l-r: Indiana Slim, Aubrey Hansen, Tom Hansen, Ken Ingels & Derek Soderquist
About II Big
Brand New Classic Rock!
A mainstay on the Northern California music scene since 1994, II BIG has been through various personnel changes over the years, but the original vision of founder and drummer Ken Ingels has never wavered—these guys come to rock!
Whether they’re playing a smoky little bar in their hometown of Ukiah or before 5,000 opening for legendary rockers in the outdoor theatre of Konocti Harbor Resort and Spa in Kelseyville, the dynamic fivesome puts on a show worthy of their status as regional legends. Over the course of hundreds of gigs, II BIG has opened for a veritable who’s who of classic rock: Foghat, Blue Oyster Cult, Loverboy, Grand Funk Railroad, Joe Walsh, REO Speedwagon, Ted Nugent, Jeff Healy, Creedence Clearwater Revival and Styx.
The vibe was more AC/DC and Van Halen-like in the early days with the original members, but since the Hansen Brothers, singer and guitarist Aubrey and keyboardist, guitarist and co-lead vocalist Tom, joined in the early 2000s, II BIG has drawn crowds from miles around to hear a sound that Aubrey calls “Brand New Classic Rock.” The band is huge on the festival, fair and rodeo circuit, playing everywhere from the Bay Area to Reno and Eureka, where they recently played the Live at the Boardwalk series.
“Although our audience seems to be made up of people of all ages, we’re most popular with those folks who grew up with the sounds of classic Eagles, Bob Seger and ZZ Top,” says Ingels. “When we play live, we mix in some covers with our originals, anything from Jim Croce to Eddie Money and Marshall Tucker, but whatever we’re doing, Aubrey puts a boogie on everything he plays. We’re always out there having a blast.”
Each of the five current members brings the passion and perfectionism of the other work in their lives to the incredible band chemistry. The Hansen Brothers are both stalwarts in the construction business, Aubrey a concrete foreman and Tom a sheetrock texture finisher. Bassist Derek Soderquist began playing music at 15 and originally played with II BIG circa 1995 (welcome back!), while Indiana Slim has played guitar alongside countless musical legends in his fulltime professional career. Ingels runs a vineyard business and also works with some of the region’s top musicians at his Russian River Studios; he formed the label Russian River Records in 1994 with David Raitt, brother of legendary singer Bonnie Raitt.
“Each individual member of is truly an artist in his own right,” says Ingels. “Their other specialties in life tie in perfectly with the artistry they bring to the band. But music is truly our sanctuary, and when we’re not out playing, we’re enjoying the creative energy we create in the studio. It’s just very enjoyable hanging out with these guys. When we say it’s ‘Brand New Classic Rock,’ essentially it’s about carrying forward the rich legacy of that classic sound everyone knows and loves.”
All of II BIG’s releases, including Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now, Like It II Much, II Big For The Radio,Sound Of The Highway and their latest Face in the Glass, are available via outlets like CD Baby, Amazon and The Orchard. The band also has its entire catalog of over 100 songs on iTunes.
Aubrey Hansen stands up front with his solid guitar playing and soulful vocals that can bring tears to your eyes, as well as make you get up and dance—transferring the heart of any tune right to the listener's soul.
Tom Hansen, keyboards/vocals, has performed since he was 15. He adds years of professional talent and emotional feeling to the sound of II BIG.
Ken Ingels' drumming provides a solid rhythmic foundation for II BIG's sound with a style reminiscent of John Bonham. Drummers of this caliber are one in a million!
Derek Soderquist began playing music at the ripe young age of 15, and brings a lifetime of experience to the II BIG sound. His finesse on bass even goes back to a previous incarnation of this very same band, beginning in 1995, and it's great to welcome him back!
