Remember the rippin' guitar and tribal drums sounds of the early 70's, bands like Santana, Little Feat, Allman Brothers and ZZ Top? Peppertown does. This 5 piece band out of southeastern Indiana is putting a new twist on what they consider a lost sound in modern music. Creating their own fine blend of blistering bluesy guitar, earthy drum jams, and solid songwriting, Peppertown is stirring a buzz, nationwide, and abroad. The bands D.I.Y. savvy has taken them from the hills of Indiana into the ears of America. Taking their name from a county road uniquely significant to the band members, Peppertown's sound is reflective of a rural, middle American lifestyle.Originally started in 2004 as a duo by originators Scott Siefferman and Ryan Baker, Peppertown performed a mix of covers and originals.They played over 200 shows in 2005, refining the act and building a strong fan base in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana.While performing at a local club in 2005,the duo was approached by Brian DeBruler and Michelle D'Amico, former rhythm section for the band Pure Grain.
The band name "Peppertown" began when Baker and Siefferman first met and performed together at a party on Peppertown road. The group frequented that area because both had family residing on Peppertown road, and became know as the Peppertown Boys. Eventually dropping the boys part, they hung on to just Peppertown, especially fitting now that they have a girl in the band. Michelle D'Amico grew up on Peppertown road. Coincidently D'Amico and Baker, upon meeting in the band found out they were related by marriage, but had otherwise had no contact with each other before the band. DeBruler's grandmother ran the hand pump on the organ at church for Siefferman's great grandmother. Artie Chaney's father, a long time friend to DeBruler has performed with DeBruler in several bands over the years. Passing the torch to the next generation, Artie gets to jam with his dad, Art Chaney, when he sits in with the band on harmonica. This band is truly like family and their music reflects it. The chemistry between this very talented group is obvious and can be strongly felt at any live performance and on their CD.
Meet The Band
Scott Siefferman
Scott Siefferman - (Guitar) hails from the small town of Bright Indiana. He has been influenced by, and interested in music since a young age. His father, also a musician and radio DJ, got Scott interested in playing guitar. Scott began taking guitar lessons in his early teens and continued to hone his craft playing around camp fire parties with his high school friends. In 2000, Scott recorded his first single at DeBruler's studio, and not long after graduating from high school, he began slinging his guitar and performing in local bars as a single acoustic act. After about a year or so he paired up with Ryan Baker and they began performing as Peppertown late in 2003. Scott hammered out the shows with Ryan for 2 years before hooking up with Michelle and Brian in 2005. Scott's musical influences include: Oasis, America, John Mellencamp and John Fogerty. Scott's musical world came full circle recently when the band opened for country music star, John Michael Montgomery. Scott remembers having a John Michael Montgomery tape when he was younger.
Ryan Baker
Ryan Baker - (Guitar) grew up in the rural southeast Indiana area. From family sing-a longs, he developed a love of music, while he absorbed rhythm and blues from his father and gospel from his mother at the local church. Ryan's biggest jump start towards guitar, was after he listened to an album of local guitar hero and friend Lonnie Mack at the age of 12. He knew at that moment that the guitar would forever be in his life. Starting off with a few chords that he learned from his father and music from the likes of Stevie Ray Vaughan, Billy Gibbons and Lonnie Mack, Ryan gradually blended all the sounds he heard around him into his own individual style. Ryan started performing acoustic shows with Scott late in 2003 and has enjoyed his continued evolution as an influential guitarist in the southeast Indiana area.
Brian DeBruler
Brian DeBruler - (Drums) is from the small town of Bright Indiana.He has been playing drums since age 8, and began playing in local bars at age 14. Inspired by his grandfather also a drummer and guitarist, Brian grew up around music. His unique style adds a strong groove to any rhythm section. Initially he learned drums by playing along with 45's in jukeboxes his dad collected. Depending on where the jukebox came from it could have been full of anything from 50's doo wop to 70's funk, to current hits.Brian has played with many local Cincinnati bands dating back to the mid eighties and was one of twelve finalists in the 1994 Thoroughbred music's Best Unsigned Drummer in America Contest.He has studied music at the Cincinnati -Conservatory of Music, as well as the prestigious Berklee College of Music, in Boston Massachusetts.Brian is a well rounded musician and enjoys playing all styles of music including jazz, Latin, afro-cuban, country, and rock.His drumming can be heard on many recordings he has done with local artists.Brian also operates Bright Audio, his own recording and production facility. Brian enjoys helping other local artists develop their acts and does session recording with some of the areas finest musicians.Over the years he has shared the stage with the likes of Foghat, Hank Williams Jr., The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Bone Pony, Heart, Jerry Garcia Band, and Little Feat. He also produced and toured with the band Pure Grain from 2003-2005. Brian's drumming influences include: Steve Gadd, Buddy Rich, Gene Krupa, and John Bonham. In Peppertown, Brian combines the two loves of his life by performing on stage.
