Rubber Soul - The Band

When musicians list their influences, the Beatles are rarely overlooked. Electric guitar, bass and drum sales exploded when the Beatles hit the scene (and hair began to grow!). Pop music as we now know it was literally "created" by the Beatles, and they were the first to play in stadiums and rely on videos rather than live performances. The quality of the songs they wrote overshadowed everything else in popular music at the time, and they still sound fresh today. It's no wonder that so many contemporary bands continue to imitate their songwriting style.

Rubber Soul is a celebration of the Beatles' music, but its performances include much of the visual imagery of the Beatles. Using accurate reproductions of the gear used by the Fab Four - Gretsch, Hofner, and Rickenbacker guitars, Vox amplifiers, and an original 60's Ludwig drum set - Rubber Soul recreates the Beatles' sound and the excitement of a Beatles concert. Stage banter is done with British accents, and costumes range from the black turtlenecks and jeans favored by the Fab Four in their early days at Liverpool’s Cavern Club to the famous velvet-collar suits as seen on that famous Ed Sullivan show in 1964, as well as military-influenced Shea Stadium jackets from the 1965 tour.

Rubber Soul, named after a favorite Beatles album, was formed in 2001 and has steadily grown in popularity. The group has been through several personnel changes, with drummer David Zettler and bassist Marc Speed remaining constant. Rubber Soul has always played the music of the Beatles, but only in its latest incarnation has it become a true Beatles tribute band. A Rubber Soul performance is designed to let the audience close its eyes and be transported back to the days of Beatlemania.

Brad hails from Tupelo, Mississippi, birthplace of Elvis Presley, who was a big influence on the Beatles. He has the style of John Lennon down pat from his stance behind the microphone to his sometimes sarcastic but always hilarious sense of humor. Brad’s pride and joy is a vintage Gibson J-160e guitar as used by John Lennon. He has a tremendous collection of unreleased Beatle recordings.

Marc lives in historic Meridian, Mississippi. Naturally right-handed, Marc learned to play bass left-handed so he could better present the image of Paul McCartney. His Hofner violin bass and Vox amp are identical to the gear Paul McCartney used during the Beatles’ touring days. Marc also plays guitar and keyboards.

Steve makes the picturesque town of Madison, Mississippi his home. He grew up in a musical family, started playing at a young age and just never stopped - getting better all the time! Before joining Rubber Soul, George Harrison was his favorite Beatle. In addition to mastering the guitar style of the quiet Beatle, Steve is an accomplished songwriter. You can hear some of his solo work here.

David is a fabulous drummer with a gift for comic relief. He lightens up rehearsals and performances with a smile and a joke. Based on notes passed from the audience, he is undoubtedly the heart-throb “Starr” of Rubber Soul! He's played in every sort of band, and his vocals are a high point in Rubber Soul shows. The “beat” was the heart of Beatles' music, and Dave’s drumming makes you want to move.