User:RABurris/Sumac the band

Sumac is a rock n roll band from Troy, New York. The band is Jeff, Justin, Rob, Daryl, and Ron. The band began in 2006 with Jeff as solo singer / guitarist. Within a few years the band developed into a five piece featuring two guitars, bass, keys and drums with all members singing and writing. As of May 2009 they have released countless CD-R’s and are working on their first official release for early 2010.

Jeff Burger – vocals and guitar, Daryl LaCasse – guitar, Justin (Jman) Birk – electric bass and vocal, Rob Jonas – keys, Ron Burris – drums

Band Bio:

Sumac began in the summer of 2006 as a vehicle for songwriter Jeff Burger. After working The local alt country radio show “Sunday morning coming down” for WRPI 91.5FM. Jeff rolled up his sleeves and began working on songs that he would play for some small shows under the moniker Mr. Chesterfield. Jeff then began the band Jackinany, which played around the Northeast for the better part of 4 years. Jackinany has played on stage with the likes of Hayseed, The Pernice Brothers, Barn Burning, Charlie Louvin, Coal Palace Kings, Knotworking, Fred Eaglesmith etc…This went on for a few years until Jeff crossed paths with Justin a brassy sax player who dabbled in playing bass. I guess Jackinany ran its course.

The duo began writing songs and seeking a drummer so they could now play their new material. The duo also felt that they needed a new moniker. Feeling that monikers were not what they were looking for, they imagined that they were in a band and should think about band names instead.

Jeff and Justin were drinking, writing and discussing how they could make this project grow. Feeling that the songs were new and yielding tasty riffs that were scrappy in nature and that’s when the name Sumac dawned on them. From that day forward Jeff and Justin were in a band called Sumac, they just had to find band mates.

Playing with several incarnations over the years with help from all sorts of talent Jeff found himself still looking for more to add to there folksy sound. Adding Keys would do this so Jeff went and found keys player Rob. Still seeking something more in the summer of 2008 Sumac added guitarist Daryl who the group met while he was doing his internship for teaching at the same school were both Jeff and Justin worked as teachers as well. Sumac was now playing standing room only shows with band like “Frog Holler” from Philly, and the “Grainbelt” from New York, but something was still just not right.

In April of 2009 Daryl contacted his friend Ron who he knew had played drums in the past for heavy rock bands but felt that his playing might be what the group was looking for. After a few jam sessions they agreed to finalize the band by adding Ron on the drums.

In June 2009 Sumac began recording their first effort to be released in early 2010 

http://crumbs.net/radio/episodes/cafe069.mp3