West of Next plays bold original music inspired by the classic American regional genres. Western swing, Cajun and zydeco, mambos, rumbas, waltzes, blues, Celtic and Appalachian strains, honky tonk, rock and more all arranged in a daring style coming from a jazz musician’s point of view. Celtic dance tunes and ancient ballads became old time string bands which became bluegrass incorporating jazz-like improvisation  and church harmony. Marching bands became early jazz which became swing which became bop. Country and early jazz became western swing. Cajun and blues became zydeco. Country and blues became rock and roll. Gospel mixed with the blues point of view became R& B.

Building on traditions based on the expressions of working people's lives, the 20th century gave rise to remarkable roots genres in different areas of the U.S. This same process can be seen in the many great English bands that built on American blues and early rock to create new developments back in the mother country. The emergence of hip-hop is another example of those at the bottom of the power structure finding extraordinary ways to express themselves. Inspired by these many vibrant roots genres and the process by which they came to be, West of Next plays original music influenced by these classic forms but takes the listener to an "era that hasn't happened yet". One fan said, "If Frank Zappa wrote country music, it might sound like some of your songs." Some listeners have heard Richard Thompson's Celtic strains and mordant wit in certain numbers; Steely Dan has been mentioned by several fans.As much attention is given to the lyrics as the music. Humor, social commentary, romance, songs populated by characters like the worshipped  but soul-sick actress, the eternal optimist in love who is constantly betrayed, Mephistopheles whistling an ancient tune on a remote Southern country lane, the ravens on Poe's grave, the ultimate "contrarian", the girl from Atlanta waitressing on the outskirts of Nashville dreaming of singing at The Grand Ol' Opry, et al. The sonic identity of the band is the use of twin guitars ala Bob Wills, The Allman Brothers, Speedy West & Jimmy Bryant; to mention some historic examples. David Watts Barton spoke of "the guitar tag team of David Shapireau and Steve Randall" on the Capital Public Radio show "Insight". Mixing harmony, octaves, counterpoint,block chord melody and the bass as a third line, West of Next has their own approach. Jazz arranging ideas are applied to non-jazz material. e.g. The Chet Baker, Gerry Mulligan pianoless "cool jazz" group of the '50's that used lines only to imply the chord changes. The musicians may notice the inclusion of modern jazz harmonic touches (chords)in unexpected places. Though there are jazz colorings in the group's music, West of Next does not play jazz or "jazz fusion". It's a fresh concept , WESTERN ROCK AND BOP. David Shapireau has taken from the best of roots music, following in the tradition of musical shape-shifting to forge a truly new musical vision.  A sound "west of next. "The Sacramento Bee described the music as being “cut with diamond-like precision.”
 
Tony Dey on drums has played with Van Morrison, Linda Ronstadt and Mike Bloomfield

Steve Randall has as fine a reputation as any guitarist in Sacramento; doing stints in Northern CA, Texas, and England with The Ultraviolets, Anton Barbeau, Kate Gaffney, Richard March, etc.

Paul Knutsen on bass has been remarkable in his contribution to the band.

What is Your Destiny