ABOUT THE UNITY ALL STARS

BAND MEMBERS:

Kevin LaBella – Vocals, Guitar, Trumpet
Dan Voehse – Drums
Brian Sweeney – Lead Guitar
Danny Lynch – Saxophone
Darien Saiidifar – Bass
Shawn Van Houten – Vocals, Guitar
Mike Sterling – Trombone / Backing Vocals
Chris Childress – Guitar/Backup vocals
Daryell Scoob Royer – Saxophone

FORMER MEMBERS:

Chris Edwards – Vocals (OG)
Chuck Cheek – Bass (OG)
Jason Foreman – Lead Guitar (OG)
Lisa Grimaldi – Saxophone
Angelo LaBella
Aaron Zuckerman – Bass

THE UNITY ALL STARS BIO:

The Unity All Stars are a cover band made of hardcore 311 fans from all across the country, blending a mix of rock and reggae with high energy and musicality. Each member has a musical story all their own, but they are all united in a love for the music of 311. Having grown over the years, and having different musicians collaborate while playing pre-parties for large 311 events, they have developed and created a sound that resonates with 311 fans and music lovers alike. The current lineup includes Kevin LaBella on vocals, trumpet, and rhythm guitar, Dan Voehse on drums, Brian Sweeney on lead guitar, Aaron Zuckerman on bass guitar, Shawn Van Houten on vocals and guitar, Mike Sterling on trombone, and Daryell “Scoob” Royer on the EWI. Kevin, Brian, and Aaron first met in college at the University of Albany, became fast friends, and formed a cover band named Infectious by Nature. Influenced heavily by bands like Sublime, 311 and the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Kevin, Brian and Aaron rocked venues and house parties alike for years, but would move on to live in different states. These three friends developed a knack for coming together and playing great shows while not having a central location, something that all future Unity All Stars members would bring to the table.

Dan Voehse met most of the Unity All Stars current members on the first 311 Cruise in 2011, and the idea of forming a new band began. In the summer of 2011, 311 came to Red Rocks in Colorado and a group of 311 fans set up a pre-party at a Denver go-to spot, The Cheba Hut, where musicians within the 311 fan base, including Kevin, Brian, Aaron and Dan, performed for their fellow fans. The small and mostly acoustic show would serve as the springboard for the formation of The Unity All Stars as they are today.

Shortly after the 2nd 311 Cruise in 2012, Kevin LaBella found himself moving from New York to Texas and after a few weeks in Texas, Kevin was living at Dan’s house. In their free time, Dan and Kevin would jam and play cover songs. In the summer of 2012, 311 once again had a tour stop at Red Rocks, and the pre-party was set at The Cheba Hut. This time, they brought a full band to rock the Cheba Hut, including Brian Sweeney and some members of Oklahoma’s Tastebudz. The show was a huge success and led to The Unity All Stars setting up and playing their own pre-party at the House of Blues in New Orleans for 311 Day 2014. Continuing to build on the success of the pre-party shows, The Unity All Stars were offered a dream gig when they were asked to perform on the 311 Cruise 2015 to Jamaica. This performance added Aaron Zuckerman and Shawn Van Houten to the band. The two cruise performances

Kevin LaBellaVocals/Trumpet/Guitar

Kevin started playing music as a kid in the Port Chester, New York music program, starting with trumpet and then learning bass for the jazz band. He immediately took on a leadership role as section leader and band president. He would be selected numerous times for All-County and All-State honors on both trumpet and bass guitar. With a heavy influence from his brother and the grunge/punk/ska music of the early 90’s, he would eventually teach himself how to play the guitar. He also attributes any vocal talent he has to the many hours of singing in the car and the best practice room in the world….the shower. During college in 2004, he formed Infectious By Nature with current Unity All Stars members Brian Sweeney and Aaron Zuckerman as well as former drummer Chance Charles, and took his love of 311, Sublime, and 90s Rock across the tri-state area. Kevin also joined his brother, Andy’s band, Echo Station, which was also based out of Port Chester, New York. As the UAS front man, Kevin’s high energy, guitar work, vocals, and gnarly trumpet solos help give the All Stars a well-rounded sound. He also likes to quote Mitch Hedberg at least once a show.

Brian SweeneyLead Guitar

Brian is a self-taught guitarist, picking it up as a creative outlet in elementary school. Forming Infectious by Nature with Kevin and Aaron, Brian added a level of musicianship that strengthened the band’s all around sound. Playing music with Kevin in variations of IBN for years, he was a natural fit to join the Unity All Stars, and continues to add depth with his guitar work. Brian met his wife while playing at the Cheba Hut in Denver, which he would say is his best show ever (because his equipment did not malfunction). Brian’s guitar work is the real soul of the band.

Dan VoehsePercussion

Dan Voehse has been playing drums for over 25 years, beginning in 6th grade, and developing his craft in school and marching bands through high school. He is currently playing with Generation Wasted, an established hard rock band in Dallas, Texas. Joining forces with Kevin in 2012, he became the Unity All Stars drummer, bringing his skills and love for music to the table. Playing concurrently in both bands, Dan is a driving force and well balanced drummer. Dan also met his wife on the 311 Cruise, and had a small special wedding while in Las Vegas for the Red, White, and Boom weekend shows.

Darien SaiidifarBass Guitar

Darien Saiidifar took up an interest in music at the age of five when his older brother showed him 311, Foo Fighters and Red Hot Chili Peppers. These influences throughout his youth prompted Darien and his brother to come home and jam after school, switching between the drums and guitars that were in the basement. After his first 311 concert at the age of 8, he decided that’s what he wanted to do when he grows up.
Darien got his start playing live at multiple music and jam camps throughout his early tweens and began performing drums with his band from high school at notable local venues in his hometown of Chantilly, Virginia. In addition to teaching music lessons, he played in some original bands as well as tribute bands, including lead guitar in Back to the 90s and Evolution: A Tribute to 311, and drums in Garden Grove: A Tribute to Sublime. As promotion of local events required social media posting, a common love for 311 introduced the Unity All-Stars to Darien and he began playing bass for them in 2022.

