the Band
ex·ploit
noun: exploit; plural noun: exploits
/ˈekˌsploit/
a bold or daring feat especially: a notable, memorable, or heroic act
About midnight the gang returned, with various articles of plunder, and talked over their exploits …— Sir Walter Scott
Brina - Lead Vocals
Brina has been a singer her whole life. She started playing guitar and singing for friends and family in high school and continued throughout her college days at San Diego State University where she graduated with a Fine Arts Degree.
Brina sang for several bands in the San Diego area throughout the nineties including King Mother and Dang. She also wrote and performed her own original tracks on 91X and headlined at both Java Joe's in Ocean Beach and The Inner Change in Pacific Beach.
She's always been influenced by the female singer-songwriters of the 1990's such as Jewel, Tory Amos, 10,000 Maniacs, Edie Brickell and Fiona Apple. She fell in love with music listening to Led Zeppelin, The Doors, Depeche Mode, Yaz and The The. Her favorite contemporary artists at the moment are Vance Joy and Haim.
A few favorite albums? Siamese Dream by The Smashing Pumpkins; Out of Range by Ani DiFranco; Soul Mining by The The; 0898 Beautiful South by The Beautiful South; Fumbling Towards Ecstasy by Sarah McLaughlin.
Gus - Guitars
Gus's love of music started very specifically in 1979 - on his Dad's classical guitar but it wasn't until his freshman year of college when his roommate in the dorms at Colorado State showed him how to play Ten Years After's "I'd Love to Change the World" opening riff that he became hooked. He had been bitten by the bug.
Gus is an accomplished musician who plays guitar, bass, drums and keyboards. He has played in several San Diego bands over the years including Empty Bucket, Citrus, No Left Ben and most recently, Tom's Garage Band.
As for musical influences, Gus lists: Terry Hall (The Specials), Jerry Garcia (The Grateful Dead) and Pete Townsend (The Who) to name a few. His top three bands/acts to this day are Grateful Dead, The Allman Brothers, Madness and David Bowie. His all time favorite album is Quadrophenia by The Who.
Nolan - Drums + Backing Vocals
Nolan has been a dedicated musician from a young age, beginning his singing journey at just 9 years old as part of the touring San Diego Children's Choir, where he remained until the age of 15. His passion for music expanded to playing guitar at 14, although he is entirely self-taught on the instrument.
An alumnus of Idyllwild Arts Academy, Nolan honed his skills in classical percussion and jazz drums. They furthered their musical education at Berklee College of Music, where they majored in drumset performance. This extensive training laid the foundation for a versatile and accomplished career.
Throughout his career, Nolan has played for numerous bands in various capacities, including primary member roles and as a studio or touring substitute. His experience spans original bands, cover bands, and party bands, contributing to groups such as Four Minutes Til Midnight, Mara Kaye, Jackson Price, Bird Actors, Impentris, Suzy and the Lifeguard, Second Cousins, Ricky Small, The Talls, Semisi and Fula Bula, Champagne Stadium, In Motion Collective, Soup, Jonathan Fleig, Corey Cottrell, Love Mason, and many others.
In addition to band performances, Nolan has participated in jazz groups, stepping in for singers or instrumental bands at charity events and fundraiser galas for various non-profit organizations, including the Idyllwild Arts Foundation and Oceanside's Kainga Music.
A lifelong admirer of pop music from the 90s and early 2000s, Nolan draws inspiration from bands with exceptional drummers such as Third Eye Blind, Train, Blink-182, and Green Day. His formal training introduced him to jazz legends like Max Roach, Tony Williams, and Jimmy Cobb. Over time, he has studied and been influenced by renowned drummers including Jojo Mayer (Screaming Headless Torsos), Carter Beauford (Dave Matthews Band), Dennis Chambers (Steely Dan), Mike Portnoy (Dream Theater), and Mike Mangini (Steve Vai/Dream Theater).
Nolan's diverse experience and dedication to his craft have made him a versatile and sought-after musician in the industry.
Matt - Bass
Matt's musical journey began in high school, where he first picked up the guitar and started playing piano, igniting a lifelong passion for music. It wasn't long before his talents started to shine; he showcased his guitar skills at a high school talent show, captivating the audience with his performance.
Matt expanded his musical repertoire by playing drums in the school band. This early exposure to percussion provided him with a solid foundation and a deep appreciation for rhythm, which would later influence his style as a multi-instrumentalist.
In addition to guitar, piano and drums, Matt also explored the bass, dedicating a year to mastering the instrument. His versatility across multiple instruments makes him a valuable asset to the band, capable of filling various roles as needed.
Matt's musical influences are diverse and deeply rooted in rock and new wave. He draws inspiration from iconic bands like Rush, The Police, AC/DC, and Devo. These bands have shaped his musical tastes and style, infusing his playing with a blend of technical proficiency, rhythmic innovation, and high-energy performance.
With a solid foundation in piano, guitar, drums, and bass, Matt brings a unique blend of skills and influences to the band. His dedication to his craft and his ability to adapt to different musical roles make him a dynamic and essential member of the group.
