Biography
Steven Casper is a Los Angeles based singer and songwriter. Growing up in Japan, Italy, Nigeria and Mexico, one of his main connections to American culture was through his parents' record collection. At a very young age he discovered the magic of Hank Williams, Leadbelly, Bob Wills, Mahalia Jackson, Woody Guthrie and many other American icons. Moving back to the United States at age 17, he started his first band shortly after hearing The Ramones. Through the years his songwriting has evolved from rock and roll, to the more roots oriented music of his early days, sitting in front of his parents' record player.
In 2005 Steven was looking for a guitarist to help him record some of his new music, and was given Glen Lynskey's phone number by a mutual friend. Glen had performed for numerous major label acts and in 1996 won best electric guitarist in the Northwest. After a short phone conversation, Steven was knocking on Glen's door and was singing some of his songs for him. Glen liked the songs he heard and the two quickly became good friends.
A three song demo was recorded. The drummer on the session, Tony Felicetta (who now plays Ringo in the highly successful Las Vegas Beatles tribute show) asked Steven if he had any other songs because he thought they could put a set and play some clubs. 'Yeah, I've got about 300 tunes,' Steven said. A band was born.
At this point Steven spoke to longtime friend Ross Levinson, a film and TV music composer, who played violin and keyboards, to see if he was interested in joining the band. Ross had previously played with such artists such as Tom Waits, Harry Belafonte and Joan Jett.
Ross came by a rehearsal and immediately clicked with the band. The interplay between Ross on violin and Glen on lead guitar has become one of the key features of the band's sound. Ross also went on to produce the band's first two records, 'Cowboy Angst' and 'I Used To Be The King of the World'.
In 2008 Steven Casper and Cowboy Angst released 'Topanga Ranch Motel'. It was produced by Ira Ingber who has been a guitarist and producer with numerous artists including Bob Dylan, Brian Wilson, Canned Heat and Captain Beefhart. Ira was able to capture the bands dynamic live sound which Music Connection Magazine described as 'country music originating in the Allman Brothers' backyard'.
The bands current line up was completed with Jay Nowac on drums and Herb Deitelbaum on bass. All of this from a simple knock on a door.
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