5:30 - Happy Hour Show!
Soul Gravity is the right band for a memorable night of fun times and high energy music. They have built a reputation for passionate live performances and have a large repertoire of fantastic material so each show is always new and exciting. The band mixes a bit of acoustic rock sensibilities with contemporary rock grooves and then tops it all off with some fat guitar edge, tight vocal harmonies, and excellent musicianship, all the while creating a great party atmosphere.
John Trupp — Lead Vocals, Strummin', & Exuberant Stage Antics
John is a musician-songwriter and native of the DC music scene. Early on, he joined a nationally touring group called New Potato Caboose - what fun. After years of road warrior touring, NPC was signed to Rykodisc and having sold tens of thousands of cds, broke up shortly after. He then formed The True - a modern funkish rock ensemble with memorable hooks and forgettable looks. MCA bankrolled a development deal resulting in an untimely break up after years of regional touring. That's the biz!
He had great times recording albums with John Alagia and Doug Derryberry and made a bunch of cds with various artists. He performed with their band live and on their cd Reinvigorating the Wheel. He also jams with Radio Mosaic and produced, mostly wrote, and performed on their 2 CD releases "Roll" and "Look Around." Radio Mosaic also has a new dvd from their MHz TV performance.
He also made a solo record called "Beware of the Dogma" while in between The True and Radio Mo and just made another CD called Karma Electric where he produced, performed and wrote all the music and also designed the cd. John also has many songs placed in movies and televison.
John's lovin' life, rockin' out with his pals in Soul Gravity. All the boys in Soul Gravity just groove so well together and John loves the vibe of this band and that they can play just about anything. So fun! :-)
Ronnie "Ronstar" Smith — Kickin Beats, Workin the Groove, & Vocals
Ronnie got bit by the Rock and Roll bug early, and by 10 was drumming on any surface that he could find. He got his first drum at 12 and proceeded to teach himself to play. Formal lessons soon followed, and at 19, he moved to Boston, MA. to attend the Berklee College of Music, attaining their Diploma in Professional Music. He also started playing the guitar around the same time, and still can't put it down ! After school found him back in the DC area, playing 250 nights a year in several different bands that performed all over the Mid Atlantic region.
Ronnie has had the opportunity to work with some REALLY great musicians ! In the 1990's, he formed ZIP with local singer songwriter Cal Everett (4 Out of 5 Doctors), and they were featured on the Washington Area Music Assc. CD "Best Of DC Artists" in 1997. Shortly thereafter, he joined The Larry Burnett Band (singer songwriter from Firefall) for several years and made a great record with them.
Currently, he is playing with Soul Gravity, Pile O’ Rocks, Cactus Liquors, , Deeme Katson, Cal Everett, Greg Reges, and several others. He has also been honored to have been included in several of the local Bandhouse Gigs Tribute shows, including the "Tribute to The British Invasion" show that was recorded and recently released on DVD and CD.
Ronnie also teaches drum and guitar lessons and does studio work. He is also an avid vintage musical instrument collector.
Some of the bands he's worked with are: Tomorrow's Dream, Spyce, Face It, The Locust, The Shake, The Regenerators, Boss Crow, The Spankmasters, Wall to Wall, The Greg Reges Band, Steve Murphy, Bruno Loves Danger, ZIP, The Larry Burnett Band, Wade Matthews, Tommy Lepson, Perry and Polman, The Cactus Liquors, Walnut Grove, Rita Rocks, Karl Stoll and the Danger Zone, Jonny and The Stingrays, Doug Pritchett and Friends, Radio Mosaic, Wood'n'Steel, and many others !