Greg Haughey
Bass / Vocals
Greg is a transplant from Pittsburgh, PA where he established himself as a singer, songwriter and guitar player. He led several bands (RAOUL & THE PASSIONS, TEMPO TANTRUM) to success in Pittsburgh clubs and on the radio. He's been featured on radio programs such as Rock in Pittsburgh and Saturday Night Blues with BumbleBee Slim, and earned regular radio play with original songs such as Pink Pumps and You Say. He was also a featured artist at the 3 Rivers Arts Festival with John Lee Hooker, and has followed in the footsteps of the likes of Springsteen, Stevie Ray Vaughn and others by playing notable clubs like the Decade and Graffiti. In 1993 he moved to Dover, Delaware and re-established himself as one of the most sought after bass players on Delmarva. He currently works with as many as a half a dozen bands at a time, displaying vocal and instrumental talents in Rock, Jazz, Blues, Classical, Country and Big Band arenas.
Kiran Contractor
Drums
Kiran has been a professional jazz and blues drummer for the past 9 years. Being from Wilmington, DE he took lessons with local great Ritchie Rubini and studies music at the University of Delaware and at Temple University. Together with Mark and Greg he formed the SUPER TONICS, with the idea of stretching the blues to encompass jazz, funk, soul and rock-a-billy influences.
Mark Trotter
Guitar
Mark, born and raised in Toronto, Canada has played around the Toronto music scene with various bands for the past twenty-five years. His influences include Jimi Hendrix, Albert Collins, Buddy Guy, B.B. King and Colin James. Moving to Rehoboth Beach two years ago, Mark developed close friendships with local musicians that were interested in playing blues music.
Blending these sounds, influences, personalities and talents together result in a unique sound unlike any other on the shore. Darron Hayes, music coordinator for the Ram's Head Tavern in Rehoboth Beach looks for bands that will bring something other than the "ordinary Top 40 cover band" to the beach. "I looks for bands that play groove blues and jazz, but in a new way. I usually only book bands that do original music as well as covers so that our audiences can hear something fresh." The SuperTonics have proven to be a favorite at the Ram's Head for that reason. "They have a really unique, original sound. The lead singer's voice is great, and their stuff is new and exciting," Hayes says. The Ram's Head features live music every Thursday, Friday and Saturday night, and Sunday during brunch.
Is it the original music that is getting the most attention of all. WOCM, a AAA radio station out of Ocean City plays "music for people who like music," and that includes local artists as well as their national playlist. They have been featuring several original tunes by the SuperTonics. Deborah Lee, program music director for the station, is pleased by the reaction the music is getting. "We get calls all the time. Right now they are they most requested local band we play. I get calls from people who are going to their local record stores and looking for CDs by the SuperTonics. They call to find out where to get them"
"We are all working on something that we've never gotten to do before. Record our own music, in our own way. We want it to be right. So, we are making sure that when we have a product it is a superior one," Haughey states. Deborah Lee of WOMC gives them credit for being more than just another flash in the pan band. "These young men are intelligent and fun. We have set a very high standard for the music we play here, and they have met and maintained that standard every step of the way. I was at a music festival and heard a familiar voice coming from the stage, I turned around and it was one of the band members playing with another group. I recognized the quality immediately, because it is just that unique. These are three talented individuals coming together to make something happen, and they are causing quite a stir!"
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