The ions formed in 2013 when local artist and music teacher, Liz Berg, called Tom, her former bass player, and mentioned that her student, Mike, and his long time friend, Kevin, were looking for a singer for their band. Tom knew Steve well because they formed a band called Liquid Courage in high school (after the sport of street fighting got a bit lethal) and have been friends for a very long time. So, Tom put Mike in touch with Steve, and he began to sing with Kevin, Mike, another guitarist, Chris, Mike’s son, bass player, Mark, and saxophonist extraordinaire Al O’Keefe, in what was then called “Attention Deficit.” Shortly thereafter, Mark, Chris and Al left to pursue other opportunities. Steve then switched to guitar, Tom joined, and the band formally changed its name to “the ions.” Later that year (again through a contact with Liz Berg), Mary joined and made her first appearance with the band in December.  

Steve has studied the guitar since grade school, formed a power trio, “Liquid Courage,”in high school and later studied classical guitar performanceat the university level.  Steve’s varied influences include Bach, Shubert, the Beatles, the Kinks, Jimmy Webb, and Radiohead.

Mary is a classically trained pianist who enjoys playing everything from Mozart to ragtime to Coldplay.  She brings a level of virtuosity to the ions that brings the crowd to its feet.  With her keyboard wizardry, Mary expands the ions’ tonal pallet to help create their unique sound.