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Tony Levin,Pat Mastelotto ,Markus Reuter: Stick Men Brutal + The Well + Komodo - the new album Thrak
Stick Men: Biography, Members & Album Information
Biography
Stick Men is an American progressive rock and jazz-fusion supergroup formed in 2007. Centered around the unique configuration of dual Chapman Sticks and a massive, inventive drum setup, the band effectively serves as an offshoot of King Crimson's legendary rhythm section, channeling heavy progressive grooves, intricate counterpoint, and avant-garde soundscapes. Their music blends complex time signatures, heavy rock intensity, and sophisticated ambient textures, often featuring collaborations with prominent guest instrumentalists on international tours.
Band Members
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Tony Levin (Chapman Stick, Vocals): Legendary bassist and Chapman Stick virtuoso renowned for his groundbreaking work with King Crimson, Peter Gabriel, Liquid Tension Experiment, and Yes.
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Markus Reuter (Touch Guitar, Soundscapes): Acclaimed touch guitarist, composer, and producer who joined the lineup in 2010, bringing a distinctive avant-prog sonic palette.
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Pat Mastelotto (Drums, Percussion): Powerhouse rhythmic force best known as the longtime powerhouse drummer for King Crimson and Mr. Mister.
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Michael Bernier (Chapman Stick, Vocals): Original co-founder who played on the band's initial release before departing in 2010.
Key Albums & Discography
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Soup (2010):
The band's debut studio album, establishing their trademark heavy Chapman Stick-driven groove and progressive identity.
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Absalom (2011) & Deep (2013):
Critically praised studio records showcasing the solidified power-trio lineup with Markus Reuter, pushing the boundaries of touch-guitar complexity.
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Prog Noir (2016):
A landmark studio album featuring vocal-driven progressive rock tracks alongside intricate instrumental compositions.
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Collaborative & Live Albums:
Includes renowned live recordings featuring guest prog-fusion legends, such as Midori (with violinist David Cross) and Owari (with keyboardist Gary Husband).
Promotional video for "Brutal" from Stick Men's new album Let's THRAK Again, out September 4, 2026.
Pre-order now on Bandcamp:
https://stickmen.bandcamp.com/
Stick Men partnered with acclaimed director Jeff Myers (This Is Red Agency) to film this pristine, high-octane promotional video, translating the telepathy of their shows to the screen.
ET'S THRAK AGAIN
Exactly a decade after their dark, influential 2016 masterpiece Prog Noir, the unparalleled trio is back with their first studio album in ten years. Arriving 31 years after King Crimson's 1995 album THRAK, this 60-minute auditory experience is a profound kinetic successor in the lineage.
Let's THRAK Again is presented in two distinct versions: two different sonic blueprints of the same source material. The band handed the recordings to two engineers, Stefano Castagna (the "Reel One" mix) and Fabio Trentini (the "Reel Two" mix), producing a double album with alternative parts, distinct track orders, and wildly different spatial philosophies.
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STICK MEN
Forged in the fires of the legendary King Crimson rhythm section, the trio generates the power, complexity, and dynamic range of a massive orchestra using unorthodox, highly specialized instruments:
• Tony Levin (Peter Gabriel, John Lennon, Pink Floyd) — Chapman Stick
• Pat Mastelotto (King Crimson, Mr. Mister, XTC) — acoustic + electronic drums and percussion
• Markus Reuter — 8-string Touch Guitar
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The global release arrives September 4, 2026, coinciding directly with the kickoff of the official Stick Men USA Tour
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CREDITS
Markus Reuter: Touch Guitars U8 Deluxe
Tony Levin: Stick
Pat Mastelotto: Acoustic and Electronic Drums and Percussion
Composed + Produced by Stick Men
Mixed by Stefano Castagna (Reel One) and Fabio Trentini (Reel Two)
Mastered by Erik Emil Eskildsen
Artwork by Ritxi Ostariz
Video by Jeff Myers (THISISREDAGENCY)
STICK MEN "Brutal" (Official Video) | Tony Levin · Pat Mastelotto · Markus Reuter
STICK MEN "The Well" (Official Video) | Tony Levin · Pat Mastelotto · Markus Reuter
STICK MEN "Komodo" (Official Video) | Tony Levin · Pat Mastelotto · Markus Reuter
The most exciting instrumental prog rock album in 2026
