RICH RESTAINO:
AKA Choirmaster / Fingers McKnuckles / The Bandit
Writes, Sings, Plays Guitar, and Sweats Profusely On Stage
Rich Restaino began writing songs in 1988 at age 13. He has since written too many to keep tabs on. He has released several CDs under his name, including 2003's Revisionary Man, and has performed and recorded with many others, including The Lennings, Mr. Brown, Zach Whitney, The JCS Project, Sara Shansky, and The Boxcar Angels. With Zimmy T., he cofounded The Late Fees, Austin's own gutter-mouthed doo-wop-punk outfit, which disbanded in 2007, the ashes of which were the fertilizer for The Obits. Rich is a high-energy performer, considers himself a journeyman cook, a good husband, and a fair-to-middlin' guitar picker. He earns his living as an English teacher. The Obits represent Rich's ideal band--a group of true friends who are adventureous enough to keep things interesting, but with taste enough to keep things simple.  Rich's song “My Favorite Remedy” was recently selected the winner in the rock category of America’s Best Songs Open Door Song Contest, 2010.



ZIMMY T.:
AKA Zimmy 45 / Neil Kaiser 
Bass Emeretus / Writes / Idea Man
Even though T. left The Obits in January, 2009 to earn his fortune overseas, his influence looms large over the band. Rich's partner in The Late Fees, T. played bass on The Obits' CD, The C'es La Vie EP and contributed several songs to the band's set, which continue to be highlights of the show. A junky for the funky, Zimmy boasts an increasingly stunning record collection (mostly 45s, but many LPs too). Currently living in Abu Dhabi teaching teachers how to teach special educaiton, T. will always be a writer at heart. Much as he tries to distance himself from his Neil Keiser folky musical persona, it demonstrates his prolific and heartfelt wordcraft. The wise-ass in him ultimately won out when he took the name Zimmerman Thomas and formed, with Rich (AKA Fingers McKnuckles), the doo-wop-punk band, The Late Fees. He is married to singer-songwriter and ESL teacher Heather Pharr Keiser. Click on his picture to follow the exploits of this expat.



DAVE WYLIE:
AKA Wylie Peyote
Hits Things with Sticks
Dave Wylie is the least understood and most mysterious member of The Obits, but that is perhaps because the rest of the band is so fucked up in the head that they cannot believe it possible for someone to be so straightforward, reliable, and kindhearted, yet still rock with the balls of one of the fallen. Dave first played with Rich as the drummer of The Late Fees, and before that he spent several years as the drummer for Austin's 85 Decibels. Dave is happily married, hates gigs that interrupt football, and works as a editor for an insurance company.






HUNT WELLBORN:
AKA Wild Card, Grandpa Pickle
Wrangles Strats & Teles, Sings, & Writes
The Obits' resident redneck sage, Hunt Wellborn spent his youth and young adulthood bouncing around the South, picking up jokes, bad habits, and a few guitar tricks along the way. Hunt was an original member of The Late Fees and also the leader of 85 Decibels. The ladies like him because he's suave, debonair, and yet still maintains a boyish charm. Hunt brings the rock without anyone needing to ask, and if you're throwing a party, he should be first on your guest list because he's one of the southwest's finest barbecuers. He a charter member of the Austin Carnivore Club, a fully insured motorist, and a prompt taxpayer who somehow still seems to live outside the law in his own way. He writes songs about zombies and snakes. He likes his rock and roll with 3 chords, and his cartoons retarded.




ALEXEI SEFCHICK
AKA Bassasaurus Rex
Thumps Grooves, Lets It All Hang Out
Filling in for original bassist Zimmy 45 (AKA Zimmy T/Neil Kaiser), Alexei is the ringer of the bunch, a monster on the bass, a devotee of James Jamerson, as well as being a Master Chef of Meat. Originally from Mexico City Alex came to the US in 1998 after attending the Conservatory of the “Universidad Veracruzana” in Xalapa Veracruz to attend Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA where he graduated from in 2002 with a B.A. in Jazz Composition. In May of 2002 he moved to Reno, NV where he played with different bands until he joined The Boogie Monsters in late 2004 with whom he has recorded and toured the US. In Late 2006 the Boogie Monsters packed up and moved to Austin TX where they played until their demise in March of 2008. In March of 2008 Alex joined the Psychedelic band from the 60's know as Fever Tree in their new reincarnation as Fever Tree Rising which marks the beginning of a new and exciting time in the Austin Music Scene for him following in the foot steps of electric bass great Mark Andes.

LLOYD WRIGHT:
AKA Foreman, Chief, "Don't Call Me Frank"
Plays the Blacks & Whites / Builds Things
Lloyd is originally from Northern CA and was taught by Philadelphia accomplished jazz organist Chester (Chet the Jet) Smith , Lloyds personal musical interests are from jazz, fusion, soul, reggae, hard rock, (some) punk rock, blues, country and any other music or sound that is pleasing, exciting, interesting, electric, eclectic and/or acoustic.In addition to performing live in several bands over his 20+ years of his musical career his discography includes co-writing, performing vocals and keyboards on the 2004 album 'Love is Blind' with 'The Undercover Band'. Playing synth's on the 2009 album 'Burning in the Dark' with 'The Bobby Cadmus Band' and playing keyboards on the 2009 album The C'est La Vie EP by his current band 'Rich Restaino and the Obits' from Austin Texas where he and his wife Karen and mucho animals now reside in Texas and where he is still creating his original music. He's also a top-notch contractor. Hire him: http://wrightangleconstruction.net/.

SARA SHANSKY KAYE:
AKA Lefty
Sings / Shakes Ass, Tambourine
With a voice compared to "human silk", Sara has sung on over 100 stages from Boston, MA to Skagway, AK, and everywhere inbetween since 1996. She studied piano from an early age, but fell in love with the guitar when she started playing in high school. Sara was an original member of The Late Fees, with whom she shocked her folkie audience by singing songs about killing and getting her kicks where she can. Lefty's good-girl-gone-bad persona is an act, however; she's so sweet that people entrust their children to her care. She teaches art and music at Austin Jewish Academy. Sara continues to write, record,and perform her own music, and recently sang "God Bless America" at a Tampa Bay Rays baseball game. Undeniably cool.
 

ELZIE IVEY RESTAINO
AKA Sweetcheeks / Mrs. Choirmaster 
Sings / Shakes Ass, Tambourine
Rich & The Obits is Elzie's first forray in a rock and roll band, but the music has been in her soul since she was an infant. In between cracking up her parents' hippie friends with her Nixon impression, the young girl formerly known as Lisa soaked up knowledge and appreciation of some deep cuts that continues to impress and turn on her husband. Elzie studied piano as a girl and is coming along in her tambourine & jingle bells studies quite nicely. She's a high school English teacher and a damn fine bowler.






ROZ MANDOLA
AKA Probable Cause Roz
Sings / Shakes Ass, Tambourine
Roz hits the high notes in The Obits and is probably the member of the group most capable in a fight. A Houston native, Roz has a background in musical theater and a powerful taste for whisky. Along with the other Obit girls, she relishes working out the choreography for the songs, and has a weakness for literal interpretive dance. She is extremely protective of her cat, Catrick, and enjoys waxing political, listening to Italian hip hop, and helping invent swimming pool games with convoluted rules.