THE POLICE EXPERIENCE
DO I HAVE TO TELL THE STORY??

 THE POLICE EXPERIENCE is the most authentic Police tribute band in the world; performing nationally and internationally to deliver the ultra high-energy show The Police were known for in the 1980s. This highly acclaimed tribute to the Police has even won the praise of Stewart Copeland himself, who said of the band…

“…every nuance, all the drum parts, and the singer has Sting down to a tee… “

In 2003, Ian Copeland, founder of Frontier Booking International (FBI), heard the band and immediately had them perform for an audience that included Stewart Copeland and Miles Copeland; founder of IRS records and manager of The Police. Upon hearing the band, Stewart himself jumped up on stage and sat in with THE POLICE EXPERIENCE, tearing the house down with "Driven to Tears" and "Roxanne." For the band it was an honor and a solid affirmation of their efforts to play with one of the world's most talented rock drummers ever and the founding member of The Police. Miles Copeland said of the band…

“…the best copy band I have seen to date…close your eyes and it's my boys…”

In 2007, the band became the subject of the award winning documentary “Tribute Bands”, which appeared on Canadian National television. They were also featured in an article by BBC News reporter Stephen Robbs about Police tribute bands and the Police reunion. Later that year, they were hired to perform pre-show/after show parties during the two nights The Police played Fenway Park on their reunion tour.

In 2009, the band got the attention of long time Stewart Copeland disciple Taylor Hawkins, of The Foo Fighters, who invited David Rasner, (“Sting”), and Jimbo Head, (“Andy”), to his house to jam. Hawkins was so taken with the authenticity and talent of the band, that he played an entire show with them 2 days later. Hawkins, who still does shows with THE POLICE EXPERIENCE, had this to say of the band...

“…All of sudden I was transported back to 1983… they knew every single Police song perfectly… it might have been the awesomest, funnest, most musically satisfying experiences…this guy sounds exactly like Sting…”

THE POLICE EXPERIENCE’s drummer, Mike Nieland, has the remarkable ability to copy Stewart Copeland’s complicated drum style note for note. As a result, Nieland has been featured in the international drum press where he talked about emulating Copeland’s technique. In 2007 Nieland himself had the opportunity to interview Stewart Copeland for Guitar Center’s “GC BACKSTAGE” viral video series.

The band continues to thrill audiences from Montreal to Trinidad, from San Diego to Nova Scotia. They remain unmatched by any other Police tribute band for their authenticity. THE POLICE EXPERIENCE is as close as it gets to the real thing… "Roxanne," "Walking On The Moon," "Every Breath You Take, Don’t Stand So Close to Me…." you’ll hear all your favorite Police songs, you’ll get transported back to the 80’s, you’ll experience what it was like to see one of the world’s best bands in their prime.

MIKE NIELAND- Drums/Vocals

 


Since starting at the age of 4, Mike has studied with the top drummers in his field including; Chester Thompson, Billy Cobham, Dom Famularo, Jim Chapin, as well as being a graduate (top of his class- by the way) of the now-infamous 'School of Hard Knocks'… In other words, Mike has spent the last 15 years on the road, touring and recording with a multitude of artists from the obscure right up to Grammy-Winning producers. "Growing up I played along with all of The Police stuff to the point where I knew it front to back… This gig made perfect sense to me, I could finally get a chance to play these great songs that I grew up in awe of and pay tribute to them." Mike also teaches around L.A. when time permits.
 

JIMBO HEAD- Guitars/Vocals

 

Details are sketchy, but apparently Jim was born in Virginia Beach, VA and spent his formative years in Bethlehem, PA. There are rumors that he had fronted an Amish acoustic death metal band called The Plain Fist, but there is no real evidence of that. Eventually he moved to L.A. to follow his dream of moving back to Bethlehem saying that he had lived in L.A., but fate intervened when he was chosen out of thousands of unqualified people in a christmas day parade to work at Mesa Boogie. He still holds the same job, living in seclusion with his large guitar collection and cat. He loves wine, sushi, and has many wonderful friends. He refuses to drop names, or give any information as to his formal training in guitar and bands he may or may not have been in. He will, however, wax ad nauseam on the benefits of having a good tailor.

