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…”
And since then, for nearly 20 years, THE POLICE EXPERIENCE has traveled with the world, reminding everyone what made the music of The Police so very special and part of the soundtrack of the lives of generations of fans.
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…”
2013 saw THE POLICE EXPERIENCE get named as one of "THE WORLD'S GREATEST TRIBUTE BANDS" as they tore through a set live on AXS.TV from a sold-out Roxy Theater in Hollywood, CA. It's still considered one of the series highlights today by fans.
2016 introduced the world to "THE POLICE EXPERIENCE- Symphonic", with the Columbus Symphony, still one of the band's greatest and proudest moments as they bonded with thousands of fans, backed by a 65-piece orchestra. Truly breathtaking!!
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.
PAST CLIENTS INCLUDE:
Disney
AXS TV
Xerox
Royal Caribbean
Cal Jam 2017
Columbus Symphony
MIKE NIELAND- Drums/Vocals
Mike Nieland picked up his first pair of sticks at age 4 as part of a Christmas Present from his dad, designed to annoy the in-laws. Little did anyone know that gift would turn into a life-long obsession with drums and music that has become his life. Mike followed a fairly traditional path through school bands, theater, and later most of the 90’s lost on tour in a van somewhere with someone- a trying but valuable education.
“Since meeting David in 2002, I’ve been fortunate enough to be able to have this vehicle to recreate the vibe of this music and treat it with the respect it deserves. It’s great to be able to take something that was purely for fun as a kid and turn it into such a cool experience for others. We’ve been very lucky to do this for as long as we have. “
JIMBO HEAD- Guitars/Vocals
Details are sketchy, but apparently Jimbo 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, pontificate endlessly on the benefits of having a good tailor.
DAVID RASNER- Bass/Keys/Vocals
David Rasner is an actor-musician who spent most of his spare time playing guitar and singing blues for various bands before he picked up a bass to do The Police Experience. He has always approached The Police Experience as a play, and has always dedicated a tremendous amount of time studying the "role" of Sting. He received his MFA from the American Conservatory Theater graduate program and was a regular in Bay Area theaters such as the American Conservatory Theater, The Magic Theater, Berkeley Repertory Theater, and Shakespeare Santa Cruz. Also a voice-over artist, his credits include; Kaname Tosen in "Bleach," Jubei in "Ninja Scroll," Boof/Slasher in "Ferngully 2," and Lewis/Akihiro Okamura/ in "Blood Plus." He has also lent his voice to many of the "Final Fantasy" video games, "Princess Mononoke," "Astroboy: The Series”, and HBO's "Curb Your Enthusiasm." A talented vocal mimic, (has voiced replaced actors such as Antonio Banderas and L.L. Cool J), and a long-time fan of The Police, it was second nature to sound like Sting. He even lent his Sting impersonation to a villain named Steng on the "Zatch Bell" series. To add one more parallel to Sting, David received his Masters in Teaching from Bard College and is a full time English teacher. More than anything, David enjoys spending time with his wife Jonna and his children, Sofia, Rita, Emelia, and Thomas.
He also is a stone cold Ry Cooder fanatic.
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