Calamus

About Calamus
Calamus (formerly Deadly Nightshade) grew out of an earlier project that experimented with performance art. After one gig at Zeitgeist Theatre in Cambridge during a winter blizzard- in which the only member of the audience was a crusty, old sailor suffering from mental illness- we decided to explore original music. .. .. BAND BIOS .. .. GRET (Keyboards, Vocals) .. .. While in San Francisco, Gret studied piano under Tom Constantin- early keyboard player for the Grateful Dead. She also studied ethnomusicology at the University of California, Santa Cruz, where she joined a community-based Indonesian Gamelan Orchestra. The orchestra combined minimilist, metalic, orchestral sounds with experimental trance music at underground gatherings. Her greatest influence is her grandmother, who played ragtime piano. Other influences include keyboard players Richard Barbieri (Porcupine Tree) Rick Wright (Pink Floyd) and Keith Godcheaux (Grateful Dead) and multi-instrumentalist/recording artist P.J. Harvey. www.myspace.com/gretmcgilvray .. .. BRUCE (Guitars, Vocals) .. .. Bruce grew up overseas, and began playing acoustic guitar at age 13. Playing mainly by ear and improvisation, and having played in various bands over the years, his ability increased a great amount. Using Gibson, Mesa boogie, several delay pedels and other effects, Bruce adds both rhythmic color and soaring leads to the Calamus sound. www.myspace.com/brucemalley .. .. TOBY (Bass, Vocals) .. .. Toby Piotrowski, grew up around, and and cut his teeth on the music scene around Northampton MA. He moved to the city of Boston to pursue a career in music and the arts, playing with local acts Moondancer, and Astrolux. His musical endeavors wavered between psychedelic art rock and the punk/hardcore scene. An audition brought him to Seattle, WA during the grunge movement, a mecca for a bassist with his proclivities. Once there he opened The Parlour Room, a multi disciplinary theater/performance venue. It was here that Toby honed his skills with Producing and Promoting live shows. "I feel it gave me an advantage in managing my music career, and gave me an opportunity to play with every conceivable genera of music". After a tenure with Seattle bands Black Market Prayer Committe, and The Jaded Playboys, and following the closure of the Parlour Room, Toby moved back to Boston, joining the Industrial/Glam Rock act Voigt Kampff. Toby is the newest member of Calamus, and brings his melody driven style, coupled with a strong sense of rhythmic dynamics. http://www.myspace.com/4stringsolution http://www.voigtkampff.net .. .. AARON (Drums, Vocals) .. .. After playing in numerous bands in high school, Aaron began playing gigs in the Manchester-Nashua New Hampshire area. He played in an acoustic duet called Crockpot Donkey, while also learning guitar which allowed him to dabble in original music. In the mid 90’s he settled into a band called Strawboss with a long time friend. They focused mainly on covers from the 80’s and 90’s and found that they had quite a little following of fans. Strawboss was known for taking well-known covers and adding little twists. But regurgitating the same old cover songs drove him to search for something more original "Calamus seemed like a great outlet to be able to express my skills as a percussionist. I had been dreaming of rambling jams and deep, dark but melodic tunes that I could truly find a home for my brewing ideas. The less is more concept with some occasional outbursts seems to be a fantastic fit. With Calamus I believe I have found a group of musicians that will help me grow into the drummer I hear in my mind!" ......