The Expendables enjoyed a laid-back lifestyle growing up in Santa Cruz, CA; surfing, skating, partying, and playing music were commonplace. Since 1997, The Expendables have staked their claim in the California surf/rock genre by headlining venues from coast to coast. Blending Reggae, Punk Rock, and 80s style dueling guitar solos, The Expendables have made heads turn and floors shake for years.
The band consists of four longtime friends: Geoff Weers (Guitar and Vocals), Adam Patterson (Drums and Vocals), Raul Bianchi (Lead Guitar) and Ryan DeMars (Bass). The first seven years of their career was fueled with three full-length, completely independent releases. No Time To Worry (2000), Open Container (2001), and Gettin’ Filthy (2004), would bring in a combined total of over 40,000 units sold with no physical distribution and no record label.
While touring and supporting their album, Gettin’ Filthy, The Expendables would share the stage with Slightly Stoopid and catch the attention of founders and front men Kyle McDonald and Miles Doughty. In 2007 Slightly Stoopid formed their own independent label, Stoopid Records, and signed The Expendables for the label’s first non-Stoopid release, which was The Expendables self-titled. Released in September 2007, the album would be accepted as an instant classic by fans and received rave reviews from critics.
The band continued supporting the album with hundreds of shows over the next two years, gaining fans around the world, and respect from the bands that influenced them. Early 2009 The Expendables toured relentlessly. Within a few short months, they hit the road with NOFX, Less Than Jake, Pennywise, and Pepper. In case that was not enough, The Expendables were honored to join 311 on their Summer Unity amphitheater tour, rocking huge stages, and opening new doors for the band.
The boys decided idle time was not an option after the conclusion of their tour with 311, so they went straight in to the studio to begin recording their next album, Prove It. Paul Leary (producer of Sublime, Slightly Stoopid, Pepper, Supersuckers, as well as guitar player for Butthole Surfers) and El Hefe (guitar player of NoFX) would split producing duties at Big Fish studios in Encinitas, California.
Prove It was released May 11th 2010 debuting at #158 on the Billboard Top 200, #30 on Billboard’s Independent charts, and #4 on Billboard’s Heatseekers! The album also pushed to #15 on iTunes Top 200 and #5 on iTunes Alternative Charts, jumping The Expendables to a new level in their career. The band’s new release would include guest performances by C-Money, OG, and Dela of Slightly Stoopid throughout the album. Jumping into the mix as well would be long time friend G. Love on the ballad “Wells”.
To support the release of Prove It, The Expendables continued their tenacious touring schedule with their popular yearly Winter Blackout Tour, a headlining Spring Tour, a slot supporting Slightly Stoopid and Steel Pulse on this summers, Cauzin’ Vapors tour and will be in Europe with The Mad Caddies during the fall. The band will close out the year with a national headlining run that will be sure to keep The Expendables strong hype building.
Thirteen years later, five albums down and countless miles covered The Expendables show no signs of slowing down.
Nomalakadoja
Nomalakadoja's Feel Good Music is a blend of Reggae, Punk Rock, and Island styles. Their positive lyrics and upbeat rhythms are sure to bring smiles and dancing feet. NLD is a three-piece band made up of lead singer and drummer Spencer Vantress, guitarist and backup vocalist Alex Walther, and bassist Zack Thorensen. Based out of Santa Cruz, CA, the band's mission is to bring people together through dancing, love, and unity with their never ending goal to grow as a community.
Soulwise
SOULWISE Reggae/Rock band from Santa Cruz, CA.
Cousins Sean (Vocals/Guitar) and Kevin Eichhorn (Vocals/Keys) began jamming in local garages at age 10. Music was deeply rooted in their family and the thought of forming a group was inevitable. Influenced by the surf rock scene of Santa Cruz and numerous other genres, they began to compose their own original music at an early age. Years later, while both training for professional baseball Kevin and good friend Adrian Jerome DeMar (Bass) would reconnect and the band began solidifying a path of music! The group fuses together steady and mesmerizing reggae grooves alongside flares of heavy rock and shredding lead guitar. Soulwise features a deep rhythm section of bass, drums, keys, guitar and horns. Lyrically, the songs of Soulwise are born from life experiences, inspirations, and good times that provide listeners with a dynamic mood.
In 2015 the group released their first EP "Talkin' Bout Love" that debuted at #12 on iTunes reggae releases and their recent first full length album "Good Day" debuted at #3 on iTunes reggae charts in December 2017. They have played in numerous festivals; Santa Cruz Music Festival, CruzFest, Ink at the Bay, Redwood Mountain Faire, as well as played up and down the California coast. They have also supported Jamaican greats Don Carlos, Warrior King, Jo Mersa Marley, and have shared the stage with Josh Heinrichs and Skillinjah.
Set to tour heavily in 2018, Soulwise is aimed to continue making the music that they love and looks forward to the new friends and experiences the gift of music brings about.
