Robert Smits on Bass
Robert picked up a bass guitar late in life. While everyone was stuck at home during the most recent pandemic, he decided to learn how to play bass. He began by practicing each night after work, playing his favorite songs. Shortly afterwards he found the courage to meet up with other musicians and joined a band…or five. These days he enjoys weekly practices and performing in front of friends and family. Partial to the heavier stuff, Robert enjoys everything from Metal and Grunge to Classic Rock and the Blues.
Favorite bands: Mr. Bungle, Metallica, The Beatles, Harry Nilsson
Musical fantasy: To play in an X-ray specs tribute band
Cassandra Dufresne Vocals
Cass has loved singing ever since she discovered the power behind pressing the play and record buttons on her childhood boombox. She has performed in a host of smaller scale band projects, but feels most at home when she is in the practice space working hard at something new. In the Radioshack, Cass is always the first to promote our sad song set list pieces.
Favorite bands: Leonard Cohen, Gin Blossoms, NIN, A Perfect Circle, Jeff Buckley, Lana Del Rey, Pulp
Musical fantasy: To somehow find herself inexplicably required to sing Oh Holy Night in front of an Auditorium of adoring holiday enthusiasts.
Kathy Alvarado on Keys
Kathy’s musical journey kicked off in elementary school with a clarinet, followed by the piano a year later. By the age of 9, she was already reading music—no formal lessons needed—just her neighbor’s piano and some determination. Throughout her childhood and teenage years, Kathy was part of the school band and took piano lessons. After some time away from instruments to raise a family and dive into the world of laboratory science, Kathy found her way back when she was invited to join a high school reunion band, the OHS Hits.
Now with keyboards at her fingertips and the thrill of being part of a band again, Kathy’s musical heart is beating louder than ever with The RadioShack Band.
Kathy loves all genres of music and is always a drawn to a good melody and/or a danceable beat, as well as new pop music.
Favorite bands: The Beatles, Dua Lipa, Billie Eilish, Fleetwood Mac, Paul Simon, Linda Ronstadt, Chris Isaac, INXS, John Mayer.
Chris Munson on Guitar
Chris has been a lifelong musician, starting with clarinet and violin, then bass and ultimately guitar. His early music making was rooted squarely in metal when he played and recorded with Willamette Valley's best kept secret of the 90's: Taxi Cab Floors. He later settled down in the Portland suburbs to raise a family, but found time to co-create legendary dad band: Green Heron Drive. While continuing to rock with GHD, he eventually crossed paths with zesty drummer Lou McKellar to form a lonely duet that would eventually grow into the powerhouse we know now as The RadioShack.
Chris loves music of all kinds. His favorite is discovering something new (to him anyway), especially a well executed cross-genre cover.
Musical Fantasy: To hand-select an array of eclectically disparate artists to collaborate with on mind-blowing, genre-bending covers.. the likes of which the world has never known.
Lou McKellar on Drums
Lou’s musical odyssey sprang from a lifelong obsession with music. Having goofed about on a cajon for a couple of years and looking to make the most of the COVID 19 pandemic, he bought a trap set and started taking lessons. After a couple of years of solo rehearsals Lou and his work colleague Chris Munson started the band that would become The Radio Shack.
While working for the man every night and day, he stays committed to daily practice, weekly rehearsals, old fashioneds, and getting out in front of an audience any chance he gets. Lou’s broad musical tastes include funk, rock, Brit pop, ska, jazz, disco and anything that’s good.
Favorite Bands: Beatles, Prince, Devo, Paul Weller, Parliament
Favorite Quote: “My ability to remember song lyrics of the 80’s far exceeds my ability to remember why I walked into the kitchen.”
Musical fantasy: Be in a band, making music. Oh, wait…