Left: Art, Bogeman, Ron, & Dennis (the bogusband, 2011)

The photo above of "the bogusband" was taken at The Witz End in Willoughby, Ohio with Art Jensen on bass, Tom Bogus (Bogeman) on vocals & guitar, Ron Papaleo on vocals & drums and Dennis Sichner on vocals & sax - Norm Tischler, Dave Sterner, and Dave Kana would also sub on sax.

At Becky's Bistro 2011 Bogeman, Ron, Art, Dennis (Becky's Bistro, 2011)

Every other Thursday night featured "Blues" at Becky's Bistro. Pictured above is "the bogusband" performing on one of those nights (2009-2012). Guest performers (i.e. Bob Hoffman, Pete London, Max Bangwell, John Ban, the Doughboy & others) would stop by to listen or sit-in. The stage was small - so the band had to play at very low sound levels. Because of this, their dynamics were (near) perfect! Below are a few videos.



Thrill is Gone:

Your Cash Ain't Nothin' But Trash:

"the bogusband" has opened for some great national Blues artists including Big Twist and the Mellow Fellows, Buddy Guy, Robert Lockwood Jr., and Jimmy Johnson. Watch Bogeman jam with Jimmy at the Bank Street Cafe below.

Heap See:

Over the years "the bogusband" worked at some of Cleveland's great Blues venues Past Performance Dates: The Riverwood (Jim Rivers & Jerry), Brother's Lounge (Jim Simons), Wilbert's (Mike Miller), Blind Pig (Ted Westerhold), The Savannah (Jim DePaul), The Bank Street Cafe (Steve Zamborski), The Greenville (Kathy Smith), Main Street Cafe (Gary Quesada), and the Willoughby Brewing Co. (Bob Bene) - Just great people who knew how to run fun clubs.

"the bogusband" "live" on DVD

IEE Sweet Home Cleveland, Ohio:

The "bogusband" recorded "live" performances at both Cleveland State University (1988) and at the International Exhibitors Exposition (IX Center, 1996) and are available on CD/DVD. Sample audio tracks are posted below.

"Live" at CSU (1988)  "Live" at the IX Cnt (1996)

Cold Cold Feeling            Ain't Doin' Too Bad

Firing Line                       Lonely Avenue

Heap See                         Sugar Sweet

Pack it Up                        Woke Up This Morning

The "bogusband" CD (2001) includes ten original songs written by Bogeman & arranged by Dennis Sichner. Guest musicians Roy King, Keith Chelm, Ray Deforest, Pete Cavano, Anthony Anastasi, Ron Papleo, Mike Fisher and others give it a "polished" sound. Self-produced, it took 5-years to complete. Two songs received awards. Click below to listen.

CD Samples, Lyrics & Order Information

CD, 2001

Backside

Look for Bogeman in 2018 performing with Martin Baine and the Benders in and around the Cleveland, Ohio area.

Club Dates                              Cover Song List

Left to right: Max, Dave, Bogeman & Luther (No Motel: 1979)

Bogeman's earliest influences were from guitarist Joe Sasina & Memphis Slim but started playing Blues with the No Motel band in 1978. Eclectic, under-paid & short-lived, the band played many of the now-defunct Cleveland Blues clubs of that day: Flipside, Brothers, Euclid Tavern, Neuman's Corner, Cheers & Pirates' Cove. No Motel alumni, (Bob Ebersole) Max Bangwell (Drums-vox-composer) passed away (1952-2015)

after a long battle with cancer. Dave Holmberg is currently on hiatus from his band: Spell Bound. As far as we know, Jeff Luther retired from the music scene. Dave "Concrete-ears" Brooks, originally a member of the improv group Accordian Repair, was our sound engineer & roadie. He kept us focused (if that was even possible) and loaned us his van. Some of the more classic No Motel gigs were recorded at The Entertainer Lounge and at Ashland College(1978-80).

No Motel Interview w/Brian Cleveland (1980)

"No Motel" archive video

Blues Jam for Peace & Humanitarian Aid Part-1 (1987)

Blues Jam for Peace & Humanitarian Aid Part-2 (1987)

From my vague recollection of 1970's, Cleveland had only a handful of local Blues artists: Jimmy Ley, Robert Lockwood Jr., Mr. Stress, Dave & the Blues Express with Crazy Marvin on Harp, Hollywood Slim and later Aces & Eights (from Athens, OH), The Schwartz Brothers, Burnt River, Cruisemasters, Blue Lunch, and Blues DeVille made their appearances. I remember a camaraderie that existed where bands shared info on where the few, low-paying gigs were.

RLJr

In the mid 1980's the first Cleveland "Blues jams" were held at The Rockwell Inn at E21st & Rockwell. Robert Lockwood Jr., The Schwartz Brothers, Blue Steve Martin, Crown Motors and others played Happy Hour from 5pm-9pm. Afterwards "Exotic dancers" worked the midnight shift.

Cleveland experienced a "Blues" revival for a short time. The Gangsters of Blues, The Natural Facts, Frankie Starr were very popular as was Colin Dussault. An era of "Blues jam nights" were introduced by The Bad Boys of Blues and Butch Armstrong. The Savannah in Westlake was one of the best. Click The Cleveland Blues Society link to find the latest.

College Radio was also a great influence on the popularity of the "Blues scene" in Cleveland with WRUW's Annie Plays the Blues, WCSB's Blue Monday, Morning Train (now Skid Row) Anne Weatherhead, John Veverka, Tom Bogus and Chris Kofron respectively.

Left to right: Bogeman Terry, & Al (the bogusband, 1986)

The first "bogusband" was formed in April of 1986. It included former JK & the Class members: Dennis Sichner (sax) Tom Bogus (guitar), Rob Cronin (trumpet), and Mark Sterbank (sax). Lead guitarist Denny Massari, bassist Al Tapajna, and drummer Terry Kuper were other founding members. Chuck Rickard, our 2nd trumpeter, was later replaced by Tim Leahey who in-turn was replaced by Anthony Anastasi. Joe Miller and a host of others became "bogusband" subs.

Left to right: Rich, Bogeman, Al, & Denny (the bogusband, 1988)

In 1988, Rich Sustersic (drums) replaced Terry after he re-located to Florida. Then in late 1989 Keith White (drums), Tom Lyons (bass), Keith Chelm (keys), and guest guitarist Pete Cavano became the next core "bogusband." Keith and Pete played on both the CD and some of this site's mp3 samples. Pete Cavano, Johnny Lucic and Tim Matson are probably in the top "5" of Cleveland's most incredible guitarists - but there really are so many!

From 1990 on, a rotating horn section Wall of Fame backed-up the band’s R&B sound. I can remember a gig on New Year's Eve where there was only one regular band member: Paul Stranahan (drums). That night, Willie Smith (in his 70's) played alto sax, Jerry Riva was on trumpet, Scott Jones (from Wisconsin) played bass and Eddie Muser played keys. Eddie was my "go-to" keyboardist when Keith wasn't available. He too, passed a few years ago (1949-2013) and will be missed.

In 1993, Paul Stranahan, Art Jensen and Dennis Sichner became the next, next core " bogusband". We played regularly around the Cleveland area until 2001.

Then from 2005-2011, Ron Papaleo got us all back together for a great short run at Becky's. Thanks Ron! Lot's of fun!


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