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l-r: Tom Hansen, Aubrey Hansen, Ken Ingels, Indiana Slim and Roger Brouse (aka Roger Vance)
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About II Big
Brand New Classic Rock!
A mainstay on the Northern California music scene since 1994, II BIG has been through various personnel changes over the years, but the original vision of founder and drummer Ken Ingels has never wavered—these guys come to rock!
Whether they’re playing a smoky little bar in their hometown of Ukiah or before 5,000 opening for legendary rockers in the outdoor theatre of Konocti Harbor Resort and Spa in Kelseyville, the dynamic fivesome puts on a show worthy of their status as regional legends. Over the course of hundreds of gigs, II BIG has opened for a veritable who’s who of classic rock: Foghat, Blue Oyster Cult, Loverboy, Grand Funk Railroad, Joe Walsh, REO Speedwagon, Ted Nugent, Jeff Healy, Creedence Clearwater Revival and Styx.
The vibe was more AC/DC and Van Halen-like in the early days with the original members, but since the Hansen Brothers, singer and guitarist Aubrey and keyboardist, guitarist and co-lead vocalist Tom, joined in the early 2000s, II BIG has drawn crowds from miles around to hear a sound that Aubrey calls “Brand New Classic Rock.” The band is huge on the festival, fair and rodeo circuit, playing everywhere from the Bay Area to Reno and Eureka, where they recently played the Live at the Boardwalk series.
“Although our audience seems to be made up of people of all ages, we’re most popular with those folks who grew up with the sounds of classic Eagles, Bob Seger and ZZ Top,” says Ingels. “When we play live, we mix in some covers with our originals, anything from Jim Croce to Eddie Money and Marshall Tucker, but whatever we’re doing, Aubrey puts a boogie on everything he plays. We’re always out there having a blast.”
Each of the five current members of brings the passion and perfectionism of the other work in their lives to the incredible band chemistry. The Hansen Brothers are both stalwarts in the construction business, Aubrey a concrete foreman and Tom a sheetrock texture finisher. Bassist Roger Brouse (aka Roger Vance) is a full time musician who anchored the sound for many blues greats and worked with Eddie Money for 4 years, while Indiana Slim has played guitar alongside countless musical legends in his fulltime professional career. Ingels runs a vineyard business and also works with some of the region’s top musicians at his Russian River Studios; he formed the label Russian River Records in 1994 with David Raitt, brother of legendary singer Bonnie Raitt.
“Each individual member of is truly an artist in his own right,” says Ingels. “Their other specialties in life tie in perfectly with the artistry they bring to the band. But music is truly our sanctuary, and when we’re not out playing, we’re enjoying the creative energy we create in the studio. It’s just very enjoyable hanging out with these guys. When we say it’s ‘Brand New Classic Rock,’ essentially it’s about carrying forward the rich legacy of that classic sound everyone knows and loves.”
All of II BIG’s releases, including Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now, Like It II Much, II Big For The Radio and Sound Of The Highway, are available via outlets like CD Baby, Amazon and The Orchard. The band also has its entire catalog of over 100 songs on iTunes.
Aubrey Hansen stands up front with his solid guitar playing and soulful vocals that can bring tears to your eyes, as well as make you get up and dance—transferring the heart of any tune right to the listener's soul.
Tom Hansen, keyboards/vocals, has performed since he was 15. He adds years of professional talent and emotional feeling to the sound of II BIG.
Ken Ingels' drumming provides a solid rhythmic foundation for II BIG's sound with a style reminiscent of John Bonham. Drummers of this caliber are one in a million!
World Class Bassman, Roger Brouse, aka Roger Vance boldly delivers mighty electric Bass Tones and provides a fierce musical foundation. Having years of extensive performing and touring throughout the U.S. and Europe, he deeply anchored the sound for many Blues Greats such as John Lee Hooker, Luther Tucker, Mike Bloomfield, Lowell Fulson, Ron Thompson, and Indiana Slim. As a renowned Bassman he expanded his talent and ignited the sounds of top acts Eddie Money, The Coasters, and a multitude of other well known performers.
Indiana Slim snagged his guitar snake oil juice directly from his cousin, Lonnie Mack. Fully accomplished in many musical styles from rock & roll, rock-a-billy, country and blues, he has rocked with such classic performers from Jerry Lee Lewis and Bo Diddley to Billy Idol and countless Blues Legends. He has grooved alongside numerous top bands including the Allman Brothers, the Outlaws, the Doobie Brothers, Leon Russell, and Johnny Winter.
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ON STAGE: Aubrey, Tom, Ken, Roger, & Indiana Slim
more images of the band performing live in our II Big Gallery
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Video:
click here to watch II Big on youtube
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What's New
May 2008: II Big is pleased to announce
their rockin' new guitarist, Indiana Slim!!!
Indiana Slim honed his sizzling guitar and performing style in the heartland roots of the Midwest, directly absorbing first hand, the sounds of classic rock & roll, rock-a-billy, roadhouse country, and authentic blues. Throughout his career he played alongside countless rock & roll legends and classic rhythm and blues performers.
