiesf.com) - based in Santa Fe, NM
Live interview and performance on Akereni-io Radio on April 9, 2008
In rotation on Akereni-io Radio
Indie 104
The Dividing Line
Films
Music featured in the Toclarity Entertainment film "Adam and Evelyn" (2008)
Music featured in the documentary "In Search of the Experience" (2008)
Links
| http://www.quactus.com |