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David Stackhouse, a.k.a.
"Stack", is a vocal artist, songwriter, sideman, educator,
and the creative force behind Boston's all-vocal rock band, Five
O'Clock Shadow, a.k.a. "FOCS".
"AWW,
THAT'S SO FREAKY!!!" - Joe Rogan (host of Fear Factor)
Stack's been singing
in bands since 1982 when he was a freshman in high school.
In 1991 he graduated from Berklee College of Music, where he studied
voice and songwriting. While he was there, he also began doing vocal
improvisation and vocal percussion (making percussive, drum-like
sounds with his mouth, a.k.a. "beatboxing")
skills that have since set him apart as somewhat of a musical
mutant.
"Is
he gonna be alright???" - Conan O'Brien
Stack
holds one microphone, and wears another mounted in an elastic strap
around his neck. Stack uses two microphones because he does vocal
percussion and vocal bass
at the same time! You could think
of Stack as a one-man all-vocal rhythm-section. But he coined a
simpler term for himself: "beatbass".
"pick(s)
up where Bobby McFerrin left off, creating drum-machine beats, bass
lines, and the occasional cymbal crash
Quite a trick."
- Hayley Kaufman, Boston Globe
Stack has been doing
beatbass since the mid-90s, but has gotten his most exposure through
FOCS. Stack joined FOCS in 1998 as their vocal percussionist, but
when Benni "Human Bass" Chawes left FOCS the following
year, Stack took over on beatbass, and has been playing the dual
role ever since.
"it's
all voices, all the time, though you'll swear you hear drums and
guitar" - Washington Post
Stack came to FOCS with
a vision of the ultimate all-vocal rock band. With the right vocal
arrangements, some techie wizardry, and enough loudspeakers, he
hoped they could peel paint off walls. Stack became the primary
songwriter and arranger for FOCS, with whom he co-produced 2 CDs,
and won numerous Contemporary A Cappella Recording Awards, A Cappella
Community Awards and nominations.
"the
number one vocal pop band of the new millennium" - MTV Online
Stack has toured extensively
with FOCS in the USA and abroad, including 3 tours of Japan. Numerous
TV appearances include VH-1's "//break.through/", ABC
Monday Night Football, FOX News, WB's Morning Show, and many more.
Their long list of distinguished clients includes Panasonic, Clear
Channel Entertainment, Cingular Wireless, Mohegan Sun, and The NFL
Hall of Fame. And through FOCS's Vocal Challenge program Stack has
presented workshops and master classes to thousands of music students
from coast to coast.
"Stack
is a multi-tasker extraordinaire." - Sean Altman
Stack is now a full-time
freelance musician. He still sings and performs beatbass part-time
with FOCS, but he jams with lots of other musicians,
too! Filling in as a sideman on beatbass is one of Stack's favorite
pastimes. So whether you need the beat, the bass, or both, give
Stack a try! And for some of the wildest vocal effects you've ever
heard, or even just straight-up vocals and harmonies, Stack is equal
to the task!!!
Stack also provides innovative
educational workshops for students
of all ages on topics such as songwriting, vocal improvisation,
vocal percussion & beatbass, choral master classes, mixing live
sound and effects, and more. References are available upon request.
"...the
best musician I've ever met." - Bill Eddy, former FOCS bandmate
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