Know Your Enemy...

John Orth: Rhythm & Lead Guitar and Lead Vocals

John started playing guitar at the age of 13, and from the beginning was a dedicated devotee to early Rock 'n' Roll and the British Invasion. While his peers were enjoying the musical styling of Milli Vanilli, Poison, and Bobby Brown, John was more interested in Chuck Berry, Carl Perkins, and The Beatles. He began performing semi-professionally at 16 as a vocalist and guitarist, cutting his teeth playing classic rock at the bars and festivals in the Fox Valley of Northeastern Wisconsin. In 1993, John was accepted to the University of Wisconsin School of Music as a classical guitar major and moved to Madison, WI. During the late 1990's, he could be seen performing classic rock in honky tonks in and around Houston, Texas. Since 2000, John has again called Madison home. In The Invaders, John has found the ideal group in which to devote his energy to performing his favorite music with equally dedicated and talented musicians and vocalists.

Jim Brown: Lead Guitar & Keys and Lead Vocals

Jim was born in Kenosha and in 1964, he got his first guitar - which his mother angrily threw into the coal furnace one day as she thought “the money” was in accordion music! His uncle in Frankfurt bought him a half-size guitar from the Framus factory when he found out. As an “original” Beatle fan, Jim started honing his craft in 1965 and landed his first pro gig in 1967 (unfortunately playing accordion in a polka band!). Soon after that, he kept the guitar (which he still has) - and lost the accordion. After high school, Jim ran a music store for a spell, then joined the Army and became a guitarist for US Army Band of New England. He was also a guitarist for Spiney Norman - a touring heavy metal band for the recruiting command. In the 80’s, Jim played with R&B and Rockabilly bands in the New England area. In the 90’s, Jim came home, quit playing and went back to school for a veterinary degree. That was quite a switch, but Jim missed the guitar and while in school, played with the Oak Park Band and later, Johnny and the Rockers. After graduation, Jim went back to New England for two more years, and then moved back again to continue his music and his animal service. Jim met John O. in the spring of 2004, and hooked up with Mark G. and John R. in the fall of 2005, and off we go....

Jim spends his free time recording and volunteering at the Dane County Humane Society - (Spay and neuter your pet!).

Mark Gruenenfelder: Bass Guitar and Lead Vocals

Born and raised in southwestern Wisconsin and remaining a cheesehead for life, Mark has over 30 years of band experience playing everything from rock-n-roll, country, old time polka and blues. He started at an early age singing along with The Beatles, The Everly Brothers, Elvis and The Ventures (well actually, they’re who got Mark into guitar) on his 45-rpm records. In 3rd grade, Mark made guitars out of cardboard, 1”x 2”s, and string for himself and two other friends, and a drum kit made from cans for ‘Ringo’. They played and sang along with a Beatles’ record for ‘Show & Tell.’ His first band was in 8th grade: Freedom Road. In the mid-70’s, Mark helped form the band Slyder (60’s and 70’s rock) and in the 80’s, a band called Remuda (rock & country). Mark has, and continues to play country music with his brothers, and was an integral part of the Eric Nofsinger Band. His bands have been opening acts for such artists as Luther Allison, The Bellamy Bros., Little Texas, and David Lee Murphy. Mark has also played at the Dane Co. Fair, WI State Fair and many other major festivals. Along with his bass playing, Mark has his share of lead vocals and harmonizes. The Invaders has brought a rejuvenation of the 60’s style music back into his blood.

John Remy: Drums and Vocals

As a Beatle fan since age six, John has become a student of the 60’s bands, especially the “British Invasion.” John has been playing in bands for over 23 years. While in college, he formed Attic Noise with future Wizenhiemers bassist Rick Murphy. John joined one of southern Wisconsin’s favorite bands, Summer Haze in 1992, playing until its disbandment in 2000. (Incidentally, John had been a loyal Summer Haze fan since he first saw them when he was just seven.) John has played many styles of music including country, blues, jazz and every era of classic rock. John uses his trusty 1964 Ludwig kit to keep the band’s non-stop dynamic pulse. Remo, as he is often called, can usually be found smiling away behind the drums, just having the best time rockin’ out with his band mates. Playing with Jim, John and Mark is an absolute honor and pleasure!

Well, there's only one way to find out more, and that's to get off the couch, put on your dancing and/or drinking shoes, and come to one of our shows!  With a healthy dose of Invaders music, you'll be walking tall and feeling like a million bucks, guaranteed.  Below, you'll see a gentleman who is suffering from an Invaders deficiency.  He looks neither healthy nor happy.  Don't let this happen to you.  Make The Invaders a regular part of your entertainment diet.