Mars Hollow Original Bassist Returns; New Drummer Joins Prog Lineup

Los Angeles, CA -  Progressive rock band Mars Hollow announces the return of original bassist, Joe August and welcomes drummer Bob Craft.  The pair join lead Mars Hollow vocalist/guitarist John Baker and keyboardist Steve Mauk after the Los Angeles-based band concluded a very brief hiatus earlier this summer.

Joe August has been playing bass ever since he was first bit by the rock and roll bug, which was set in stone when he first heard Rush’s “2112,” followed by Yes’ “Close to the Edge.”  He worked very hard to earn the money to purchase his first Rickenbacker 4001 bass.  “The Ric” has become a natural extension of Joe, and become his signature sound.  Joe has worked  and performed with Italian guitarist Syba, as well as the progressive instrumental band, Hidden Chamber Orchestra.  August originally joined Mars Hollow in 2007 and started working on original material once the guitarist/vocalist component was in place, and the result was the Mars Hollow self-titled debut album.  Except for two Baker- and one Chicoine-penned tunes, August had been instrumental in the crafting of the widely acclaimed album along with the other members of the band.  Joe left in 2008, and was replaced by Kerry Chicoine who recently departed the lineup.  Joe says, "I know I have big shoes to fill, but I'm very excited about returning to Mars Hollow."

Bob Craft started playing drums at the age of 13, influenced by Rush’s Neil Peart and Led Zeppelin’s John Bonham.  He was the original drummer for the LA progressive band “Under the Sun.”  Bob then performed on Michael Moje’s pop album “In the Mood”.  Shortly after, he met guitar virtuoso Vince Vrbancic and played on two albums “Return to Avalon” and “Age of Contact.” Bob then met bassist Joe August and formed the melodic rock band “August”.  He has recorded on Michael Moje’s smooth jazz album “Reflections,” and is currently in the studio working on their second album.  Craft says he “is excited to return to my progressive roots with the opportunity to work with Mars Hollow.”

August and Craft have worked together as a rhythm team in other bands, including the melodic band “August,” and the Los Angeles-based Led Zeppelin tribute band, “Black Dog.”

Mars Hollow has released two studio albums, the self-titled debut in 2010 and the highly acclaimed “World In Front of Me” in 2011, and played a series of live shows including  ProgDay, RoSfest and Terra Incognita.  On September 25, they will be releasing the much anticipated “Mars Hollow Live DVD, which documents their performance at RoSfest in 2011, as well as the “Mars Hollow Live” CD which will feature a bonus studio track from the new lineup.  The CD will be available from the band’s website (www.marshollow.com), Amazon, as well as iTunes and all major digital retailers.  The DVD will be available through Amazon and the Mars Hollow website.