The WDW are a rock group, based out of Phoenix, AZ. Originally formed in 2004, the band consists of Travis Eaton (guitar, vocals), Louis Occhiline (bass, vocals), & Gabe Rhodes (drums, vocals).

Travis Eaton, Guitarist and vocalist, began playing music around the age of four. Originally inspired by country music, he was exposed to rock ‘n’ roll after seeing a clip of the Beatles performing “All My Loving” on the Ed Sullivan Show. When he was ten, as a tribute to the Beatles, he began performing in a band called the Moptops as well as playing classical guitar in competition for the Verde Valley Music Association. Later he found himself playing with the band Recall alongside future band member Gabriel Rhodes.

Gabriel Rhodes has been playing drums for approximately 21 years. He is the son of Arizona Blues Hall of Famer Danny Rhodes. At age 11, along with playing drums for his father, he has been part of bands Recall, Heavy Soul, and Denarius. In 2004, after having exhausted all other musical ventures, Eaton and Rhodes began playing with a friend of Eaton, Louis Occhiline.

Louis Occhiline was born into a large musical family. He started playing the bass at seventeen. There had been a shortage of bassists, so he learned the basics of the instrument. He played with Eaton in a band called Frequency Response. The band split in early 2004. Over the past few years, Occhiline has developed his music by trying to apply the bass styles of John Entwistle of The Who and Paul McCartney to his own.

They began playing in Rhodes’ garage in the summer of 2004. They quickly found a chemistry that had been lacking in their previous bands. They were united by the influences of ’60s rock as well as the ’90s alternative.

The musical collaboration of Michael Jung, (Naughty Bits) & Steve Botterweg! (Frizzy & Edgy, Major Lingo)

We can’t wait to see where this musical adventure takes us! Join us on the Spirit Room stage for some great local musicians!

Growing up with no computer, cell phone, Ipod or even a television, is just not that common anymore, anywhere, but for Tony Balbinot, bandleader and singer/songwriter, guitarist for the Cadillac Angels, that’s exactly how it was. Born in a small, rural farm town in Illinois, in a house without even a television, only a radio and an old record player, Tony’s connection to the big music world was limited to WLS Radio out of Chicago and used 45 rpm records from a jukebox in a diner where his single mother was a waitress.  Musical influences varied widely from Johnny Horton to Jimmy Reed, and when his small family packed up and moved to California the spectrum widened and bloomed.  With Tony’s growing interest in electric guitar, Link Wray, Dick Dale, BB King, and John Fogerty began to heat up his second hand stereo and his fingers.

Midwestern roots combined with a western migration spawned the guitar driven  musical and songwriting style that makes the Cadillac Angels music so special. Now, with over a million miles of touring, and over ten full length original CDs, the band has toured most of the USA and over seven countries in Great Britain and Western Europe. Their first recordings won them “Best Roots Demo” at Austin’s prestigious South by Southwest Music Conference, and their songs have been featured in major full length films as well as commercials.

The Gretsch Guitar Company recognized Tony’s talents and awarded him an artists endorsement. He was invited to perform at Gretsch’s 125th year anniversary celebration, where he shared the stage with legends, Dick Dale, Billy Gibbons, and Jimmie Vaughn.  Tony’s picture now hangs in the Gretsch Hall of Fame in Scottsdale, AZ right between Chet Atkins and Brian Jones. Not bad for a country boy from Illinois!

The Cadillac Angels have never caved to musical fads or commercial pressure. They have elected to remain a trio, feeling that the honest sound of one electric guitar, bass and basic drums best suit the integrity of their style…a style born out of the American heartland, traveling the world, yet still their music rings true Rock and Roll…American music.