Wonderlic

Wonderlic is your typical yet not-so-typical groove-a-licious groove band from Denver; they have been jamming along the Front Range for more than five years, including the People’s Fair. The Fusion / Jam Band / Jazz lineup consists of an eight-string electric mandolin, guitar, drums and bass. These are original compositions with spare vocals and occasional covers from genres such as funk, bluegrass and jazz. If you are into jam bands, you will be into Wonderlic. If you don’t think you’re into jam bands or have not had a lot of experience with them, this would be as fine an intro as any.

Members: Allen Galton (mandolin); Mike Whalen (guitar); Alejandro Castano (drums); James Dare (Fender bass)

Influences: Dr. Steve Mullins, Tony Williams, Herbie Hancock, James Jamerson, Jazz Mandolin Project, Tin Hat Trio, Chris Stillwell, Miles Davis, Earth Wind and Fire, Tower of Power, Tim O’Brien, Frank Zappa

Sounds Like: Drums, bass, guitar and an 8-string electric mandolin

Record Label: Amp Shark

www.wonderlic.us
www.myspace.com/wonderlicjam

- Colorado Music Buzz

Wonderlic is your typical yet not-so-typical groove-a-licious groove band from Denver; they have been jamming along the Front Range for more than five years, including the People’s Fair. The Fusion / Jam Band / Jazz lineup consists of an eight-string electric mandolin, guitar, drums and bass. These are original compositions with spare vocals and occasional covers from genres such as funk, bluegrass and jazz. If you are into jam bands, you will be into Wonderlic. If you don’t think you’re into jam bands or have not had a lot of experience with them, this would be as fine an intro as any.

Members: Allen Galton (mandolin); Mike Whalen (guitar); Alejandro Castano (drums); James Dare (Fender bass)

Influences: Dr. Steve Mullins, Tony Williams, Herbie Hancock, James Jamerson, Jazz Mandolin Project, Tin Hat Trio, Chris Stillwell, Miles Davis, Earth Wind and Fire, Tower of Power, Tim O’Brien, Frank Zappa

Sounds Like: Drums, bass, guitar and an 8-string electric mandolin

Record Label: Amp Shark

www.wonderlic.us
www.myspace.com/wonderlicjam

- Colorado Music Buzz

Wonderlic, Self-released
By Jon Solomon, Wednesday, Sep 7 2011

It's pretty obvious where Wonderlic is coming from musically after a listen to "Sacagawea," the opening track on the group's self-titled album. A jam band for sure, Wonderlic steers through different vibes on the track, going from a bouncy, odd-metered rock section that features some Trey Anastasio-inspired guitar work by Mike Whalen to a reggae groove and back again. But the thing that sets Wonderlic apart from other jam bands is an eight-string electric mandolin — deftly played by Allen Galton. Definitely owing a thing or two to Phish, the band delves into mostly groove-based instrumental jams (there are only two tracks with vocals), with hints of jazz and bluegrass, on the ten-song disc. - Denver Westword

Wonderlic, Self-released
By Jon Solomon, Wednesday, Sep 7 2011

It's pretty obvious where Wonderlic is coming from musically after a listen to "Sacagawea," the opening track on the group's self-titled album. A jam band for sure, Wonderlic steers through different vibes on the track, going from a bouncy, odd-metered rock section that features some Trey Anastasio-inspired guitar work by Mike Whalen to a reggae groove and back again. But the thing that sets Wonderlic apart from other jam bands is an eight-string electric mandolin — deftly played by Allen Galton. Definitely owing a thing or two to Phish, the band delves into mostly groove-based instrumental jams (there are only two tracks with vocals), with hints of jazz and bluegrass, on the ten-song disc. - Denver Westword

August 2009 issue of the Colorado Music Buzz. - Colorado Music Buzz

August 2009 issue of the Colorado Music Buzz. - Colorado Music Buzz