Pouch was formed in the early months of 1999 by guitarist Aaron
Chioino and keyboardist Michael Miller. The duo had become familiar with
each other, years earlier, when Aaron was the "house" guitar player for
a weekly blues jam at a local San Rafael bar. Michael was actually the
bartender of the venue at the time and would sit in when he could.
(squeezing in a quick song between pours of the frothy brew). The two
enjoyed each others playing, and when the time came, Aaron approached
Mike about an "all original" project that has now come to be known as
Pouch'.
The basic concept for the band was to develop a style of music that
would generate an irresistible need to move ones body. A beat so heavy
and primal that even the most rhythmically challenged individual would
feel the need to "stomp" and "shake". The structure of the music is what
some might call simple. But, the word simple is a little misleading,
perhaps simplistic is a better term. Like a painter, the artist must
first find a canvas in which to apply his color. In our case, the drums
and bass are our canvas. "A solid back beat that just won't quit, and a
greasy bass-line that fits right in the pocket..." Next we apply our
musical paint. The guitar adds a splash of "color" here, and dab of
"texture" there. The images and content of our musical painting are
applied by the swirling sound of the Hammond Organ and the funky
Clavinet. A stroke of melody by the Rhodes and Wurlitzer pianos and
Shazam!!! The painting is complete.

Our next step, now that we had a musical concept and the "color"
instruments, was to find that elusive canvas on which we could paint. A
lot tougher than I thought, but eventually we discovered a rhythm
section that shared our goals, and provided the deep and throbbing
grooves we desired.

Our drummer, Eddie Lopez, has been a veteran of the Marin County music
scene for the last fourteen years. He came to our attention via a
recommendation from another musician friend. And, I can assure you, the
man can hit the snare drum. His beats are thumpin'!!!

Tien Lawrence, the bass player, was a stroke of luck for our band. He
responded to an add placed in the free local rag (and we are glad that
he did). He is a lover of the Funk genre, and happens to own an
exceptional CD collection proving that fact. His understanding of the
style made him an obvious choice. A slave to the groove, Tien lays down
the greasy and slippery bass lines, that, when combined with Eddies
powerful back beat, create an irresistible need to dance. (Makes me grin
just thinkin' about it)

The musical foundation for the band was "poured" by the heavy influence
of the Meters, the Crusaders, James Brown, the Grey Boy All-stars,
G-Love & Special Sauce, Booker-T and the M.G.'s, and yes, one of Marin's
own local heroes, Vinyl.

The Musicians:

Drums: Eddie Lopez / Bass: Tien Lawrence / Guitar: Aaron Chioino /
Keyboards: Michael Miller