Certain Company

Bio: 2004-2006 The true seeds of the Company were planted well before the 5 members actually met. Zach Bonnan (Shove) and Greg Zimmerman happened to be in the same musical production at the University of Illinois and shortly thereafter became friends. Tom "Oaktree" Fairbank, who also attended the same school at the same time, wouldn't musically enter the picture until all three were alumni. While Zach was trying his hand at making it solo elsewhere in China and the U.S., Tom ...

Bio: 2004-2006 The true seeds of the Company were planted well before the 5 members actually met. Zach Bonnan (Shove) and Greg Zimmerman happened to be in the same musical production at the University of Illinois and shortly thereafter became friends. Tom "Oaktree" Fairbank, who also attended the same school at the same time, wouldn't musically enter the picture until all three were alumni. While Zach was trying his hand at making it solo elsewhere in China and the U.S., Tom and Greg began building the group that would ultimately become Certain Company. 2007 Former projects were energetic and determined yet short-lived. Tom, Greg, and fellow U of I alum Brent Lafrenz first performed together at graduation party in Greg's backyard. The three had never played before. They then added lead guitarist Jeremy Kanne and keys/vocalist Elizabeth Zimmerman - Greg's sister. Jumpman Junior played several shows in the summer and fall of '07 before dissolving due to a snowboarding accident coupled with busy schedules. During this time, Zach returned to Chicago and was invited by Greg to play some of his songs for the group. 2008 It was an instant fit. Zach's impressive song-writing capabilities and powerful vocals allowed Greg and Elizabeth to harmonize with his melody lines. Zach's songs were adapted for band. No longer lead singer, Greg was then able to play a more versatile role as lead guitarist, vocalist, and violinist. In the 1st week of the new year, a new group was born. This collaboration, which became the Bahnan Brothers, met in its full capacity one and only time during a 3-day recording session in an Urbana basement. The group as a whole never performed live. With their home-made recordings, the group started hitting up venues in the city and suburbs of Chicago for gigs. Slightly apprehensive that the poor quality might be a hinderance, the group was pleasantly surprised at first to have any opportunity the could. They began playing extended sets at open mic venues, most noteably Code in Carol Stream and Ballydoyle in Downers Grove. They secured a practice space on Carroll Ave. in the city and were well underway practicing twice a week. However, their momentum was cut short when their drummer, Brent, announced that he would not be leaving Champaign. Through the magic of craigslist, Alex Pitts discovered the Bahnan Brothers. From the first day onboard, Alex was immediately committed to the group and was inducted shortly afterwards. The band had a naming party' to determine a better title, but came up short. Zach later suggested 'Certain Company' after listening to a Black Crows CD Greg had lent him. Again, it was an instant fit. However, the group continued to follow a trend of 2 steps forward and 1 back : Elizabeth announced that she would not be able to keep up her committment to the band. And again, Craigslist graced the group with an another amazing musician: Nicole Lang. She immediately won the group over with her rockstar voice, incomparable harmonization, and stylistic keyboard skills. Unfortunately, she had to depart as quickly as she joined due to other committments. Now it's just the 4 of us. Or at least we thought... It turned out that Acorn, a vetern rocker who performed extensively in the 1970's, would be more than a companion. He soon began writing songs and using his people skills to help market the band. He is the muse behind the magic and full member of the band. His stage presence alone adds more than any instrament ever could. Then, in an idle Saturday night rehearsal, Tom announced he could not keep up with the Company. As the founding member alongside Greg, it hit the group pretty hard. Yet, as luck would have it, Billy Coogan would find the band through the magic of the internet. Billy took little time in learning what had been laid before him and soon began adding his own stylings into the mix. That pretty much brings us up to speed with the current state of affairs. Certain Company doesn't plan on changing their name or members for a long time to come; however they are eager to develop their repetoire, originality, and overall dynamic. The past has been rocky, exciting, and eventful - what will the future bring?