The Saps

The Saps got off to a hot start in 1999, playing some of their first shows to a great response at local venues like the Lounge Ax and Double Door. Original members Dan Lastick and Dan Menoni (The Dans) spent the next few years going through a progression of crash and burn rhythm sections, until 2001 brought the addition of Brett Whitacre on drums, veteran of the Chicago scene (36 Invisibles, Galactic Inmate, Warm Ones) and take-charge drummer.

In 2003, long-time friend and singer/songwriter Tony Sackett was brought in on bass, solidifying the line-up that would find common ground in influences like Otis Redding, Slayer and The Flaming Lips.

2006 saw the departure of Whitacre, who went on tour with The Legendary Shackshakers. The band decided to keep it in the family, and Whitacre's younger brother Ryan, a reformed guitarist, filled the vacancy promptly while the band hardly lost a step.