Bill Nash Replica of Andy’s Sunburst Tele Custom S/N L30701 with case
85 Dakota Red Fender Stratocaster with case.
Mesa/Boogie Lone Star Head
Vintage 4X12 w/ Celestion Vintage 30’s
Digital Music Ground Control Pro
Digital Music GCX
Rack Systems Power Supply
Axess Electronics Dual Loop Box
Way Huge Electronics Saffron Squeeze
Electro Harmonix Electric Mistress
MXR Phase 90
Arion SCH-1
Dunlop CSP021 Overdrive
Ibanez Echo Machine
Guyatone MD2
Maestro Echoplex EP2
Roland JV-1010 Synth Module
Roland G-20 Pitch to Midi Converter
George L’s Cables
Elixir Nanoweb Guitar strings
Jim Dunlop Ultex guitar picks

DAVID RASNER- Bass/Keys/Vocals



Like Sting, David has been an actor as well as a musician. He received his MFA from the American Conservatory Theater graduate program. He was a regular in Bay Area theatres such as the American Conservatory Theater, The Magic Theater, Berkeley Repertory Theater, and Shakespeare Santa Cruz. Voice-over credits include; "Final Fantasy: The Movie", "Princess Mononoke", "Ferngully 2," “Astroboy: The Series”, HBO's "Curb Your Enthusiasm", the title role of Jubei in “Ninja Scroll: The Series” and the soon to be released video game Final Fantasy XII. A talented vocal mimic and a long-time fan of The Police, it was second nature to sound like Sting. Recently, he even lent his Sting impersonation to a lead villain named Steng on The Cartoon Network's Zatch Bell. Currently he is a regular on several animated series and specializes in voice replacing everyone from Antonio Banderas to L.L. Cool J. More than anything, David enjoys spending time with his wife Jonna and his children, Sofia, Rita, Emelia, and Tomas.

1980 Ibanez Musician MC-940 Fretless Bass with case
Red-1986-Maple on Maple necked-Fretless-Fender P-bass with case
Natural Finish-1990-Maple on Maple necked-Fretless-Fender P-bass with case
Shellacked-1988-Rosewood necked-Fretted-Fender Jazz Bass with case
Steinberger "L2" bass with case.
Palatino Ve-500 Electric Upright Bass
Moog Taurus Pedal - thanks Taylor!
Alesis Micron
Roland PK-5
Fender TBP-1 Tube Preamp 
Carvin 1000 watt power amp
2x10 Cab
1x15 Cab
MXR Phase 90
David endorses Retro-Sonic and uses the Retro-Sonic Stereo Chorus
David endorses BBE Sound and uses the BBE Opto Stomp Compression pedal.
BOSS TU Tuner
BOSS Bass Equalizer
David endorses Lexicon and uses the Lexicon MX400 on vocals.
David endorses Rotosound Strings and uses RS77LE (50 to 110) Flatwounds on all his basses.
Monster Cables
Jim Dunlop Ultex guitar picks



SONGLIST:

Message In a Bottle
Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic
Bring On The Night
Spirits In The Material World
Invisible Sun
Secret Journey
Don't Stand So Close To Me
Walking On The Moon
Driven To Tears
De Do Do Do De Da Da Da
Synchronicity 1
Synchronicity 2
Wrapped Around Your Finger
Every Breath You Take
King Of Pain
Roxanne
So Lonely
Can't Stand Losing You/Reggatta De Blanc/Be My Girl Sally
When The World Is Running Down, You Make The Best Of What's Still Around
Next To You
Hole In My Life
Tea In The Sahara
Murder By Numbers
Canary In A Coalmine
The Bed's Too Big Without You
Bombs Away
Nothing Achieving
Fallout
Landlord
Peanuts
Truth Hits Everybody
Born In The '50s
It's Alright For You
Deathwish
On Any Other Day
Contact
No Time This Time
Hungry For You (J'Aurais Toujours Faim De Toi)
Demolition Man
One World (Not Three)
Omegaman
O My God

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