West 78

West 78 takes its name from the road running past the group’s rehearsal space in Vista, California. The band’s sound fuses hard rock, jazz, gospel and R&B into sharp, aggressive modern rock that echoes the styles of Ben Harper, the Spin Doctors, the Crash Test Dummies and Dave Matthews Band.

Guitarist, singer and songwriter Kerry Bell, after seeking out compatible players, connected with guitarist Brian Donaldson; the pair adopted the name West 78 in 2000. Following repeated shifts on drums and bass, the ensemble stabilized with bassist Ted Trepinski, drummer Butch Baron and keyboardist Gary Brown. In May 2002 the group issued its energetic, uplifting first album, American Girl.