The Little Wheels Band
The Little Wheels Band
3 albums and 162 shows together and counting.
The Little Wheels Band is a West Coast Country/Americana Band with a big sound and a downhome flair. As compelling to watch as to listen to. And really fun to dance to.
Founders Michael John Ahern and Lachlann Kane bring to the stage a decade long musical partnership sustained on vocal harmony and crafted musical arrangement. The Little Wheels Band offers a huge songlist, epic vocal harmony, a great live sound and a crafted stage performance. Sound Engineer Bo Putnam's third vocal part provides rare three part harmony while the "monstrous" rhythm section of bassist Rob Wenig and drummer Harold Ohashi drive the LWB machine, Add pedal steel guitarist Gary Chiappetta to the mix insuring that country twang is uniquely woven into the texture of everything The Little Wheels Band does and you have a unique and powerful live musical experience.
Something for Everybody
LWB is known for turning on a dime from high energy rock and roll to the syncopated, to the funky and then into straight ahead country. Milestones include over a 160 live performances in their 6 years together and sharing the stage with notable acts including Jefferson Starship, Sara Evans, David Nelson Band, and James Nash,
Notable performances include the 2005 Jerry Garcia Amphitheater Dedication Concert in SF, CA and 2 magical Main Stage performances at the HMB Pumpkin Festival. In Spring 2007 LWB released their third album (The High Road), a strong collection of studio and live tracks with two songs receiving international airplay. .
LWB records their shows thanks to the effort of band engineer and musician Borden Putnam. Some of these recordings have been posted for free download on this website.
Rob Wenig started playing bass at the ripe old age of 22. He was first captivated by the Beatles, Rolling Stones, Clapton, Allmans, and Grateful Dead and then began a lifelong interest in jazz in high school. Rob studies with the Berkeley Jazz Workshop and also plays in a trio with guitar and piano. In 1992 he began playing 6-string bass (Michael Tobias Design) after being inspired, on more than a few occasions, by Phil Lesh. Rob has also been influenced by Dave Holland, Ron Carter, Paul Chambers, Anthony Jackson, Marcus Miller, and Paul McCartney.
As a self-employed technical writer, Rob authors operation manuals for professional audio equipment. He lives in Berkeley with his wife Lisa and son, Skylar. The family cycles around town in style with their Burley bike trailer. Rob is also an avid mountain biker, riding his Yeti in Marin and to more exotic locations such as Tahoe, CO, and UT for annual adventures.
Lachlann Kane aka Plaid Man plays keyboards, sings, writes, and complains a lot. Besides being a veteran of Bay Area bands like the Usual Suspects, Strawman, Thirstn Howl, the Castaways, the Crawdads, The Webs, and The Sun Kings, he has had the pleasure of playing with Clarence Clemons, and Peter Tork from the Monkees. A Philadelphia native, he enjoys playing the funk-pop sound, and vocal doo-wop. He took his first piano lesson from a ruler-wielding nun in 1963, and has played religiously every since. Lachlann is now playing Bay Area blues haunts with the DB Walker Band.
Harold Ohashi plays drums like a rock star dedicating his waking moments to the three D’s. Drums and two other academic pursuits that good taste prevents us from listing here. This has earned him the nickname “Triple D”. Born in the state of Hawaii Harold came to California on a balsa raft barely escaping the effects of hyperthermia. Legend has it that when they found young Harold washed up on shore and shivering it was in perfect ¾ time. Harold also drums for the legendary rock band Switchblade Nixon, lives in Pacifica, CA and enjoys off-roading to places law enforcement can’t find him.
Michael John Ahern (guitar and vocals) is a California born Emmy nominated ASCAP songwriter rooted in the soft rock of the seventies. MJ has built a broad musical repertoire spanning the last century and across several genre. MJ's influences include Merle Haggard, James Taylor, Steve Goodman, Neil Young, Glenn Phillips and Adam Durtitz. MJ also tours with The Lords of Tone, a premier classic rock dance band. MJ also performs solo or in a duo with guitarist Chris Cotruvo. MJ contracts as a studio engineer and is member of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Science. Michael enjoys near shore coastal fishing, mountain biking, golfing and lives along the Pacific Coast in Northern California.
Drew Pieros is a self-taught percussionist originating from New Jersey. Trained as an alto sax player from grade school, Drew realized his true musical calling and picked up percussion while attending college (MANY moons ago), and has been playing with a diverse group of musicians ever since. Accompanying a wide range of musical styles as far flung as reggae, jazz, R&B, folk rock, funk, and experimental instrumental music, Drew's excitement and enthusiasm for the Little Wheels' music is demonstrated in every performance. Drew now plays in the Robin Campbell Band. Aside from playing music, Drew is also a Dad to two great kids, and owns his own marketing research consultancy, PRC. After living stints in NJ, Boston, Los Gatos, and Santa Cruz, Drew now makes his home amidst the lovely redwoods in Felton, CA.
Borden Putnam was the Little Wheels Band Sound Engineer for 3 years and provided vocal harmony and some great harmonica playing. Bo's musical influences are vast and rooted in classical, bluegrass, folk and rock bands of the late 60's and early 70's. Equal in passion is Bo's dedication to live sound reinforcement and the intricate science and magic involved in engineering live music from the stage to the audience. Bo now does sound for Melvin Seals and JGB and Workingman's Ed.
Gary Chiappetta is a National Treasure and a long time veteran of the Bay Area country music scene. Gary plays the peddle steel guitar bringing to the Little Wheels Band over 50 years of country music tradition. Gary is a richly textural player with an amazing ear and excellent chops.
LWB
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