bio

JACK HAYES - Lead Guitar / Vocals
After taking lessons for just a couple of years as a young child, Jack developed as a self taught rock and blues guitarist. His benchmark for his distinctive style of guitar playing reaches back to the innovative blues and rock solo's of Eric Clapton and Jimi Hendrix during the late 60's. Other inspirations for him were the Beatles, the Byrds, the Yardbirds, the Moody Blues, and Jethro Tull. Driven by these inspirations, he played in several bands as a teenager, but quit playing at the age of 19 to pursue other interests.

In the late 90's, after putting together an impromptu band for his high school reunion, Jack decided that he had more playing (on a live performance level) left in his blood, and shortly thereafter formed the band Stratus Phear. In the years that things came together with Stratus Phear, Jack has developed his unique blend of rhythmic, soulful, and bluesy manner of playing to culminate in a style totally suited to the music that Stratus Phear plays today. Jack is very grateful to have become acquainted with Scott, Ted, Marianna and Bill; and is now having a great time

BILL HARRIS - Bass Guitar / Vocals
Bill Harris grew up in Detroit, Michigan listening to Motown and other American popular music. But it was the English invasion that inspired him to pick up a guitar and learn how to play his favorite songs on the radio. While living in Denver before moving to New Mexico, Bill owned and operated an entertainment company that provided services to a wide range of clients.

Bill has played in a variety of bands, playing all kinds of music, but the classic rock and pop from the 60s forward remains the kind he loves to play best of all. That's why he was delighted to discover that Stratus Phear was looking for a bass player, and why he is most at home laying down that solid bottom end and harmonies for the band.

MARIANNA KLEIN - Vocals
Marianna Klein, who grew up in the middle of nowhere in Indiana - a
small town called New Castle - came from a large family of 6 brothers
and sisters. All of whom sang or played musical instruments. Every time
they got into the car they started singing. Her father, who himself was
a very good singer, had a recording contract in Nashville. However, he couldn't stand being away from his family so he ended up coming back home. Her dad, two sisters and Marianna herself, sang every Sunday at mass from the time she was 12. Marianna later sang in school, Concert Choir, Swing Choir, and musicals.

She moved out to Albuquerque at age 19, got an agent at 25, but didn't end up hitting the big time. However, the agent did get her in touch with her first band, Belle Star, and that band played together for 4 years. They dissolved around the time she adopted her first daughter. Shortly after that, she and her husband adopted their second daughter. This put the music on hold for awhile.

Years later, she was belting out some great tunes (unbelievable!) at a
Karaoke bar which caught Jack's eye (and ear), and the rest is history.
Stratus Phear is very grateful for having discovered her at a time when
she was ready to start singing again.

TED GUNTHER - Keyboards / Vocals
Coming from a musical family, Ted started out playing classical music on the family piano and watching his older siblings perform in bands. He taught himself rock and roll licks by playing along with his favorite songs, and was eventually recruited to play keyboards for a local group.

That set him on his musical path, and over the years he has performed with a variety of working bands at many different clubs, casinos and festivals throughout Colorado and New Mexico.

Ted also enjoys singing and contributes lead and backing vocals to the band.

DOUG BOND - Drums
Doug's first gig was "Little Drummer Boy" in second grade of elementary school. After playing in local bands in high school at the Moose Lodge, He graduated and moved from Virginia to Florida and began opening shows for the likes of Gary Wright and Peter Frampton.

He played in a show band (The Ronnie Barron Show) touring the Southwest including Nashville's Famous Printer's Alley. Leaving that band in Albuquerque; He has played in local blues, rock, country, and reggae bands.

Recently while trying to put a band together, one of the members sent him some videos of the competition. One of the videos was of Stratus Phear, He really liked that band and said to himself, "I wish I was playing in that group". As fate came to be, Doug's band broke up and Stratus Phear just happened to be looking for a new drummer. Doug secured an audition with them, and now looks forward to being Stratus Phear's drummer.