A Thousand Others

A Thousand Others is a band from Sheboygan,WI. featuring former members of Liquid Plaid, Section 8, Jackie Cooper, Shoeless Jackson, and Cup 388.
Influences include but are not limited to Primus,Blind Melon, The Mars Volta, Sun Kil Moon, Mike Patton, Radiohead, The Black Crowes, Victor Wooten, Tool, Ani Difranco, Rush, Soundgarden, Beck, and The Police.
Although brand new to the original music scene, ATO is quickly becoming a local favorite, with new opportunities often to play in surrounding cities!
Having all grown up in the same city and attending the same school, it wasn't till years later that the four of them would come together musically. Although never meeting outside of classes, Irish and Kolosovsky studied together in early morning jazz bands and both concert and symphonic bands throughout school. Other than music as a curriculum, Kolosovsky also helped form a few different rock bands. Occasionally Kolosovsky and Messner would rub shoulders while their bands shared the same gig. The three never really connected socially until well after graduation.
" I came from a very musical background...growing up there was always music being played around the house." says Messner. His younger brother plays guitar as does his father, who is well respected in the music community. Messner had a great ear for music and, at the time, took on the front man duties of writing the lyrics and singing lead vocals for Liquid Plaid. Not till years later would he begin honing his skills on the guitar and begin writing his own songs.

The year was 1999 when Kolosovsky and Messner first began mixing their musical tastes. The band was Shoeless Jackson, and would not last due to members going in different musical directions. " We wrote all these great pieces and never got out with them."
" After Shoeless Jackson called it off, I started playing alot of open jams where I eventually ran into Paff," says Kolo. He was asked to join Section 8, a local funk/rock band, where Paff took on bass guitar duties. After 3+ yrs. the two built a great musical connection and friendship. The band became very popular, and went on to win local battle of the bands and started playing for larger crowds, one being Summerfest in 03'.
Around this same time, Irish would be sharpening his musical axe in Milwaukee. Irish ended up majoring in music performance at UW-Madison and UW-Milw. for a couple semesters. There he helped form Cup388, which released one album and embarked on two national tours in support of. He would live in Milwaukee for 4 years and also play in a group named Jackie Cooper. Again, they would release an album and play mostly the Milw. area.

Messner,never abandoning the emotionally sick and dramatic song writing, continued writing and strengthing his refreshingly original guitar playing. After a few years he would start A Thousand Others! Messner began playing with long time friend and drummer Bill Stengel, along with Jesse on bass. The band played a few shows and felt Jesses skills were not up to par with the other two, so they let him go. The band called upon Matt Turner, who, along with Bill, played in Liquid Plaid. Shortly thereafter, Matt would leave the band due to conflicting schedules, and Matts work with other musical projects.
Meanwhile, Paff, who had played with Kolosovsky in Section 8 and a short stint with Onset Oblivion, was feeling that creative itch to play in a group setting once again. Messner was familiar with Paffs talented playing and aware of the recent split of Section 8, so he was quick to get Paff in the band. Paff accepted the offer. " I've been playing for 11 years. The music is a release for me from the stresses of life, and to see how far I can take my playing." says, Paff.
Roughly a year would go by before they would add Irish into the band, after becoming aware of his obvious talent and availability after moving back from Milwaukee. " I knew Messner for years through his brother and agreed to join ATO in the summer of 2006. I enjoy my role in the band, using my keyboard to emulate 2nd guitar parts and craft counter-melodies to the vocals and guitars." says Irish.
" After hearing Paff and Irish involved in the music, I got that same old feeling again, having played with them individually, and really wanting to be a part of something that special," says Kolosovsky. It wasn't long after Irish joined that Kolo would get his chance. Due to family responsibilities and the music no longer being a priority, Bill decided to leave the band. " There was no question who was going to play drums for us after Bill left. We should have gone with Kolo from the start," says Messner.
" I feel blessed to not only be able to play my instrument and stay passionate about it, but I was also given three extremely talented musicians to explore music with." says Kolosovsky.
A Thousand Others continues to write music, and has plans to play out live often....