A Roots Rock and Roll Band - "Spreading the Truth of Roots Rock to the Masses"

About Us

The Substitute Preachers are an eclectic Bay Area Jam Band with a mission. They are out to deliver the Good News the improvisational music is still alive and well. The players, Pistol Pete Bradt, George “Jorge The Bass Player” Nowicki, Dan “The Power Man” Powers and "Gypsy" Jack van Breen have played with everyone from well known Bay Area bands to national touring acts.

Influenced by the diverse Bay Area music scene, The Substitute Preachers are a Jambalaya of Sounds, seamlessly blending Rock, Country, Roots, Funk, Blues, Jazz, Bluegrass and Psychedelic music. Known for their bold musicianship, revamped versions of obscure songs as well as original music, their live performances usually have a few surprises along the way as well as “special guests”. www.myspace.com/thesubstitutepreachers

GUITAR – Pistol Pete Bradt has performed with could read like a Who’s Who of the Blues and Country. Delbert McClinton, Lee Roy Parnell, Bonnie Bramlett, Bekka Bramlett, Tommy Castro, Jimmy Hall, Malford Milligan, Teresa James, Jason Roberts, Rob McNelley, The Mingo Fishtrap Horns and Michael Rhodes, are some of the prominent musicians who’ve acknowledged Pete’s playing and shared the stage with him. A slide guitar student of Parnell, Pete’s been told by his instructor, “If I get sick, I’m calling you.” Pete began playing guitar more than 40 years ago. He draws inspiration from young and old alike. His soulful playing and extraordinary slide guitar keeps audiences mesmerized and dancing at the same time. The founder and leader of the Wiley Post Blues Band, he kept audiences entertained throughout the late '90s. As leader of Ray and the Detonators, he produced the band's album as well as providing musical direction and technical expertise. The album featured musical luminaries Teresa James, Kevin McKendree and James Pennebaker. www.rayandthedetonators.com/index.shtml
www.myspace.com/rayandthedetonators
guitarpete.net/index.html

BASS - George “Jorge The Bass Player” Nowicki is a Bay Area veteran multi-instrumentalist. In addition to bass he plays guitar, mandolin, banjo, and lap steel guitar. He musical flexibility has allowed him to play in many different types and styles of bands over the years, including backing up Multi Grammy Winner Ashley Cleveland. Check out www.myspace.com/georgenowickimusic for list of some of the bands George has played with. George’s bass influences are nearly endless. First drawn to the bass by John Entwistle of The Who, he quickly got into the jamming style of Jack Bruce, Chris Squire, the late great Allen Woody, the melodic playing of Paul McCarthy and Brian Wilson, the funky style of Rocco Prestia and the deep pocket of James Jamerson and Leland Sklar. When George isn’t playing the funky bottom end with The Substitute Preachers, he can be found playing lead guitar with Bay Area 60’s Party Band, The Iconics, jamming with Blues Rock Jam Band, The Usual Suspects or twanging away with the country rock band The Sushi Cowboys. In addition, George is working on a new Jam Band project called, The Dead Ducks which plays revamped versions of Grateful Dead, The Ducks (a little known, short lived Neil Young’s band from 1977), The Band, Gov’t Mule and Little Feat. George will also is recording an Instrumental Psychedelic Surf Rock album under the name of The Santa Cruzers which should be out In January 2009.
www.georgenowicki.com
www.myspace.com/georgenowickimusic
www.myspace.com/theiconicsband
www.myspace.com/theusualsuspectsjamband

DRUMS - Dan “The Power Man” Powers is a veteran of the rhythm and blues stage. He cut his teeth in the Northeast, toured the Southeast, and has been working in the California music scene for the past 18 years. He has opened for Roy Buchanan, played with Peter Tork of The Monkees, and has shared the stage with many blues greats. His "in the pocket" philosophy combined with the ability of adding color at the appropriate moments keeps his music calendar very full. In the past Dan has led his own big band and has a degree in Electronic Music Composition from the University of South Florida. When not laying down the foundation for The Substitute Preachers, The Power Man can be found sitting in Diamond Bob and The Alley Sneakers or as house drummer for a number of bay area venues. Dan counts Joe Morello, Alan White, Carl Palmer, Art Blakey, and Max Roach among his influences.
www.danpowersphoto.com
www.myspace.com/diamondbobthealleysneakers

VOCALS AND GUITAR/KEYBOARDS- "Gypsy" Jack van Breen; is also a multi instrumentalist known around town for his Guitar, Vocals, Bass, Keys, Drums and General Nonsense:. GJ (as he's randomly known by his cyber friends) has been an active participant in the local music scene for longer than most of you have been breathing. But that doesn't prevent him from an amazing amount of musical enthusiasm that provides color and flame to the many musical tribes he's been known to associate with. Sound. (Although it sometimes causes him to forget which guitar he is *supposed* to be playing) His musical experiences range from 20's ragtime to Monster Metal, with double stops many places in between. (His *other* experiences he refuses to talk about without the presence of his lawyer) During the course of his vastly varied musical career, his musical paths have crossed with many local favorites, like the Doobies, Tower of Power, and Sons of Champlin. His favorite Food Groups are Chocolate Donuts and Dr Pepper, and if he is crowned Queen he will use his title to work for Whirled Peas:) When not playing with The Substitute Preachers, Gypsy Jack can be found sitting in with top Corporate Party Band , The Silicon Valley House Rockers or performing solo acoustic sets around the Bay Area. Gypsy Jack’s solo CD “What More Could You Ask For” is available at: www.vanbreen.org/pages/GuitSlng.htm