(From left to right) Tom Peterson, Joel Arpin, Brian "Snowman" Powers, Stan Kipper, Chico Perez, DJ Trichrome and (lower front) Javier Trejo Check out more photos of the band by clicking here: Stanley Kipper: lead vocals, timbales, trap drums and percussion Stanley returned to Minneapolis in 1989 after nearly 20 years in Los Angeles touring and recording with such artists as Minnie Riperton, Bill Withers, Joe Walsh, Jay Ferguson, Andrew Gold, Randy Meisner, Barry Gibb, Little Richard, Bo Diddley and Karla Bonoff. Stanley has composed songs for several films and commercials, and has also won top honors in the Coors Light National Song Contest. To know more about Stan and his muscial background, please check out his full-length bio. Chico Perez: percussion and backing vocals Chico has been an active percussionist for many years, touring with such groups as Crow Cola, Gypsy, Jump Street, and 7th Wave. His professional career includes numerous studio projects, as well as keeping busy as a drum-maker and teaching African and Afro-Cuban percussion at the Minneapolis Drum Center. Joel Arpin: trap drums, percussion and backing vocals Since completing his degree in Percussion Performance from the University of Wisconsin in 1987, Joel has been an active percussionist in the Minneapolis music scene. Joel currently stays active studying and performing African, Afro-Caribbean percussion and World Music. Matthew Stevens: bass guitar, backup vocals Matthew grew up in a musically rich environment, learning his first blues lines on bass guitar at age 14 from his father. Soon, he began playing with brother, Nate, and Javier Trejo in The Beads. Matt has studied and played with Gary Hede and Jeoffry Baily and played Jazz at the U of M School of Music. He also played with his group, The Jazz Bastards, and with Hip-Hop group, United States of Consciousness. In 1999, he and Mason Hozza re-formed The Beads. Soon after winning the Cabooze's contest for “Best Unsigned Band in the Twin Cities”, The Beads released their 2003 CD, "Ordinary Sunday People." After The Beads' run, Matt formed the Stevens Brothers Band with longtime friend, Dave Libman (aka Juice), brother, Sam, on drums, and Nate on Vox and Harp. In the spring of 2005, Matt began performing with Wookiefoot, adding another dimension to his repertoire. Matthew first met New Primitives in 2003 when they co-billed a show with The Beads. A few months later, Matt was invited to fill-in for Tommy Peterson while he was away on his honeymoon. During a practice/jam session before the gig, Matt remembers his feeling of glee over the rhythmic differences and all the possibilities of playing with this group. He finished the show, but did not hear from them about playing until 2005. This is when Javier called to say that Tommy was working on a new endeavor with his business partner and would he be interested in filling in regularly? Since then, Matt has played many gigs with New Primitives. His experience playing jazz, hip-hop, reggae, and world beat converges with New Primitives’ style: multi-genre, percussion-driven music at its finest. Tom Peterson: bass guitar Tom is the guy in the band that the crowd never notices – until the bass drops out. . .Tom first heard Stan, Chico and Joel at a festival in St. Paul with their group, One World, and handed Stan his card saying, “If you ever need a bass player, give me a call”. Nearly two years passed, when Stan finally came to his senses and called Tom. Along the way, you may have spotted Tom with many other fine bands in his 15 years in the music industry, but New Primitives offer up the Reggae/Afro- Latin Soul thing that he so desperately needs. In addition to playing with New Primitives, Tom is also co-owner of 318, and the Greenroom, and enjoys a sporting match of bocce. Brian "Snowman" Powers: saxophones, ewi, vocals, and producer Created deep in the swamplands of Louisiana by an accident involving a mad scientist, some bleach, and a jar full of mystery goo, the “Snowman” emerged from his home to spread the love and pure joy of music to the world village. Strong New Orleans traditions of the blues, R&B, and jazz seem to be infused into his very soul. After finding that there was nothing he could do to prevent the demise of the Atari 2600 gaming system, Brian turned his focus to the saxophone. After winning everything from first in the "All State" competition, to the "most likely to eat a vat of un-ground community coffee beans" contest, he clis by way of a brief layover in NYC. . .which lasted about eight years. Let this be a lesson that you should never piss off your flight attendant lest you be stranded in a really big city. While stuck in New York, Brian “Snowman” Powers earned a BFA in Jazz, toured the country, and shared the stage with wonderful folks including Blues Traveler, The Spin Doctors, Reggie Workman, Chico Hamilton, The Samples, Swampadelica, Deep Banana Blackout, Pat Mcgee Band, Antigone Rising, Minneapolis Gospel Sound, Ecselsior, and Junior Mance --- just to name a few. After finally reaching his destination here in the Twin Cities, Snowman found his home preaching the message of peace with the New Primitives, as well as cultivating a promising producing career. Javier Baldemar Trejo: guitar and vocals Javier started playing music at a very young age. He started playing the violin at three, moved to the piano at age seven, the saxophone at age twelve and guitar only a few years later. "I feel very fortunate to have found my calling in life! I still believe that music has the power to save the world, and that we all need to get together on this and raise the global consciousness because there are other people out there who feel the same way!" Dee Jay Trichrome: selector, beats, hype, and tech Trichrome has been involved with music since he was born. Drumming since the seventh grade. His father, William Nevious, was the drummer for the world famous band The Egyptian Combo. (throughout the 60’s and 70’s) Trichrome has played in numerous bands going all the way back to 1985. Recorded first album in 1994 with Corey and the Fireflies (Sioux falls, SD). In ’97 he moved to Madison, WI where he recorded two albums with Reason for Leaving, one which was recorded at Smart Studios (owned by legendary Butch Vig) He started to DJ in high school, doing parties and small shows. Found his calling in the sounds of reggae in ’98, watching, and then becoming a part of Pacesetter Sound System (Madison, WI) then joining Formula Sound System. While in Madison he had the opportunity to work with Natty Nation, Infantry Rockers, Aswah Gregory and the Enforcers, Justin Hines and the Dominoes, Culture, Israel Vibrations, The Meditations, John Brown’s Body and many more amazing people. In 2003, he came to Minneapolis as the new drummer for local band - Trend 86. After the band split, Trichrome turned his attentions to his love of reggae and joined two friends to form Three Kings Sound System, specializing in conscious roots, culture, and dub. It was during a night when Wille was spinning in downtown Minneapolis, that Javier Trejo, of The New Primitives, heard him and invited him to join. He has been playing weekly with the New Primitives ever since. Beginning in 2006, DJ Trichrome will be downtown spinning three times a week. Check him out!