Danny LynchSaxophone

Playing saxophone since 7, Danny developed his sound playing in his elementary school concert band. Danny credits his rise in musicianship to the tutelage of tenor saxophone player Rod Buckner of Buckner’s Funkin’ Jazz, and Keith Oxman of El Chipoltepec in Downtown Denver, and continued to play in the concert band at the University of Northern Colorado. Adding his sound to the new full horn section at the Red, White, and Boom weekend Las Vegas shows, Danny rounds out the band with his harmonies and solos. Danny who lives across the street from Kevin, was asked to join the Unity All Stars after Kevin saw a video of him playing saxophone online.

Shawn Van HoutenVocals/Guitar

Shawn began playing music at a young age, by 12 he was playing saxophone and bass guitar. In college, he formed a metal band, Skylark Lane. He then played bass and saxophone for the ska outfit 3 Day Weekend, before joining a punk / post hardcore band known as The Road Homie, who would release a 5 song EP and tour with bands such as Boy Sets Fire and The Descendents. Joining the Unity All Stars in 2015 for the 311 Cruise to Jamaica, he adds great texture with his guitar work, vocals, and harmonies. Shawn is the only member of Unity All Stars to have a giant cutout of his face displayed to him by fans during a show.

Mike SterlingTrombone / Backing Vocals

Mike also started playing music early in his life. An accomplished trombone player and singer, he performed and travelled with multiple music groups including the Syracuse Boys Choir and the Colorado All-State Jazz Band. Studying jazz and vocal performance, as well as music education at Adams State University, he continued to develop his craft. While at Colorado State University, Mike was the lead singer of Grover’s Honey Pot as well as lead singer and trombone player for the ska band This Side to Earth. Joining the Unity All Stars for the Red, White, and Boom weekend shows in Las Vegas, Mike helped add harmonies and some fat sounds with his trombone work, a crowd pleaser to say the least. Mike’s first instrument was a microphone mounted on a plunger he used as a kid. Told you he started early.

Chris ChildressGuitar/Backup vocals

Native to Media, PA, near Philadelphia, Chris was raised by his mother, Grace, a classical pianist and instructor, and Randy, his bass guitarist-singer dad. At age 4, Chris began piano lessons; at 9, joined the school band playing the trumpet; and by 12, although he was enjoying playing electric bass in the jazz band, Chris told his parents he truly wanted to pursue his love of the guitar. Classic and prog rock from his dad’s vinyl collection, as well as jazz, folk, and blues sounds took hold and laid an influential foundation for the next 3 years of self-teaching. Chris then studied for 3 years under a Philadelphian jazz pianist and instructor named Jimmy Amadie, learning crucial concepts of harmony and improvisation in the context of jazz and popular music. Chris headed off to college at St. Joseph’s University, where he world earn his degree in English with a concentration in writing in 2009. It was in his freshman year there that he rediscovered his love of 311, whose CDs he’d listened to since 3rd grade. He purchased the 311 Day 2004: Live in New Orleans DVD at the local mall while home on spring break. Blown away by the entire live performance, Chris looked up 311’s next Unity tour, recruited his friends, and bought tickets for Festival Pier at Penn’s Landing in Philly in 2006. Now in 2016, Chris has attended roughly 30 live 311 shows, including 311 Day 2012, 2014, and 2016, as well as 311 cruises in 2013 and 2015. It was over the course of these events that Chris immersed himself amongst the 311 community and has formed friendships with positive souls from all over the country and world, eventually meeting his girlfriend with whom he now resides in Las Vegas. Chris went on to meet Kevin, Shawn, Brian, Dan, and then Mike, Aaron, and Lisa through the 311 community of musicians and fans alike. Chris joined the Unity All Stars officially on July 3rd, 2016, playing lead guitar as a fill-in for the 311 after-party at the Mandalay Bay House of Blues. Being friends with Sweeney prior to the show, Chris remains grateful for the opportunity to showcase his love for the music, and the show was deemed an all-around success for the band. Chris was invited to become a permanent member of the All Stars and the rest was history.

Daryell Scoob RoyerSaxophone

Born and raised in the sunshine state, his musical career started before birth dropping sick beats while still inside the womb.
His mother would nurture and encourage this musical ability, providing him every opportunity to pursue his gifts. At age 6, he scored a sweet Casio keyboard for Christmas and cemented the roll music would play for the rest of his life. Guitars, percussion, and more keyboards would follow but it wasn’t until middle school where he discovered the tenor saxophone and a teacher by the name of Mr. Gilbert. He taught him that the measure of music played to perfection will result in the rise of goosebumps on your skin. That feeling would be chased throughout sophomore year of high school until the need for gas money outweighed the requirements of the tiger regiment marching band. So, he reluctantly turned in his feather plumed hat for an apron at the family restaurant.
Concerts and live music filled the void that leaving the school band had created. It was there that he discovered those 311 goosebumps.
And this beautiful community.
A severe electrocution accident in 2002 prevented him from physically being able to play his sax for the better part of a decade. Only after discovering the EWI (electric wind instrument) he was able to reestablish an active playing career.

He needed a place to crash for 311 DAY in 2016 and with the assist of his cousin, The Bearded Brodel, scored a spot in the Unity Allstars house where he met the rest of this brodel bunch and wouldn’t change a minute.