About

John Cate / Gian Caterine
lead vocal, acoustic guitars, harmonica

John was born in Liverpool, England, to American ex-pats who later settled in the Boston area.

John toured early on as a jazz bass player with the fusion outfit Zamcheck, which featured Mark Zamcheck (Downbeat Magazine’s “up and coming jazz pianist of the year”) on keyboards and Michael Levine (Film composer and “Kit Kat” jingle writer) on violin. Zamcheck toured with Gary Burton (whose band featured a young Pat Metheny) and performed at the Newport Jazz Festival in 1974.

John’s music expanded into digital entrepreneurship and included work as a founding principal with eMusic, Tunecore, and Audiam. John was an early advisor to DistroKid and is currently an advisor to Amplifyd. John created Voices of van Gogh featuring Scarlet Rivera (Bob Dylan) and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member John Durrill, while living and working in LA between 2011 and 2017. During that time, John was invited to play for Joni Mitchell at her home, which closed the circle with the woman who inspired him to become a songwriter. John now splits his time between Boston, New Orleans and points East and West.

John is a prolific songwriter. He has written more than 2,000 songs and recorded 16 albums since returning to music as a singer-songwriter in 1996, two of which have been released by Blue Rose Records in Germany. Producers include Anthony J. Resta (Elton John, Collective Soul, Duran Duran, Shawn Mullins) for “A Whole New Day”, “X”, “The Wonder Show”, and “Livin in the Moment”, David Minehan (the Neighborhoods, the Replacements) for “Wild Way”, “X” ,“A Whole New Day”, “Love Letters”, “Ghost” and “Backroads,” and Rob Fraboni (Rolling Stones, Bonnie Raitt, Bob Dylan) for “Two Brothers”.

John’s songs are featured in film, network television and on DVDs, including such projects and programs as NCIS, Justified, American Idol, Num3ers and many others.

John appears monthly at Vincent’s, in Worcester Massachusetts, with his long-time band, the van Gogh Brothers, as part of their Lifetime Residency at their namesake room.

Paul Candilore
electric guitars and backing vocals

Paul was raised in Western Massachusetts and migrated with music to the Boston area in the ’70’s.

Paul has played with countless recording and performing artists since moving to Boston and has recorded for Sony Music.

Paul shares a musical vocabulary with John which is nearly identical – having grown up on the same artists and music in the same times. Paul co-produces with John as one half of the “van Gogh brothers” a production partnership John and Paul formed to reflect their each having “one good ear”. Paul and John have played together since 1995.

Paul splits his time between performing, recording and writing with the van Gogh Brothers and playing guitar and bass with his cover band, Grand Theft Audio.

Clayton Young
bass guitar and backing vocals

Clayton Young began playing with the van Gogh Brothers in June, 2002. After not actively performing live for a number of years, Clayton dusted off the boots, put on his big boy pants, and began performing live with John.

“John’s music inspired me emotionally as a person, and emotionally as a bass player. The first time I watched John and Paul play, I told them at the break, I have to be a part of this band.”

Clayton was introduced to the bass by his elder brother of ten years, Dave Young, (Angela West, Dave Young Country) who, at the time, was touring nationwide with the soul group The Manhattans. Clayton’s professional music career started at the age of 13, playing with Swinging Steaks singer/guitarist/songwriter Tim Giovanniello. Clay has been a supporter and substitute bass player with the Steaks and on Steaks’ side projects ever since.

Clayton’s playing can be summed up as emotional and powerful. “It is all about the music. It is how you play one note that makes the difference in music, not how many notes, or how fast you play the notes. Lay it down, let it breathe and people will want to take the musical journey with you!”

The Drummers

Andy Plaisted 

Andy plays regularly with the van Gogh Brothers. Andy also plays with Dennis Brennan, Barrence Whitfield & the Mercy Brothers, Tim Gearan, the Swinging Steaks and many others. Andy has recorded with countless artists, and while his “mainstay” is roots-rock, his performances include work with pop artists Clem Snide. Andy also records and produces at his studio, “Electric Andyland.”

Jonathan Smith (LA)

A former Nashville native, Jonathan now resides in LA as a producer and session drummer and performs live with John’s LA-based ensemble. Jonathan is well known for his extensive touring work which included stints with Blake Shelton, among others.

John Sands

John records and occasionally performs with the vGB’s. John’s mainstay gigs are his recording and performing roles with Aimee Mann and Lori McKenna. John also plays with a host of other artists including David Johnston, the Swinging Steaks, Merrie Amsterberg, Kelly Buchanan and many others.

Dave Mattacks

Dave occasionally records and performs with the van Gogh Brothers and is known for his legendary work with Fairport Convention, Richard Thompson, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and many others.