California Son by Tripsitter

' Positive reviews in the Las Vegas City Life, College Web Magazine and other publications followed. Propelled by Jeff and Jon’s powerfully emotive singing and creative vision the group was ready to take to the stage, bringing their five-part harmonies and quirky, well crafted songs to live audiences.

Tripsitter’s debut performance was at the legendary Knitting Factory in Hollywood, Ca. for the International Pop Overthrow Festival. Says I.P.O. founder David Bash: “Tripsitter’s songs and harmonies are among the best you’ll hear.” The group became a fan favorite at the two-week pop music fest and continue to be a part of I.P.O. every summer.

Tripsitter continued to perform around California and Las Vegas, racking up appearances at the Whisky A Go-Go, the House of Blues, the Palms Resort, the Kat Klub and the Coach House where they opened for (and floored) the Little River Band. But it was their set opening for rock legends America that gave Tripsitter an entre’ into rarified company.

At that particular show the band met Billy Hinsche, a former touring and recording member of the Beach Boys. Hinshce had been with the Beach Boys for 20 plus years and immediately grasped the concept and roots of Tripsitter’s sound. He was so taken by the band’s performance and CD that he invited them to perform for the Beach Boys themselves when the state of California declared the Beach Boys childhood home a state landmark. Jon remembers: “I couldn’t breathe when I looked down and saw Brian Wilson in the first row. It was total shock because I was singing the part he originally sang!”

Hinsche was so impressed by Tripsitter that he eventually recruited the band to back up founding Beach Boy Al Jardine. It was an especially huge thrill and honor for Jeff, a life long Beach Boys fan. “It was so great. I was completely blown away by that first show.” In fact, Tripsitter still performs with Al Jardine for special appearances in Las Vegas and across the country.

Tripsitter’s second release, California Son came out in 2005. The new disc presented a more diverse sounding group of songs, from the ethereal “Divine” to the boy-meets-girl, boy-can’t-seal-the-deal lament of “Banana Split” to the title track, an homage to pop genius Brian Wilson. The core of it all, though, remains the stellar vocals and playing of the Celentano brothers and top flight musicianship of Matt Bennett (drums/vocals), Rusty Petersen (guitar/vocals) and Jared Dalley (guitars). California Son continues the string of glowing reviews, this time on a larger scale; California Son made the year-end top ten lists of several publications, including The Big Takeover, Goldmine and the Decatur (Ill.) Herald-Review.

Lately Tripsitter has been dividing their time between live performances and studio sessions. The band recently finished versions of George Harrison’s classic “Wah-Wah” and U2’s “Staring at the Sun”. Both tracks are slated to appear on tribute albums to Harrison and U2, respectively.

Tripsitter is currently at work writing songs for their next CD. The band is focused, as always, on creating impeccably crafted songs that feature their trademark vocal sound and will also include several sonic surprises. “It’s about finding new ways to tell stories and express ourselves”, says Jon. “Whether we do it vocally or with the instruments, it’s always about coming up with new ways to do things.”

Jeff adds, “We’re really into bridging the gap between our heroes like the Beach Boys, Beatles and Pink Floyd and our new favorites like Neil Finn, Ben Folds and others. The next CD is going to be something really special. We’re very excited about a lot of the new material and we can’t wait to unleash it on an unsuspecting public.”

Sonically speaking, Tripsitter is what you'd get if Brian Wilson, Paul McCartney, Freddie Mercury and Ben Folds joined forces in some strange alternate musical universe. Clearly, they look to the past for inspiration all the while keeping a close eye on the present in order to help shape their future.

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