Gregg Bissonette - Drums
Andy Timmons - Guitar
Wally Minko - Keyboards
Mike Medina - Percussion
Matt Bissonette - Bass
Ron Pedley - Keyboards
And Special Guests:
Cindy Horstman - Harp
Pat Coil - Hammond B3
Chariya Bissonette, Kamiya Dacara Kulani - Backing vocals
Dave Barnett - Radio intro on “Just Gimme The News”
No matter how many times our paths crisscross, we eventually meet in the right place and at the right time. Boasting one of the most powerful collective pedigrees in rock ‘n’ roll, the members of The Reddcoats have individually logged thousands of shows alongside history’s biggest icons, millions of records sold, and dozens of awards between them. After circling each other for years, these five musicians assemble like a virtuoso answer to The Avengers on their 2020 self-titled independent EP. The group unites vocalist, bassist, and co-producer Matt Bissonette [Elton John, Joe Satriani, The David Lee Roth Band, Rick Springfield], his brother and drummer Gregg Bissonette [Ringo Starr and His All Starr Band, The David Lee Roth Band, Robert Downey, JR., Don Henley, Santana], GRAMMY® Award-nominated Keyboardist Wally Minko [P!nk, Jean-Luc Ponty, Toni Braxton], and guitarist Andy Timmons [Danger Danger, Olivia Newton-John] joined by co-producer/percussionist Mike Medina [Edgar Winter, Victor Wooten].
Representing a confluence of influence and experience, they manage to surprise on each and every track.
“When I go see a concert, I typically want to hear something different after a half-an-hour,” explains Matt. “I always thought it would be interesting to have a band where everyone gets the spotlight and does his own thing. I love funk, heavy metal, jazz, bebop, and Latin, and you’ll hear all of that. It can be really earthy and greasy one minute and heavy the next. Since everyone is so proficient, it’s like we’re always switching the radio and reaching for the next level. The instinct is to do something that will stick in your head.”
As the story goes, the Bissonette brothers began playing together as kids and simply never stopped. They initially met Mike at North Texas State University and “promised to do a project someday.” In the middle of a three-night stand in Dallas with Elton John during 2018, Mike urged Matt to join him at a club for a gig. Taking over the spotlight, guitarist Andy Timmons immediately caught Matt’s attention as the perfect axe-slinger for what would become The Reddcoats. Putting the final puzzle piece in place, Matt welcomed Wally on keys after intermittently performing together throughout the years. They immediately locked into an undeniable chemistry, drawing on a seemingly endless myriad of genres.
“We’re throwing all of these styles in a big bag, whipping it around, and tossing it out to the people to see if they like it,” smiles Matt.
Introducing this sound, “Michael Collins” hinges on a simmering groove punctuated by deft keys and nimble fretwork before a hypnotic hook “about the odd man out—the person who doesn’t get the attention.” After a newscaster sample and satellite broadcast feedback, “Just Gimme The News” slinks into a jazz-y break rife with harmonic shredding as it urges reporters to drop the words “I think” and instead report! On the other end of the spectrum, the cinematic ballad “Really Really” presents a different kind of “love song from a girl’s perspective about romance and betrayal” uplifted by a heavenly combination of organ and guitar.
As if meant to be, The Reddcoats might just give music what it needs most right now.
“When you hear us, I want you to feel good,” Matt leaves off. “This is optimistic music. To me, that’s the most important thing. At the same time, we’re giving fellow musicians something challenging to listen to. We’re not afraid to play different styles. This group of guys can do it all, and I love that.”
BOILER
Boasting one of the most powerful collective pedigrees in rock ‘n’ roll, the members of The Reddcoats have individually logged thousands of shows alongside history’s biggest icons, millions of records sold, and dozens of awards between them. After circling each other for years, these five musicians assemble like a virtuoso answer to The Avengers on their 2020 self-titled independent EP. The group unites vocalist, bassist, and co-producer Matt Bissonette [Elton John, Joe Satriani, The David Lee Roth Band, Rick Springfield], his brother and drummer Gregg Bissonette [Ringo Starr and His All Starr Band, The David Lee Roth Band, Robert Downey, JR., Don Henley, Santana], GRAMMY® Award-nominated Keyboardist Wally Minko [P!nk, Jean-Luc Ponty, Toni Braxton], and guitarist Andy Timmons [Danger Danger, Olivia Newton-John] joined by co-producer Mike Medina [Edgar Winter, Victor Wooten]. Forging a singular sound out of everything from funk, jazz, and bebop to metal and Latin, The Reddcoats surprise on each and every track.