Bands without Borders Featuring:Brother Shamus + The Weathervanes + Half Brother February 2, 2011

M. Todd Miller (lead vocals, guitar)
Michael “Todd” Miller was born January 5, 1974 and has lived in the Northern Virginia area ever since. He started playing drums and guitar at age 13. At age 18, Todd started playing professionally in clubs and bars in the DC Metropolitan area, in some cases using fake identification when necessary. Though being a drummer, Todd has always been a lyricist/songwriter for each of his projects: (Flood Thought, Bunsen Honeydew, and Lamont). Todd has also played and/or recorded with other projects such as: (Lucky Dog, Mike Holden, Steve Hagadorn, Claire Gilbride, The Pharmacy Profits, and April Park Theory). Brother Shamus is the first project that he has been the guitarist/front man for - now playing and singing the songs he has written. “It’s much more natural to sing and play songs you’ve written yourself as opposed to trying to write for someone else and/or trying to ‘feel’ what someone else has written for you. Brother Shamus allows me, for the first time, to completely be myself style-wise, the way I am. So that’s it. All you’re going to get. Hope you enjoy.” His influences include Tom Waits, Otis Redding, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Thelonius Monk, Tom Petty, and Medeski, Martin, and Wood.

James Main (percussion, vocals)
In 1995, James Main relocated to Arlington, VA from New England to join the band Bunsen Honeydew; this is when he and Todd Miller began playing music together. After a year (Bunsen Honeydew had ended), Main helped form another indie/punk bank Luka Brazzi. In 1999, Main left Luka Brazzi and joined Miller full-time in the acid/funk band Lamont, which was together for 7 years. Lamont released their record “Rooster Rickshaw” in 2000, around the same time Main joined Miller and bassist Rich de los Reyes in the funky party band Lucky Dog. In early 2001, Lucky Dog became the house band at Madam’s Organ, a popular DC music venue. In early 2004, with Lucky Dog on an extended hiatus and Lamont disbanded, Main and Miller began rehearsing several songs written by Miller. Rich De los Reyes and Eddie Hartness joined the duo 3 months later and Brother Shamus was formed. Along with playing in Brother Shamus, Main continues to play in Lucky Dog and the occasional Lamont reunion.

Aaron Keener (guitar)
Aaron Anthony Keener’s interest in the guitar began when he was a child, and upon receiving his first guitar at 14, he was hooked. He taught himself the guitar, listening to the greats and eventually made his way into local bands in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area. His calling lead him to study music at McLennan Community College in Waco, Texas, where he earned two degrees in three years, graduating in May of 2000: Associate of Arts and Sciences in Music Performance and Associate of Arts and Sciences in Audio Production. While attending McLennan, he also began to teach at local music shops and was a member of the Jacob Jiles Band, which performed all over Texas and was heard on radio and TV. After graduating, Aaron worked as an engineer and session musician for recording studios in Texas alongside Grammy winning musicians. He also continued to teach at performing arts schools. In 2005, Aaron began teaching independently, at his home studio, and continued playing in local bands. In 2006, Wiseguy, a trio for which Aaron played lead guitar, was granted the prestigious award of Best Band of the Bay in Houston, Texas. In August of 2006, Aaron moved to Arlington, Virginia, where he continues to record and teach music.
http://brothershamusmusic.com/intropage.cfm

HALF BROTHER is a punk, alternative, progressive, and classic rock group; based around Alexandria, Virginia. The band was originally formed in the summer of 2009 by Erik and Jack, however, their first performance wasn't until January 21, 2010; when Half Brother won their school's talent show. They write, perform, and record their own music.

In September 2010, Half Brother released a full length studio album, recorded at Hit and Run studios, produced by Steve Carr. The following December, Half Brother performed at the 9:30's 'next big thing tour.'
http://de-de.facebook.com/group.php?gid=118825698183

Official Website: http://www.jamminjava.com/