Cold Storage Band
50's and 60's Rock and Roll is not dead, it's just been in COLD STORAGE for a while!!
Meet the Band:
Bill Epps - Guitar/vocals
Bill became interested in music in the early 60's, and with the exception of a break for military duty, has been playing guitar continuously since then , first in the L.A area where he started, and then here in the Bay area for the past 22 years, performing almost every music style imaginable. At a very young age he was exposed to a lot of good old country music through his family, who were originally from Oklahoma. In fact, he is the only member of his family who is a native Californian. But as his love for music was taking shape as a teenager growing up in Southern California, he was drawn to the sounds of the era - rockabilly, blues, country, and surf music - genres now categorized as "roots" music. Early influences included guitarists such as Dick Dale, Duane Eddy, Jimmy Reed, Scotty Moore, James Burton, all three Kings - BB, Albert, and Freddie (and later Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, and Stevie Ray Vaughan ). Groups such as The Ventures, The Beach Boys, The Beatles and the Rolling Stones, were also big influences. These various styles of music had a crucial impact on his musical development. At the present time, in addition to his duties with Cold Storage, Bill teaches guitar and also writes and records his own original material. To date Bill has recorded and produced two very successful CDs of his own original instrumentals, and although he has played in many different bands with many different styles since those early days, his affection for the early rock and roll roots is always evident in his playing and singing.
ill Epps - Guitar/vocals exception
Bill became interested in music in the early 60's, and with the exception of a break for military duty, has been playing guitar continuously since then , first in the L.A area where he started, and then here in the Bay area for the past 22 years, performing almost every music style imaginable. At a very young age he was exposed to a lot of good old country music through his family, who were originally from Oklahoma. In fact, he is the only member of his family who is a native Californian. But as his love for music was taking shape as a teenager growing up in Southern California, he was drawn to the sounds of the era - rockabilly, blues, country, and surf music - genres now categorized as "roots" music. Early influences included guitarists such as Dick Dale, Duane Eddy, Jimmy Reed, Scotty Moore, James Burton, all three Kings - BB, Albert, and Freddie (and later Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, and Stevie Ray Vaughan ). Groups such as The Ventures, The Beach Boys, The Beatles and the Rolling Stones, were also big influences. These various styles of music had a crucial impact on his musical development. At the present time, in addition to his duties with Cold Storage, Bill teaches guitar and also writes and records his own original material. To date Bill has recorded and produced two very successful CDs of his own original instrumentals, and although he has played in many different bands with many different styles since those early days, his affection for the early rock and roll roots is always evident in his playing and singing.
Bill became interested in music in the early 60's, and with the exception of a break for military duty, has been playing guitar continuously since then , first in the L.A area where he started, and then here in the Bay area for the past 22 years, performing almost every music style imaginable. At a very young age he was exposed to a lot of good old country music through his family, who were originally from Oklahoma. In fact, he is the only member of his family who is a native Californian. But as his love for music was taking shape as a teenager growing up in Southern California, he was drawn to the sounds of the era - rockabilly, blues, country, and surf music - genres now categorized as "roots" music. Early influences included guitarists such as Dick Dale, Duane Eddy, Jimmy Reed, Scotty Moore, James Burton, all three Kings - BB, Albert, and Freddie (and later Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, and Stevie Ray Vaughan ). Groups such as The Ventures, The Beach Boys, The Beatles and the Rolling Stones, were also big influences. These various styles of music had a crucial impact on his musical development. At the present time, in addition to his duties with Cold Storage, Bill teaches guitar and also writes and records his own original material. To date Bill has recorded and produced two very successful CDs of his own original instrumentals, and although he has played in many different bands with many different styles since those early days, his affection for the early rock and roll roots is always evident in his playing and singing.
ill Epps - Guitar/vocals exception
Bill became interested in music in the early 60's, and with the exception of a break for military duty, has been playing guitar continuously since then , first in the L.A area where he started, and then here in the Bay area for the past 22 years, performing almost every music style imaginable. At a very young age he was exposed to a lot of good old country music through his family, who were originally from Oklahoma. In fact, he is the only member of his family who is a native Californian. But as his love for music was taking shape as a teenager growing up in Southern California, he was drawn to the sounds of the era - rockabilly, blues, country, and surf music - genres now categorized as "roots" music. Early influences included guitarists such as Dick Dale, Duane Eddy, Jimmy Reed, Scotty Moore, James Burton, all three Kings - BB, Albert, and Freddie (and later Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, and Stevie Ray Vaughan ). Groups such as The Ventures, The Beach Boys, The Beatles and the Rolling Stones, were also big influences. These various styles of music had a crucial impact on his musical development. At the present time, in addition to his duties with Cold Storage, Bill teaches guitar and also writes and records his own original material. To date Bill has recorded and produced two very successful CDs of his own original instrumentals, and although he has played in many different bands with many different styles since those early days, his affection for the early rock and roll roots is always evident in his playing and singing.
