UNITOPIA (yu-nih-to-pi-E): meaning living together as one in a place of ideal perfection especially in law, government and social conditions.
Based in Adelaide, South Australia, Unitopia endeavours to draw from the heart and soul of the listener thought provoking topics such as environmental awareness, political and social upheaval and the hectic pace of life and human relationships in a positive and uplifting light. Using progressive themes as a framework, Unitopia’s music includes elements of world, classical, jazz, heavy rock, and groove.
From Adelaide, Unitopia Co-founder Mark 'Truey' Trueack is an integral part of the process, not only as a world class vocalist, innovative songwriter, creative co-producer and morale booster, but as a relentless driving force behind everything that Unitopia has achieved thus far.
The passion he injects into his music is endless (as is his sense of humour!) and his knowledge of the music industry and record companies in particular has given Unitopia a wealth of knowledge from which to draw, making the journey forward an exciting one.
Sean Timms is a stalwart of the Adelaide music scene. He is co-founder and the lead song-writer, producer and keyboard player with successful Progressive Rock band Unitopia and now performs with such groups as Southern Empire and Lather.
Sean owns and operates Timms Tunes, one of Australia’s most well respected audio/music post production facilities. He is an engineer, composer, arranger & producer with a long line of credits in the film and advertising industry.
Steve Unruh is a Rhode Island-based multi-instrumentalist and singer, able to switch deftly from violin to flute to guitar while playing percussion and singing throughout. Aptly known as the "Swiss Army Knife of prog", Steve has released nine solo albums, five studio albums with the band Resistor, ten studio albums with The Samurai of Prog, and many other collaborations and guest artist appearances. Steve co-produces UPF and recently joined the band Unitopia. Steve has been touted as producing some of the deepest, most organic true-to-life music around for nearly a decade.
Professor Dr John Greenwood AM originated from Manchester, UK where he grew up, schooled and studied medicine at the University. Finishing his training in Plastic Surgery, he and his family emigrated to Adelaide where he became director of the Adult Burns Centre at the Royal Adelaide Hospital. For the next 20 years, he developed the service, received Membership of the Order of Australia for his response to the 2002 Bali Bombings, was 2016 South Australian of the Year and Hunterian Professor of the Royal College of Surgeons of England. He retired in October 2020. Fortuitously, he met Mark Trueack after a hand injury robbed his mate, Jimmy Keegan, of a place in UPF Acoustic. John took over. Interesting twists on Unitopia’s back catalogue (songs like Tesla), made Truey think that a Unitopia revival with new blood might be on the cards. John and Sean Timms became good friends, and worked together well on John’s solo work as well as new Unitopia material.
Alphonso Johnson is an iconic musician from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania whose contributions with the electric bass set the landscape of music to come. As Weather Report’s bassist, Johnson’s warm tone and fluent chops contributed to the band’s initial breakout from avant-garde into funk fusion. His playing was featured on the songs “Mysterious Traveler”, “Scarlet Woman”, and “Cucumber Slumber” which he co-wrote.
Alphonso played with the group Santana and also toured with saxophonist Wayne Shorter, pianist James Beard, drummer Rodney Holmes, and guitarist David Gilmore playing S.R.O. shows that stretched across Europe and Japan.
Alphonso has also worked with George Duke, Phil Collins, Steve Hackett and countless others both as studio and touring musicians.
He has taught all over the world and in 2004 was appointed Adjunct Professor of Music at the University of Southern California and Part-Time Lecturer at The California Institute of The Arts.
Chester Thompson is a renowned drummer/percussionist, highly regarded for his ability to move seamlessly between multiple genres. Thompson’s known best for his work with Genesis and Phil Collins, with whom he shared the worldwide stage, as well as time in the studio, for over 30 years. Other notable legends Chester performed or recorded with include Frank Zappa, Weather Report, John Fogerty, Santana, Michael McDonald, Freddie Hubbard, Ahmad Jamal, Kirk Whalum, Taj Mahal & Keb’ Mo’. He had the privilege recently of recording on the 2018 Grammy Award winning CD called TajMo.
Chester just recorded his latest album, Steppin’, at Sweetwater Music as part of their Recording Workshop Series. It was released on May 1, 2019. The album features Alphonso Johnson on bass, Joe Davidian on piano and keyboards, Rod McGaha on trumpet and flugelhorn, and Tony Carpenter on percussion.
Over the past 20 years when Chester was not performing live, doing sessions, clinics, or writing, he spent his time teaching percussion lessons in the Greater Nashville Area. In addition, from 1998-2018 he served as an Adjunct Professor at the esteemed Belmont University in Nashville, TN teaching drum set.
DAMANEK (Sean)
http://www.guymanning.com/damanek/damanek-index.html
KARIBOW (Sean, Truey)
SAMURAI OF PROG (Steve, Sean, Truey)