Easy Tiger is the singer/songwriting duo of Russell Baylin and Dan Wean. 2 acoustic guitars, 2 vocals, that’s all…
By 2001, they had been playing together in different bands and projects for 7 years and it was decided that it was time to begin again using their more acoustic side as the basis for a new project, Easy Tiger. This didn’t mean that they wouldn’t rock, though. The rhythms, lyrics and melodies would be heavier than anything they had ever done, just stripped down. They met with legendary producer Sean O’Keefe (Fall Out Boy, Motion City Soundtrack, Hush Sound) and planted the seeds for what would become their debut album, Lonely in my Members Only (2003). Their old friend Brian Barbier (Light FM) came along on bass and Paul Knegten (Dearborn) supplied the drums. Musicbox Online writes: “Lonely in My Members Only is a real triumph for an unsigned band from Chicago — or anywhere, for that matter. Every now and then, a regional band will bubble to the surface and pierce the mainstream consciousness to the delight of fans and the consternation of uptight music critics. If Easy Tiger can pull off such a breakthrough with its relentlessly hooky and unpretentious debut, it will be a well-deserved ascension. (4 stars)” For most of 2003, Easy Tiger played shows with the full band, while the constantly writing Russell and Dan began a new batch of songs which would become their follow-up to Members Only.
Papa Had Some Fury (2004) took on a new life from the beginning. Drummer Paul decided to move out of the country, and at the same time Russell and Dan were envisioning an extremely stripped down, minimally produced album. In fact many of the songs would be mostly acoustic guitar and vocals, with only sparse instrumentation. The sessions were a blast! Recorded at Gravity Studios in Chicago, engineers and musicians popped by and lent a hand, including Barbier, O’Keefe, Manny Sanchez (Umphrey’s McGee), Mark Berlin (Sally), Paul Long (Shred Eagle), and Mike Hari (Members Only, Witroy). Recorded in just 5 days, Papa brings back the sound and spirit of the 60’s & 70’s analog records, which are rarely heard anymore in this age of ProTools and Auto-Tune.
Some acoustic shows followed, but, increasing medical problems with Dan’s back made it evident that he needed a break. Russell continued on through 2005-2006 with a new project, My My My, while Dan had surgery and recovered. Dan began playing again with Oh My God’s Billy O’Neill as O’Neill & Wean. Russell & Dan still collaborate occasionally and once in a rare while play as Easy Tiger. Don't blink though, you might miss it!
To hear/buy Lonely in my Members Only:
To hear/buy Papa Had Some Fury:
