ToneKats

"When I listen to the Tonekats I'm amazed I can be having so much fun with all my clothes on".

Jay "Smitty" Smith - Smitty has opened for Blue Rodeo, Kim Mitchell, David Wilcox. Since he has been married and had a beautiful baby girl (Hannah is the light of his life he says) he plays in Kingston to be closer to his family. Kingston's most popular solo artist, Smitty packs them in night after night at some of the best nightclubs in Kingston (but get there early, before he goes on stage most clubs are already at capacity). He knows everything from John Mayer, Stone Temple Pilots, Blue Rodeo, The Hip, Neil Diamond you name it. Smitty has that rare voice that defines rock these days. On a rare night off he showed up with his lovely wife Lauren at Tir nan Og and played with the ToneKats. He says it awakened his desire to play in a band again - not that he needed to. The rest is history. Smitty is more than just a superb musician he is the kind of entertainer that delivers the goods gig after gig. Smitty's lead vocals, guitar stylings, stage presence and personality have taken the ToneKats to the next level providing a depth and an attitude that feeds on the energy of band.

Davey B - Guitars, Vocals

Originally from Toronto, Dave is a well known guitarist and singer on the Eastern Ontario music scene since moving to Kingston in the early eighties playing theatres, festivals, bars, civic events and concert halls across Ontario and New York. An original member of "The Rave", Dave went on to form "The ToneKats" in late 2008 as a full spectrum rock n roll dance band. Entertainment is always on his mind as well as learning as many songs as possible. He also plays in "The Rockabilly All Stars" (formed 2003) when the Kats are called upon to play fifties and early sixties. The All Stars were an extension of his highly successful portrayal of "Buddy" in Buddy Holly Lives! Involved in live & original music for over 30 years, He has some 15 CDs and over 2,000 live performances to his credit and has written over 400 songs covering a variety of styles. He has several archtop and solid body guitars to get just the right tone.

Johnny moved to Kingston just over 5 years ago having played the Toronto circuit opening for Blue Rodeo, Our Lady Peace and I Mother Earth with his most recent original band "Beautiful Losers". John is also former member of the Toronto rock band "Gasoline" in the late 1990s having played with current members of NQ Arbuckle. Johnny's plays his signature Danelectro 60s Bass low - His stage energy, vocals and demeanor are reminiscent of Jim Cuddy of Blue Rodeo. Always engaging, Johnny's fun and charismatic personality has led to the transformation of the ToneKats into a band that plays a wider array of songs less specialized in any one musical style or era.. When John is in the line up fans remark that he "has a really nice vibe". A self-described "rock pig" John lights up the stage and the energy level wherever he graces the stage with The ToneKats. He also has a soft spot for country and ballads when not in hard rock mode.

Junior (Chris M) is a young and exciting drummer with a real crisp beat and an attention to detail - His hard driving style is mixed with taste and a razor sharp bass foot pedal. When driving with Johnny on the bass he is half of a rhythm section to be reckoned with. Chris can play any style and keep you rocking and on your feet all night long. Chris knows all of the bands in Kingston from The Rain Kings, Firm, The Change, The Growing Pains, The Reasons and many more. We enjoy his quick wit and talent and have never looked back since he joined the band in September 2008. Since joining the band has taken on a newer direction with a wider variety of bands and tunes covered in the repertoire. JR is also instrumental in song selection and stylistic direction of the band due to his experience in bars as security at Raxx (Kingston's answer to the Cavern Club) and a great ear for tone and meter and noticing what people are enjoying.

Cousin Paul - keyboards, vocals

An occasional ToneKat, "Cousin Paul" Koktan is a wizard on the ivories, repairing them when he isn't playing professionally. Paul lives in Kingston. We first stumbled upon Cousin Paul's abilities at the Ports in July of 2007. We were mesmerized ever since then. Paul has played a solo gig at the Ambassador Hotel in Kingston for the past several years and with River City Junction out of Cardinal (Ottawa). We always consider it a privilege when he can find time and come out and join in with the band. His sense of humour and zaniness add to his on stage antics and ensure no one goes home without a smile on their face.

Behind the scenes....

JP Rayne is a behind the scenes partner in the ToneKats. Besides doing some video projects and photography for the band. JP has helped breathe some new life into the music and lyrics. Her eclectic and creative talents have electrified the original compositions bringing them into the new millennium without sacrificing the feel of the roots of the music. Her collaborations with the band continue to figure prominently and will be more and more evident on upcoming CDs. JP lives in Kingston and is a songwriter/lyricist, writer, yogi , an artist, filmmaker, photographer, inventor/manufacturer and impressario. Says she "Life is art". We quite agree.