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THESE ARE THE PLAYERS OF THE
MYSTIC ROOTS BAND.
Included are current members and players
of the past. They are all members of the MRB family.
 Colleen, a close friend of cootdog's, has appeared a few times on stage with MRB rockin' the turntables and throwing down fat beats from hip-hop and R&B to Dancehall and Reggae.
She was recently featured as Playboy Magazine's 50th Anniversary Playmate.
Other credits include:
Star of soon to be released motion pictures:
"Sci-Fighter" - (TNT) (late 2004)
"Miss Castaway" - (Lead with Eric Roberts) (Theatrical) (late 2004)
"Reflections" - (Lead with Paul Gleason) (Theatrical) (late 2004)
Recurring host of the Showtime Network's series
"The Red Carpet"
Guest host
"Ripley's Believe It Or Not"
Co-host
MTV's "Snowed IN"
DJ venues include:
Opium Garden - Miami
Show - NY
Tribecca Grand - NY
MTV Spring Break - Cancun
Key Club - Hollywood/LA
Viper Room - Hollywood/LA
Studio 54/MGM Grand - Vegas
Risque/Paris Hotel- Vegas
Foundation Room/Godspeed - Vegas
House Of Blues - Vegas
Whisper/Feel Good - SF
Hush - Houston
Club Medusa - Seattle
Belly - LA
Pheonix Room - LA
Red Star - Houston
Vision - Boston
Velvet Room - Atlanta
Vision nightclub - Atlanta
Red Star - Houston
Plush - Jacksonville
Leopard Lounge - Jacksonville
Dream - D.C.
Time - Charlotte
Vine Bar - Hollywood/LA
600 North - Daytona Beach
Tabu Nightclub - Orlando
and many, many more
Lead in many national commercials and music videos including:
Blues Traveller
Smilez and South Star
Smashmouth
Dido
Crazy Town
Puddle Of Mud
George Michaels
Mest
702
Offspring
Rancid
AT&T
Nokia
Bacardi
Miller Genuine Draft
San Miguel Beer
Check out her website HERE, |
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 Born in 1979 in Lawrence, Kansas, Kike moved to Valencia, Venezuela at the age of 3. He grew up there and started playing the drums when his dad brought home a snare drum, a couple cymbals and a cardboard box with a bass drum pedal for his 8th birthday.
He was so into it that his parents paid for him to take lessons at "Tecnologico de Musica Valencia". For his 10th birthday, Kike got his first real drum-set and by the time he was 15 he was already playing on stage with some friends. Him and his friends formed a cover band called "Miccion". They won a couple battle of the bands in their hometown, performing in front of more than 3000 people. After this band dissolved in 1997, Kike played with a couple other cover bands ("100to por 100to and Emyspherio), playing all kinds of music ranging from 70's Disco to Heavy Metal for mainly bar crowds. In December of 1999, Sebastian Ramos - former bass player for Mystic Roots and Kike's old friend - was down in Venezuela for Christmas break and offered Kike to come up and play with the band, which was in need for a new drummer. Kike came up to Chico in January 2000 to join the Mystic Roots crew.
Influences:
The Police, Soda Stereo, Guns N' Roses, Metallica, Dave Matthews Band, Dream Theater |
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 Guitarist Matt Baldoni joined the Mystic Roots family in 2001 after the
better part of a year as the guitarist for the cootdog Project. Matt
considers his performances with Mystic Roots some of the most valuable and
rewarding of his career, and to this day is known to sit in with the band
when he gets a chance. Based in Los Angeles via Chico, Matt currently is a
professional electric and acoustic guitarist working in studio, live, and
touring. Matt has worked with such luminaries at Busta Rhymes, Run DMC, and
Grammy-winners Arrested Development, and is the musical director and
guitarist for "the NFL Show" on Fox Sports, having written over 50 songs
that have been commercially released. He is currently on the faculty at the
University of Southern California's Studio/Jazz Guitar Department and
Musician's Institute, and holds endorsements with Gibson Guitars, Peavey
Amplifiers, Levy's straps and bags, GHS Strings, and Roland U.S. Please
visit www.mattbaldoni.com for more information. |
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 Balboa first began playing the illustrious instrument called the trombone at
the ripe age of 11 for a chance to hang out with his best buddy who was
already in the school band. Little did he realize that his friend along
with most who begin playing the „bone‰ never continue playing the instrument
past grade school. Balboa went on to high school and was immediately
recruited into the jazz band as a freshman and remained there for the rest
of his high school dayz in Santa Cruz. After graduating, he attended San
Francisco State where he re-united many years later with his mentor/teacher
Wayne Wallace who began teaching at the University. Soon after, B began
realizing that there was no way out of playing the trombone full time.