Indiana Slim snagged his guitar snake oil juice directly from his cousin, Lonnie Mack. Fully accomplished in many musical styles from rock & roll, rock-a-billy, country and blues, he has rocked with such classic performers from Jerry Lee Lewis and Bo Diddley to Billy Idol and countless Blues Legends. He has grooved alongside numerous top bands including the Allman Brothers, the Outlaws, the Doobie Brothers, Leon Russell, and Johnny Winter.
If you havent heard II Big, the question is.. where have you been? This group has been around the music scene for alot of years and it shows in their performance. They have stellar music writing skills and work as one unit when performing for their audience. Brothers Aubrey & Tom deliver not only on their music but dynamic vocals. Slim is a show on his own, moving and grooving with the music and leading the group through several blues numbers. Derek provides a deep bass rhythm that mixes all the music together.. and providing the beat for all the tunes is drummer Ken. Derek and Ken together provide a strong baseline for the whole II Big experience.
Find them playing in local venues near you and dont miss out on seeing these talented musicians entertain! They will have you dancing and moving from the first note!
May 2008: II Big is pleased to announce
their rockin' new guitarist, Indiana Slim!!!
Indiana Slim honed his sizzling guitar and performing style in the heartland roots of the Midwest, directly absorbing first hand, the sounds of classic rock & roll, rock-a-billy, roadhouse country, and authentic blues. Throughout his career he played alongside countless rock & roll legends and classic rhythm and blues performers.
Bringing his diverse talents to the West Coast, Slim created the much accredited Top 20 classic R&B band Shakin Snakes producing and leading the band through three highly acclaimed CD's. He diversified his rootstock by creating the wild and raw juice rock-a-billy band Wine Drinkin Roosters producing two authentic "Sun Records" styled CD's much beloved by worldwide rock-a-billy fans.
Most recently, having performed with drummer, Ken Ingels, and appreciating the deep talent of II BIG with their exceptional original songwriting, vocal harmonies, and world class performing ability, Slim is more than ready to join forces with II BIG and amplify the sounds of Brand New Classic Rock & Roll!
II BIG's latest CD on Russian River Records, "Face In The Glass" features 10 songs that bring home the classic rock and roll sound that the world fell in love with.
Like the tracks on their popular previous recording, In a Mendocino Town, the songs on Face In The Glass are dynamic and new yet the vibe is comforting and familiar, with a hard rocking edge reminiscent of the classic rock we all love, laced with more than subtle hints of country and blues. Currently, six of the songs from the album are playing on over 1,700 stations around the country.
The originals range from the mid-tempo country rocker “Katrina,” which blends images of heavy weather with a love story, to the inspirational title track ballad about looking in the mirror and believing in oneself. The lone cover on the new album, the Crosby, Stills & Nash classic “Wooden Ships,” features the signature vocal harmonies that define the current sound of the band; the Hansen Brothers’ vocal textures are beautifully enhanced by those of Oakland based gospel vocalist Alfreda Lyon Campbell.
a review of II Big from the Eureka Reporter 6/14/07:
"The walking bass that is present during the opening track of “Face in the Glass” will undoubtedly remind listeners of the work of Charlie Daniels and The Outlaws, and the insistent quality of the vocals of II BIG will link them to country stars like Garth Brooks. The guitar solo that is present on the track is impressive....."
1. If I can't be your # 1
2. If Mama Don't Like It 3. She's No Stranger 4. Mendocino Town 5. Rebel (Going Home) 6. Howlin at the Moon 7. Two Hearts 8. Once Upon a Time 9. Crossroads to Hell 10. Duby's Song 11. There Came an Angel 12. Hammer Down
Remix with Bonus Tracks:
