Artist Summary

Artist Bio

What is Too Much Saturn you ask?!
Too Much Saturn plays what might be best described simply as Midwest Power Pop. An original mix of melody and hooks consisting of a dash of indie spirit and two parts pop sensibility – all shaken not stirred! Memorable, clever and accessible original songs and a few select covers done our way. Served up with soaring harmonies, big drums, 12 string bass, swirling keyboards and a liberal mix of crunchy, ambient and jangly guitars. Refreshing!

Band BIO
Too Much Saturn was formed from the ashes of several Chicago area bands including Great Big Noise, Double Play, Scheme, The Quick, Trendoids and The Vandalays. The name Too Much Saturn comes from an obscure song by Francis Dunnery and alludes to being slightly out of balance. Too much Saturn but not enough Moon loosely speaking. We’ll leave any deeper meaning to your own devices and interpretation and as such can mean whatever you want it to. Too Much Saturn is Mark Hoffmann (lead vocals and guitars), Chris Cerasoli (lead vocals and keyboards), Russ Spice (lead guitar and vocals), Guy Sheldon (bass and vocals) and Dave Franco (drums and vocals).

History
Mark Hoffmann and Russ Spice first worked together when Great Big Noise, an original Chicago band recorded and released their debut album entitled “You’re Only as Big as the Noise You Make” in 2005. The CD was met with radio airplay, favorable press and reviews and the song ‘2 Cents’ was featured on NBC’s “Today Show” on August 23, 2005. Russ produced and engineered the album and added it to his sonic resume which also includes technical engineer on the Smashing Pumpkins’ Billboard Number One, Grammy winning and nine times platinum selling album “Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness” released in 1995. Prior to Great Big Noise, Mark played in several midwest bands including Right Mind, Groove Weasel, Spylo and Scheme. A singer/songwriter with an ability to craft a catchy pop tune, Mark has a penchant to weave pop culture references into the story lines of his songs.

Great Big Noise went through a few changes over the next few years including the departure of Matt Harris (co-guitarist and writer of ‘2 Cents) for California. Russ then seamlessly stepped in and joined Great Big Noise on lead guitar and seasoning spice and they went on to play many clubs and festivals including the pre-show for Collective Soul & Better Than Ezra at The Rave in Milwaukee in 2006.

In 2007, Great Big Noise came to an amicable close and the members went their own ways. Mark and Russ eventually drifted back together in the studio and decided to put together a new band. Russ contacted Pete Grundberg, an old former band mate, drummer extraordinaire and friend. They had played together in a few bands over the years with shows all over Chicago in venues including the Avalon and Double Door. Mark, Russ and Pete finally all met up made some noise and the new band’s foundation was conceived. However, one final but important piece of the sonic puzzle was still missing; the low frequency and bottom end. Several ads were placed in the local media and entertainment sites looking for a unique bass player. Enter Guy Sheldon via an inconspicuous little two line internet ad. He had been playing bass guitar in Double Play, a popular Chicago cover band and also in the occasional but ever so twisted trio, The Clarence Band. Guy has a unique bass sound and style not unlike an oncoming but melodic freight train. All courtesy of a his Waterstone 12 String bass guitar which sounds kinda like a rhythm guitar and bass guitar playing together at the same time. Guy was looking to break free of the cover band thing and for an original and creative outlet. Too Much Saturn went on to play many mid-western venues and festivals including four shows at Six Flags Great American where they played to thousands. Drummer Pete Grundberg left in 2010 to pursue an career opportunity out east and Guy, Mark and Russ started looking for a new drummer. Once again social media networking to the rescue with Dave Franco on drums. Dave hammers out the big beat with finesse and showmanship on a huge set of vintage Slingerland drums with a bass drum is so large he’s been tempted to drive it home after the gig. Not only has Dave filled the drum throne, he also brought along Chris Cerasoli on keyboards and vocals. Dave and Chris had previously played together in several Chicago bands including The Quick and The Vandalays. Chris is also a songwriter with over 30 published songs and one song titled “Can’t Find Your Way” (by The Vandalays) received airplay on over 250 radio stations in the U.S. and Canada, actually reaching number 1 on 3 college radio stations. Additionally the song “Graduation Day” (by The Quick) was featured in the sound track of a production piece for NBC’s “Today Show” and was also used on the “The Nightly News.” (What’s up with NBC using and airing songs from two different bands that eventually morphed into Too Much Saturn?! They need to feature Too Much Saturn songs!!!)
Anyway, the collective, diverse and eclectic influences of the five members include: The Beatles, Beck, James Brown, The Cars, Johnny Cash, Cheap Trick, Crowded House/Neil Finn, dada, David Bowie, Del Amitri, Flaming Lips, Fountains of Wayne, Guster, Tommy Keene, King Crimson, Led Zeppelin, Los Straightjackets, NIN, Pink Floyd, Michael Penn, Queen, Ramones, Refreshments/RCPM, Sex Pistols, Sonic Youth, Soundgarden, Talking Heads, U2, Tom Waits, The Who, Wilco, Frank Zappa and WXRT Radio Chicago. Confusing? Maybe, but somehow it all works. So, an important question is who do they sound like?! Uniquely themselves but favorable comparisons to the Killers, Barenaked Ladies, Gin Blossoms and Fountains of Wayne abound. Check ‘em out and see for yourself.