Album Notes

WiseCracker is a four piece “Rockin’ Blues” band from the Pacific Northwest noted for their original music that offers a high energy blues sound. Their musical roots are buried deep in the sounds of the 60’s and 70’s, as their style blends blues, rock, swing, and jazz. Members Kris Edem, Rusty Plastic, Gene Rank and Mike Dillard combine their talents with guitars, keyboard, bass guitar, and drums to pump out their own original music.

Rusty Plastic started playing the organ for his church at the young age of 9. He began his professional musical career at the age of 14 and has played guitar or bass for a number of bands over the years. He played bass for the late Paulette Davis out of Portland in the early ‘90’s when her band was voted the Best New Artist of the Year by the Cascade Blues Association. He has worked with numerous big name bands, from The Who to Bonnie Raitt, whether as musician or sound tech for live shows or studio sessions. For WiseCracker he currently plays lead guitar, slide guitar, and occasionally the keyboard in addition to lending some cool gritty vocals. He plays, he writes, he sings. Music is in his bones…and seemingly oozes out his fingers as he plays!!

Kris Edem, songwriter and lead vocalist, played lead guitar in cover tune bands before finding her niche in studio jam bands, writing original music. She puts heart and soul into the vocals while her electric guitar adds depth to the overall sound with both rhythm and lead work.

Gene Rank cuts a cool groove with his bass lines, always playing great riffs that add more to the sound than just bottom end. He has played bass guitar for many years with the very successful local cover tune band ‘Strait Up’. He is in his element as an entertainer performing live on stage. He is as much fun to watch as he is to hear play.

Mike Dillard completes the foursome by keeping the sound together as a rock solid drummer. With a great sense of style he keeps the beat fresh and alive. Mike has played with numerous other bands, in fact he was the original drummer for the Melvins. With several cd’s under his belt from other projects he is a perfect fit for this band.