Biographies
Band Bio
Ahh... where to begin? Shrimp Jambalaya is a group of good friends who met in the Fall of 2007 at 1211 Linden St. in Scranton, PA. Tommy (guitar, vocals) and Doane (guitar, backing vocals) lived at 1211 while attending school at the University of Scranton. Tommy was fiddling around on his axe when Maccone (drums) and DJ (bass, backing vocals) came by the house. The guys were relaxing and watching the fish tank in the attic when Maccone spotted a tune that Tommy was playing. One thing led to another and before long Tommy, Doane, Maccone and DJ were jamming regularly in the attic at 1211.
For over a year the band played in the attic; often in front of a crowd of supporting friends. Jamming alone was a blast for the guys, but they decided to apply for the 2009 Battle of the Bands down there at "Da U". Before recording they decided that the former band name, "Attic at 1211", would have to go. Luckily, the group had an epiphany over a pre-jam dinner of Mr. Vanella's (father of close friend and housemate Matt Vanella) delicious shrimp jambalaya. "Jambalaya!", one of them exclaimed. "Shrimp Jambalaya!", another retorted, and the name stuck.
They came in second place in 2009 and took home the University of Scranton Battle of the Bands Title in 2010.
The guys in Shrimp Jambalaya are down with having some fun and playing music so you'll never see them refusing a chance to play, whether it be at a bar or just in the backyard. Currently the band is in full swing, pleasing audiences with great tunes encompassing genres from rock & roll and blues to reggae and punk. If you're in the area and you want to have fun and hear some good music, come get a taste of Shrimp Jambalaya!
For over a year the band played in the attic; often in front of a crowd of supporting friends. Jamming alone was a blast for the guys, but they decided to apply for the 2009 Battle of the Bands down there at "Da U". Before recording they decided that the former band name, "Attic at 1211", would have to go. Luckily, the group had an epiphany over a pre-jam dinner of Mr. Vanella's (father of close friend and housemate Matt Vanella) delicious shrimp jambalaya. "Jambalaya!", one of them exclaimed. "Shrimp Jambalaya!", another retorted, and the name stuck.
They came in second place in 2009 and took home the University of Scranton Battle of the Bands Title in 2010.
The guys in Shrimp Jambalaya are down with having some fun and playing music so you'll never see them refusing a chance to play, whether it be at a bar or just in the backyard. Currently the band is in full swing, pleasing audiences with great tunes encompassing genres from rock & roll and blues to reggae and punk. If you're in the area and you want to have fun and hear some good music, come get a taste of Shrimp Jambalaya!
Individual Bios
Tommy Gibney - Guitar, Vocals
Hailing from Bloomfield, NJ, Tommy plays guitar and sings for Shrimp Jambalaya. He graduated from the University of Scranton in 2009 with a B.A. in Communication, but he prefers to exercise his B.A. in Face Melting on the weekends. He plays and swears by his blue Fender HSS Stratocaster. Tommy's favorite bands are Sublime, Led Zeppelin, Slightly Stoopid, The Bouncing Souls and Bruce Springsteen. His style of play, which is heavily influenced by blues and reggae, has been called melodic and well-structured. Tommy's major influences are Bradley Nowell, Bruce Springsteen and BB King. If you listen closely you'll hear that he tries to incorporate classic rock techniques with contemporary creativity in his solos.
Mike Doane - Guitar, Backing Vocals
Mike Doane is the bands primary rhythm guitarist and sings back-up vocals. Although it is a rare occurrence, he has been known to sing lead vocals from time to time. Mike is born and raised in White Plains, NY, and met the other Shrimps while attending school at Da University of Scranton. He recently graduated with a degree in accounting and will be attending Da U in the Fall for their MBA program. Mike plays a Black, 1980s Fender Stratocaster. His primary influences include The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Oasis, Sublime, Eric Clapton, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Lady GaGa, Dr. Dre, Green Day, and a plethora of other artists. Outside of the band, Mike enjoys Pittsburgh Steelers Football, turtles, drinking (bro), and the occasional video game. You'll find his style of play remarkably similar to that of an early George Harrison; creative, fierce and outlandish (at times) but still completely beautiful.
DJ Murray - Bass, Backing Vocals, Trumpet
Straight out of Little Falls, NJ, DJ plays perhaps the most underestimated instrument in history; the bass. Nothing else commands the rhythm of a song quite like a smooth, heavy bass-line. DJ is influenced by a ton of genres from reggae to rock to punk. You'll find his style of play to be quite unique and mesmerizing. He arrives to the show, sets up his 300 watt (and still not big enough) amp, plugs in and is ready to shake the walls. If you come to see DJ rock the bass you'll be lucky if your internal organs remain stationary. He loves Bob Marley, The Expendables, The Beatles and a bunch of other bands. Come get a load of DJ and soak in the grooviness.
Mike Maccone - Percussion
Irrefutably the most fit out of all the band members, Maccone drums so ridiculously fast and hard he gives himself a workout. Despite the fact that his drumming sometimes forces his bandmates to wear earplugs, he remains an integral part of the band. Deeply rooted in punk rock (minus the amphetamines), Maccone's drumming style is in your face and impossible to ignore. However, on a whim, he will lay down an elusive groove that drives the song without you even knowing it. Broken sticks, profuse sweating, lightheadedness and busted ear drums are all common side-effects of Maccone's drumming. He loves Sublime, The Bouncing Souls, The Beastie Boys and Against Me!. Simply put, you gotta check out this kid from Sayville, NY.
Brian Hurley - Trombone & Honorary Band Member
Meet Brian Hurley, the freshest of all the Shrimp. From Buffalo, NY, Brian occasionally plays trombone for the band. With roots in jazz, he is a member of the University of Scranton Jazz Band which tours the country. He has an affinity for ska and reggae and is a great fit for Jambalaya. Look for him at shows in Scranton pleasing the crowd with his brassy improvisations.