The Band
The Bare Roots Band formed as "Root 74" in the Fall of 2002, when Wes recorded a CD of acoustic songs and wanted to begin performing live again with a full band. He recruited his former bandmate Mike Suhina and the two immediately started putting beats and rhythms to Wes's acoustic arrangements. Then a lucky classified ad scored Jamie Aston on the bass guitar, a highly recommended jam band veteran from the area. Hoke then contacted keyboardist John Rivero, and old friend of his father's, to put together a power jam band that hit the scene. After almost 2 decades and several changes in band members, the band has recently been reborn as Wes Hoke and the Bare Roots Band, to put more emphasis on Wes's songwriting and to keep the "Roots" of their name that regularly got billed as "Route 74". We've also recently added a new guitar player and singer, Josh Dominick, who is regular performer around the area.
WES HOKE - Guitar/Vocals
Wes started as a singer and songwriter since an early age and has continued the passion through the present day. Growing up around live music helped influence his decision to pursue the passion himself. A blues and southern rock guitar sound has been his signature style of playing while he pulls from all genres of music when writing songs. He has played around the Central PA in bands such as Spare Change and Universal Black Dog.
JAMIE ASTON - Bass/Vocals
Jamie provides the moving and grooving with smooth low tones from his bass guitar. He is one half of the rhythm section in the band. Jamie has been playing Bass Guitar since 1993 blending influences like jazz, fusion, funk and blues to create his signature style of bass. He pulls influences from bands such as Phish and Grateful Dead. Jamie has been playing on the east coast for years in bands like Into the Woods, Finks Constant, and Notchoma.
