No, not the actor.
JakTripper is hard to label - I guess "party band" would be an appropriate term. They are a cover band spanning music from the 50s to now, artists from Prince to Skynyd to Beatles to Coldplay to The Doors to Bob Marley to AC/DC to The Redwalls. Basically, if it is fun, party-atmosphere, rocking music - they play it. A sampling of their set list is on their webpage at this URL - http://jaktripperrocks.com/index_music.html.
Not only is their repertoire immense, these are very talented musicians! They can make the songs sound as if the original artists are playing them - if you were to close your eyes, you'd almost believe it was the original artists, but each song still has a JakTripper twist to it. And that Jak influence doesn't always come from the frontman/lead vocalist, but sometimes from the lead guitar player, the keyboard player, the drummer, the bassist. Basically, any member of the band adds a Jak influence to each song. It's like watching the classics performed true to the spirit - with a twist. And, no matter what song we are talking about - it rocks. It is impossible to stand still at a JakTripper event - and even more impossible to SIT at a JakTripper show.
I have seen these guys rock crowds ranging from the standard rockbar audience, to a local music festival, to a biker fundraiser - and regardless of the crowd - the reaction is always the same - high energy. High energy from the band - leading to high energy from the crowd.
The catalog is amazing, and just when you least expect it, the band will surprise with a song you never expected to hear. It was hard to keep track of all the instruments used by the band in single show - and almost as difficult to keep track of who played what. They have members who play acoustic guitar, electric guitar, percussion, and keys - and then even sings! They have the ultimate party-band front man who not only sings, but also plays guitar. They have a lead guitarist who can shred with the best of them - and also sings sometimes. I know they also make great use of the wa-pedal too and some voice-box as well. I'm pretty sure I also remember the drummer signing (but if not, it just shows how busy their shows can be). And they have one of those fun-to-watch bass players that doesn't just stand there in the old-fashioned bass player stereotype - this guy is just as involved as any other member. It's a 5-piece band - and every member is critical to the show. Each member even has their own personality, which adds to their amazing stage presence. Sometimes a band will have a great stage presence, sometimes great musicianship. This band has both - and lots of it! Even with all the onstage energy and fun - they still play the songs flawlessly, while adding a Jak touch to all of them.
The best way to describe them is FUN and ENERGETIC and TALENTED.
It's nearly impossible to describe this band and do them full justice. It's best to say - if you want to go out and have a fun, energetic, rocking evening - this is the band to go see!!!
JakTripper following a rocking good show at the 2014 Steger Days of Music - in the ambulance. I told you their shows were energetic!!!
(photo courtesy Rebecca Portraits)
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