You could say that Stereoreel began in 2008, but you’d be approaching this whole mess in way too simplistic a manner. Alternately, you could also say it began in 1976 when Caleb was born.

Gifted was he at birth with enormous hands that spanned entire pianos and a voice likened to the sound of soft Pan Flutes on the midnight breeze. An infinite reserve of charisma and musical talent exuded from his being. It was almost as if he had been delivered into this world with a tiny note around his wrist stating: “This kid’s gonna be famous! Buy him a candy bar someday!”

After 1976, however, the world encountered an unprecedented drop-off in infant musician births. Those musicians who were born seemed to be mediocre, filler-band material - the kind that exist to make good bands sound great (i.e. Fabian, The Monkees, Creed). Several years of this drought passed. Things began to look grim for Caleb’s musical aspirations. If this trend wouldn’t turn around soon, people were ready to stop buying Caleb candy bars.

Enter: Dustin Martin.

The Reagan Years

It was in the year of 1985 that Dustin came to be. He was born with the steadiest heartbeat that doctor’s have ever heard, which would often change seamlessly between musical stylings. 4 on the Floor when he was having a good ole time, Polyrhythms during large family visits, and Bosanova whenever Dustin was on his game. It was almost as if Dustin was born with a tiny note around his wrist stating: “I’m looking for Caleb Nei. I hear he’s got candy!”

The newly formed duo realized that the ability to provide roving piano licks and angelic vocal melodies, accompanied by a strong back beat that grooved and rocked at the same time, could benefit greatly from a member conceived solely to play guitar, while another laid down the very foundations of music with his bass. Caleb and Dustin didn’t have to wait very long for this vision to become a reality.

In 1986, an elfin creature was born. He was named Seth Dean. He possessed ears of gold, as is typical with his race, that allowed him to not only hear music, but to cut to its very soul, reasoning whether it was good or evil. As well as his aural prowess, Seth exercised great implacability whenever he laid hand to any stringed instrument: the Bow and Arrow, the Jew’s Harp, but most notably, the Guitar. His presence in the delivery room was accompanied by a tiny note that stated: “I’m waiting for Caleb Nei. My sister is a candy bar.”

Prophetic were those words. In time, Caleb and Dustin found Seth, but no matter how glorious they sounded together, their musical vision did not come to fruition until 1990.

This was the year that no one saw coming, though in hindsight, 1990 seemed like the next logical step after 1989. A good thing, too! In this windfall year, the world was given the final piece to the musical puzzle which Caleb had begun piecing together 14 years earlier, and which would lay the groundwork for the course of music history into the 21st century and beyond.

That piece was Ethan Dean.

Ethan was born into this world with a Bass Guitar in his hands. It was that simple. He had no note attached to him, because he needed none. The notes he played on his bass were as enormous as Caleb’s hands, the grooves he played were as funktastic as Dustin’s drumming was solid, and the musical highway he plowed made way for the harmonic voicings of Seth’s guitar. It was a fitting addition to the group, whose sound was now a big as their aspirations!

Thus, Stereoreel was formed! And though the journey seems now complete, it has really only just begun! We take this time to invite you to come along on our musical voyage which spans decades. You only need to listen. Listen and enjoy. Enjoy.

This, on the other hand, might be a bit excessive. (Though we’re often accused of this.)

Caleb plays piano. Dustin plays drums. Seth plays guitar, and Ethan plays bass. Dave is the manager and the rest of the guys just work like dogs to keep him happy.