A self-taught pianist by the age of ?, Brandon Giles, is a force to be reckoned with on the keyboards. Over the years, he has developed his own unique sound by taking the influences of rock 'n' roll artists such as Elvis, Rolling Stones, The Doors, Hank Williams, Jr. and Jerry Lee Lewis and combined that musical energy with a newer, harder rocking beat. "It's kind of like Little Richard meets AC/DC on steroids," says Giles. Brandon can showcase his style best when playing his original music. However, his live shows are infused with a mix of hard rocking honky-tonk classics, electrifying blues and boogie-woogie standards which will bring the audience to their feet and leave them wanting more.
Giles was born in Magnolia, Arkansas where he lived on a farm for 18 years. Working as a child in the fields of his uncle's watermelon and pea patches, he quickly realized that his real life's ambition was elsewhere. After high school he left for Jonesboro, Arkansas where he attended Arkansas State University to study Communications and Art. While at ASU, he earned his real education on weekend visits to the clubs and honky-tonks in nearby Memphis. During this time, Brandon would make frequent appearances playing piano at Earnestene & Hazel's club. According to Giles, "I would play and sing in the saloons and the audience would tip me. It took about three seconds after that first dollar hit my pocket to realize that my pea-picking and watermelon-vine-turning days were over."
Upon graduating from ASU, Giles made the leap of faith and moved his musical career to the true Music City, Nashville, Tennessee. Not long after hitting town he landed a regular gig at Nashville s premier outlaw honky-tonk club, Laylas Bluegrass Inn on historic Lower Broadway. It was there where Brandon quickly honed his craft into what he likes to call a "crash course of honky-tonk chicken-wire, brick wall, shotgun nightclub entertaining. Forget New York City, if you can make it (or survive) down there you can make it anywhere. Layla's has always felt like home for Brandon Giles and the Tricky Two Band. It fast became one of their favorite places to play, and fans can still find them there on an occasional Friday or Saturday night, rocking the house for wondering tourists and dedicated locals.
Over the past several years, Brandon has played with many notable musicians on various projects. He has played with Les Paul in Times Square in New York City, appeared on Monday Night Football, and performed with Mickey Gilley at his theater in Branson, Missouri. Recently he has opened shows in arenas for Trent Tomlinson, War, George Jones, Trace Adkins, Darius Rucker, Juice Newton, Paul Revere and the Raiders, Joe Diffie, and Lee Greenwood. He has also played with the infamous Kid Rock and the legendary Ray Charles. Also in the fall of 2010 Brandon has been cast to star in an upcoming HBO miniseries movie titled "The Million Dollar Quartet" playing Jerry Lee Lewis.
Kermit "Thumper" Tarver
Kermit Tarver, better known as "thumper" was born in Houston, Texas. He was destined to be a musician and it showed from about the age of three. His first drum set was given to him at the age of five. Thumper started playing professionally around thirteen years of age. His first band was "the C-Bar-C" band (1983-1986) where he played around Texas, Louisiana, and Arkansas. He graduated high School in 1988, where he earned his Eagle Scout rank. From there he went to to travel with a band out of Kentucky, "Something Different" (1989-1990) through Illinois, Kentucky and Missouri. Tarver moved back to Texas and started playing drums for Ricky Lynn Gregg ('90-'91) out of Longview, Texas. This is where he also did shows with Vern Gosdin and the "Making Texas Music" singers. He has opened for Janie Frickie, Willie Nelson and appeared on Austin City Limits as well as several USO tours. As Thumper progressed musically he moved to Branson, Missouri where he landed a gig at the Ozark Mountain Jubilee Theater ('92-'93).
Just some of Tarver's accomplishments include: High School-Marching Band, concert band, and jazz band, First place winner of U.I.L. competition first place solo, Member of the National Drum Association, East Tennessee State University: Music theory, Music appreciation, CMT's, "Gone Country," Sebastian Bach, Lorenzo Lamas, Jermaine Jackson, Trent Tomlinson, John Michael Montgomery, Kentucky Headhunters, Kansas, WAR, Vince Vance, The Valianis, Brooks and Dunn, The Statler Brothers, Ronnie McDowell, Boxcar, Buck Owens, Ray Stevens, Trey Young, Tanya Tucker, Kevin Denny, David Ball, Mark Collie, Mel McDaniel and Brandon Giles.
Endorsements: PEACE drums, HOT STIX drumsticks, AMP energy drinks, and Sabian cymbals.
Steve Schuffert
Steve Schuffert, lead guitarist for "Brandon Giles & The Tricky Two" Brought to town by T. Graham Brown in 1993! As a songwriter Steve has had his songs recorded by artist such as the living legend George Jones, Kenny Rogers, T. Graham Brown, Tommy Castro and others. He also has his own band: The Steve Schuffert Band. They have amassed a large cult following in Europe over the last 10 years, releasing seven cd's and completeing thirteen major tours,accumulating over 700 shows in seven countries,including performing at the famous "Montreux Jazz Festival" in 2000. The Steve Schuffert Band's latest cd titled "7" is available via downloads at ITUNES or CDBABY.
More info and updates on SSB are available at www.myspace.com/steveschuffertband. Steve has also been featured over the years as guitarist for T.Graham Brown, playing innumerable road dates,television shows, and recording sessions with him. Steve is the newest addition to "Brandon Giles & the Tricky Two" and is thoroughly enjoying his role as a permanent fixture in the group.
Pete Tomarokos
Pete, who's family name Tomarakos means Leather Maker's, was born from Greek immigrants from the city of Nymphasia, Greece. He started his musical training at the age of 8 on the clarinet. At the age of 10 he started playing guitar and at the age of 14 started playing bass guitar. At the age of 15 he was in his first rock band and during his high school years he studied classical guitar.
After graduating high school Pete attended The Dana School of Music at Youngstown State University. As a Music Performance Major Pete studied Classical string bass, music theory, piano and music history.
After years of playing the rock scene in Pittsburgh and Cleveland, he moved to Nashville in 1993. He has performed over 700 shows in Europe since then and with artists in Nashville such as, The Steve Schuffert Band, Ray Kennedy, Steve Earle, T. Graham Brown, Stevie Wonder, Alex Harvey and Justin Moore.
Musical influences are John Paul Jones-Led Zeppelin, John Entwisle-The Who and Bob Daisly-Ozzy Osbourne. LIVE AND LOVE LIFE!!!!!!