The August Project

the band

Jason Klug -- lead vocals, guitar, piano. Jason is a Music Industry and Vocal Performance Major at Syracuse University. He has received scholarships for study in Mexico and Europe and is a six-time featured vocalist at the Miss New York State Pageant. "I try to write music that engages the audience in more than just the rhythm and melody, but also gets them to identify with the story within the song." As the frontman of the band, Jason provides the ladies with a talented and attractive focal point on stage.

Bradford Tukey -- guitar, vocals. Brad, a native of Farmingdale, Maine is a Music Industry and Guitar Performance Major at Syracuse University. He recently finished recording a full-length CD with his father, a singer/songwriter. "Aside from performing, my role in the band includes managing, song writing and making sure Jason doesn't waste too much time chasing the ladies." From the fans' point of view, Brad is seen as the straight arrow, often a direct compliment to Jason's animated stage presence.

Chris Kirkegaard -- drums. A native of Watertown, New York, Chris picked up his first set of sticks at the young age of 7, and has yet to put them down. His solid grooves provide the heartbeat that is essential to the band's style. As the most laid-back member of the group, the band looks to Chris in order to identify the seemingly obvious, but often overlooked truth. "Music can change your mood. It can make a good day bad, and a bad day good."

Jesse Salucci -- bass guitar. Jesse is enrolled in the School of Visual and Performing Arts at Syracuse University. Originally a drummer, he has been jamming with his father, a professional musician, for years. His drumming background makes him the perfect compliment to round out the rhythm section. On stage, Jesse is known for his intense focus and funky slap bass. But behind the scenes, he is famous for his candid sense of humor. "I like to make music that makes you want to wiggle."

The band started as an idea when Jay and Brad met at Syracuse University in the Spring of '98. As told by Brad:

"I saw Jay sitting in the stairwell of Shaw Hall, playing guitar. I walked on past him up the next flight of stairs when I heard the first few chord changes of Stairway to Heaven. I stopped and listened, noting a few mistakes here and there, but an overall good imitation. I walked back and introduced myself. We jammed out and began working on material that could eventually be played in a band setting.

"Jay met Chris over the summer, and we put a flyer for a bassist up in the fall. Jesse was the first and only guy to answer, and he fit right in with our vision of playing fun, funky rock and roll."

"The name for the band came about as a suggestion from Jason. We then took a midnight walk in Watertown, discussing countless other names. Eventually we came back to square one and decided on The August Project. It has to do with the fact that we formed in late August, and we didn't want a name that would pigeon-hole us into any one genre of music - like The Death Metal Polka All Stars. Here are a couple of names that we almost used: Four Rent, Burning August, and Aural Sex."