JOHN (IOWA) SCHERLE - Lead Guitar/Rhythm Guitar/Drums/vocals
Nicknamed after his native state by college roommates, Iowa started playing rock’n'roll at the tender age of 13. From the early psychedelic and groundbreaking "Farmer John and the Pigs" to the now legendary Omaha R&B "Fatback" band, he later formed one of the region’s most popular bands, "110 in the Shade featuring the Shades of Brown" and has opened for national acts such as Mason Proffit and Rick Deringer. His range of style and experience helps spark this solid, edgy and energetic three-piece rock’n’roll band.
ABOUT SHARKS...
The band consists of three musicians featuring: John (Iowa) Scherle on lead guitar, vocals; Michael (MIC) Laughlin on bass, vocals; and Dana (Dane) Johnson on drums, vocals.
Persons considering the band should click through this website that includes
samples of the music, current song list, history of the band, and pictures, along with their booking information.
The SHARKS are available in Omaha, Kansas City, Des Moines and surrounding areas.
MICHAEL (MIC) LAUGHLIN - Bass Guitar/vocals
Michael started playing in rock'n'roll bands when he was 14. The early days found him on lead guitar in a 60’s top 40 band, the Shomen, then playing bass locally in a group from Marquette, Michigan, the Word. He played rhythm guitar in an underground Omaha band "The Blue Ruins" and in the late 1970’s, bass, with the all-original cult favorite, "Children." He later joined with the Shark’s lead guitarist to form "110 in the Shade" and the popular 60’s cover band, "Revival", and has opened for national acts including Doug Kershaw and Wolfman Jack. After leaving the Midwest in the 1990’s Michael has returned and now brings his unique voice style and booming bottom-line to Sharks.
DANA (DANE) JOHNSON - Drums/vocals
Dane picked up the drum set at age 12, playing his first gig with his father's jazz band at age 13. Throughout junior-senior high and college he performed in concert band, orchestra, jazz band choir and majored in music at Midland Lutheran College in Fremont, Nebraska. He toured the United States in several country/rock/variety bands after college and in 1983 was accepted into the United States Air Force Band. While stationed at Offutt he played in Nightwing, he then moved to the Air Force Academy and played primarily with Wild Blue Country. As a member of Wild Blue Country he appeared on the TV programs Nashville Now and the Grand Olde Opry numerous times. Throughout his career he has played with numerous country stars. He has performed with local bands Wildfire, Lenny G Big Band, Ev Yates Little Big Band, 4 Day Riders, Final Approach, 57 Chevy, Renegade, Shadow Ridge, Git R Done and Kate and the Big Boys. Dane is also an accomplished vocalist able to sing from a low bass to high falsetto.
