Classic Rock Band - Cosmic Dance – Plays Classic Rock Music – Writes Classic Rock Songs

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Cosmic Dance Band Bio

Cosmic Dance was formed in 1993 when founding members Toby Zambetti and Dave Matela met in Hayward, California. From the beginning, their vision was clear: to create music rooted in improvisation, drenched in the blues, and steeped in the raw energy of classic rock. Inspired by legends like Cream and Led Zeppelin, the duo set out to shape a sound that was both soulful and powerful—fueled by passion and a deep respect for musical heritage.

Their lineup soon expanded with drummer John Roche and bassist Tom Neely, solidifying the groove-driven backbone of the band. Influences ran deep, pulling from blues pioneers such as Brownie McGhee, Lightnin’ Hopkins, Freddie King, Otis Redding, Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, Robert Johnson, Son House, Eric Clapton, and Stevie Ray Vaughan. But the band’s vision also looked to the horizon, drawing cosmic inspiration from artists like Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, The Doors, Bob Dylan, Pink Floyd, Rush, Bob Segar, The Rolling Stones, The Beatles, Richie Havens, and beyond.

In 1995, Cosmic Dance recorded their debut project at the iconic Hyde Street Studios in San Francisco—the same recording studio where the Grateful Dead, Janis Joplin, and Creedence Clearwater Revival laid down tracks. Determined to capture an authentic, vintage tone, the band recorded on 2" 24-track analog tape. The result: four dynamic songs and a freeform jam that captured their essence.

Not long after, drummer John Roche departed and was replaced by San Jose’s Terry Thompson. With renewed momentum, the band dove into a second recording project—this time fully DIY. For six months, they lived and recorded together in their Union City band house, using only a Fostex 4-track recorder. The result was a stripped-down, honest, and emotionally rich record that proved great music doesn’t require fancy gear—But simply a good band with chemistry, conviction, and soul. The album caught the attention of key figures in the music scene and played a major role in boosting the band’s visibility and reach.

In 415-666-5281 Cosmic Dance completed their final professional recording session. It was a clear step forward—both in songwriting and creative maturity. The tracks recorded during this time revealed a refined sound and heightened passion, marking a high point in the band’s evolution. Three songs from this project are featured on the band's website today.

Throughout their career, Cosmic Dance performed at over a hundred clubs across the Bay Area and toured extensively throughout the West Coast—from Seattle Washington and Eugene Oregon to Austin, Texas. Along the way, they shared stages and crossed paths with an incredible roster of artists including Pat Travers, Santana, Ray Manzarek, Yngwie Malmsteen, Counting Crows, Rob Zombie, 4 Non Blondes, Slash, Forbidden, String Cheese Incident, Les Claypool, Tommy Castro, Scott Matthews, School of Fish, Richie Havens, and many more.

Cosmic Dance remains a testament to authenticity, spirit, and the timeless power of rock and blues. For them, it was never just about the music—it was about the journey, the brotherhood, and the message behind every note.

All songs featured on the band’s website are registered and copyrighted through the Library of Congress and published through ASCAP.

Classic Rock Band - Cosmic Dance - Classic Rock Music - Classic Rock Songs