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Name the style - a beautiful melody or
something you can smash your feet on the ground to - John can bang
them keys! He's the keyboard man who's sound and style round out the
groove of the group. Setting us apart from other bands, he allows us
to make music that we'd, otherwise, not be able to make. Johnnie
puts the lights on our Christmas tree! There's nothing more
entertaining than watching John rip it up on one of his legendary
honky-tonk solos. He's our SBD keyboard god.
John! Give us your bio!
"John Kap was born in a log
cabin in the woods a long…..wait, no. Uh…..It was a dark and stormy
night…..No, that’s not right. Okay, here goes….A long time ago
John’s parents thought it would be a good idea for their kids to
learn a musical instrument..."
HIStory:
The Early Years (10 yrs. - teens)
¯ John's
parents splurged and bought a new piano - John took lessons from
the legendary Professor Synakowski.
¯After
practicing etudes and sonata movements John wanted to
play rock’n’roll.
¯During
this time period, lessons continued and John discovered
The Beatles, Elton John, Queen, Led Zeppelin, and The
Who. Later, it was The Doors, Lynyrd Skynyrd and, of
course, The Rolling Stones.
¯John
continued through all the angst and moments of doubt in
the teenage years to hone his skills and listen to new
influences.
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The Invadors
¯This was a
British Invasion cover band.
Streetthief
¯John
hooked up with a college and former grade school buddy
(Jim Kelly and Joe Kap - no relation).
¯"This band
was firmly ensconced in 70’s rock and they played huge
parties where people would drink a lot."
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Timmy and the Schemers - Shortly thereafter
¯Jim Kelly
called and wanted to start a new band
¯John
"found young drummer Pete Szymanski – all of 14 years
old – who already played with the power and influence of
Keith Moon."
¯"This band
was fun but never really played outside of the
basement." |
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Whiteboy and the
Wagonburners - Late '80's
¯John
hooked up with some Onondagas (notably Duggan Henhawk
and Rex Lyons) from the Res and formed a roots and
rockabilly band.
¯This band
appealed to John’s affinity for more stripped down,
rootsy music.
¯The band
was nominated for three Sammy's (Joe Whiting took all
three).
¯"The
highlight of this sojourn was playing at the behest of
Carlos Santana in California at an all-star celebration
of native culture and getting to sit in Bill Graham’s
office." |
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The In-between Years
¯After
leaving the Wagonburners, John concentrated on raising
his son (and all the attendant activities associated
with responsible parenting -Little League, Cub Scouts,
school board, U.S. Senate) leaving little time for crazy
rock’n’roll.
¯John’s son
graduated high school. (John felt (hoped, prayed) he had
properly prepared his son for the world)
¯ John then
received a "perfectly timed phone call from Andy
Comstock with the pretext of a Friday night fish fry" to
inquire as to his possible interest in joining a new
band. It had been a few years, and John missed the fun
of playing in a band again, so he accepted. |
The Remnants Ê Shelly
and The Barndogs
¯When John
first showed up at Andy’s barn, he met Mark and former
drummer Pat, and saw the easy-going nature of the project
- enthusiasm was not difficult. The band quickly jelled.
¯When John
met Shelly, and heard her sing, that was it – "this was
definitely going to work."
¯Playing,
for lack of a better term, classic rock with emphasis on
harmony vocals - this was stuff that John had listened
to and grew up with.
¯When the
band was looking for a new drummer, John thought of his
old friend Pete Szymanski and rang him up – would he be
interested? Pete came out to see the band play and said
yes.
¯"...the
band democratically selected as their name 'Shelly and
the Barndogs' and set out to take this baby as far as
she’ll go."
¯Subsequently,
more and more gigs are booked and the band starts
picking up fans. Recording and writing follow and the
band has fun fun fun. |
What does John think about "Shelly &
The Barndogs"?
He feels a great kinship with this band that’s like a family, and
nurtures creativity unlike any other outfit conjoined with
previously. "People in the audience who don’t know the band pick up
on the mutual love and respect the members have for each other – it
just comes out on stage...What makes this band special – Shelly,
great harmonies, unique song selection with a balance of crowd
favorites and more esoteric numbers from days gone by, as well as
the songwriting talent – has garnered the band new fans wherever
they play. It would be hard to envision the band with any other
lineup."
Someone
said:
¯"I knew
from the first time we played together that it was going to work.
Our playing styles are similar and we compliment each other very
well. Playing with John has made me a better player."
¯"When we wrote
'My New Bow String' together, John guided my muse with
his gentle warm spirit. I always count on him to have a heartfelt
view and a kind word for everyone in our band."
¯"He is our Peacekeeper
and our Comforter." |
