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" within two months. 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 works for the Florida Attorney General's office as an Assistant Attorney General, Criminal Appeals attorney. 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.
Tom Corbett
Drums
Tom Corbett is a different form of flora. Tom has musical roots in south Florida, with DPFresh, Sugarshak, Ona, and the world-famous King Cotton Blues Band. Someone with such a complex root system eventually has to hook up with an ego tree. Creed's opened for him; he's opened for Styx. He also opens beer bottles effortlessly. A root system needs a lot of hydration.
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.
Terry Logue
Guitar
Terry Logue is a mystery with a guitar. Which came first, the tree or the ego? The answer is: Terry Logue.
Former members:
Scott
LaPorta
Guitar
Scott "Scotty Meatballs" LaPorta provided soaring, melodic guitar and backing vocals for both Urban Legend and ego tree starting in 1999. In mid-2003, he relocated with his wife, Mara, to Sarasota, Florida, where he practices law (and probably a little guitar, too).
Jayson Lawrence
Drums - 2001
Jayson played drums with Tallahassee rock band, Fuse. He played drums on two of the songs from "Daydreaming in Eden," including ego tree's most-played radio song, "Three Minutes."
Chris Fitzgerald
Drums - 2001-2003
Chris previously played for several bands including
Tallahassee's own, Catalyst, who is featured on the
Local's Only 3 CD
He played drums on 8 of the 10 tracks on the 2003 ego tree album, "Daydreaming
in Eden."