Since 1996, Balboa has played a wide range of musical styles from jazz, to
samba, salsa, funk, hip-hop, R & B, blues- you name it. He co-led an
all-original funk band named „Say What?!‰ which gained much acclaim in the
late 90‚s while touring around the west coast and opening up for funkateer
greats P-FUNK. Meanwhile, reggae had always been a huge influence in his
life- regularly going to Sierra Nevada World Music Festival as a fan of the
music as well catching every Burning Spear show that came to town.
In 2000, he played his first big show with reggae legend Don Carlos and from
there, the reggae runnins took over. Balboa has since toured with many
artists from JA, playing around the world and collaborating with great
musicians in many different bands. Currently, B is blessed to have teamed
up with Mystic Roots and Pato Banton. Enjoy the show! |
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 Darren Bruestle grew up in San Jose, CA and began writing songs and playing in bands as an addition to his athletic pursuits in high school. He went on to play NCAA soccer on scholarship for Cal Poly and De Anza colleges, and during this time, toured with his first band, Liquid Courage. The band experienced some great initial successes, sharing the stage with Sugar Ray, Papa Roach, Smashmouth, Linkin Park, and The Urge.
Shortly thereafter, Darren was recruited to play Division 1 soccer at UC Davis, where he earned a B.A. in International Relations. He persistently continued his song writing there and soon formed "Griswald" in nearby Chico, CA. Darren moved to Chico and toured the west coast over the next 4 years as the guitarist, songwriter, and manager for Griswald, befriending fellow Chico band, Mystic Roots, along the way. Griswald and Mystic Roots supported each other's musical ideals, playing shows together in Chico and other cities across California when their tours crossed paths. In fact, Mystic Roots first called on Griswald in an emergency situation in Rosarito, Mexico in Spring Break, 2001. Mystic Roots Guitarist, Eric Iverson, had broken his wrist on the 2nd night there, and Darren happily jumped in to help, learning approx. 20 Mystic Roots tunes that night, and performing the very next afternoon. Darren played the remaining 3 shows there in Rosarito, and thus began the relationship: when Mystic Roots needed him (and when Griswald's touring schedule permitted), Darren filled in on guitar from summer 2001 'til fall 2004.
In the interim, Darren's band signed to Half Pint Records and released a full-length album, touring for 3 years in its support (opening for such acts as Aerosmith, Fuel, Sugarcult, Pepper, Slightly Stoopid, Pressure 4-5, and many more). Griswald released a follow-up, 3-song EP before the band parted ways in fall, 2004, and to this day, their songs are played on Fox Sports and ESPN 2. Darren joined Mystic Roots full-time on guit |
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 Greetings Mystic Roots Masses:
I was raised in Yuma, Arizona until I was 18. I have been playing the drums all my life. While in Yuma, I played with Uproot and Maple Street. I knew that I needed to have more opportunities, so I headed towards San Diego to follow my dream in becoming a world wide musician. Once in San Diego I linked up with the Mystic Revealers and had the privilege of doing a tour throughout northern California. The Mystics went back to Jamaica and I found a new project. After that I have been blessed to have worked with Lifted Roots, Ishmael and the peacemakers, Pauhana, Pati, Jah Blood and the Fire Angles, Casper and the 602 band, Trade Roots, PsydeCar, Iniversal Saints, Mama T, Eddie Fitzroy, General Public, The Windserhill Steppers, Unsteady, and now Mystic Roots.
My influences are Jah Rastafari, Sam Cooke, Bob Marley, Midnite, Everton Blender, and any roots musician who has had a message that was heard. My inspiration comes from the Holy Father, my wife and my youth to be.
I’ve been busy making a name for my production company, Dreded Warrior Productions, which has grown tremendously in the last couple of years. Look for my new riddims on the site and many more to come.
I’m excited for what the future may hold and I give thanks for everyday that I have been given. Guidance and protection. Praise Jah.
