It all started in Montpelier, Vermont, in November, 2007.  Driven by fresh inspiration, and spiced by diverse musical experiences, singer / guitarist Shane Clarke, and rhythm section brothers Scott and Bill McGrath got together to create music. With a musical chemistry they had felt and developed years ago in a previous project, combined with years of separately honing their musicianship, they formed a solid, creative engine called November Guest.

On their first project, "The Island Pond Connection", they are joined by stand-out guitarist Bob Coons (Jerry Garcia Band), and extraordinary fiddler Patrick Ross (Hot Flannel).

The result is a thoughtful outpouring of emotion and sound - with a combination of emotional lyrics, melodiousness, rich chordal palettes, and groove. These tunes capture the essence of Vermont life, and stay with you the whole day long.

November Guest is occasionally playing shows around the central/northern VT area. Stay tuned to this page for show times/locations.

Shane Clarke - Lead Vocals, Guitar

Shane Clarke is 33 and a native of Island Pond, VT . For as long as he can remember, Clarke was always interested in music. In his first band in 1997, he took an immediate interest in song writing, and learned to play guitar. With musical influences such as Paul Simon, Billy Joel, Counting Crows, Live, and more recently the Assembly of Dust, Clarke's style can be described as deep, expressive and melodic.

Clarke's fascination in music led him into Venue bookings and Concert productions. He founded the Vermont Alternative Energy Festival in 1998, which continued annually through 2004. During this time, he booked many local and national acts including the Jerry Garcia Band, Gin Blossoms, Antigony Rising, Assembly of Dust, and many more. After finding himself immersed in the production end of the music world and having little time for his true passion as a singer song writer, he approached Bill and Scott McGrath - members of his original band in 2007 - and together, they created November Guest.

Scott McGrath - Bass, Backing Vocals

Scott has been playing musical instruments for 23 years. At age 10 he started playing the alto and baritone saxophone, and took private guitar lessons at age 11. In high school he discovered his true love: the bass guitar. During his college years, Scott spent a lot of time locked in his dorm room being influenced by a wide range of music and playing styles - from rock to funk and jazz, and even to old and new generations of electronica artists. Some of his influences include: Pink Floyd, Dire Straits, Duran Duran, Steely Dan, Peter Gabriel / Tony Levin, Kraftwerk, BT, Tower of Power, Stanley Clark, and Jaco Pastorius.

Scott has since pursued formal training in jazz, and has enjoyed playing in both original and cover bands in the Vermont area over the last decade. He is a founding member of successful Vermont function band Shakedown, and has produced several demos. The Island Pond Connection marks his first credit as co-producer of an original album.

Bill McGrath - Drums, Backing Vocals

With over 30 years of percussion experience, Bill has been around many different influences over the years. Beginning as a classical percussionist, McGrath qualified early on as an all-state finalist in melodic percussion (xylophone) indicating a mastery of both rhythm and musical scales. With influences such as Stewart Copeland (The Police), Nick Mason (Pink Floyd), and Bernard Purdie (Aretha Franklin, Steely Dan), McGrath mixes jazz, funk, hip-hop, and rock genres to create an erotic understanding of beat, rhythm, and scale with an addictive repetition of pattern. Combined with production, live, and mixing experience, McGrath has delivered inspiring pieces of music in groups such as The Bay Rats Band, Troy, NY., YYz affair, AzMt, The Great Katt, Red, D'guys, and PornFunk.

Patrick Ross - Violin

Patrick Ross is 27 and a native of Canaan, Vt. His father, a fourth generation fiddler, by ear taught him over 100 French Canadian fiddle tunes. Those tunes reflect a fiddling heritage that originated in Scotland, before migrating to Quebec, New Hampshire, and then Vermont.

Though his father died when he was 11, Ross says he'll, "always remember the fiddle tunes, and what they mean." He goes on, "I know that being an artist can bring what can be described as a spiritual awakening, which when followed honestly, can be extremely unique and rewarding. I also know that it can be filled with soul-draining disillusionment stemming from show business demands, the legal system and obscured measurements of success."

Bob Coons - Electric Guitar

Born in Chicago, and raised in the Bay Area, Bob started playing guitar in his teen years. From 1968-1973 he performed with the San Francisco Boys Chorus as boy Soprano, San Francisco Opera, and the San Francisco Symphony Chorus, sharing the stage with such luminaries as Placido Domingo, Joan Sutherland, and Seiji Ozawa.

Bob also played guitar for various acts culminating in a position as tour and studio guitarist for The Timex Social Club in the late 80s. He has also played guitar in various jazz R&B acts in U.S. and Europe, and even entertained soldiers in the Persian Gulf War.  In 2000-2002 he performed with Melvin Seals and The Jerry Garcia Band Pomelo, Bobbie Webb.  

Bob is a regular guest performer of the Chad Hollister band.  Currently Bob is also a Senior Music Analyst for pandora.com. For a sample of Coons' understanding of music theory that is entertaining, educational, and jaw-dropping, check out his episode of Pandora Presents, focusing on the blues scale.

Bob's Notable Sideman gigs: Playing regularly or occasionaly with folks such as Mitch Stein, Billy Johnson (Santana's drummer), Greg Erico (Sly Stone's drummer), Dave Garibaldi, Jules Broussard, Pharoe Saunders.

Mike Wieliczki - Piano