Complete List Of Goose Band Members

Feature Photo: Parker Higgins, CC BY 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Emerging from the basement shows and local bars of Wilton, Connecticut, Goose solidified their lineup in 2014 and has grown into one of the most prominent acts in the jam band scene. The band currently consists of Rick Mitarotonda on guitar and vocals, Trevor Weeks on bass and vocals, Peter Anspach on keyboards and guitar, and Cotter Ellis on drums. The band has released four primary studio albums: Moon Cabin in 2016, Shenanigans Nite Club in 2021, Dripfield in 2022, and Everything Must Go in 2025. Additionally, they released Chain Yer Dragon in 2025 and have issued numerous live albums documenting their concert performances.

The band gained significant traction following their performance at the 2019 Peach Music Festival, which has been viewed over 420,000 times on YouTube and Facebook as of March 2023. Goose has shared stages with established acts including Dead & Company, Dave Matthews Band, Trey Anastasio, and Bob Weir. The band performed at Radio City Music Hall in June 2022, with Trey Anastasio joining them for an entire set. They headlined their first show at Madison Square Garden on June 28, 2025. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Goose livestreamed eight concerts without an audience from a barn in Connecticut in June 2020, called the Bingo Tour, which grossed more than $100,000 for the band.

Goose has experienced several lineup changes throughout their history. Founding member and original drummer Ben Atkind departed in December 2023 after nine years with the band. Percussionist Jeff Arevalo joined in 2020 but was permanently removed from the band in March 2025. The band went through multiple keyboard players before Peter Anspach joined in 2017 and has remained with the group. Goose describes itself as an “indie groove” band while acknowledging its jam band influences. The band has released numerous live albums from specific concert dates, with multi-instrumentalist Peter Anspach personally mixing the band’s live performances for release shortly after concerts conclude.

Rick Mitarotonda

Rick Mitarotonda co-founded Goose in 2014 and has served as the band’s guitarist and vocalist throughout its entire existence. Mitarotonda attended Berklee College of Music where he met drummer Ben Atkind in a class called “Fusion Ensemble Level 6.” In January 2012, Mitarotonda invited Atkind to join a precursor band called Vasudo along with Wilton, Connecticut natives Trevor Weeks on bass and Matt Campbell on keyboards and vocals. Vasudo remained active for approximately 18 months before dissolving when Mitarotonda left for Colorado. While working at a taco shop in Colorado, Mitarotonda developed an inside joke that would later become the name Goose.

Mitarotonda returned from Colorado in 2014 and reenrolled at Berklee, officially forming Goose with Atkind and Weeks. He has appeared on all of the band’s studio albums including Moon Cabin in 2016, Shenanigans Nite Club in 2021, Dripfield in 2022, Everything Must Go in 2025, and Chain Yer Dragon in 2025. Mitarotonda’s guitar work and vocals have been central to Goose’s sound throughout their evolution from Connecticut basement shows to major venues including Radio City Music Hall and Madison Square Garden. He performed with the band during their breakthrough performance at the 2019 Peach Music Festival that garnered over 420,000 views and helped establish Goose in the jam band scene.

Mitarotonda played guitar during Goose’s well-received late-night performances at Dead & Company’s Playing in the Sand event in Mexico in January 2020. He performed during the Bingo Tour in June 2020, when Goose livestreamed eight concerts without an audience from a barn in Connecticut, grossing more than $100,000. Mitarotonda was onstage when Trey Anastasio joined Goose for their entire third set at Radio City Music Hall on June 25, 2022. He has performed with Goose during their co-headlining tour with the Trey Anastasio Band in November 2022 and when Bob Weir joined the band for three songs at Dead & Company’s Playing in the Sand festival in January 2023. Mitarotonda has described Goose as a jam band while acknowledging that the group has tried to distance itself from some of the cheesier elements associated with the genre. He continues to serve as Goose’s primary guitarist and vocalist in their current configuration.

Trevor Weeks

Trevor Weeks co-founded Goose in 2014 and has served as the band’s bassist and vocalist throughout its entire history. Weeks is a Wilton, Connecticut native who first played with Rick Mitarotonda in the precursor band Vasudo in January 2012. That group also included Ben Atkind on drums and Matt Campbell on keyboards and vocals. Vasudo remained active for approximately 18 months before dissolving when Mitarotonda left for Colorado. Weeks joined Mitarotonda and Atkind in officially forming Goose in 2014 when Mitarotonda returned from Colorado and reenrolled at Berklee College of Music.

Weeks has appeared on all of the band’s studio albums including Moon Cabin in 2016, Shenanigans Nite Club in 2021, Dripfield in 2022, Everything Must Go in 2025, and Chain Yer Dragon in 2025. His bass work has provided the foundation for Goose’s sound throughout their evolution from Connecticut basement shows and local bars to performances at major venues. Weeks performed during Goose’s breakthrough performance at the 2019 Peach Music Festival and during their well-received late-night performances at Dead & Company’s Playing in the Sand event in Mexico in January 2020. He played bass during the Bingo Tour in June 2020 when Goose livestreamed eight concerts without an audience from a barn in Connecticut.

