MEMBERS:
ANDY DEER
Founder, Lead Guitar & Vocals
Andy began his musical career as a "Classical Percussionist" playing the snare drum, tympani for his school & college orchestras.
Coupled with percussions he was also interested in the electric guitar during middle school. He joined his first Rock group during the 8th grade "The Magic Mushroom". It changed his passion from Classical to Rock!
His family moved from Oregon to Los Angeles in the late 60's. Once in LA he was eventually recruited to join a rock band named "The United Few" as a guitar player during high school. TUF was a popular & successful Top 40 band during 1971 -1973 which won many battle of the bands contests.
In 1973 Andy formed the original Powerhouse band. The Powerhouse band performed mostly original material. Powerhouse was booked solid and well known throughout Southern California. Powerhouse was hired to open up for the famous "Tower of Power Band" in 1978 and other prestigious events. Powerhouse music was energetic, powerful and creative.
He semi-retired from the music scene in order to concentrate on his new business venture and family. Establishing a very successful business company to this day.
However, his love for music brought him back into playing 1984-1992. With brothers and friends they formed an original fusion rock band called "Red Envelope". Performing at Madam Wong's East & Madam Wong's West, Club 88 in Santa Monica etc.., and various colleges and universities.
Andy also gained a considerable amount of knowledge in sound, studio recordings, and writing musical scores.
In 2003-2007 he join a smooth jazz band as the lead guitarist for "Touch The Band". This group was an award winning finalist in the Long Beach Jazz search (60 groups competing).
In late 2015 Andy decided to resurrect the "New Powerhouse Band". This new band is Powerful, Versatile and deserving of the original band named "POWRHOUSE"!
David McLaughlin
Lead Vocals
Powerhouse lead vocalist is led by the Soulful, Funky Silky voice of Dave that brings out that Strong edge blend sound complimenting this Dynamic band package.
Dave began singing along with television commercials when he was a small child. He next joined various singing groups throughout elementary school and high school. After high school, Dave joined a couple of bands, most recently singing with The Sunset People band for several years playing at various venues throughout Southern California.
Dave also plays guitar and percussion instruments, enjoys golf, and traveling.
Arlene Capistrano
Lead Vocals
"Arlene also grew up in a musical family of eight, where each member played an instrument. A music or practice room was a must in their household!
In the early 80's she joined a dance band with her two older brothers and Mel G. (also a Powerhouse member ), performing as their lead female vocalist.
They played several nightclubs in the South Bay, and established a following after 4 years as a house band for one location.
She took time-off to raise a family, and work in her other field as an accounting consultant, but missed the joy of performing. So now she is back, and enjoying every minute of it! "
Jesse Dumapias
Keyboards & Lead Vocals
Jesse started playing keyboards and singing in high school in the early 70's, With his playing and singing ability Jesse was in high demand playing with several popular bands.
He also co-founded and managed the band Barkada which was the first Filipino American R&B, Top 40 band in LA.
He later joined the Windfield Summit band, a mixed Asian group that actively played at Disneyland, Magic Mountain and Asian events.
He also performed in live concerts, played the casino circuit coupled with special private affairs for many years.
Jesse is a seasoned musician bringing to POWERHOUSE outstanding keyboard playing and vocals
Mel Garguena
Keyboards & Vocals
Mel started playing guitar in his teens back in the early 70's. He played with countless Los Angeles groups for many years.
Mel attended the L.A. City College majoring in music. He also earned a degree in Architure/Structure Design.
Mel was very active in the L.A. music scene while he was working as an Architech for DOT. Mel loves all musical genres from; Allman Brother's band to funk, disco and top 40's. He eventually learned keyboards and became a keyboardist for several funk and disco bands in the 80's.
We are fortunate to have Mel return to the music scene by joing the new "Powerhouse Band". Mel is a very humorous, creative, determined and a true professional in every espect.
Peter Jaramillo
Drummer
Peter cut his teeth into music at the young age of seven when he showed interest in playing woodwinds, namely the clarinet. His parents were quick to enroll him in beginning classes in elementary school as well as the Los Angeles Music and Art School, a private school. Throughout his teen years in high school he became adept at playing the clarinet, baritone sax and alto sax. He played in the school orchestra, the football marching band, the ROTC marching band and the jazz band. As a youth he also played a bugle and a marching drum as a boy scout in a championship drum and bugle core for his scout troop.
At the age of seventeen he joined his first rock and roll band playing alto sax in the horn section. At the time the drummer in this band could not cut the mustard and Peter found himself playing drums in his place. When Peter’s parents heard him play to his surprise his parents support came in the form of a new Ludwig drum set.
Peter played with various local groups through 1985. In the year 2002 the music itch bit him again and he found himself playing again with various local groups, playing in fusion jazz groups (the prestigious 2003 Long Beach Jazz Search finalist, making the top 7 of 60 bands competing), smooth jazz groups, and various cover bands. Peter also played, led and managed groups successfully taking them to full booking capacity relative to circuit standards.
RayGunn Aguilar
Bass Guitar
Ray was raised in a family with a strong musical background.
Ray was introduced into playing Jazz on the bass guitar. He was fortunate to be tutored by several of the very best bass guitar players in the Jazz circuit.
Over the years Ray played bass with several pristine groups.
Ray brings many years of experience to the POWERHOUSE Band contributing to a tight rhythm section.