Great songs, Convincing musicianship, genuine fan appeal, and everyday-people kind of charm: The basic components for a successful band. The members of SQ51 seem to have incorporated those same ingredients from the start. Solid songwriting is the basis of the band. Songs that have a familiar air about them, themes that people can relate to, real life stories that give the listener a way to connect with the band. Forming the band in early 2003, Don Mackenzie and Greg Bowen auditioned Christopher David and the three realized that the chemistry to create a lot of good music was definitely present. Sorting through other musicians to complete SQ51’s sound, they found the perfect match in Mark Havens, a former band mate of Greg’s. With the amount of songs they had collectively and the newfound chemistry, creating powerful arrangements for those songs was accomplished quickly. “You all write with passion and experience and I hear it in your [music] playing... I would compare you to Tonic, even Nickleback, or to 3 Doors Down,” explains A. Pleskovic, a freelance entertainment critic from Pittsburgh, PA. “You compliment each other really well!” Christopher David, a native of Pennsylvania, has been playing guitar since the tender age of 8. He started writing his own songs while attending Penn State University. He spent a few years in Nashville, TN before moving to Houston, TX. “Getting to work with and meet some heavyweight writers in Nashville gave me a whole new appreciation for songwriting. The whole process never gets old to me and I hope to keep improving and building upon the old material. Working with these guys has been a real pleasure and I hope we continue to write good music while increasing our fanbase” Greg, a veteran studio drummer with several CDs on the market, brings a wealth of talent and experience to the group. He’s performed live shows with RCA Latin recording artist Christian, Texas blues guitarist and singer Robert Frith, and has been called on a regular basis to back up various acts at the Troubadour in Los Angeles, CA, the starting point for artists like Elton John and the Edgar Winters band. His ability to play perfectly in support of a great song indicates maturity and style that comes with this kind of experience. Mark Havens completes the rhythm section with powerful and melodic chops, which was a major factor in the success of his former band Animal Dreams. Mark’s spirituality and musical insight adds yet another layer to the song arrangements and new material. An accomplished bass player in his own right, Mark is also a big part of the harmonies that make up the unique sound of SQ51. Having lived in Canada, Maine, Minnesota, and Texas, Don Mackenzie has a wide range of influences that have shaped his musical style. Playing with various groups around Houston such as Pitbull and The Steve Steele band, Don’s skill and experience have given him the tools he needs for a project such as SQ51. An ace songwriter and guitarist, and sharing vocal duties, Don brings a musical sensibility to the band. “The songs work because they just feel right. If a new song doesn’t have that certain feel that we have ‘tuned into’ as a band, then we rework it until we get that feel,…that vibe. Don is quite adamant about that. That’s the chemistry at work.” explains Chris. “When we get the song to a point where it works for the four of us, we feel pretty confident that other people will be able to get something from it on a personal level.” With an independent release scheduled at the beginning of 2004, the upcoming year should prove to be interesting for the band and the region. Something fresh, something genuine, something listeners can relate to……..Why not take a listen for yourself?