From Left to Right:

"Tenacious" Lee Loveless - Guitar

Mike "Ironhand" Rounds - Bass

Mark "Snickers" Scott - Drums

Paul Adrian "Wonderboy" Villarreal - Vocals

Satoru "Psych" Takagi - Keyboards

Band Bio

The genesis of San Diego prog-rock band Wooden Badger began in 2001 when long time friends and collaborators Mark Scott (drums), Mike Rounds (bass), and Lee Loveless (guitar), decided to regroup for a recording project. The music reflected the group’s early influences from bands including Rush, Yes, Deep Purple, and Black Sabbath, but was intensified by a hard edge sound reminiscent of contemporary prog outfits like Dream Theater and Symphony X.

Vocalist Paul Adrian Villarreal joined the group, then known as Illusion of Oida, in 2003. Range and power akin to modern prog singers like Russell Allen (Symphony X) and James LaBrie (Dream Theater), combined with a love of blues-based rockers of the 70’s (Styx, Kansas and BadCo. come to mind) made for a style that was a perfect match for the band. His penchant for complex harmony arrangements also added a new dimension to the songs, and the band’s ambition moved beyond a simple recording project to a full-fledged recording and performing act.

The final ingredient to the band’s chemistry was the addition of keyboardist Satoru Takagi. His original sound owes as much to his virtuosity as to his intuition for designing appropriate patch sounds. Satoru’s arrival also allowed for the level of guitar/keyboard interplay that has been a characteristic of prog music for decades.

With the new arrivals, the band had achieved a new and unique sound, and so opted for a name change. Thus, Wooden Badger was born. Both powerful and emotive, Wooden Badger’s music has already demonstrated an appeal that goes far beyond the confines of the prog genre. Fans of classic rock, hard rock and music lovers in general, will all be affected by the organic and tenacious sound, the “if at first you don’t succeed,” motto for which the band’s moniker is a metaphor.

Lee Loveless – Guitar

Lee has been playing in rock bands since age 15. Some of his most important guitar influences come from the like of Jeff Beck, Ritchie Blackmore and Al DiMeola. Lee plays with an emotion that transcends beyond his considerable technical ability and makes a direct connection with the listener. It’s no wonder some of his favorite bands are those who have been able to do the same; Yes, King’s X and Pain of Salvation are notable examples. Lee sums up his feelings on the matter by saying, “Nothing – and believe me, I’ve tried plenty – has ever equaled the rush of playing in a good rock band.”

Mike Rounds – Bass

Mike’s rock-n-roll revelation came at a Junior High dance when he realized, “…if you can’t dance, you need to be in the band to get the girls.” Then, at 17, he saw Rush perform. The influence of that show can still be heard in Mike’s complex, yet melodic bass lines, and in his ability to make up for the lack of a second guitarist while Lee is in mid-solo. Mike’s hard working, task master-like attitude has also been an asset to the band, and has earned him the nick name “Iron Hand.”

Satoru Takagi – Keyboards

In his home country of Japan, Satoru first found a love for complex rock music upon hearing artists like Steve Vai and Extreme. He had been working to combine electronic music with rock, and developing his skill at creating unique keyboard sounds with his dear friend “Mr. T” (a limited edition Black Korg Trinity), when he heard Dream Theater’s “Images and Words.” It was that album that sent Satoru along the path of prog-rock wizardry. With an uncanny ability for balancing his formidable skill with appropriateness for each song or section, and his humble attitude, bent on continued improvement, Satoru is sure to be a force in progressive rock for years to come.

Paul Adrian Villarreal – Vocals

Paul has approached music from all angles imaginable, from classical piano, traditional latin, jazz and rock, so it is only natural that progressive music, where all styles converge, is where his heart lies. Harmony is as fundamental to his style as garlic is to his cooking. From early influences like Styx, to recent ones like Spock’s Beard and Pain of Salvation, complex harmony arrangements have had a profound influence. A lover of blues-based rock as well, his clean tone, power and range reflect his biggest influences, which include Tommy Shaw, Russell Allen, Paul Rodgers and Tony Harnell.

Mark Scott – Drums

Mark’s music career started at 11, when he was elected “drummer” of his first band because he had a pair of bongos. Then, in 1969 and ‘70, Mark heard what he says, “seemed to define what I was looking for in music.” His playing makes it clear that what he discovered during those years was Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath. Other influences that can be heard in his classic sound include Keith Moon, Gene Krupa and Neil Peart. Mark is also Wooden Badger’s primary lyricist, and bartender.

Wooden Badger