Bio
Over the Edge
For over 15 years, Over The Edge has been a staple of the Tampa Bay music scene, captivating audiences with their impeccable renditions of classic rock anthems. This seasoned cover band is renowned for its polished sound and professional stage presence, bringing a high-energy, authentic rock experience to every performance.
With a repertoire that spans iconic bands such as America, The Beatles, Journey, REO Speedwagon, Santana, Styx, and The Who, Over The Edge is dedicated to delivering the timeless classics with an emphasis on rich vocals and harmonious arrangements. Their passion for the genre shines through in every note, showcasing their skillful musicianship and attention to detail.
Whether it's the soaring harmonies of The Beatles or the powerful riffs of Santana, Over The Edge ensures that each song is performed with the precision and respect it deserves. Their performances are more than just concerts—they are a celebration of rock's greatest hits, performed by a band that has mastered the art of tribute.
John “Doc” Branche
Keyboards, Vocals
A seasoned musician with an impressive 60 years of performance experience, Doc holds down the keys for Over the Edge. His musical journey began with piano lessons and was profoundly influenced by the iconic sounds of The Beatles.
Doc's first foray into the world of bands was with a group called Heritage. Over the years, his passion for music has never waned, and one of his most memorable performances was at the Hullabaloo in Troy, NY. When it comes to performing with Over the Edge, Doc's favorite songs to play are by Santana. He appreciates the camaraderie within the band, noting that "Everyone gets along [and] knows their parts".
His first record purchase was an Alice Cooper album. Beyond his musical talents, Doc has a few other interests. His "desert island" picks include the album "Wings" and the movie "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest". He enjoys hitting the gym, learning new songs, and bowling. When not performing, you might find him at Whiskey Wings in Tarpon Springs or enjoying a day at the beach.
Before any gig, Doc has a practical ritual: he makes sure all his equipment is in working order.
Dan “Cake” Smith
Vocals, Percussion, Guitar, Electronic Saxophone
Cake is a seasoned musician and a lead vocalist, guitarist, electric saxophonist, and percussionist for the band Over the Edge. With a performance career spanning 46 years, he brings a wealth of diverse musical experience to the group.
Early Life and Inspirations
Cake's musical journey began on piano and trumpet. His passion for music was ignited by an early Beach Boys concert and later solidified by seeing Yes on their 90125 tour. He picked up the drums at the end of 1979 and has been self-taught since. The first album he ever purchased with his own money was Loverboy's self-titled debut record. His first band was named Nightfall followed by WNY favorites The Distance.
A Diverse Career
Throughout his extensive career, Cake has played a wide array of musical styles, from original heavy metal to Southern gospel, swing, and jazz. He has also been a part of several theatrical performances around Tampa Bay and at the Straz Center. One of his most memorable performances was at the National Baptist Convention in Columbus, Ohio. When asked about his favorite song to perform, he named Kim Mitchell's "Go for Soda," though it is not part of the Over the Edge repertoire.
Life with Over the Edge
What Cake values most about playing with Over the Edge is the musical diversity and the vocal talents within the band. He also gives a special mention to the "Over the Edge fans that come and support us". His pre-gig ritual is simple and practical: he likes to arrive early to avoid rushing.
Offstage Personality
When he's not performing, Cake enjoys cooking and working on domestic projects. On a surprise day off, you might find him finishing his chores early before relaxing by the pool with a cocktail and a good cigar. His favorite drinks include bourbon, Manhattans, a good Bloody Mary, and a specialty gin and tonic.
Cake has a humorous side, jokingly claiming to have won an "Academy award for best supporting actor in a miniseries for 'Over the Edge, the sequel'". He also possesses a unique talent: the ability to tie double knots in maraschino cherry stems with his tongue. His biggest pet peeve is "people who whine more than I do". When asked about desert island picks, he humorously referenced the fate of Gilligan and the Skipper, stating, "I have no plans to end up on a deserted island".
Dan Mockensturm
Vocals, Lead Guitar and Manager
Meet Dan Mockensturm, the lead guitarist and vocalist for the band Over the Edge.
