The unique musical background of the 7-piece band mix their abilities and experiences to create and perform a musical dance review that transcends musical boundaries. The Hitmen play a variety of hits from the 70's to modern day favorites.
The Hitmen have performed with the likes of Cameo, the Ohio Players, Confunkshun, Harold Melvin's Blue Notes, Pete Escovedo and with members of Santana and Tower of Power and has become the unofficial band for KISS 98.1 FM "Classic Soul and the best of Modern R&B".
"When we play we deliver" is their motto. If you are looking for the most "band for the buck" then let them show you what you have been missing.
Meet the Hitmen
Kelly Aronica - Vocals, Guitar
Entertainment .... that's what it's all about. From the Master of Ceremonies at many of our corporate and wedding gigs, to the songwriting skills that have led to the famous "Birthday Song", Kelly is the Total Entertainment Package! Come see him at any of our shows, and you'll know what we mean.....
Victor Montez - Guitar, Vocals
Victor
brings his own style of guitar playing from the funkiest rhythms to screaming'
solos to the band. His on-stage expressions are often so intense, we just don't
know if he will survive another guitar solo. Come on by and find out why Vic has
earned the nickname "Wrecking Ball".
Marc Spooner - Keyboards, Vocals
Favorite 8-Tracks : Jeff Beck - Blow by Blow; Steely Dan - Greatest Hits; YES - Close To The Edge; Genesis - The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway; The Beatles - Revolver; XTC - Black Sea; Happy The Man - Crafty Hands; Dave Brubeck Quartet - Time Out; Stravinsky - Le Sacre Du Printemps; Led Zeppelin - Physical Graffitti; Elton John - Goodbye Yellow Brick Road; The Who - Quadrophenia; ELP - Tarkus
Check out my other band - METAPHOR
Ernie is the Trumpet player for The Hitmen, and also provides much of the percussion that make our Latin songs shine. He has previously played with: Albert T. & The Cool Breeze, Kickin' , The Nite Life Band , Rhythm & Brass , Lumbre'
Playing music has always been a part of his life. He initially started on the clarinet in Jr. High, but eventually chose the Tenor Sax as his axe in High School, and have been playing it ever since! The Soprano was added to the gig bag over the last couple of years.
Favorite Cocktail: Stoli Martini, 2 Olives
Loren Gustafson - Bass
I started playing bass because my brothers were better guitarists than I was. I stuck with it, and after several years of trying to learn Rush tunes by ear, I joined my high school jazz band. High school led to junior college, where I played in the vocal jazz ensemble and the jazz band, and eventually I auditioned for a spot playing in the shows at Great America. I moved to the Silicon Valley and played bass at Great America for two years, where I met many amazing people, including my future wife. After a few years, I entered San Jose State, where I played in several different ensembles, most notably the Vocal Underground, a vocal jazz ensemble. Vocal Underground was invited to play for the Downbeat Magazine Jazz Festival in Philadelphia, PA. The next year we were invited to play at the International Association of Jazz Educators conference in New Orleans, LA.
While attending SJSU and for several years after, I played for many Bay Area musical theatre productions, where I eventually met Marc Spooner. This connection was followed by a phone call from Kelly Aronica , who invited me to audition for the Hitmen, and you can figure out the rest….
I’m currently on my second stint with the Hitmen after taking a break from 2001 until 2008. I’m thrilled to be back with the band and pumping out the hits you know and love so well.
Brandon Renteria - Drums, Vocals
At the age of five Brandon was taught to play the drums by both his older brothers Johnny and mentor Robert Renteria. Born and raised in San Jose, California by two parents who shared the love of music. His father was a singer and loved all varieties of music such as Tejano (Tex-Mex), R&B, Rock N’Roll, Blues, Oldies, Country, etc. His mother would join him in singing harmonies with the family. Brandon has played in school bands starting off with playing the 1st trumpet in to his Sophomore year in high school. During that same time, he also played the drums for the middle school band and started playing clubs at the age of 12 years old. He experimented with different percussion instruments/electric drums/keyboard and both guitar and bass guitar. Johnny, Brandon’s oldest brother played the drums until his early 20’s and taught him a style that he learned by taking lessons with the Bay Area’s own Chuck Brown who taught David Garibaldi (Tower of Power), Jerry Rojas (NuDay Band) and many others to name a few. Robert, one of his older brothers was self taught in all the instruments and gave a broad knowledge of the music to Brandon as his mentor. Brandon currently plays a variety of music styles with Robert in bands today. Brandon has had the privilege and honor to play with a variety of Notable Musician & Artists such as legendary percussionist Pete “Pops” Escovedo and his son Juan Escovedo, Joe Bataan, Little Joe, C.P. Love, Malo, Brenton Wood, Lakeside, Mic Gillette (1st Trumpet Tower of Power) and Skip Mesquite (1st Sax Tower of Power), Ron Moton (1st Sax ConFunkShun), Carl Carlton (“Bad MamaJamma”), Rose Royce, Rodney “O” and Joe Cooley, and Redbone just to name a few…