Strong vocal power, including four lead vocalists and melodic four-part harmonies, audience engaging showmanship, and “tight” professional musicianship featuring a blend of electric and acoustic guitars make the Skinny Little Twits a favorite at many venues.

 

The Skinny Little Twits, whose name reflects the fun and light heartedness of this talented eclectic group, are comprised of musicians who in some prior projects have been signed with major recording labels Warner Brothers & Atlantic Records. Their members have shared the stage with the likes of Journey, Cheap Trick, Def Leppard, and Eddie Money and have performed in the U.S., Europe, China, Japan, Bosnia, and Hungary.  The Twits have opened for National acts the Go Go’s, Christopher Cross and “Weird Al” Yankovic and have head-lined concerts for various cities, festivals, fairs, corporations and venues.

 

The Twits repertoire encompasses both cover songs from the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s, and original music.  Cover songs range from funky dance to the ever-popular classic rock.  Their catchy original music has a decidedly classic rock feel made unique by the members' widely varied influences including rock, blues and country.

 

Based out of the Santa Clarita and San Fernando Valleys, the Skinny Little Twits were founded in 1991 by Iowan guitarist/singer/song writer Mike Pieper and other "honorary" Twits. Writing together, they created a moderate rock sound with influences including the Eagles, Doobie Brothers and Eric Clapton.

Early performances were casual coffeehouse gatherings with other musician friends lending their talents to the mix.

 

After several years, the band took on a more permanent direction. In 1997 Rich Mortlock, formerly with Atlantic Records, joined as co-lead vocalist after living and performing in Europe and on the U.S. west coast.  Shortly after, dynamic lead guitarist, Chris Cardenas, whose broad musical talents originally surfaced as a four-year-old violinist and drummer on Chicago’s south side, was introduced to the line-up.  In 2004, New Jersey song writer/drummer, Jeff Swisstack, formerly with Warner Brothers Records, added  his distinctive style, timing and showmanship.  Shellie Dorman, a life long multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, and song writer with world-wide performance experience, enhanced the Twits line-up on bass guitar in 2006.

 

The Twits released an all-original self-titled CD in 1998 that was an instant sell-out among fans. At that time, they opened for Christopher Cross for which a review stated, "...whose music is more substantial than the name implies."

 

In 1999, the Twits began recording their second all-original CD which helped lead to an opening act performance for Weird Al Yankovic on his "Running With Scissors" tour in the year 2000.  The CD, To The Rescue!, was released in April 2001.

 

The Skinny Little Twits opened for the Go Go’s in 2006 and continue to write and perform their fun and entertaining shows for diverse audiences throughout the U.S.

Biography