Release Date: June 24, 2005
1. Hammer Down
2. Mendocino Town
3. If Mama Don't Like It.
4. It's A Love Thing
5. She's No Stranger
6. Rebel
7. Howlin At The Moon
8. Two Hearts
9. Baby Come Back
10. In My Dreams
11. Crossroads To Hell
12. Duby's Song
13. There Came An Angel
14. If I Can't Be Your # 1
1. Sound of the Highway
2. That Kind of Neighborhood
3. Always in Trouble
4. Call on Me
5. Motor City Blues
6. I Keep Knockin
7. Two Hearts
8. Same Old Game
9. Can't Take It When You Go
10. Hammer Down
It's always a kick when '70’s rockers, shuttled more than two decades into the future, record albums that keep the old sound intact as if the world has not changed one bit. Hence, there's a playful innocence in the music of II Big, which is fronted by Eddy Ottenstein, best known as vocalist/guitarist with Jesse Colin Young/The Youngbloods and Van Morrison. A solid, hooky songwriter, he leads this five-piece outfit on fun songs that alternately invoke the spirits of Creedence Clearwater Revival and the Eagles.
On “Sound of the Highway”, the guitar riff at the beginning of "That Kind of Neighborhood" echoes an intro to a well-known song by the Cars. The spunky blues-rock of "Sound of the Highway" actually sounds like later John Fogerty, while "Motor City Blues" echoes the cool, Southern California of the '70s sound. There's a lot of grit and edge to II Big's guitar work, especially on high-stepping road songs like "Hammer Down." For the most part, these are energetic club rockers, but "Always in Trouble" opens with a blues/folk element. All of these '70s comparisons are not criticisms as much as a way to explain the old-school charm these guys bring to their music. It won't make you forget the artists they sound like, but the tight songs make it worth a spin.
~ Jonathan Widran, All Music Guide, 2002
Always in Trouble:
Release Date: 2000
1. Always In Trouble
2.That Kind Of Neighborhood
3. Can't Take It When You Go
1. Big LA
2. Temptation
3. In It For Lust
4. I Think I Like It Too Much
5. Tonight
6. On My Way
7. Don't Hold On
8. Make You Dance
9. Road To Hell
10. The Hardway
11. In My Eyes
12. Stoned Again
13. Nothing To Lose
14. Think Of Me And Smile
Ain't No Stopping Us Now:
Release Date: Jan 1, 1996
1. ANSUN
2. One In A Million
3. Baby Come Home
4. Take Me Back
5. Never Die
6. Rocker
7. Always You
8. Outside
9. It's Gonna Rain
10. Hollywood
11. Goin’ Home
REVIEW:
II BIG has a name that is befitting their sound. Their sound is very big and so are a few of their members. Two of the original members Joel and Buck Jordon are both 6'5", and the new lead singer Aubrey Hanson is 6'5" as well. Having pillars like that on stage certainly puts their name "II BIG" into perspective. The music on II BIG's first 2 CDs has a hard rocking edge to it. Anyway you look at it, this band of seasoned veterans have an across-the-board appeal that is hard to ignore.
II BIG's sound is quite diverse. That kind of flexibility enables them to play all kinds of styles of original music. It gives them a uniqueness that is rare in a world full of watered down radio friendly hits. With two brothers writing and playing together creating sibling chemistry, it allows for a nice variety of musical flavor to develop. Their listeners are the classic rock crowds that typically attend country fairs, biker runs and casinos. They feel confident that they can play any group of people their music with a positive outcome. That kind of confidence and exuberance comes straight at you, loud and clear in their music, leaving no doubt of their abilities and prowess as musicians.
On releases "Like It II Much" and "II Big for the Radio," the boys knock some heads around with crunching guitars and forceful vocals to kick it all up another notch. I have no doubt, as a satisfied listener myself, that this band will continue to stay on a creative roll and make music that will remind of my teen years growing up in the '70s and I look forward to enjoying this great music for many years to come. This is a group that you will not ever see getting II Big for their britches; they are too down to earth for that kind of attitude. If they changed their chemistry and makeup, their sound would never be the same. I do not see anything like that happening with this band; they are a bunch of guys having fun playing music and appreciate the originality of their audiences.
~ MuzikMan 2003
Contact
interested parties shouldcontact:
Ken Ingels
c/o Russian River Records
PO Box 516
Talmage CA 95481
707-468-0282
