The Pulsators
The Pulsators formed in 1989 and released four albums over the following years. Their first CD, titled THE PULSATORS, prompted a Northern California music magazine to call them “one killer band with irresistible hooks.” The Press Democrat’s “On Q” responded to the second album, HERE’S TO YOU, with “this firecracker band proves it’s only getting better with time,” adding that The Pulsators reproduce “the hyper essence of their live shows, along with a tight professional musicianship”. The Petaluma Argus-Courier wrote that the album “captures the easy groove and good-time feeling that the band projects.”
Rooted in the fertile musical soil of the Sonoma County Wine Country the Pulsators are a five piece band that plays its own brand of music. With a get-up-and-dance kind of orchestration, their music has been defined as a spicy blend of driving blues, New Orleans-funky R&B, rock steady reggae and rock-and-roll. Their music supports an ever-growing legion of faithful fans who keep coming back for more. The Pulsators have been voted a Sonoma County fan-favorite four times in reader's choice polls given by The Press Democrat. In the Bohemian's music poll they won best rock band in 2009.
On their home turf, The Pulsators play festivals, nightclubs and private events but have also toured extensively throughout the western United States and began collaborating with New Orleans music pioneer Art Neville, who signed a publishing deal with them and lent his talent to HERE’S TO YOU, by performing on three of the album’s tracks. Art invited the Pulsators to open for the Funky Meters at Tipitina’s in New Orleans; they later played numerous shows with the Neville Brothers in Louisiana and California, including the House of Blues in Hollywood and the Fillmore in San Francisco. The band has been billed with such artists as Bob Dylan, Little Feat, Chris Isaac, Al Green, Taj Mahal, The Radiators, Buddy Guy and B.B.King.
The Pulsators recently finished their much anticipated fourth CD, "LIVE!". The new album is filled with new Pulsators originals, a couple cover songs and live versions of Pulsators favorites that rock. It’s a combination of “make your feet move” dance music, great grooves and soulful harmonies with a lot of tasteful horns.
"I've been knowin' Johnny and these cats for a long time. They sound as good as me! I always knew they were cold blooded and throwin' bricks. Check these dude's out!" Art Neville NOLA
The Band:
Johnny Campbell - Singer-songwriter and drummer.
Douglas Ian McKenzie - Blues purest on guitar, vocals and percussion.
Mick Whittington - On bass and vocals and percussion.
Rick Clifford - St. Louis saxophonist, vocals and percussion.
Glenn Sulllivan - Big Guns on trumpet, vocals and percussion.
John Farey - Keyboards, trombone and vocals
A Brief History of the Pulsators
The Pulsators formed in 1989 as a trio. This original trio consisted of Johnny Campbell on drums and vocal, Douglas Ian McKenzie on guitar and John "Schu" Schuster on bass and vocal. Their first live show was at the infamous (but now defunct) Cotati Cabaret. They soon added a fourth piece, Bill "the Doctor" Griffith on saxophone in late 1989. In mid 1990 John Schuster switched to 6 strings from 4 and the Pulsators became a quintet with the addition of Michael "Mick" Whittington. Last but certainly not least is Scott Gilroy on sound support.
The Pulsators have released their first CD first CD on Venture Beyond Records in May of '93. Having signed a publishing deal with Art Neville's (The Meters, Neville Bro.'s) Sweet Loraine Music the CD has done well locally and on tour routes.
As the tides turn so do the Pulsators. In '98 John Schuster and Bill "the Doctor" Griffith left the band. Soon after Rick Clifford (saxophone) and Steve Long (trumpet) joined the Pulsators. Steve Long decided to devote his time and money to helping out Native Americans and their casino efforts. Rick's good friend Glenn Sulivan stepped in an took his place.
The second CD was released January '99. Art Neville has contributed some inspiring keyboard parts.
Karl Marinko joined the Pulsators for the new millennium adding keyboards to the band. Karl passed away in September 2007. The Pulsators went without a keyboard player for a few years.
John Farey was recruited for his keyboard talents in 2014 after the Pulsators met him through his Bluestone Recording Studio.
The Pulsators cannot do their thing without support, so we must mention Phyllis Wendorf who helps with the merchandise and Steve Edwards who helps Scott with sound and stage technicalities.
Tours include the west coast from Seattle to San Diego and the South from Texas to New Orleans. Currently they have a touring schedule locally (north San Francisco bay area) and the Western US.
- Website: http://www.pulsators.com/