Abandon Theory - What is it?
"Abandon Theory is impossible to label. Each song is played in a different musical style and is also performed in ever-evolving arrangements. Special guests have been known to make unannounced visits to the stage but the guys in Abandon Theory can easily hold their own. Rock, Reggae, Funk, Folk, they mix up an evening like a jukebox on LSD!"
Jesse Burns, vocalist and acoustic guitar player for Abandon Theory, was attending Sacramento State University’s School of Music, but grew bored with the traditional "rules" of music. He left to find a sound he had only heard before at underground shows. He began going to open mics throughout northern California on a mission to seek out others who had experienced a similar connection to music through this kind of spontaneous, raw, and unprocessed style.
After meeting three other like-minded musicians they founded Abandon Theory and the band sat down to record their first album. Jesse Burns played acoustic guitar & sang vocals, John Bellizia was on banjo & bass, Randy Aldred on drums, and Dale Stromberg played electric guitar. “No Such Thing” was not only one of the title tracks, but was also an appropriate name for the album because as soon as it was completed, Dale got married and moved to Japan and there was "no such thing" as Abandon Theory.
With the loss of Dale, the band decided to continue-on and perform as a three-piece with bassist John, drummer Randy, and Jesse on vocals and the acoustic guitar. After completing a national tour, they went back into the studio to record "As Perfection". When it was completed life drew John, Randy, and Jesse onto separate paths. John moved to Texas , Randy to Southern California, and Jesse moved into the Sierra Foothills.
Tasked with recreating the band, Jesse met Rudy Paiva, a long time reggae drummer, and together they began to perform with an array of musicians. Eventually developing a unique "Jam-Band" sound, Abandon Theory went into the studio to record their third album. Delivering more variety than the first two CDs combined; this recording features Jesse Burns on vocals & rhythm guitar, Rudy Paiva on drums, Jim Holden on bass, Eric Sutton on the electric, and John Bellizia on banjo & percussion.
After the release of their 3rd album, Jesse began writing some new songs. Working with John, they released an acoustic album containing several tunes that showcase a poetic, stream-of-consciousness type of lyric in a "folkier" style. The 13 song album titled, "Unobtainable", was recorded over a two year period with Jesse playing acoustic guitar and singing vocals while John played Banjo, acoustic guitar, and all kinds of other fun instruments.
Jesse Burns, vocalist and acoustic guitar player for Abandon Theory, was attending Sacramento State University’s School of Music, but grew bored with the traditional "rules" of music. He left to find a sound he had only heard before at underground shows. He began going to open mics throughout northern California on a mission to seek out others who had experienced a similar connection to music through this kind of spontaneous, raw, and unprocessed style.
After meeting three other like-minded musicians they founded Abandon Theory and the band sat down to record their first album. Jesse Burns played acoustic guitar & sang vocals, John Bellizia was on banjo & bass, Randy Aldred on drums, and Dale Stromberg played electric guitar. “No Such Thing” was not only one of the title tracks, but was also an appropriate name for the album because as soon as it was completed, Dale got married and moved to Japan and there was "no such thing" as Abandon Theory.
With the loss of Dale, the band decided to continue-on and perform as a three-piece with bassist John, drummer Randy, and Jesse on vocals and the acoustic guitar. After completing a national tour, they went back into the studio to record "As Perfection". When it was completed life drew John, Randy, and Jesse onto separate paths. John moved to Texas , Randy to Southern California, and Jesse moved into the Sierra Foothills.
Tasked with recreating the band, Jesse met Rudy Paiva, a long time reggae drummer, and together they began to perform with an array of musicians. Eventually developing a unique "Jam-Band" sound, Abandon Theory went into the studio to record their third album. Delivering more variety than the first two CDs combined; this recording features Jesse Burns on vocals & rhythm guitar, Rudy Paiva on drums, Jim Holden on bass, Eric Sutton on the electric, and John Bellizia on banjo & percussion.
After the release of their 3rd album, Jesse began writing some new songs. Working with John, they released an acoustic album containing several tunes that showcase a poetic, stream-of-consciousness type of lyric in a "folkier" style. The 13 song album titled, "Unobtainable", was recorded over a two year period with Jesse playing acoustic guitar and singing vocals while John played Banjo, acoustic guitar, and all kinds of other fun instruments.
After the release of "Unobtainable", the band had an opportunity to play at the Sacramento Drive-In as the sun set and the cars were streaming into the theater. They ended up with a wonderful Live recording from that day and that brings us Abandon Theory's fifth album appropriately titled, "Live at the Drive-In". The live album features the original ABT lineup with Jesse Burns on acoustic guitar and vocals, John Bellizia played the bass and/or banjo, and Randy Adred on drums.
After the live album, the band continued to experiment with special guest performers and a wild arrangement of musicians at shows. Recently, they connected with a wonderful music producer named John Morris from Tanglewood Studios. With his creative guidance, Abandon Theory has recorded a four-song EP which was released on April 20, 2020. This latest ABT sound has Rudy Paiva on drums, Jesse Burns on rhythm guitar and vocals, Nathan Arthur on lead guitar, and Zo Lewis on bass. If you want to learn more about Abandon Theory and for information on upcoming shows be sure to join the Mailing List!