Blessed Love
Donnie “DonDada” Barthelemy |
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 Founding member Jason Flathers was born and raised in Long Beach, CA. He
grew up around and was influenced by the live sounds of Sublime,
Firehose, The Vandals, and No Doubt. In high school, Jason picked up the
bass guitar because it was the only instrument missing in a garage band
started
by the late Mike Marangon who later went on to start a band called Jesus
Wore
Dickies. After mastering a funkadelic bass style influenced at the time
by
Flea of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Jason decided he was interested in
learning as
many instruments as possible so that he be flexible enough to jam with
anybody. "Slak", "Urban Roots" and "Tribal Concussion" were all bands
that Jason played with in Long Beach. Jason moved to Chico, CA in the
Spring of 1995 and soon met and began playing teaching his good friend
Joaquin Guerrero how to play the Bass. "Joaquin has such a raw talent
that can't be taught", explains Jason. "I just helped him learn what
notes mean and how to count out a one drop beat". It was for their
shared love of
Reggae Music that Wok and Jason decided to seek out talented musicians
to share their interest. Wok introduced Jason to Shayne Tolchin and Coot
Wyman and the foundation for Mystic Roots was laid in the Spring of
1996. |
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 Jason Gouveia played lead guitar with Mystic Roots during the band's
beginning years and still enjoys gigging and touring with the band when the
need arises. Along with original MRB bassist Joaquin Guerrero, Jason is a
founding member of Inna Heights, contributing
guitar and songwriting to this band's diverse sound. |
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 The Mystic Roots story actually begins with Joaquin, having been one of the
original founding fathers of the band.
Born and raised in Southern California, Joaquin made his way North to Chico
where he attended and graduated the California State University, Chico. It
was there, with encouragement from good friends Brian Traynor and Jason
Flathers, where Joaquin first picked up the Bass guitar. Traynor, an
established drummer, thought that it would only make sense that Joaquin play
an instrument due to his passion of the "King's Music". Little did Joaquin
know that the planting of these early music seeds, would forever change his
life.
With friend Brian residing back home in Ventura California, Joaquin and
Jason were left to themselves to play music. The two would play music
together as merely a bass & electric guitar duo, rehearsing their only
original song at that time: "Positive".
With a desire to form a band, the two began searching for other musicians to
incorporate into the group. It was in an acting class at Chico State, where
Joaquin first met Shayne Tolchin. "I remember we had to do a skit or
performance in acting class at the beginning of the semester to break the
ice. When it was Shayne's day to perform, he got up in front of the class,
sat at a piano and played a song while he sang along to it. I was blown away
on how talented Shayne was. He has a great voice. I looked around and
noticed that all the girls in our class where diggin' him too! It was then
that I thought, ' I need to talk to this guy!' After class we spoke, he was
interested in what we were trying to do and the rest is history". From here,
the Mystic Roots band was formed.
Joaquin left the band in '98 upon graduation from Chico State. He is now
living in the Bay Area managing and playing Bass for the "Inna Heights" band
in addition to working for a Reggae record label based out of New York -
Easy Star Records. Although each band lives |
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 Born in Oceanside and hailing from Chico, now living in sunny San Diego is "Northern California's Bass Prodigy". Incorporating styles from booty-bouncing funk and rock n' rollin' blues and R&B mixed together with a juicy flavor to create the Mystic Roots world groove. Chris played with MRB from early 2001 through 'til summer 2003. The former psychedelic disco master from Electric Circus. |
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 Eric grew up in the beach cities of LA and began gigging the LA area as a Guitarist and Vocalist. As the Guitarist for "Prozaq" and Vocalist for "Headcheese", Eric got a taste of LA's live music scene by age 16. He left for Chico to pursue an education in Music and played guitar for the band, August Clown, with former bassist Sebastian Ramos. The band had local success in Chico playing at parties on the weekends. Due to a "foreseen" short life, August Clown recorded a 12 song album "Call it a Day" mostly as a memento of their past year's work. Little did they know that that album would become a hit when they headed to Venezuela to play a few shows in Sebastian's hometown. The band then dispersed after a summer of shows in Venezuela capped off with the La Mega Radio Music Festival and an Live "Unplugged" session on La Mega Radio.
Upon return to the U.S., Eric - after talks with Coot, a current member of Mystic Roots, and a few shows - agreed to join the Mystic Roots along with Sebastian Ramos (August Clown's bassist).
