Detagoh (pronounced Day-TAH-go) was formed in Cleveland, OH by PJ Anderson and John Pacini in 1999. Relocating to Chicago, Anderson and Pacini were quickly joined by some of Chicago's top musicians helping to create an original sound that is hard to categorize. Drawing from many different styles of music including pop, rock, blues, jazz, country, Latin and even disco, Detagoh has begun to build a following in the college and young adult audience enabling them to play to packed clubs throughout the midwest
PJ, born Paul John Anderson, is one of the founding members of Detagoh. Before forming Detagoh, PJ had never really performed in a band. But love of music and this burning curiosity lead him to this adventure. This same love of music and the desire to perform naturally led him to begin writing his thoughts and experiences down and turning them into music. With musical influences across the board such as the Beatles, Phish, Eric Clapton, Martin Sexton, Frank Sinatra, The Black Crowes, The Allman Brothers and many singer/songwriters, PJ's musical style became very eclectic. He is the main lyricist and has ventured into the musical aspect of composing music. His lyrics stem form personal experience, hardships, trials, joys and everyday life.
Although John puts the 'Det' in Detagoh, this Detroiter currently resides in Chicago, IL. Ever since middle school, the soulful sounds of Led Zeppelin, Cream, Phish, Radiohead, Paul Simon, Frederic Chopin, The Beatles, The Band, etc have enlightened his notions as to what music should be. Apparently his parents knew that grounding him for three weeks in high school would inspire him to pick up his father's old classical acoustic and never look back. He felt that the only way to get serious was to surround himself with musicians far superior to him; musicians who taught him not just to play, but, to feel every note his guitar makes. By putting his feelings into music and passion behind his words, he has provided the basic melodies and lyrics for many of the songs in the Detagoh repertoire.
Mike Stephen grew up just outside of Chicago in Elmwood Park, home of the legendary Johnnie's Beef and Russell's BBQ. Since 1998, he's lived on the North side of Chicago and has visited more bars than he can remember. Mike has been playing harp for over seven years, most recently in Detagoh. He listens to anything he can get his hands on, but always returns to the Blues and Rock N' Roll. Some of his influences are Corky Siegel, Sugar Blue and Charlie Musselwhite. Lock him in a room with AC/DC albums and an unlimited supply of Mexican food and he'd be in heaven. One of his loves is Chicago, not the band, the city (although if it meant more publicity, he'd give some lovin' to the band too). His favorite color is blue.
Mike Jeffers is a fantastic young drummer who studied at the prestigious North Texas State University in Denton, Texas. He is featured on weekends at the Peninsula Hotel in Chicago. Jeffers also has appeared at major events and festivals throughout the Midwest. Recently, he became editor and publisher of Chicago Jazz Magazine, which serves as the official program of Chicago's Jazz and Blues festivals. Jeffers recently teamed up with Detagoh, adding his unparalleled touch and unique style to the group.
When Dave Goldman was six years old he received two gifts that changed his life: a violin and the Beatles' Abbey Road album. The first was a gift from his father, a professional violinist who has played all over the world as a previous member of the Cleveland Symphony Orchestra and a current member of the El Paso Symphony Orchestra. The latter was specifically requested by young Goldman and given to him by his mother. The combination of the two has been the foundation for his music today: a diverse sound that can just as easily rock out as it can play a sensitive ballad.
Adam started playing the bass sometime in the mid 1990's. Originally he wanted to become a guitar player but the chance to study with great Chicago bass player Nick Schneider outweighed his guitar playing thoughts. Adam enjoys all kinds of music. "there is something to be learned from any type of music." He started rehearsing with Detagoh at the end of summer 2004. His goal is to create good music within a group context.
A mystery to even us.