Bringing his diverse talents to the West Coast, Slim created the much accredited Top 20 classic R&B band Shakin Snakes producing and leading the band through three highly acclaimed CD's. He diversified his rootstock by creating the wild and raw juice rock-a-billy band Wine Drinkin Roosters producing two authentic "Sun Records" styled CD's much beloved by worldwide rock-a-billy fans.
Most recently, having performed with drummer, Ken Ingels, and appreciating the deep talent of II BIG with their exceptional original songwriting, vocal harmonies, and world class performing ability, Slim is more than ready to join forces with II BIG and amplify the sounds of Brand New Classic Rock & Roll!
Visit II Big's MySpace page!
Upcoming (and recent) Concert Dates:
Dance/benefit
May, 3 2008 06:00 PM
Harwood Hall, Harwood Drive,
Laytonville, California 95482
- $10.00
Dance Party
June, 1 2008 06:00 PM
Recreation Grove
Willits, California 95482
- $10.00
Birthday Party/Dance
June, 21 2008 03:00 PM
Moon Man Party
76976 Tabor Lane, Covelo, California 95428
Dance
July, 18 2008 09:00 PM
Konocti Harbor Resort and Spa
8727 Soda Bay Road, Kelseyville, California 95451
Dance
July, 19 2008 09:00 PM
Konocti Harbor Resort and Spa
8727 Soda Bay Road, Kelseyville, California 95451
Past Appearances, 2007
II BIG appeared at the Mendocino County Fair
Rodeo Dance, Boonville, CA. Sept 15th. 9pm
II BIG appeared at the Navarro Store
on Hwy 128 in Navarro, CA. Sept. 30th, 2pm
II BIG's latest CD on Russian River Records, "Face In The Glass" features 10 songs that bring home the classic rock and roll sound that the world fell in love with.
Like the tracks on their popular previous recording, In a Mendocino Town, the songs on Face In The Glass are dynamic and new yet the vibe is comforting and familiar, with a hard rocking edge reminiscent of the classic rock we all love, laced with more than subtle hints of country and blues. Currently, six of the songs from the album are playing on over 1,700 stations around the country.
The originals range from the mid-tempo country rocker “Katrina,” which blends images of heavy weather with a love story, to the inspirational title track ballad about looking in the mirror and believing in oneself. The lone cover on the new album, the Crosby, Stills & Nash classic “Wooden Ships,” features the signature vocal harmonies that define the current sound of the band; the Hansen Brothers’ vocal textures are beautifully enhanced by those of Oakland based gospel vocalist Alfreda Lyon Campbell.
a review of II Big from the Eureka Reporter 6/14/07:
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Recordings
Enjoy samples from II Big recordings!
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You can also buy any of the following CD titles or tracks from:
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Face in the Glass:
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REVIEW of Face in the Glass:
"The walking bass that is present during the opening track of “Face in the Glass” will undoubtedly remind listeners of the work of Charlie Daniels and The Outlaws, and the insistent quality of the vocals of II BIG will link them to country stars like Garth Brooks. The guitar solo that is present on the track is impressive....."
read the complete review at: neufutur magazine
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In A Mendocino Town:
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- If I Can't Be Your #1 [MP3]
- If Mama Don't Like It [MP3]
- She's No Stranger [MP3]
- Mendocino Town [MP3]
- Rebel (Going Home) [MP3]
- Howlin at the Moon [MP3]
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In A Mendocino Town |
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Remix with Bonus Tracks:
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Sound of the Highway: |
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Sound of the Highway EP>>>>
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Always in Trouble: |
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Ain't No Stopping Us Now: |
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- Baby Come Home (Track 03) [ra]
- Never Die (Track 05) [ra]
- Rocker (Track 06) [ra]
- It's Gonna Rain (Track 09) [ra]
- Hollywood (Track 10) [ra]
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Like it too Much: |
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- Big L.A. (Track 01) [ra]
- In It For Lust (Track 03) [ra]
- I Think I Like It Too Much (Track 04) [ra]
- Don't Hold On(Track 07) [ra]
- In My Eyes (Track 11) [ra]
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Appearances
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(we repeat!)
Upcoming Concert Dates:
Dance Party
June, 1 2008 06:00 PM
Recreation Grove
Willits, California 95482
- $10.00
Birthday Party/Dance
June, 21 2008 03:00 PM
Moon Man Party
76976 Tabor Lane, Covelo, California 95428
Dance
July, 18 2008 09:00 PM
Konocti Harbor Resort and Spa
8727 Soda Bay Road, Kelseyville, California 95451
Dance
July, 19 2008 09:00 PM
Konocti Harbor Resort and Spa
8727 Soda Bay Road, Kelseyville, California 95451
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Contact
interested parties should contact:
Ken Ingels
c/o Russian River Records
6401 Old River Road
Ukiah, CA 95482
707-468-0282
email
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