Mark DePree

Guitar, Vocals

I started playing guitar in the church folk Mass group in the early 70s and took lessons in finger picking style guitar but like many people I learned most of what I play by getting together with other people and jamming. I find that music is a wonderful way to communicate our feelings and share emotions with others and it's a ton of fun. Through the years I have played in several bands in the West Michigan area including the folk wave band, The Willeys. I've been heavily involved with the area folk music scene for many years and also been involved with the blues and rock scene. My influences range from Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Carlos Santana, to BB King, Mississippi John Hurt, Frank Zappa and many, many more. My musical taste is all over the map. I just love good music whatever style it is. I have 5 CDs out of original and cover songs including one live CD. I have also worked as a recording engineer and producer on several local CD releases. I've been featured in many newpaper articles and on the Procol Harum web site.

www.michiganmark.com // www.cdbaby.com/cd/michganmark3

www.procolharum.com/99/awsop_depree.htm

Matthew Fouts

Bass, Vocals

Matt has performed throughout Michigan, the Midwest, and beyond since 1996, playing bass in bands such as Domestic Problems, Fancy Thermos, Grasshoppah, and Karmic. Matt has experience performing a wide range of musical styles, including jazz, rock, fusion, blues, bluegrass, and folk.

Karl Schantz

Drums, Vocals

Karl Schantz has been playing drums since he was 15, he is largely self-taught, but also took lessons from the late Rupert Kettle.  He has been playing professionally  throughout Michigan, Texas, Illinois, and California since 1994 with a variety of local and regional bands including: Sundown Syndrome, The Blues Sultans, Mercurial Son (AKA Urban Blues Union), Roberta Bradley, The Mighty Littlejohn Band, The James Reeser Band, Tailshaker, Apt. 14 (AKA Whiskey Circus), The Marc Kozak Band, The Nick Washburn Band, Harry Lucas and the Lowdown, The Hal Bevridge Band, and probably others he can't remember.  In addition to his drumming duties, Karl will be singing extensive background vocals, and will also be featured in a lead vocal role for a few tunes with Aardvark Stew.  Karl is a teacher by day, is married, and has one baby boy.

Rolly Smith

Saxophones

Percussion

Vocals

Rolly plays saxophone, percussion, keyboard, and supplies backing vocals. He has a wealth of experience performing throughout the region in various groups. In addition to The Aardvark Stew, he can been seen performing with the swing band Java Jive.

Mark Landauer

Guitar

Mark has played with original and cover rock, pop and jazz ensembles in and regionally around West Michigan since the late '70's.