John Johnson and SHELTER IN PLACE
THE PLAYERS
John Johnson
John has been playing music since he was in High school. The son of a Guitar teacher, John was exposed to music and playing the guitar early in life. His Father was a jazz and theory enthusiast and had an influence on John's tastes and style. Along with his influence, John listened and was driven by varied genres ranging from Led Zeppelin to Neil Young as well as Steely Dan and various Progressive Rock artists. John began writing songs in his 20's and has recorded in studios on several occasions. He has played in multiple configurations in bands starting with "Magen's Bay" in 80's, "Trash To Steam" a more 70's Style rock band in the 90's and evolved into "Swedes Run" earlier in the 2000's mixing rootsy acoustic electric sound with originals and cover style song performances. John recorded his first full LP "Living Life" with his band THE ESCAPE PLAN in 2016. John's most recent band "SHELTER IN PLACE is comprised of up to 5 pieces (sometimes 6) with John Schuler on lead guitar, Scott McIntyre on Bass, Neil Simpkins on Drums and Steve Johansson on Keyboards.
John enjoys playing solo show at local bars, Breweries/Distilleries and restaurants. He mixes his acoustic gigs often with his trusty bass player Scott McIntyre and Guitar accompanist John Schuler. His music shows range from solo to 5 or 6 pieces with keyboards and a harmonica/mandolin player. His show can handle most any situation or band configuration.
John Schuler
John is a gifted and versatile guitar player being a master of effects and mimicking many well-known guitars in the industry. He collects guitars for their unique sounds and is able to emulate them from his electronics and playing style. He has played in multiple bands in the south jersey area over the last few decades most notably Midlife Crisis over the past several years.
Scott McIntyre
Scott is a skilled bassist and plays multiple styles including jazz, blues and classic rock ‘n’ roll. Scott’s been playing musical instrument since in high school and has mastered the bass guitar. He is most notable in an original band called "Three Lanes to Philly" providing the rhythm support for Kevin Giarnella a gift vocalist and songwriter. Scott plays in multiple bands in the area including Opus Soul and Nobody’s Business and we are fortunate to have been playing with us as we develop our musical relationships.
Cornelius (Neil) Simpkins
Simpkins, a Philadelphia music veteran, studied instrumental performance (drums) at Berklee College of Music and has devoted much of his life to his musical endeavors. He has: toured with Rock Hall of Fame Inductee Chubby Checker; appeared in a soda commercial with Patty Smyth (Scandal and Don Henley and; produced Patsy Foster's Long Cold War selected by Billboard and Musician magazine as a top ten unsigned band in America. In addition to Shelter In Place, he plays percussion in Countdown to Ecstasy, Kenn Kweder and The Men from WAWA, King Groove and The No Good Crowd.
Steven Johansson
Steve got his start at a young age playing in church. He earned a degree in Music Education from Nyack College and currently leads Music and Worship at the Easton Bible Church in Hainesport, NJ. He’s played in many different groups over the years including Salsa (Orchestra Del Feugo) Jazz, Soul (Soul Mission), and other cover bands, and currently plays keys and sings lead and backup vocals for Shelter in Place, and Midnight Runner. He and his wife Jen, a talented vocalist, have performed at many wedding receptions over the years. Steve enjoys fishing and riding his motorcycle in his “spare” time. His music influences include Billy Joel, Bruce Hornsby, and many great pianists.
Past members who continue to jump back in when they are in the area!
Andrew Countryman
Andrew is the youngest of the band trained in jazz and fusion and rock ‘n’ roll from high school into his 20s and is really blossomed as a versatile drummer. He provides a fundamental percussion to any style of music from Artists like the police, Pink Floyd,U2, Lynyrd Skynyrd and Allman Brothers providing a steady backbeat in a simple but complex manner. Currently on hiatus - just had a set of twins to add to his family and will be off the grid for a bit! Replaced by drummer extraordinaire - Cornelius Simpkins
Pat Kinsley
Pat started playing guitar by taking lessons (Mel Bay Method) when he was 12 years old. He quit playing for a couple years and then picked it back up at age 16 when he met some new neighbor kids. They were playing popular music and realized he knew all the chords. His first electric guitar was a 1977 Ibanez Les Paul and first amplifier was a Fender Pro Reverb. He studied under blues guitarist Joe Zucarello in Trenton for a few years that provided skills for playing solos. Pat played with different musicians but was more focused on work and family so playing in bands was never pursued. Upon moving to Burlington Township in 1994, he met musicians and started playing in bands; The Mofo’s, Carter McWIlliams and Friends, The Escape Plan, Shades of Grey and now Shelter In Place. Pat is featured as a rhythm and lead guitar player on the album Living Life by John Johnson and The Escape Plan. Pat moved to South Carolina with his lovely wife Robin and joins us occasionally when he visits NJ.
Patrick O'Neill*
Bassist Patrick O’Neill has been an active musician for forty plus years. Initially focusing on the presentation of acoustic improvisation jazz, what seemed a natural progression into fusion jazz followed. The influence of Percy Jones, Dave Pegg, and Mike Rutherford hastened this transition. For many years he held down the bottom for the Thursday Night Band, a fusion oriented group playing in The Philadelphia area. Eventually prog-rock influenced the bands musical direction and the band began playing more cover material until they disbanded in the late nineties.
Impromptu jam sessions became his musical mainstay until 15 years ago when he became bassist for Swedes Run, a group performing mostly original material with a mix of cover material. Eventually Swedes Run regrouped and Pat returned as the group evolved into The Escape Plan performing rock covers locally for some years. During this time Pat contributed to an album of John Johnson’s original music collection.
*RIP November 2023 -- We are saddened to lose our great friend and band mate