Biography | The Brian Odell Band is Brian Odell, Joe Ebner, Nick Clearwater, Mattie Hancock, Mike Yesenofski

The Brian Odell Band Is:

(from left to right)

Mike Yesenofski - Lead Bass Guitar, Low End Groove
Mattie Hancock - Lead Drummer, Backing Vocals
Brian Odell - Lead Vocals, Accoustic & Electric Guitars
Nick "DJ Soul Shaker" Clearwater - DJ, Turntables, Percussion
Joe Ebner - Lead Guitar, Backing Vocals

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Brian Odell

Brian Odell first picked up a guitar in the fall of 1995 during his sophomore year of High School. He had been actively participating in school choirs since grade school but this was his first experience with an instrument. With no previous experience and only minimal instruction from friends, Odell has become a self-taught guitar wonder boy. He does not read nor write music in the traditional sense, instead uses tablature, a graphical representation of the guitar strings and frets. The music comes from his soul, with honest lyrics that strike deep. "Whatever song I'm singing, I try to remember the feelings I had when I was writing it. I try to bring those emotions out in my performance".

With influences ranging from Dave Matthews Band to Green Day and James Taylor to Jack Johnson, Odell has created a musical lifestyle and future for himself. Brian has recorded two independent CDs and has sold a little over 2000 to date. His song topics include love, heartbreak, internal struggle and good times with friends. With his laid-back, trusting and sensitive manner he presents a serious and engaging stage presence that continues to capture each audience he finds himself performing for.

Nick "DJ Soul Shaker" Clearwater

a.k.a. The Soulshaker, grew up with music as a keystone to his childhood. He could often be found banging out the rythyms on the nearest pot, pan, and table top. Around the time of his sixteenth birthday his parents finally decided to give him a more traditional forum. With his first full drum kit in his possession, Nick's interest in music reached new heights. He started listening to more electronic music from artists like: Chemical Brothers, Fatboy Slim and Prodigy. Shortly thereafter, he found himself enjoying the offerings of the house music scene and DJ mixing. Nick finally acquired a pair of turntables during his junior year at Linfield College in McMinnville, OR.

Initially, he focused only on mixing house music. When he began offering his services as a DJ to the numerous house and frat parties he became more exposed to hip hop and Top 40. Nick found himself adapting his stylings on the turntables once again after graduating from Linfield and being introduced to Portland, Oregon singer-songwriter, Brian Odell. The two started experimenting with mixing two musical styles normally not combined. As the two polished their sound, The Soulshaker began performing shows with Odell at various Portland venues.

Joe Ebner

Joe Ebner has played guitar for 20 years, getting his start in the Phoenix music scene where he quickly came to prominence. His unwavering love for music led to the formation of many cover and original bands in the Phoenix and Portland metro areas. "Music has always been my medicine, my love, my life. I can't imagine a life without it," Joe was quoted to say. And his move to Portland, OR only served to intensify his relationship with music.

Since coming to Portland, OR several years ago, Joe has focused equally on cover bands and original bands and worked as an on-site guitar instructor.

Joe has always found himself playing rock guitar in everything from hard rock to grunge/alternative to acoustic rock cover and original bands. He's played live at numerous parties, corporate events, clubs, and weddings to name a few. After only a few years in Portland, Joe has been seen in Salem, Vancouver, Seattle, Tacoma, Hillsboro, Beaverton, and of course, Portland.

Mattie Hancock

A veteran to the NW music scene for 25+ years, Mattie has established himself as one of the most sought after live and recording drummers. Combining a rock background with elements of jazz, fusion, calypso, carribean, house and two-step, Mattie is able to provide the foundation for the Brian Odell Band. Standing at 6'5" and with a panoptic wingspan, Mattie prides himself on rendering his drumkit "un-playable" to other drummers.

Employing a monster double bass drumkit with electronic sampling allows Mattie to promulgate ANY percussion sound. When scheduling allows Mattie does freelance studio work and live shows as a hired gun.

M@ttie has done nearly 4 national tours, extensive regional tours and has played in Western Europe. This includes many music festivals and fly-out shows.

Mike Yesenofski

Mike "The Hurricaine" Yesenofski is a dentist by day, and musician by night. He has been playing and writing music ever since he first picked up his big brothers electric guitar in grade school. Inspired by the guitar virtuosos of the 1980's and the big hair bands of the day, Mike spent countless hours blasting the stereo in his bedroom and playing along to the music. In High School he took classical guitar lessons and also began recording music with his friends. In College Mike continued to play music with bands in Portland and also recorded, engineered, and produced multiple albums out of his home studio.

In 2005 Mike picked up the bass guitar to join the local band Runaway Norm, and released the album "Undercover From Daylight" with the band. Mike has been playing with the Brian Odell band since 2010 and contiunes to enjoy playing live shows and writing music.

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