WBS members say one of their favorite things about monthly meetings is getting to see performers that haven’t come yet to their regular spot. The next band up for this evening’s entertainment is just beginning to get themselves around our limited circuit of local live music clubs, but should soon be well known to Seattle blues fans. Named “Author Unknown” the band was formed by singer/guitarist Justin Kausal-Hayes and with Scott Lind on guitar, Jon Sleight on bass and Andrew Cloutier on drums, they are tight and powerful. Lind and Kausal-Hayes trade vicious guitar solos and vocal duties as they work their way through blues tunes made famous by the Allman Brothers, Clapton and others. They ended their set with a rousing version of One Way Out. The crowd was dancing and everyone enjoyed this band.

Reprinted from the Bluesletter April 2005, by James Middlefield

And now... meet the band!

Justin Kausal-Hayes: Lead / Rhythm guitar and lead vocals. It has been said that Justin has a hundred dollar guitar, a hundred dollar amp, and a million dollars worth of soul. He has been playing guitar since age nine and is the bands’ remaining founding member. He has played in many bands over the years ranging from pop to rock to blues, but the soulful Author Unknown has always remained his main squeeze. Good rhythm playing is Justin’s key to success, but he’s not afraid to take a solo either.
Influences are: CSNY, SRV, Clapton, the Beatles, Pearl Jam, U2
Email Justin: justin@authorunknown.net

Jon Sleight: Bass and backing vocals Jon is a bass players bass player. He more than gets the job done down low and prefers to let his tasteful basslines do the talking. After cutting his teeth on metal bands like Iron Maiden and Black Sabbath he has now found his home in blues and soul. His musical adventures started in his teens with the piano and guitar but it was at age 17 that he realized that 4 strings are just better than 6 or more and he hasn’t looked back since.
Influences are: Duck Dunn, James Jamerson, Tommy Shannon
Email Jon: jon@authorunknown.net

Andrew Cloutier: Drums and vocals Andrew is a full time drummer with enough rhythmic genius to fill a small country, and enough dynamics to empty one. His willingness to listen and tasteful groove allow him to play with some of the best musicians in town. He started playing drums in his teens and soon it consumed him and became his only occupation. He is focused of late on roots drumming and is involved in many musical projects.
Email Andrew: andrew@authorunknown.net

Scott E. Lind: Lead / Rhythm guitar and vocals Scott has been playing guitar for over 25 years and in that time has become one of Seattle’s premier guitar players. His soulful approach is the same whether he is playing for a crowd of five or five thousand, and he has done both. Scotty gives 100% all the time, every show, no matter what and comes through with a showmanship that is not often seen anymore. He also plays with the Charles White Band and has his own trio, Scotty Lind and the Moondogs.
Influences are: John Lennon, SRV, Duane Allman, Clapton
Email Scott: scott@authorunknown.net

Partial Songlist

Before You Accuse Me (Clapton)
Black Magic Woman (Santana)
Brown Eyed Girl (Van Morrison)
Blues Before Sunrise (Clapton)
Crossroads (Cream version)
Cold Shot (SRV)
Desire (U2)
Don’t Let Me Down (Beatles)
Driftin’ Blues (Clapton version)
Every Day I Have The Blues (BB King)
Hey Joe (Hendrix version)
The Joker (Steve Miller)
Hoochie Coochie Man (Muddy Waters)
Ice Cream Man (Van Halen)
In a Little While (U2)
Key to the Highway (BB King)
Knockin On Heavens Door (Dylan)
La Bamba (Richie Valens)
Last Kiss (Pearl Jam version)
Leave My Little Girl Alone (SRV)
Lets Get it On (Marvin Gaye)
Lennie (SRV)
Little Wing (Jimi Hendrix)
Moondance (Van Morrison)
Need Your Love So Bad (Peter Green)
No Woman No Cry (Bob Marley)
One (U2)
One Way Out (Allman Brothers)
Phone Booth (Robert Cray)
Pride and Joy (SRV)
Proud Mary (CCR version)
Rebel Rebel (Bowie)
Red House (Hendrix)
Shake For Me (Howlin Wolf)
Steal My Kisses (Ben Harper)
Steppin Out (Blues Breakers)
Sittin On the Dock of the Bay (Otis Redding)
Statesborough Blues (Allman Bros)
Sultans Of Swing (Dire Straits)
Sunshine of Your Love (Cream)
The Thrill is Gone (BB King)
Texas Flood (SRV)
Tulsa Time (Clapton version)
Tore Down (Freddy King)
Twist and Shout (the Beatles)
Whipping Post (Allman Brothers)
Wish List (Pearl Jam)
Yellow Ledbetter (Pearl Jam)
You Cant Always Get What You Want (Rolling Stones)
... & many more

Originals

Breakdown
45 Minutes
Letter to Myself
Us Part I
Us Part II
Jigsaw
Sometimes
World So Strange
Quick Starts
Hold On
Learning
Its Not
All Fall Down
It Aint Right
Just Waitin
Windows
Should
Could you Be

Venues

Big Daddy’s Place (Woodinville)
Fado Irish Pub (Pioneer square)
The Rocksport (West Seattle)
The Fenix (Pioneer Square)
Larrys Blues Café (Pioneer Square)
The Owl & Thistle (Pioneer Square)
Corner Inn (West Seattle)
The Raging River Saloon (Fall City)
The Highliner Pub (Ballard)
Suite G (Freemont)
The Rainbow (U-District )
The Scarlet Tree (U-District)