The Double Life of John Stapleton John Stapleton's gruff, powerful Baritone made its debut on Portland street corners in the early eighties at the then new Saturday Market. Competing for tips with dogs that caught frisbees, Stapleton learned that if he wanted attention, he had to be heard and he had to be good. His energetic guitar style evolved on those street corners, as did his desire to make a living as a performer. Moving to Southern California to pursue his ambition, Stapleton formed Phineas Gage with drummer Rob Gould and bass player Aaron Kirsch. The Gage boys had a crunchy Replacements-like sound, an ironic sense of humor and an informed social conscience that did not fit into the dominant L.A. genre of the time, best described as "Big hair pop". Despite their lack of scene-maker attention, Phineas Gage played hundreds of live shows and produced three fine recordings during their five years together, recordings that have stood the test of time. Several of those songs appear on Stapleton's new release, "Resign" Having reached an age when a young man must start paying back student loans, and with the band seeming to have reached it's apex, Stapleton returned home to earn his teaching credential, while continuing his work as a solo musician. For nearly a decade, Stapleton has played regularly at Portland pubs and saloons, sharing his love for music and his massive repertoire of popular songs with enthusiastic beer drinking fans. Stapleton also teaches in Beaverton, where music is one of the many ways that he shares curriculum with students. "Sonnet 29" from Resign was originally created as part of Stapleton's Shakespeare lit curriculum, translating the Bard's beautiful words to a melodious country ballad. Likewise, "Resign" is meant to educate, not just students, but any person who cares about this country and the dangerous shift in it's foreign and domestic policy over the last two years. Using George W. Bushes own words against him, Stapleton demands that the Bush administration and the PNAC be held accountable for their deception of the public and the Congress in their march to an immoral War. Stapleton lives in Southeast Portland with his wife Kristen, their son Michael and their daughter Josephine. Contact: John Stapleton 503-240-1682 jgage37@yahoo.com Resign is available online at CD Baby