SLAPBACK
Slapback is a unique rock band with a funk edge, a flavor and style all their own. They are seasoned musicians who love to write, play and record music. They have a great live performance that will rock your socks off!
Steve Cole - Bass
In the music world Steve Cole is referred to as a "Monster" bass player, who has an easy feel but serious technique and chops and is very humble about his vast musical sensabilities. He started playing bass at the early age of 14. At age 16 he studied privately with Berklee graduate, Andy Bergsten for a few years, which helped him get into Berklee where he studied for another six semesters. He also taught bass for 20 years.
Steve proceeded to expand his musical knowledge by playing in bands such as cover, original, rock, big band and all the way to a jazz trio. This is what has given him such a broad horizon.
In the 90's, Steve studied with another Berklee graduate, Joe Santere, who helped push him forward and closer to where he wanted to be.
He has done numerous recording sessions, for his own bands as well as for other bands and artists.
At this point, approx. 1992, he decided it was time to start writing his own material. He wrote instrumental music as well as songs that he had other writers contribute the lyrics and melody.
In his later years, 1999, he moved to TN and hooked up with friend Michele and they started writing songs together. He found he wanted to learn more and he was blessed to be able to study under the spectacular Reggie "The teacher" Wooten, who taught the likes of brother Victor Wooten, actually all his brothers and many others known and not known so much.
In his spare time, Steve has written and recorded, "bass and drum only" original material. He now has 2 cds with much more material in the vault to record for the future.....
Steve is an integral part of this funky unit.
Steve is now co-founder and co-writer for the band Slapback.
Michele Gear-Cole - Vocals, guitar, percussion
Michele has been singing since the early age of 8. She would sing with anything that came on the radio from Motown right on to later years with Heart & Pat Benatar. From A to Z which has given her a well rounded and instantly recognizable voice.
Early on trying to sing over a guitar player, she developed nodes. She found help in Steven Rizzo, guitar & vocals for the band, The Logistics. After some time Steven moved away and Michele began taking private singing lessons from, Charlie Sorrento, Berklee professor. Later in life Michele wanted to increase her power and stamina and took a course with Cari Cole renowned vocal coach out of New York.
After high school, there were many bands, from sitting in with The Spores, a local Boston phenom, to joining bands: The Players, The States and co-founding the band Gear, in which she was blessed to work in the studio and beyond with the late Jimmy Miller, producer for the early Rolling Stones and manager - Joe Viglione. They became friends and she is still friends with Joe Vig to this day, unfortunately Jimmy Miller has passed away.
Michele has also done backing vocals for other individuals and bands, most notable, The Mighty, Mighty Bosstones.
Her stage presence is all her own. A quote from Jay Miller of the Patriot Ledger, Quincy, MA: "Michele who prowls the stage with her long Stevie Nicks-blonde mane swirling about, is a dynamic stage presence and a vocalist who holds nothing back". This was quoted in March, 1990 and still holds true in 2016.
In 1996, she moved to Nashville to, "check out the scene". Although there are an abundance of local talented musicians, she realized she was still a rock chick and that country was not her thing. She was going to move into a singer-songwriter thing, playing her guitar, but then Steve Cole informed her he was coming down and they hooked-up to play. They took their songs to a management company and were told the material was awesome but that it would only fly on either east or west coast.
They married in August of 2000 and moved back to MA. They have had a few different people in the guitar and drum spots and have finally found a twosome that want to write, arrange and play original music, which is where her heart has always been.
In January 2015, Michele started playing a little guitar and keyboard and they have now been lightly integrated into the band. She does prefer being a front person and not trapped behind any instrument.
Michele co-founded Slapback with Steve Cole. The two fell in love with each other's musical abilities, songwriting and each other, all simultaneously and the rest is history.
Michele's favorite quote is: "Music, it's not what I do but who I am".
Jerome Higgins - Guitar
Jerome began playing the guitar at the age of 14 and quickly developed a passion for the blues. He took guitar lessons sporadically, preferring to study independently and seek out advice and direction from his peers in an informal setting.
After spending some time in college Jerome took a bus from Boston to Chicago for an opportunity to see the city where so many of his idols had made a name for themselves. While in Chicago Jerome performed in the streets wherever he was able to find a receptive crowd and a place to plug in his Fender amp. While there Jerome and a partner he met at a youth hostel that was affectionately named “Fat Johnny's Last Resort”, were included on a compilation of recordings made by Chicago street performers. Unfortunately the cold Chicago winter made street performing difficult and Jerome returned home to Boston.
Jerome continued to perform in the streets and subways of Boston and also began to play for Cathedral of Life Church in Roxbury.
Jerome's musical curiosity has expanded over the years. He relishes new opportunities to grow as a musician and this desire to broaden his horizons has awarded him with a multitude of mind opening experiences.
Jerome has played with The Mid-Night Ramblers a jam-band performing a mix of covers and original music, Research and Development, a hip-hop band, The Erl sessions, a completely improvisational jamtronica band and contributed to number of other exciting projects.
Jerome contributes his energy and enthusiasm to the Slapback crew and hopes that audiences share his excitement for the music.
Tom DaSilva - Drums
Tom DaSilva has been playing drums for over 20 years.
He has studied with legendary Boston-based drummer Dean Johnston, the Boston University Marching Band and Winter Percussion Ensemble, just to name a few.
Tom is fluent in a variety of styles and enjoys listening in the same way. You can see who his influences are as you watch and listen to him play.
His influences include Carter Beauford, Travis Barker, Jose Pasillas III, David Garibaldi and Tony Williams.
His incredible ear lends to his quick song study and makes a song he has never heard before come to life in a moments notice.
He has played with artists on the east and west coasts, including The Mid-Night Ramblers, Michael Conrad, Kingdom of Funk and Hhoogg.
Tom is currently in the band Slapback where he can show his many styles and talent. He elevates Slapback and adds a dynamic stage presence which makes him so fun to watch. His energy is endless and reverberates out to his bandmates and the crowd bringing all right into the show.
He currently plays a 2003 Pearl Export with Zildjian cymbals.
Seye Akinbulumo - Sax
Seye has been playing saxophone for over 25 years.
He was a member of Brockton School Bands, both primary and secondary levels playing in the marching band, concert band, and wind ensemble, competing in regional competitions.
Also member of BCbop! A big band jazz orchestra at Boston college also competing in regional and nation wide competitions.
He became a leader of r&b and soul combos during and after college as well as member of Nyalas an Ethiopian jazz band.
He currently plays weekly at Bethlehem Apostolic Faith Church of God as part of their praise team.
He joined Slapback in the latter part of 2022, elevating them to the powerhouse Boston band they are today.
Seye plays Alto, Tenor and Soprano saxophone.