Tom Culver - Cello, Violin, Vocals
Strung Out's sound all starts at Tom's fingertips. As a classically trained cellist, he is a member of the West Suburban Symphony Orchestra, Harmonia String Quartet, and There's Always Room For Cello (Cello quartet). But Tom has spent decades as one of Chicago's best bassists. For over 20 years, he's been a founding member and musical director of Chicago's premiere Blues Brothers Tribute, The Blooze Brothers. He's also played with Moco Magana, One Foot In The Groove, 5 Guys Named Moe, Midnight, 25 or 6 to 4, and many more. He's recorded with The Wandering Endorphin, Liz Mandeville, John Michaels, Sandra Lee, Dennis Daniels and others. As a middle school orchestra director, he's always trying to keep music relevant and exciting to his students. Strung Out gives Tom the opportunity to combine the music he grew up with the instrument he loves in an incredibly unique way.
Ted Spaniak - Guitar, Keyboards, Vocals
If you've ever watched A&E, Biography, or PBS, chances are you've already heard Ted Spaniak's guitar playing on a variety of soundtracks. He's also appeared thousands of times rockin' piano and guitar in clubs throughout Chicagoland as well as across the US and Canada. Spaniak sees his current incarnation with Strung Out as a sort of cosmic teaming of kindred spirits: "We all grew up listening to same music and struggling to figure out the mystery of how the pros got those sounds. It's really fun and exciting now to know that we can pick virtually any song we want and make it sound the way it's supposed to."
Check out Ted's other musical works:
Jeff James - Percussion, Vocals
Jeff is all about "Keepin' The Groove Alive". He learned this at an early age from his mentor/friend, Johnny L. Lane (Remo, Inc.) Jeff has been a sought after show drummer for the Platters, Drifters, Coasters, Diamonds, Chordettes, Marvelettes, Frankie Ford, Johnny Tillotson, The Tokens, Fabian & Wolfman Jack. He's even traded 4's with Tonight Show drummer, Ed Shaugnessy!! When not performing with Strung Out, Jeff also holds down the groove for 2 dynamic Chicago based R&B/Soul groups, TNT & The Blooze Brothers. Jeff has been performing professionally for 37 years and holds a BA degree in Music Education from Eastern Ill. Univ. "Strung Out gives me a chance to perform the music I lived, with incredible musicians who lived it too. It's Classic Rock at it's finest."
John Chisari - Bass, Vocals
John has been active on the Chicago music scene since 1975. His solid, melodic style reflect his numerous influences, like Jaco, Rocco, Chris Squire, Geddy Lee and Paul McCartney. Odds are, you've seen and heard John playing with popular club bands like Selective Recall, Souled Out, Sammy Ray & Texas Flood, New Image Band, The Karen Hart Band, Just4Kixx and Party Freak, or on his TV and radio commercial work.
Jeff Sismelich - Vocals, Guitar, Keys
Since he was 16 years old, Jeff has been continuously making music in working bands. For over 3 decades as a lead vocalist, he's played all over the midwest with some of Chicago's finest musicians. Jeff was a founding member of the Southside horn band "The Way Cool Rhythm Fools" throughout the 80's and 90's. Most recently, Jeff was the "Jake" persona in Chicago's Blues Brothers Tribute, The Blooze Brothers. His soulful voice enables him to cover many classic styles. He's played shows on the main stage at The House of Blues, Chicago Theatre, Cabaret Metro, Rialto Square and Navy Pier, as well as dozens of club and festival stages in the region. "Playing with Strung Out is the best of all worlds. Great songs, great players, and the ability to put our own spin on the music we love. People are gonna love it!"