Gus Gatto - Guitar/Lead Vocals
Gus, co-founder of the band, started playing guitar when he was 10 years old, later taking classical guitar lessons for eight years. He is proficient playing classical guitar but he gravitates to the music of the 50s and 60s. He enjoys this era of music, especially songs that have a lot of background harmony. Gus truly enjoys being the band leader and lead singer of this group and bringing back the great songs for the fans. In his younger days, he was a California State Champion Bicycle Racer. Today he enjoys music and his collection of vintage automobiles which include a Ford Model T, an award winning 1957 Ford T-Bird, and several classic Cadillac’s.
Rick de Los Angeles - Bass/Back-up Vocals
Rick was in his first band at the tender age of 12. He had his first real gig at the age of 15. Since then he has been in several "Rock & Roll" & "Blues" bands, prior to joining Cold Storage Rock & Roll Revival. Rick is always showing his enthusiasm on stage. If he's feelin' the groove he is probably leaning on Gus, bumping George or grinning at Pat, sometimes all at the same time! He enjoys good BBQ's and friends, just getting together and jamming or out listing to friends play. Rick's true salvation came when he was rescued by his lovely wife Betty. If she had not taken pity on him, it is hard to say what demise may have come to this hard rockin bass player. With Betty in his life, keeping him on the straight and narrow, at his age he still has a few more good gig’s left in him. So when we are out playing come by and say Hi to Rick James !!
Rick was in his first band at the tender age of 12. He had his first real gig at the age of 15. Since then he has been in several "Rock & Roll" & "Blues" bands, prior to joining Cold Storage Rock & Roll Revival. Rick is always showing his enthusiasm on stage. If he's feelin' the groove he is probably leaning on Gus, bumping George or grinning at Pat, sometimes all at the same time! He enjoys good BBQ's and friends, just getting together and jamming or out listing to friends play. Rick's true salvation came when he was rescued by his lovely wife Betty. If she had not taken pity on him, it is hard to say what demise may have come to this hard rockin bass player. With Betty in his life, keeping him on the straight and narrow, at his age he still has a few more good gig’s left in him. So when we are out playing come by and say Hi to Rick James !!
Pat Sharkey - Drums/Vocals
Pat started playing drums at the age of 9 and had his first paying gig by age 11. He's been playing in clubs large and small, and a variety of venues since. Pat has extensive studio experience both as a player and an engineer/producer. He has also had local radio airplay from some of the bands he has played in. Live performance is what he loves best. From headlining the Reno Blues Festival to weddings, corporate events, or the local club scene, it is the joy of making people dance that gives him the most pleasure.
When not playing drums, Pat enjoys long walks on the beach, holding hands and working on his creation of cold fusion experiments.
George Carson- Keyboards/vocals
George became interested in the piano the first time he saw one. He was first noted as a vocalist in third grade when he was asked by his teacher (Ms. Ficalora) if he could please not sing so loud in class. Since the third grade George has been composing for the piano and singing in some form of choir or musical or group continuously. His original compositions can be heard by his neighbors and his family on any afternoon.
George is mostly interested in singing harmony of any sort and is currently a member of a church choir and a barbershop quartet as well as his work with Cold Storage Band. Influences include Ray Charles,The Beatles, Peter Paul and Mary, Mozart, Pergolesi, The Who, Jimmy Hendrix (as a vocalist), The Byrds, Birds in general, The Chambers Brothers and anyone standing on a corner singing most anything at all.
George became interested in the piano the first time he saw one. He was first noted as a vocalist in third grade when he was asked by his teacher (Ms. Ficalora) if he could please not sing so loud in class. Since the third grade George has been composing for the piano and singing in some form of choir or musical or group continuously. His original compositions can be heard by his neighbors and his family on any afternoon.
George is mostly interested in singing harmony of any sort and is currently a member of a church choir and a barbershop quartet as well as his work with Cold Storage Band. Influences include Ray Charles,The Beatles, Peter Paul and Mary, Mozart, Pergolesi, The Who, Jimmy Hendrix (as a vocalist), The Byrds, Birds in general, The Chambers Brothers and anyone standing on a corner singing most anything at all.