Michelle D'Amico
Michelle D'Amico - (Percussion) grew up in rural southeastern Indiana on Peppertown road. She has been a fan of music and dance since she was young. Michelle was originally introduced to music performance singing in church. Attending the same high school as Brian, she was inspired by his drum performances in school. Michelle's drumming career started later in life when she ran into Brian and they got together. She surrendered her audience position and began working at playing the drums around 2000. After 3 years of working together, Michelle joined Brian as the percussionist for the group Pure Grain. She toured with the group from 2003-2005 and shared the stage with Hank Williams Jr., The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, and Bone Pony. When Pure Grain disbanded in 2005, Michelle and Brian paired with Scott and Ryan to form the initial lineup of Peppertown. Michelle's influences include: Sheila E, Santana, Rusted Root, the Allman Brothers and Little Feat. In her spare time Michelle is an avid horticulturalist and a student of homeopathy, and she also runs her own landscape business. In 2006 Michelle melted her environmental and musical interests into Bright Indiana's first Earth Day concert and environmental fair, featuring many local artists including: Peppertown as the headliner. In 2007 the band kicked it up a notch by opening for the Smithereens at Cincinnati's Earth Day event.
Arthur Chaney IV
Arthur Chaney IV - (Bass Guitar) follows in the musical foot steps of his father, Arthur Chaney III, who performed in bands with DeBruler dating back to 1994. Arthur began performing bass guitar in his teens and by the time he was 16, he was playing shows with Brian and Michelle in Pure Grain as a substitute bass player. Though just 20 years old, Arthur is a natural born musician and his playing reflects a maturity far beyond his years. He has played in many bands through high school and continues to work on side projects with his peers, in his free time. Arthur enjoys traveling and really likes being on the road with Peppertown. His musical influences are varied and range from: Les Claypool to Victor Wooten. In his spare time Arthur enjoys working in the studio and is in the process of learning audio engineering and video production. He does session work with DeBruler and recently performed with DeBruler on CD with ex-Pure Grain guitarist Dave Lacey. Arthur's playing spontaneity, adds a forever fresh element to Peppertown performances, and has the skills to take him anywhere he wants to go with music.
• Spins in 20 AAA/Americana markets including WNCW, North Carolina, WXPN Philadelphia, and KMTT Radio in Seattle.
• Featured in the upcoming indie film release and soundtrack for “Sinners” directed by Tory Christopher
• Touring through Summer/Fall 2007
• New Single “Change my Ways/Early Midnight” Impacting Radio Now!
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"This five-piece Indiana band's debut CD is most intriguing. Its sound manages to be basic and rootsy, yet sophisticated and jazzy at the same time. I can see this mixture of solo electric guitar with acoustic instruments appealing to jam-band fans, Americana programmers, folkies and rockers. Refreshing and recommended!"
Robert K. Oermann, Music Row Magazine
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"This album shows a maturity way beyond their years...very organic feel...no gimmicks...no trickery...I keep going back to it and listening again because it is just so good. Definitely another contender for my top ten of 2007."
4 Stars Maverick Magazine, UK
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“Firefly is pure Americana, but it's driven by crunching guitars, heavy handed blues
riffs, aching vocals and preoccupations with bleak Midwestern imagery that is an overall sense of hope born of despair… This CD feels like 5 AM, heading home but taking the long way, and is a welcome addition to my collection. “ --Michael Canter Sonicjive.com
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"Peppertown seamlessly connects the country/rock divide
with its bluesy, acoustic sound."
Cincinnati's CinWeekly
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“A heartfelt collection of songs that should appeal to fans of John Mellencamp, Bob Seger, and Bruce Springsteen….Better than Bob Seger’s new disc (Face the Promise), and it’s more authentic than anything John Fogerty has recorded in years”
The Music Box.com
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"This group has a fresh sound in a day when
so many singers and bands sound alike."
- Eric Broulanger, P.D. EAGLE 99.3 FM
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“Midwestern music to the tee”…Solid lyrics and well-placed guitar solos…. ”
Vail Trail
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"The Heartland Root of Sound"
Southbend Journal
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"Smooth songs of airy, low-key grooves and more forceful bluesy riff-rockers...clean cut guitar solo...musicianship is strong."
Omaha City Weekly
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"Siefferman's vocal delivery and songwriting are powerful and honest.
Look for big things from this group in the coming year."
Dearborn County Register
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The Cutting Edge Magazine
Remember the rippin' guitar and tribal drums sounds of the early 70's, bands like Santana, Little Feat, Allman Brothers and ZZ Top? Peppertown does. From the rolling hills and farm lands of Southeastern, Indiana, Peppertown has garnered praise from regional fans for years and is now capturing national attention. Their sound is recognizable and gritty. With a musical fusion of roots, blues and acoustic rock, the band has a classic sound with a modern edge.
" Peppertown was one of the most original , engaging and entertaining bands to ever play our concert series . Even the headliner called them back onstage for the final encore .” “YOUR town will love Peppertown !” Jeff Roberts - Director South by Southeast Music Feast Myrtle Beach SC
"Midwestern music to the tee… For all those roadhouses and honky tonk bars… Solid lyrics and well-placed guitar solos"… -- The Vail Trail, Vail, CO
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Peppertown has a smooth Country/Rock sound with their own unique Bluesy vibe. If you are interested in obtaining a complete Press Kit on this artist, please contact us at: (702) 568-7108 or use the e-mail form below. And you can use the form below, to voice your opinions, comments and questions about the artist, which are always welcome!
