SKANIC is an energetic group that will bring any audience to its feet by mixing traditional Ska and Reggae beats with innovative
melodies. Originating in the San Diego beach communities, SKANIC's soulful horn lines, upbeat harmonies and
insightful melodies appeal to people of all ages! Their high-energy groove has brought this group of skanksters to venues
from the underground in Santa Barbara to the famous Belly Up Tavern in San Diego. Original pieces, traditional covers
and songs with a Ska flare reflect the unanimous audience response: SKANIC = FUN!

Their wild antics on stage will leave audiences with sore feet and thirsty mouths from a performance
that will not soon be forgotten...

Russ Schutz
LEAD VOCALS / RHYTHM GUITAR / BASS 



Growing up in Poway, California and Hawaii, Russ Schutz is a true Californian. A Senior Lifeguard and Junior Lifeguard
Instructor for over seven years, Russ has enjoyed the outdoor lifestyle of surfing, mountain biking and snowboarding.
As a lifelong music lover, Russ has played in numerous bands including the ska influence Blisterchicken which
evolved into SKANIC. Russ' attributes include his walking bass lines, stage presence and songwriting skills.
An unconventional style with a ska flare has produced over 75 songs in collaboration with guitarist Murphy.

As a bass player for over 15 years, his influences include Menudo and anything with a technical base line. Russ's lead
vocals are an exciting mix of power and energy that has emerged since being able to sing without a bass in his hands.
His artistic creativity (Fine Arts degree - Long Beach State) has transcended into a unique style of all music he is
involved in. When Russ is not playing music or surfing, you can usually find him at the border waiting for El Nino.

Jody Sillstrop
BASS / VOCALS



Jody Sillstrop is a resident of Encinitas and has been playing bass for over fifteen years. He has been life guarding in Solana Beach
with band mate Russ for over nine years. This is where the two first met and began working on what was to become SKANIC.
His other interests include coaching Lacrosse for Torres Pines High, surfing, and gravity boarding.

Jody is a graduate of Torrey Pines High and San Diego State University, where he learned the value of friends in high places and covert
brown-nosing. You can also find him behind the bar at Chief's Burgers & Brew, his restaurant in Solana Beach.
Jody has a natural feel for the bass and incorporates a smooth simplicity to his style that is felt from his soul.
His stage presence transforms audiences from spectators to being part of the show.

Eric Murphy
LEAD GUITAR



This native San Diegan graduated from Poway High School and received a (reverse) psychology and biology major
from University of Colorado at Boulder.  A sibling of the producer of This Is Spinal Tap and Best In Show, his musical
influences include The Police, The Beatles, The English Beat & Yanni.  As a former member of the eclectic band
Blisterchicken (not to be confused with the famous food chain), he has focused on an unconventional song writing style
mixed with a ska influence that has become  an integral part of SKANIC song writing. Eric is a self taught guitar player
since the age of 13 and is the owner of a real estate development company,  He enjoys being a dad, surfing, skiing,
mountain biking, sleeping and the color blue........no red.

Darren Conway
TROMBONE



Darren Conway, a Connecticut native, journeyed to San Diego for vacation in 1991 and has been hooked ever since. 
While in the fifth grade and still a young piano student, he saw the school's music teacher demonstrating the 
trombone, and he just had to have one. Through high school, he played feverishly in Concert, Jazz and Marching
bands. During a rehearsal of the San Diego Bay Bones Trombone Choir, Darren heard that a local Ska band was
looking for a trombone player. He auditioned with SKANIC, and his talent won him the coveted spot. Well, that, and
the fact that he was the only one who auditioned.

Among Darren's early horn influences are Earth Wind & Fire and the Saturday Night Live Band. When he isn't playing with the bone,
Darren, a chronic smiler, works in the software industry.

 

Bruce Zimmerman
SAXOPHONE



Bruce Zimmerman, primarily a jazz musician, influenced by such artists as Roland Kirk and Mark Russo, he studied under local jazz great Hollis Gentry. Bruce played in reggae bands for 8 years before being invited to audition for the San Diego-based band SKANIC. His jazz influence and reggae background is apparent in the richness, texture and depth that he brings to SKANIC.

 

                

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