The 440 Alliance is an American cello rock band from Arlington, Texas consisting of five cellists and a percussionist. The group formed in 2004 and is known for their diverse approach to the cello, incorporating electric effects, turntables, piano, and mallet percussion. They received national exposure on NPR's All Songs Considered, the Drew Pearson Show on Fox Sports, and on Fox's musical reality show, The Next Great American Band. The group has performed at a number of private parties for celebrities including Troy Aikman (Former NFL Quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys), Jerry Jones (Dallas Cowboys owner), John Kirtland (Former drummer for Deep Blue Something and owner of Kirtland Records), Janine Turner (from Northern Exposure), members of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, as well as the Dallas, TX movie premiere for the film The Soloist (starring Jamie Foxx and Robert Downey Jr.).
Current members Drew Johnson (High Notes) – Cello, Pedal FX Andrew Walton (Captain Bringdown) – Cello, Talk Box Nathan Keefer (Major Scales) – Cello, Piano, Acoustic Guitar Neil Fong Gilfillan (Maestro Fong) – Cello, Turntables Jeff Harvick (Kid Bach) - Cello, Theremin Brandon Vanderford (Lieutenant Branderford) – Drums, Mallet Percussion
Former members Cody MacCafferty (Commander Cody) – Drums Benom Plumb - Drums
Discography Top 440 (15th Anniversary CD), 2020 Immigrant Song - Led Zeppelin Dreams - The Cranberries More Than A Feeling - Boston Good Vibrations - The Beach Boys Billie Jean - Michael Jackson The Longest Time - Billy Joel Crazy Train - Ozzy Osbourne God Only Knows - The Beach Boys The Final Countdown - Europe Home Sweet Home - Mötley Crüe Welcome To Your Doom Eye of the Tiger (Live) - Survivor Shut-Uptown Funk & Dance (Live Medley) - Bruno Mars / Walk The Moon Canon in Astley (Live) - Rick Astley Just What I Needed (Live) - The Cars
Crooked Bridge, 2010 Bogus Gravitas Sweet Cello 'O' Mine - Guns N' Roses The Gold Cartridge (Zelda) - Koji Kondo Fugue 'N Blues The Price Is Wrong - Bob Israel Livin' On A Prayer - Bon Jovi Crooked Bridge Jam All You Need Is Love - The Beatles
The 440 Alliance, 2006 This is Gonna Rock! 440 Jam Black Hole Sun - Soundgarden Tango de la Turntable Stairway to Heaven - Led Zeppelin Title I Am the Walrus - The Beatles ¡Te Gusta 440! Bohemian Rhapsody - Queen Black Tux (Hidden Track) surlaW ehT mA I (Hidden Track)
Playin' Cellos, 2005 Pulp Fact (Miserlou) - Dick Dale and the Deltones Don't Stop Believin' - Journey Classic Crunk A Day in the Life/Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (Reprise) (Live) - The Beatles Super Mario Bros. (Live) - Koji Kondo 440 Jam (live)
References
External links Official site
Articles NPR Music - The 440 Alliance: 'This is Gonna Rock!' Pegasus News - The 440 Alliance review
The North Texas Daily - 4 cellists, percussionist see early success
Listening Audio Samples on MySpace
Video Next Great American Band audition tape The 440 Alliance performs at Troy Aikman's Super Bowl Party