International recording and touring artists and blood brothers; master guitarist Bill Berends and drummer extraordinaire Rich Berends - known worldwide for their progressive rock band MASTERMIND - come together in concert October 24th, 2013 as "The Berends Brothers Band" along with bassist Tim Spillane. Exploring the psychedelic rock experience from the late 60's progressive blues stylings of Cream, Jimi Hendrix, Ten Years After and the Woodstock generation, evolving into the jazz-rock fusion realm of Miles Davis' Jack Johnson era and beyond, delivered with the blistering power of Mahavishnu, TheBerends Brothers Band is a musical head trip without boundaries, rooted in the most adventurous and creative era of rock music.
Along with the brother's multiple musical ventures and Bill Berends' recent critically acclaimed instrumental solo album "In My Dreams I Can Fly", Bill also performs regularly in the Philadelphia area with legendary jazz drummer G. Calvin Weston's "Treasures of the Spirit" tribute to the Mahavishnu Orchestra. Covering John McLaughlin may give you an idea of the level of musicianship involved, similar to Bill's dazzling interplay with keyboard wizard Jens Johansson (Stratovarius, Yngwie Malmsteen, Dio) on Mastermind's widely acclaimed "Excelsior!" album. To quote Chicago's Dr. Music's weekly review... "Let's just say it... this guy is as good as they get."
Drummer Rich Berends' jaw-dropping physical chops, classical training, and jazz finesse also keep him in demand around Philadelphia with various side projects, from the Philadelphia German Brass Band (recently featured at the Xfinity Oktoberfest) to the power-metal stylings of "Frost Giant". Guided by older brother Bill at an early age, Ginger Baker, Carl Palmer, Tony Williams, Buddy Rich were drilled into his head. Studying with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra percussionist and honing his jazz chops as Tony DiNicola's (Harry James Orchestra) star pupil, Rich is the supercharged engine that powers Bill's harmonic imagination. Like a force of nature, his drum solo is a crowd pleasing highlight of The BerendsBrothers live show.
Built on lifetime of playing music together, as teens in their parent's basement to stages around the world with Mastermind, the brothers Berends perform and improvise with an almost telepathic-like connection making for an exciting, fluidly dynamic, often unpredictable, and constantly evolving musical landscape where no two shows are ever exactly alike. It's psychedelic, baby!
In this special concert appearance the band is free to explore their musical vision thoroughly, unencumbered by the limits of alcohol venues. Mastermind fans also take note.. anything is possible here; you won't want to miss this show!
Bill Berends: guitar & vocals
Rich Berends: drums & percussion
Tim Spillane: bass & vocals
Admission is FREE.