Rosco Caine
Jacksonville, Florida, United States | SELF
Music
Press
This band has no press
Discography
"Rosco Caine Lives!!!" (Live at YourJax Music Fest)
1. Make A Move
2. Bad, Bad Place
3. I Didn't Know
4. Way To Go
5. Bled For You
6. Southern Song
7. Folsom Stomp*
8. Just Got Paid*
"Swamped"
(first studio CD slated for release in early 2011)
Photos
Bio
Rosco Caine has been cutting out a niche, for themselves around Northeast Florida, like no other band in a very long time. They don’t call their music Southern Rock, other people do. “Swamp Rock” is the term the boys use, for their particular brand of rock-n-roll. Rooting their feet in the classic traditional southern guitar sounds, and keeping their heads in the present, is what has kept this band from being just another southern rock band. Swamp Rock refers to the darkness the music possesses without being dark music. It is a blend of the old and the new, what was and what is, and what should always be.
The band was founded by Will Sabo, a singer-songwriter, from the outskirts of Jacksonville, Fla. Sabo traveled the Southeastern U.S. playing music since the early nineties. An aspiring musician his whole life, he finally took the opportunity to pursue his original music, after seeing the direction mainstream rock was taking, and not wanting the traditional rock sound to be left behind. After chasing “the dream” for several years in musical markets, like New Orleans, Nashville and New England, he returned home to Northeast Florida to get a little closer to his roots, his family and a life more simple. With a gritty, powerful voice and a hook writing sensibility on par with any, Sabo began getting a reputation as a force in his region. Forming Rosco Caine in early 2008, the band saw a few incarnations, but finally started to really take shape after the addition of Steve Wheeler, on lead guitar.
Steve Wheeler is most known for his work in The Danny Joe Brown Band, as lead/slide guitar, but was also the original guitarist in local favorite Big Engine, as well as the all star project, Southern Rock Rebellion. Wheeler is considered one of the best guitarists around. With blazing leads, incredible finger-work and a tone that would make EVH cream, he is truly a force to be reckoned with. He saw the potential in what Sabo was doing, and has been an integral part of what is the distinct Rosco Caine sound, since joining in February of 2009. Truly a “world class” player, Wheeler continues to blow minds everywhere this band plays.
Greg Thompson (a.k.a. GT BASS) joined in October of 2009, and immediately took his place in this ensemble. Thompson had worked in multiple bands, playing shows around NE Fla., not to mention the rest of the state, for years. Both Sabo and Wheeler knew the caliber player they had on their hands. He isn’t just a bass player, he is an incredible showman, and can harmonize with the best of them. His playing is why he is in the band, and everything else is a bonus.
Fred Heater cut his teeth playing drums in and around the New Jersey and Pennsylvania markets. A schooled drummer, he has made a name for himself as a solid, well-metered player with great chops. He relocated to Jacksonville and played with several bands in the area before becoming a member of The Steve Wheeler Band. Once Wheeler joined Rosco Caine, he brought Fred Heater in as soon as the position came open. Despite not being a “southern rocker”, Heater was the best choice. Both Sabo and Wheeler are fans of the Jersey style sound and felt that Heater had relevance, viability and an edge that no other player would really be able to duplicate.
With all the key ingredients in place, Rosco Caine has set the bar very high and continues to win over fans at an almost viral rate. Playing for 50 people, they perform like they are playing for 5000. While playing for large crowds it seems as they are playing for their friends. Rosco Caine delivers the intensity and all the while, maintains the intimacy it takes to win the hearts of the fans. Playing in the cover market, they have established themselves as a dominant threat. Strangely enough, the original music seems to be what the legions of fans keep coming back for. With two fan clubs already formed in their market, The Caine Train and The Swamp Rock Mafia, with a combined membership just over 2000 fans, their following seems to be growing more and more every day. They just completed recording the tracks for their highly anticipated debut CD, “SWAMPED”, slated for release in early 2011. So, whether it’s classic rock with a fresh twist, or something new that is easy to absorb and relate to, Rosco Caine just might be the missing link, the bridge between the past and the present.
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