Influences:
Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Peter Tosh, The Doors, Dave Matthews Band, Buju Banton |
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 Born in 1977, in Fremont, California, and raised in the Bay Area until 1990, MJ's actual name is Michael Jordan. Despite having to share a famous name, he had several unique interests, none of which were basketball. He loved all forms of music, especially Hip-hop and Rock, as well as Theatre. Then he attended Junior High and High School in the Sacramento area, excelling in Football, theatre, and Grade points. He attended Chico State from 1995 until 1997, and met Coot Wyman in a theatre production in 1996. The two became fast friends, staying up way to late in Coot's dorm room making beats and lyrics, some of which are still in the set lists today. During the Summer Vacation that year, Wyman joined up with Mystic Roots, and MJ naturally attended every show, sometimes coming up on stage to flow with the band. In 1997 due to a mixture of late night recording, and an already over indulging Party School atmosphere MJ had to leave Chico. However back in Sacramento, MJ attended a business college, and continues to have a career in computers. This never affected his relationship with the band, and MJ continued to be a Road Manager for Mystic Roots, on and off until 2001, as MJ was pursuing other professional goals as well. The travels took MJ up and down the State of California, and landed him on several stages and wild parties. When Wyman decided to commence recording on his first solo album, MJ was actively involved with decisions about the album, including track selections, and creative consulting, along with appearing on the track "It's got to be right" with cootdog, Nikki Sierra, and Dirty Biz from Black League. This song, in which MJ leads off the first verse, won the Survivor contest on Colors radio station in Chico 4 nights in a row. Then as the cootdog project band was formed, MJ took his place as a full time MC, equally at home backing Wyman's flows or representing his own styles. |
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 Carlos Marin Jr was born in San Jose, Costa Rica. At the age of four he moved with his family to San Diego where he has spent most of his life surround by the culturally rich environment of Southern California. Carlos grew up listening to everything from traditional Latin standards like Cumbias, (Merengue, Boleros) Rumbas, Rancheras, etc., to Punk, Emo and everything in between. Music has always been a big part of Carlos’ life. He began studying music at age 9 on the saxophone. During middle and High school, he played trombone, oboe, guitar, and Drums. After graduating high school, he spent a year at a State School in CA. Uncertain as to what to do with his life, he decided to follow the only thing in his life that had been consistent for the past 9 years, music. He traveled to Florida to study and obtained a degree in Audio Engineering and Music Production. While attending school, a band mate suggested that he pick up the bass and give it a try. Carlos has literally not put the bass down since that day. Not even three years Later, Carlos is a Full time musician with international touring and recording experience. He prides himself on his constant pursuit toward mastery of the bass, professional integrity and his undeniable passion for music. |
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 Mike has been playing the saxophone since childhood. He has played in various jazz bands, combos, and jam bands throughout his career, and spent a good portion of his college years at Colgate University playing and studying jazz and blues. MRB guitarist Eric Iverson first invited Mike to sit in with the band at a South Bay gig. Since then he has been enjoying every minute of playing with Mystic Roots and bringing his unique additions to the sound of the band |
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 Tony Saenz was born in Santa Ana, CA, and started playing drums amazingly at age 3. Thanks to his musical enthusiasm, every school he attended while growing up was chosen exclusively on the basis of its music program. In school, Tony studied all aspects of drums, percussion, and trumpet. Being exposed to multiple types of live performing situations in high school and college, it was easy for Tony to adjust to performing across the myriad music industry shows and venues that would become his full-time pursuit.
Tony’s first band was formed at age 14, doing Funk /Rock /Latin /Ska and ending up at the nearby and famous Whiskey and the Roxy night clubs in Hollywood, CA, on a regular basis. Then, after high school, Tony earned a full-ride scholarship to Boise State University, playing for the Boise Broncos’ marching band. While there, Tony commuted bi-monthly to Seattle, WA, to perform with the Seattle Cascades Drum Corps. Tony eventually moved back to Orange County, CA, and jumped right in with the Latin-Jazz bands and wind ensembles at Saddleback and Orange Coast Colleges. Since then, Tony’s musical styles grew, and so did his musical dreams and aspirations.
