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T.O.M.D. the band & crew
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In the Spring of 2008 in Wilmington, NC, a small group of musicians got together in a livingroom and started playing music. By the end of the night, they agreed that they "might have something here." Over the following months, these musicians rehearsed weekly, building a setlist of songs, the majority of which were written by Grateful Dead and Pink Floyd. Six months later, they played their first show at the Brown Coat Theater. As they grew, they have made a few adjustments in their lineup, but have never lost sight of their mission, which is "To go all out in what they do."
Si Cantwell (Star News columnist, guitarist for the Clams band) and TC Santos (guitar/vocals, Banshee, Area51, former tour bus driver and road crew for touring entertainers), both on guitar and vocals, teams up with Steve Sullivan (Bass, vocals), and Chuck Hudson (Drums, After School Special band) to complete T.O.M.D.'s current lineup.
Concentrating "mostly" on a staple of Grateful Dead songs, they usually incorporate a few tunes by other artists like Pink Floyd, Dylan, OCMS, and Cash to their setlist to add a little "dynamamanicity" to their shows.
You may recognize Si's face from the StarNews bit on the WECT News, or his voice from 980 AM WAAV in the wee early morning hours every Friday. (Hey, musicians aren't usually up in the single digit hours!) Si is a Columnist, blogger, and reader advocate for the Star News.
(www.StarNewsOnline.com/Cantwell),
a podcaster at WHQR Public Radio, as well as a very active member of the local community. He is one of our charter members bringing lead guitar and vocals into the mix. His amazing leads gel with the band's energy, taking our sound to a much higher level.
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Steve Sullivan was born in San Francisco, CA just as the Haight Ashbury movement was kicking into gear. One of his earliest childhood memories is being on a family picnic in Golden Gate Park just as a free concert broke out (probably the Grateful Dead). After a few minutes of dancing around with the hippies, his parents decided it was time to go home. His first show was cut a little short, but the seed was planted.
Growing up in the Bay Area gave Steve the opportunity to see many great bands including: The Who, Pink Floyd, The Grateful Dead, JGB, Rush, Blue Oyster Cult, and he must admit, many Sammy Hagar shows. His love of music continued to grow as he attended college at UCSB. He started playing bass and formed a band with his closest friends. The Satchels still have reunions shows. Other bands included: The Tup Man Band, Free Bonus Inside, and The Party Company.
Steve moved to Wilmington 17 years ago. He enjoys playing bass guitar with T.O.M.D, as he continues to share his love of music with everyone.
TC also comes from the Bay Area, CA, where, engrossed in the local music scene, discovered and developed his love of live music. In his late teens, he could be found, underage, in smoky bars playing rhythm guitar and vocals in the Doors cover band, BANSHEE, the first band he played in. TC was with BANSHEE for just under five years.
Hugely influenced by the Grateful Dead and Pink Floyd, TC also credits musicians: Tony Costello, Ray Simms, Les Wickes, David 'Beano' Baggot, and Brian Lovell for proving that the flame still burns, and to never give up on the dream.
TC is also a veteran of "the road," as a former roadie for several touring rock bands and entertainers performing tasks from driving the tour bus (which involved assuming the role of Captain, Skipper, First Mate, and Spiritual Advisor, all in one), to catering, to working light boards on club tours. Some of the bands he has worked for include The Grateful Dead, Lynyrd Skynyrd, The Doobie Brothers, Type O Negative, Sugar Ray, Goo Goo Dolls, Southern Culture on the Skids, Ted Nugent, B.B. King to name only a few. He has seen (and felt) almost every inch of interstate in the lower 48, his love of music kept him on the road for nearly ten years...but as for all good things... (I'm sure he has some good stories!) TC brings rhythm guitar, synth, vocal harmonies, and sound effects to the mix.
T.O.M.D.'s drummer, Chuck joined the band in late 2008. 
He also plays with the Wilmington band, "After School Special," and runs sound at some of Wilmington's downtown clubs.
Although his name tag says, "Fader Monkey," Bryan fills the rolls of backline tech, FOH Audio Engineer, L.D., Photographer, Videographer, Graphic Designer, IT, Tech Support, MacGyver, Cobbler, Guru, part time Saint, full time Sinner, all in one package.
He balances two separate sound systems, mixes both front-of-house and the band's far more complicated than necessary in-ear stage monitors with talk-back system, and a 100 foot snake named Monty. If you see him running toward you at a show, step aside, because he's on a mission from God and doesn't let anything get in his way.
He is sometimes assisted by Ms. Jennifer.
T.O.M.D. (They're Only Mostly Dead)
Wilmington, NC 28401
© 2008-2010
Last updated on
Tuesday, June 22, 2010 8:32 AM
All photos ©2008-2010 B. Wiggins, J. Gabriel, R. Johnson, S. Harris, M. Cantwell, & M. Sudsbury