Cobain has been obsessed with the British Invasion/Britpop Tunes of the 60’s and 90’s. As a 15 year old he began writing melodic Pop Songs eventually landing a #1 Hit Record on 3 Metropolitan College Radio Stations. Cobain decided to move to San Diego where he spent 4 years recording “Cucumber Sounds” which yielded 9 top 20 Hits om MP3.Com.
As the Top act on the Internet at the time, Cobain appeared on CBS EVENING NEWS interviewed with Billy Idol by Dan Rather. The broadcast led to 189,000 Downloads and eventually to the sale of 33,210 DAM CD’S. As the Most successful unsigned Artist on the Internet Cobain was featured in an “MP3 FOR DUMMIES” Book which led to being singed to a Record Deal with Red Raven Records.
MP3.com contacted Cobain to do a NATIONWIDE TOUR for 3 months which he regretfully declined, opting not to leave his young daughters for that length of time. He has spent the last few years working with an AMAZING bunch of muscians (Back Stage Poets) on a highly anticipated follow-up Record “WIDE AWAKE AND DREAMING” and a new BEATLE-ESQUE VIDEO “SUNDAY GIRL”.
“We’re trying to bring back meaningful Words and Music back to this ‘CURRENT’ state of music”-according to Cobain.
Lead Guitar Mark Seely
Mark Seely, otherwise known as “Reverend Riff”, is comfortable in a variety of genres and provides a diverse yet distinctive sonic signature to his many projects including the Backstage Poets. The Rev owns a playing style described by many as “eclectic and tastefully intuitive.” His range spreads from “divinely subtle to devilishly raw.”
Drums Tom Forbis
Tom is a seasoned pro drummer who has played in numerous projects and bands over the years. He is very supportive and easy to work with and will play only the best of what is needed for what the project or song intends. Tom is always willing to go the extra mile to make a project fun but professional as well. Toms sense of meter and intuitive fills make for great music with Cobain and the Back Stage Poets!
Keyboards Joe Monzo
Joe Monzo aka “monz” is a composer, Music-theorist, music software developer, and classically trained musician who is as comfortable conducting a Mahler symphony as playing in a rock band. Well-known among microtonalists for his extensive research in tuning theory, he has composed a wide variety of genres including abstract expressionism, jazz, blues, latin, rock and pop. In addition to his main role as keyboard player in the band, he also contributes imaginative background vocals and often provides the “bridge” section to Cobain’s songs.
Bass and Harmonica Wayne Guidry
Wayne Guidry is a longtime music enthusiast and guitar player who is now the dedicated Bass player for Back Stage Poets. Wayne also plays ukulele, mandolin and harmonica, and sings back-up vocals. He adds his own creative touch to the unique sound of the band.