Today, Tony is fulfilling those dreams, enjoying touring full-time with Pato Banton and The Mystic Roots Band. While off tour, Tony enjoys performing with the following bands: The Bredrin Daddy’s, Warsaw, and the 420 Band. |
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 Miles started playing bass with the band S.O.S in 1991. S.O.S. then aquired Eric Iverson and the band changed its name to Headcheese. The Rock band played numerous shows in Hollywood and the South Bay then broke up in 1995 when the members separated to go to college. Miles then began playing guitar and created solo works for his personal enjoyment. He is now grooving on the stage once again as the newest member of the Mystic Roots Band. |
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 Nikki Sierra was born in Hawaii, and has lived all over the United States. From Texas, to ATL, to Mississippi, and finally to Cali, Nikki saw a lot as a child and grew up in a lot of diverse environments. She was exposed to hip-hop at a young age, and has grown to love soul, funk, hard rock, and techno. Nikki's mother, Nancy also has great talent as a singer, and had written songs for her since she was a child. Her mother exposed her to opera, gospel, and rock/folk legends such as Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Queen and the Rolling Stones. Nikki has been singing since early childhood. She cites her 2nd grade music teacher as the person who helped her realize that she had talent. Nikki did a lot of acting as a child, and starred in a musical production called the Promise, in Glen Rose, Texas. She was a member of the Chico Youth Chorus, Chico Children's Theater, and the a capella choir in high school. Nikki loves to dance, and finds this outlet through house and drum and bass music. She has been involved in the rave scene for about four years, and hopes to one day produce an eclectic electronic mix album. Nikki was involved with Mystic Roots for almost two years. She feels that reggae music has changed her life. She hopes to promote positive thinking, and one love vibes to the world through her music. |
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 Shane "Storm" Baird started his formal music training in then 6th grade and continued to play all through college. He has been playing in bands outside of school since he was 15. From 2000 to 2006, he lived in San Francisco, where he played with many great local bands, such as the Jazz Mafia. Storm is cootdog's cousin and started playing with MRB in 1997 shortly after the band’s inception, and continued playing on and off for many months, which included a Mexico tour, and many killer Bay Area Dates. Storm continued playing with many Bay Area projects, and all the while, continued to play with the Mystic Roots Band for all their Nor Cal Shows and many of the So Cal shows, as well. By 2004, Storm was playing full-time with the MRB including much of MRB's U.S. touring. From May, 2005 to July, 2006, Storm played with Grammy-winning, Family Stone Band, under the musical direction of Toney Yates. Storm played all over the U.S. and some Europe dates (in Amsterdam) with them. Yates then asked Storm to put a horn section together for an 18 piece, all-star gospel group for True Vine Ministries in Oakland, CA. The band was a huge success and still plays 1st and 3rd Sundays at the Grand lake theater. It was certainly hard to balance the busy schedule of Mystic Roots and the Family Stone, but with the love and support of the MRB boys, Storm was able to play fulltime in both bands for over a year until MRB needed him fulltime to tour starting in June, 2006. Storm is currently featured on the new release of Constant Struggle, a track within The cootdog Project album, the most recent Mystic Roots track on the Sublime Tribute DVD, and on most all of the new, unreleased MRB material. |
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 Shayne Tolchin was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area in Marin County. Shayne comes from a musical family, both his mother and father are piano teachers. He started playing piano, singing and recordin at a young age in his fathers piano studio. As a boy Shayne had some early experience performing in school talent shows singing and playing piano. At age 11 he had his first experience in a professional recording studio as a back-up singer on an album by Harmony Grisman. He carried over his musical tallents into the relm of musical theatre. He attended A.C.T. (American Conservatory Theater) In San Francisco for a few years and performed in plays, musicals and TV commercials. After High School he attended Chico State to study Music and Recording Arts. That's where he met the original members of Mystic Roots, guitarist and bass players Jason Flathers and Joaquin Guerrero. Over the next few years, Shayne explored his songwriting abilities and wrote many of the original tunes that Mystic Roots still plays today. He graduated Chico State in 2000 with a B.A. in Music/Recording Arts and moved back to the Bay Area. He put his degree to work at a recording studio for 2 years working on everything from Rap to Classical to R&B to Gospell. In 2003 he moved down to southern califronia dealing poker during the day and playing music at night. Hobbies: Basketball, working out, listening to music, movies. Influences: Stevie Wonder, Sting, Brian McKnight, Mint Condition, Bobby McFerrin, Maria Carey, Whitney Houston, Bob Marley, Luciano. Birthday: March 28, 1977. Sign: Aries |
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 Originally from San Jose, Ca. DJ Goodfoot was in the Mystic Roots band for a few years before moving to Sacramento. He recorded on Constant Struggle on the track "Smoke Out". He is the featured DJ/turntablist all over the cootdog project album. He has worked as a DJ on Sacramento radio 103.5 the Bomb. He occasionally makes guest appearances with the band. |
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 Rich has been the Sound Engineer for Mystic Roots since Nov. '99. He joined the crew in the fall of '97, responsible for sales, merchandise and security. With the return of MJ, the original "6th man" rich found a new place in the band. Studying under Bob Tolar of CSU, Chico and working with the likes of The Mad Professor, Rich has grasped the tricks of the trade and adapted them to suit Mystic Roots. His work and experience have enhanced the Mystic Roots' live show. Influences: Steel Pulse, Burning Spear, Shinehead, The Mad Proffesor, and The Scientist |
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