The '72 Dolphins

The '72 Dolphins (named after the only untied and undefeated team in NFL football history) were started by longtime friends and musical partners Tom and Sallad. After years of being in bands together with varying (yet mostly minimal) success, they looked to Grand Rapids for the foundation of a new project. Following the breakup of well-loved GR ska band One For The Books , there were a few members still looking to be active in the ska scene.



After playing guitar in OFTB, Tyler was the obvious choice for bitchin' axe handler.



John played the bass solo in OFTB, but since horn players aren't a dime a dozen like bass players are, he was enlisted as the trombone player. He's pretty good at every instrument.



Alex isn't too into ska, but played trombone in OFTB. It's hard to find a decent vocalist as well as Alex's dislike for ska made him a perfect choice for a frontman. His rough vocal stylings are loved by many and hated by even more. If you don't like it, too bad. We do.



While we were stealing members of other bands, we decided that we should probably get a drummer and another horn player. Since part of the Kalamazoo rock and skoal band, Jim Jones Catering Service , lived in the same house as Tom, there were several willing and able musicians to fill empty spots in the Dolphins line-up.



Kellen was the metal powerhouse behind JJCS's heavy rhythm section. Since ska and metal are pretty much the same thing (right?) he was an obvious choice to pound the skins. His loud and technical style are the foundation of the Dolphins sound.



Matt Motzel has been a friend and musical partner of both Tom and Sallad for longer than any of us can remember. He also happens to be an amazing sax player. Who better to join? He also happens to be mostly insane. If you ever meet him, offer him ketchup. He loves ketchup.



With most of a band put together, Tom and Sallad just needed to fill whatever spots hadn't been taken. Tom decided that a bass guitar is probably necessary in a ska band and that he could probably play that. Sallad wanted to play trumpet and who are you to argue?



We finished our first EP, "R2-D2 Sings The Blues" while playing a few shows in the Michigan/Indiana/Ohio area. In that time, John was let go and we replaced him with Benji. It seems that Benji has moved away (without telling us?) so we are currently looking for a trombone player.