Lead and backup vocals
Vocal tracks are laid down by Jason who is small in stature but has an incredible gravely tone and pitch that will bring Layne Staley from "Alice and Chains" and Eddie Vedder from "Pearl Jam" to mind.
Past projects include Deep Down Inc. DDI was nominated as a finalist in the Texans' House Band search of 2006 and performed in front of 8000 people at Reliant Stadium. Decembcer 2006 DDI performed at SPI Rockfest and scored 6th out of 34 bands. This contest was judged by MTV.
Lead Guitar, Backup Vocals
I got my first guitar in middle school. I played it every chance I got. It was an acoustic and then in High School I got an electric, it was not much to look at but, who cared it was electric. I had my first band in 1984 we were called Irridium. We played Heavy Metal covers and lots of original garage band type music. At that age that's about all you can do. After college in 1992 I moved to Austin the "Live Music Capital of the World", I have been playing both studio and live performances ever since. I have played in many, many bands but, this is the first band I have devoted my love of the 80's to.
I love old school Metal, Rock and lots of the great pop songs of the 80's. If I could I would travel back in time and live in the decade of the 80's for as long as I stand it.
When I am not playing music I love to get away to Colorado or New Mexico and ski in the winter. I am a animal lover, especially dogs. I like people who are intellectual and have a love for athletics.
My favorite memory is jumping around my room with my mom's broom pretending I was Ace Frehley from Kiss. I always got in trouble because when I put the broom back I had worn away half of the straw. My favorite bands from the 80's were Poison, Skid Row, AC/DC, SRV, and many , many others......
BASS/VOCALS
I'm Mark Rutledge, bass player from Sugar Land, Texas. For as long as I remember I have lived and breathed anything music……from the Tuba in the Clements High School marching to band to all the years on the bass guitar. I have had a long, wonderful journey playing bass in Heavy Metal, Country Western, Funk, Blues, Zydeco, Reggae and calypso bands all over Texas and Louisiana. I even played in a couple of bands on Carnival Cruise Lines.
Now I have found myself in a situation where I feel I was destined to be! Playing with 80 Proof is an awesome adventure. It's like being in a time machine and I get to go back to a time when music was truly music…..the glorious 80s!!!
Music influences include: KISS, OZZY, Motley Crue, Quiet Riot, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, and the list goes on and on!!!
Keyboards
played keyboard since I was 13 years old (that was in the last century). Styles played: classic rock, heavy metal, R&B. Worked as a professional musician back in USSR in a heavy metal band (Cinderella type music) for a couple of years. In 1991 participated in a Nazareth concert within the cover band in St. Petersburg, Russia. In the US (Houston area) played in different cover bands. Instruments played - keyboards of any type.
Drums and Percussion