The ego tree is a Tallahassee, Florida-based
5-piece rock band who, like current chart-toppers Coldplay, Keane, Gavin
DeGraw, and the Killers, realized long ago that the piano is a seminal
rock instrument as vital, diverse, and iconic as the electric guitar. The
ego tree blends piano, guitar, bass, drums, and gorgeous three-part vocals
into an infectious blend of piano-based modern rock with roots in the
classic rock and pop songs of the last 40 years. They also offer up a slew
of pretty ballads, with lyrics as insightful and revealing as any emo
band's.
The ego tree has played live on the three major rock stations in
Tallahassee (X101.5, Gulf 104, and V89), and was recognized as one of the
top three regional bands during the Tallahassee's Most Wanted contest in
late 2004, sponsored by Clear Channel. The band draws on influences like
Ben Folds Five, early Elton John, 1970s Elvis Costello, Sting, the Rolling
Stones, and the Black Crowes for some of its inspiration, but a true list
of influences for the band would take all day. It's safe to say that no
band--local or national--sounds quite like ego tree, and yet their songs
take us somewhere comfortable and familiar because they are instantly
classic and essential. Listening to a new ego tree song is like meeting
someone whom you know will be your best friend. The band members have
honed their live show and their performance skills over the last 5 to 10
years, playing in various bands. The songs are radio-friendly, but without
any sense of artistic compromise. The ego tree is in bloom.
Read our press clippings
here.
Terry Roberts
Vocals, tambourine, and other "lead singer"
instruments
Terry started out life as an infant. He then proceeded to college at the University of South Florida, where he joined/formed the caitlin roscoe project, a progressive rock band. He entered a pupa stage, and proceeded to law school at Florida State University's College of Law to learn all the things he would not be allowed to do later in life. It was at that very moment that he joined Urban Legend, who recorded a fantastic progressive pop album called "One Day". Terry proceeded to a full-on larval stage, when Urban Legend's membership changed nearly completely. Those guys did a couple songs, too, and played for a few years. Terry emerged recently as a fully-formed ego tree. He owns his own statewide appeals law firm, the Law Office of Terry P. Roberts (www.fairdayincourt.com). He enjoys standing still on grass, being watered, and shedding leaves in the fall. His lyrics are inspired by nightmares concerning large disembodied floating green eyes. Also, catch his collaboration with DP Fresh (featuring Tom Corbett on drums and piano, and ego tree producer David Pichard, on guitar and bass! Buy or listen here.
Mark
Murray
Keyboards
Mark was transplanted from Orlando to Tallahassee, and also became a lawyer by day. He has spawned two saplings. He served in several rock outfits, and played for Disney. Hee-hee. He started the rock band Urban Legend several years ago, but now calls ego tree home. He can explain very complex chord sequences to you.
Brian Clark
Bass
Brian began life as a large, disembodied, floating, green eye in Tallahassee, Florida. Being conspicuous, he learned the bass guitar to "fit in with people with bodies." He assumed human form (tho' people still refer to him as the "cyclops") shortly before joining the second phase of Urban Legend, and he appears on such songs as "Torrid" and "Amused." He knows the other songs, too. He single-handedly runs a state social security office, and is in charge of disbursement of checks to people who are about to feed the tree.
Travis Pollard
Drums
Travis Pollard is ego tree's very own forestry technician with roots stretching all the way from NC State to Tallahassee. By day, he's outside in the sun fighting forest fires. By night, he wears the shades and starts a few fires of his own; prescribed fire from a red hot drum kit.
Terry Logue
Guitar
Terry Logue is a mystery with a guitar. Which came first, the tree or the ego? The answer is: Terry Logue.