A seasoned performer, Dan's musical journey began in the 8th grade. It was then he joined his first band, FTZ. Inspired by watching The Monkees on television, he learned to play music from friends and by ear. The first records he ever purchased with his own money were Naturally by Three Dog Night and Cosmos Factory by Creedence Clearwater Revival.
For Dan, the most rewarding part of playing with Over the Edge is seeing their friends, family, and fans enjoying the music. His favorite song to perform is the band's Santana medley. One of his most memorable moments on stage was playing the guitar solo for "Bohemian Rhapsody" during the 25th-anniversary show for Entertainment Review. When asked about his musical accomplishments, Dan humbly states he is most thankful to still be doing what he loves.
When he's not performing, Dan has a variety of interests. His hobbies include building model cars and trucks and working on his 1965 Chevy Impala. In the Tampa Bay area, his favorite spots to show out-of-towners are Tarpon Springs and The Dali Museum. His pre-show ritual involves a nap and staying hydrated. Dan's favorite foods include steak, oysters, and crab legs, which he especially enjoys with good wine and pizza in Boston. And for those who don't know, he has a surprise talent: he can sing.
Bob Massicotte
Bass Guitar, Vocals and Web Design
Bob Massicotte, the bassist for Over the Edge, began his musical journey in a middle school band. His passion for the bass guitar was ignited when he heard Cliff Burton's solo on Metallica's "Kill 'em All" album, an experience that made him realize he wanted to play that specific instrument.
Massicotte's first paid performance was in 1997 at the Brass Mug. He later honed his skills by studying with Mark Neuenshawnder and Dee Moses during college.
His dedication to his craft has been recognized with the Louis Armstrong Jazz Award and an award for Outstanding Bass Performance at the Gatlinburg Music Festival. One of the most memorable moments of his career was playing at the legendary CBGB's in New York.
Before joining Over the Edge, Massicotte's first band was called Elston Gunnn. He finds that playing with talented musicians in Over the Edge improves his own abilities. His favorite song to perform with the band is "Story in Your Eyes" by The Moody Blues.
Outside of his musical endeavors, Massicotte has a range of interests. The first record he ever purchased was MC Hammer's "Too Legit to Quit". His "desert island" picks include the album "Remain in Light" by Talking Heads and the book "Breakfast of Champions" by Kurt Vonnegut. He enjoys biking, camping, and exploring in his free time. When he has a surprise day off, he likes to play video games. For showing out-of-towners around the Tampa Bay Area, his go-to spot is Skipper's Smokehouse. He also has a surprise talent for yo-yoing.
Paul B.
Drums, Vocals
A seasoned musician and the driving force behind the beat, Paul is a drummer and singer for the band Over the Edge. His musical journey began with the purchase of The Beatles' "Help" album, which he played until it wore out.
Paul started performing in his junior high school band and soon formed a group with friends to play weekend gigs. His first band, a group of 15-year-olds in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, was called Stone Fox. Though he considers the name "pretty lame," the experience was fun and educational. Primarily self-taught, Paul honed his skills by studying with various teachers, including a drum corps instructor who taught him new techniques. He found inspiration in seeing many big-name artists perform, with a concert by Ambrosia being particularly memorable for their great vocals.
Throughout his career, Paul has had many noteworthy experiences, including playing a 4th of July show on the Milwaukee lakefront to a crowd of 100,000 people. He has also recorded three albums for a church in Florida.
For Paul, the best part of playing with Over the Edge is his fellow bandmates, whom he considers both very good musicians and very good friends. He also has a great time playing the music, especially the songs that make people dance and showcase the talents of all the band members. Before any gig, Paul has a ritual of warming up his vocals on the way to the venue and loosening his hands before playing.
Offstage, Paul's hobbies include camping and cruising. He loves to eat and has a fondness for cars that don't break down. While he hasn't had any hit records, he holds a cherished award: a "World's Greatest Dad" coffee cup from his kids. A self-proclaimed "good listener," his biggest pet peeve is fake people.