Album Notes

After more than twenty-two years behind the drums, Tony Basley has moved to the front of the stage. His much anticipated solo album, Callipygous, was released in July 2007 on Kalos Records. The Bluesy-Country-Rock album has been described as: “whiskey drinkin’, butt kickin’ country.” Recording for the album began in the summer of 2006 at Soundworks Recording Studio, in Eau Claire, Wisconsin.

Callipygous includes two new versions of the songs “Heavy Duty Lover” and “What I Know Now,” which were written by Tony, and recorded on the first two EasyChair albums. Also included are covers of four 70’s classics: “Brandy (You’re a Fine Girl)” by Looking Glass, “Take a Letter Maria” by R.B Greaves, “Shanty” by Jonathan Edwards, and “Why Don’t We Get Drunk and Screw” by Jimmy Buffett. Tony wrote two new songs for Callipygous, “Angel from Hell,” and “White Trash Barbie Doll.”

The album features some hard-hitting talent. The line-up includes: Mike Schlenker and Bronson Bergeson on guitar, Ryan O’Connor and Jassen Wilber on bass, Cory Dahl on drums, Mona Rongholt-Rondeau singing back-up vocals (along with Ryan O’Connor), and Mike Vlahakis on keys. Vlahakis also engineered, mixed, mastered, and co-produced the project. Tony plays acoustic guitar on all songs, and drums on two songs.

Tony Basley began his musical career at age fifteen, playing with Rockin’ Horse, a 50’s & 60’s cover band, based in his home town of Ashland, Wisconsin. When most moms are busy hauling kids to soccer games, his mother would drive him and his drums to and from gigs. She would say he began his career at two when he would pull all the pots and pans out of the cupboards and play them like drums with wooden spoons.

Tony continued to play with numerous bands over the years, that is, until being fed up with the music business, he attempted to retire in 2001. This is when he was called to play with a new band forming to write and release an original album. Six years and three albums later, EasyChair still enjoys global success. The members have moved on to other projects, but still manage to perform together occasionally.

I addition to his musical career, Tony served eleven years as a Combat Engineer in the Wisconsin Army National Guard, ending his service in 1999 as a Staff Sergeant. He also earned a Vocational Diploma in Electronics from Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College and a Bachelor of Science degree in Management from the University of Wisconsin-Stout. He is currently a graduate student at UW Stout, with an anticipated graduation date of December 2008.