The Band

Dave - drums

Dave picked up his first pair of drum sticks at the age of 9, and has been playing drums ever since. 

Dave’s musical career started with Crosswinds Band.  Crosswinds was one of the finest funk and R&B bands ever to hit the Southern Tier.  With incredible vocals, and a magnificent horn section, the band became a big hit in the area.  Eventually, Crosswinds started touring the southern and central states, and found their way to Canada, opening for such artists as Taste Of Honey, Ohio Players, The Tramps, B.T. Express, Crown Heights Affair, and Norman Conner And Starship Band 

After Crosswinds, Dave performed with the Dale Toliver Group.   

In 2004, Dave started playing with Under Seige, who eventually became the Upstate Funk Machine.  Dave considers himself very blessed to have had the opportunity to play with the great musicians he has played with over the years and he continues to be one of the finest drummers in the area.

 
  
Mick - keyboards

Born in 1954 and raised in Elmira, NY, Mick started playing piano at a very young age, however, he never played in a band until 1994. It wasn't until he was 40 years old, when he was asked if he wanted to jam with some guys who were starting up a blues band.

The blues band never really took off and Mick eventually joined the "Bobby Preston Band", where he enjoyed seven great years of playing classic rock and blues.

During that same period, the Bobby Preston Band took a short "vacation" and Mick went to play keys with "Emerald", another local band in Elmira, until the "Bobby Preston Band" regrouped.

In 2002 the "Bobby Preston Band" dismembered and the "Tune Doctors" were formed. While playing with the "Tune Doctors", Mick was asked if he wanted to join a funk band, which at that time was called "Under Seige". "Under Seige" soon became what is now the "Upstate Funk Machine". Mick enjoys performing with Donnie, Dave, Vince and Pat and hopes that they will be around for a long time to come.
 

Pat - guitar

Pat was born in Memphis, TN., and moved to New York with his family while still in elementary school. 

Pat actually started out as a drummer throughout school.  After begging his mom for an electric guitar, he finally got his way in his freshman year (thanks mom).  Once he got his hands on it, he couldn’t put it down. 

During high school, he played in a band called “Tremor”– six great friends, a lot of beer, and nothing but good times.  After high school, Pat played in “Max Slear”, where they played mostly original music written by the different band members.  At that point he took 9 years off, staying home and recording in his home studio. 

Then last year, Pat got a call from Mick asking him if he was interested in playing guitar in a funk band.  This was something a little different for a guy who grew up on Vanhalen and the 80’s hair-band era.  (Who ever knew that a guitar amp had a clean channel….who cared?)  After a couple of rehearsals, he was hooked.  (Thanks, Mick.)  Music is all about having a good time, and Pat hopes that you’ll all have a good time with him.

 
 
Vince - Bass

Born & raised in Elmira, NY, he began playing Baritone horn in the school band in the 5th grade. Bored to death, started playing guitar & bass in 1969. Played in numerous cellar & garage bands throughout high school (most notably, WIZARD).

Toured Canada with an Elvis tribute band, went on the road with PORTRAIT (a lounge lizard band) before resettling in Elmira playing with SMALL FACTORY and G.C. Express in local bars & night clubs.

A few bands later (DREAMSTREET, etc), he ran into Mick & Joe, who were looking for a bass player for The Bobby Preston Band. Happy to jump aboard with Kozz, Tom, Mick & Joe, he had a few years of fun until the band disbanded.

With some members still eager to play THE TUNE DOCTORS BAND was put back together. While playing with THE TUNE DOCTORS, Vince was asked if he was interested in playing bass in a funk band. The rest is history. Vince joined THE UPSTATE FUNK MACHINE last year, bringing with him his many years of musical talent.