What is it about Soulhound

Rob Roth

Wed, 6 May 2009 22:17:34 -0400

Born in New York City, the son of a piano playing schoolteacher and with a grandmother that sang in New York's Metropolitan Opera Chorus, you could say that music has always been in Roth's blood.

His interest in music began with singing and participating in Choirs at a fairly young age. With the piano lessons going to his younger sister, a number of other instruments would be picked up before he ever got a Guitar in his hands. We have Van Halen's "1984" album to thank for that eventual outcome.

In high school, Roth digested a healthy diet of the Beatles, Eric Clapton, Led Zeppelin, Rush, Yes, Zappa, Pink Floyd. He began to write music and played in a number of rock bands as well as his high school Jazz ensemble that competed at the Berklee College of Music in Boston. But his love for blues was equal to any band fandom he had. "Very early on I learned that the Blues was the foundation for most of the music I loved – something that was reconfirmed once I got into Jazz".

By the time Roth was in college, he was deeply into Steely Dan, Tower of Power, Stevie Wonder and listening to guitar players like Robben Ford, Scott Henderson, Pat Metheny, John Scofield and Tuck Andress. But in 1989 it was a random band at a tiny club in Ithaca, NY that had a big impact on him – the band was Phish.

After living in upstate New York, New York City and Los Angeles, Roth relocated to the Atlanta area and eventually met Oliver and Byron through a mutual friend.

Oliver Nichols

Wed, 6 May 2009 22:17:31 -0400

“I am just a Charlestonian with a little moss on my tree."

Oliver Nichols has been singing around the Carolina area for most of his life. Steeped in the Gospel and traditional R&B, his parents always left the doors open in his life to listen and to experience everything musically. But Oliver took to AM radio, Mom ‘n Pop record stores, Gospel, high school and College choirs, and countless musical groups too.

But there was one pivotal moment that still stands out that got him where he is today - the day he was asked to stand next to his mother at church and sing, "He's Got The Whole World In His Hands" when he was just 5 years old. "I come from a long line of teachers and preachers so there are some things that you just don’t forget."

Oliver has sung with: Crimson Soul, Midnight Blue, Kings of the Lobby, The Charlestonairs and The Gospel Travelers among others.

He has had the privilege to perform with and open for Denise LaSalle, George Clinton and the P-Funk All-Stars, The Tams, Maurice Williams and the Zodiacs, Billy Preston and the Canton Spirituals. He has also performed with members of the Black Crows.

Oliver contributes his powerful voice and his courage to his father: Dr. Wardell G. Nichols (1914-1990). And his tone and passion from his mother: Mrs Aurelia VirginaJo E. Nichols (1929-1997)

Like his daddy would say about his son to his friends:

"Give that boy a mic and a match and you'd better RUN LIKE HELL!"

Byron Fullmer

Wed, 6 May 2009 22:17:28 -0400

Byron Fullmer began playing the drums around the age of 11. After tormenting his mother by pounding on any and every object available, church and middle school band became the “lucky” ones. Continuing with symphonic percussion throughout high school and being exposed to his mother’s great musical tastes helped shape Byron’s unique style.

Always gravitating to the drum set, he began to branch out and play with various blues, gospel and rock ensembles.

The Mullet Years
Bonham and Peart became the soundtrack for hours of playing along with records, mullet waving in the wind. After graduating high school and getting a haircut, Byron played in The Big 8, Florida State’s drum line for 4 years. He also played in several bands in college, most notably 6 Degrees and Homebrew.

Finding a Voice
Players like Tony Williams, Max Roach, Miles Davis, Bill Evans, Steve Gadd, Billy Martin, Jon Fishman, and Dennis Chambers helped influence Byron’s playing. With Soulhound’s musical stylings, the band’s individual tastes all have room to shine. “What makes this band so much fun”, Byron says, “is our ability to weave funk with jazz, rock, blues and anything else we are feeling. Whatever the end-product is, it’s always unique, funky, and sincere.”
GearDrums:
Gretsch

Snares:
Legend
Pork Pie

Cymbals:
Zildian
Sabian

Jeff Lauterbach

Wed, 6 May 2009 22:17:16 -0400

Jeff plays bass. That is all he wants you to know.