PinPoint Mercy Band Members


Geoff Singing

GEOFF PIPER
Originally from Lexington, Kentucky but now living in San Francisco, Geoff began his musical training classically on the piano and clarinet. He quickly switched from keys to bass guitar with his first band The Disturbance out of necessity to play some early gigs. Geoff soon made his way to Nashville, TN for college where he worked as a session player on bass and played in many local bands from rock, blues, country, to even jazz as both a bassist and vocalist. After college and before joining PinPoint Mercy, Geoff toured nationally and continued his session work in San Francisco as both a bassist and vocalist with many Bay Area artists.




Tommy Playing Guitar

TOMMY MERRY
Growing up in a household filled with parents who loved music dearly, Tommy was constantly exposed to musicals soundtracks and unique artists on vinyl. At the age of 7, after every visit to his grandmother's house, his Uncle would give him a black-light poster and a record for his young collection. When most kids were listening to Sesame Street songs Tommy was already studying Frank Zappa and the Mothers and Iron Butterfly's "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida"; in which he proudly played along to the drum solo, stroke-for-stroke, on a weathered old set of old bongos, (to his parent delight j/k)

At the same time, he was starting to make home movies on q hand cranked 8mm movie camera in his backyard. Inspired by KISS, he officially started taking guitar lessons at 14 and never looked back. Over the years, he's played in countless bands and written music for television, radio, film and video games.

For the twelve years before joining PinPoint Mercy for their latest musical endeavor, Tommy was fronting a self-titled instrumental music project. His solo project played with many national acts including opening a concert with Journey and Joe Satriani at Chronicle Pavilion's Bone Bash.

During the last 10 years, Tommy has been writing and directing indie films between musical projects. Filmmaking, performing music, and writing music for his films remains his artistic passion.



Eli Playing Bass

ELI DALE
Eli Dale was born on June 8, 1983 in San Ramon, California. Eli’s music and personal life have been greatly benefited and influenced by the fortunes of growing up surrounded by the culturally and musically diverse cities of Oakland, Berkeley, and San Francisco. Eli cites his father as a moving force in his music and his biggest influence throughout his life. Eli’s father was an amazing piano player, and he vividly remembers during childhood his father would play songs for Eli and his sister. Eli’s father passed away when Eli was 8, but left Eli with the gift of his charisma. Eli’s mother, on the other hand, grew up in a project in Richmond, California but still gave him a gift: musical exploration and discovery. Due to the popularity of the music of Motown, jazz, and blues among others in Richmond, Eli discovered new influences which shaped his study and writing on the bass.

During school, Eli recognized that he enjoyed and excelled in music more than all other subjects. This combination drove him to pick up the guitar at the early age of 14. Upon hearing the bass playing of John Paul Jones, John Entwistle, Flea, and Paul McCartney, Eli found both his connection and musical calling through the bass guitar. Eli spent the next 5 years playing with many different people and groups honing his craft which culminated in a performance at the Great American Music Hall in San Francisco, California. At the age of 19, Eli reunited with high school friend and previous bandmate Steve Pellow. The two rediscovered their musical bonds, immediately began writing, and ultimately formed the band Carousel together in 2005.



Gregg playing Drums

GREGG DEAN
For Gregg Dean, music was a significant part of childhood as were many other art forms. Gregg draws inspiration from, and attributes his aptitude to, his late mother and father who were an artist and an actor respectively. Gregg began singing and acting at a young age. He appeared in television commercials, print ads, and performed in several stage productions. Studying violin at the age of six lead to an interest in exploring other instruments. After studying guitar and bass, Gregg found his calling in drums and percussion. He has played drums in many settings including the Dave Kelleher Band performing throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and Cleveland based rock band Double Yellow, voted “Best Band” at the Akron University New Music Festival.

Gregg has also enjoyed playing Latin and African percussion for Bay Area Dance Troops and has performed at San Francisco’s University Club in a benefit to fight cancer. His musical influences include Sean Kinney, John Bonham, Dennis Chambers, Dave Abbruzzese and Matt Cameron.

Acting and performance continue to be a prominent theme in Gregg’s life and pursuits. Gregg was born in Connecticut and currently lives in the San Francisco Bay Area.

 

PHOTOS BY MARK CHENG: taken ay BASS Studios while recording Alone Divided.