Weeks was onstage when Trey Anastasio joined Goose for their entire third set at Radio City Music Hall on June 25, 2022. He performed during Goose’s co-headlining tour with the Trey Anastasio Band in November 2022 and when Bob Weir joined the band for three songs at Dead & Company’s Playing in the Sand festival in January 2023. Weeks contributed bass to Goose’s 20-minute jam version of the Vampire Weekend song “2021,” which was released in February 2021 at the request of Vampire Weekend singer Ezra Koenig. Weeks is credited with vocals and poetry in addition to his bass playing. He continues to serve as Goose’s bassist in their current configuration and remains one of the three founding members still with the band.

Peter Anspach

Peter Anspach joined Goose in 2017 as a multi-instrumentalist playing keyboards, guitar, and vocals. Anspach has remained with the band since joining and has appeared on Shenanigans Nite Club in 2021, Dripfield in 2022, Everything Must Go in 2025, and Chain Yer Dragon in 2025. His addition to Goose followed several years of keyboard player turnover that had seen Isaac Slutzky, Chris “Doc” Capozzoli, Patrick “Butters” Carr, and Kris Yunker cycle through the position. Anspach’s arrival in 2017 provided stability to the keyboard role that had been absent since the band’s formation in 2014.

Anspach performs an additional crucial role beyond his musical contributions by personally mixing the band’s live performances for release shortly after Goose finishes their concerts. This technical work has enabled Goose to release numerous live albums documenting specific concert dates including 2019.11.16 Buffalo, NY, 2020.10.03 Swanzey, NH, Ted Tapes 2021, 2021.11.21 Denver, CO, Live At The Salt Shed 2023.04.14–15 Chicago, IL, Live at Radio City Music Hall, Ted Tapes 2024, Live at the Capitol Theatre, Live at the Fox Theatre, Live at the Greek Theatre, and Live at the Madison Square Garden. Anspach’s mixing capabilities have allowed Goose to maintain a rapid release schedule of concert recordings, which has helped build their fanbase.

Anspach performed keyboards and guitar during Goose’s performances at Radio City Music Hall in June 2022, including the show where Trey Anastasio joined the band for their entire third set. He played during Goose’s co-headlining tour with the Trey Anastasio Band in November 2022 and when Bob Weir joined the band for three songs at Dead & Company’s Playing in the Sand festival in January 2023. Anspach was onstage when Jake Cinninger and Joel Cummins of Umphrey’s McGee joined Goose during the second set at Resonance Festival in Ohio in July 2023 to perform “Empress of Organos.” He performed with Goose at their first headlining show at Madison Square Garden on June 28, 2025. Anspach continues to serve as Goose’s keyboardist, guitarist, and live sound engineer in their current configuration.

Cotter Ellis

Cotter Ellis joined Goose as drummer in February 2024, replacing founding member Ben Atkind who had departed in December 2023. The band announced Ellis’s addition on February 5, 2024. Ellis joined Goose during a period when the band was already established as a major touring act with performances at venues including Radio City Music Hall and appearances with established artists like Trey Anastasio, Bob Weir, and Dead & Company. His addition came after Goose had already released three studio albums and built a substantial following in the jam band scene.

Ellis has appeared on Everything Must Go, which was released on April 25, 2025, marking his first studio album with Goose. The band announced the album and released its debut single “Give It Time” on January 27, 2025. Ellis also performed on Chain Yer Dragon in 2025. His drumming replaced the contributions of Ben Atkind, who had been with Goose since its formation in 2014 and had appeared on all previous studio releases including Moon Cabin, Shenanigans Nite Club, and Dripfield.

Ellis performed with Goose at the Soulshine relief concert at Madison Square Garden on November 24, 2024, supporting relief efforts for hurricanes Helene and Milton. During this performance, Goose played with Dave Matthews, performing the Bruce Hornsby song “The Way It Is.” Ellis was behind the drum kit when Goose performed their first headlining show at Madison Square Garden on June 28, 2025, marking the band’s biggest headlining performance to date. Ellis provides drums and vocals for Goose in their current configuration and continues to tour with the band as they maintain their presence in the jam band scene.

Ben Atkind

Ben Atkind co-founded Goose in 2014 and served as the band’s drummer until his departure in December 2023. Atkind attended Berklee College of Music where he met guitarist Rick Mitarotonda in a class called “Fusion Ensemble Level 6.” Atkind later recalled that Mitarotonda “was the quietest kid in class, but he was my favorite of the three guitarists by far.” In January 2012, Mitarotonda invited Atkind to join a precursor band called Vasudo along with Trevor Weeks on bass and Matt Campbell on keyboards and vocals. Vasudo remained active for approximately 18 months before dissolving when Mitarotonda left for Colorado.

Atkind officially formed Goose with Mitarotonda and Weeks in 2014 when Mitarotonda returned from Colorado and reenrolled at Berklee. Atkind appeared on all of Goose’s studio albums released during his tenure including Moon Cabin in 2016, Shenanigans Nite Club in 2021, and Dripfield in 2022. His drumming was central to Goose’s sound throughout their evolution from Connecticut basement shows to performances at major venues. Atkind played drums during Goose’s breakthrough performance at the 2019 Peach Music Festival that garnered over 420,000 views and helped establish the band in the jam band scene. He performed during Goose’s well-received late-night performances at Dead & Company’s Playing in the Sand event in Mexico in January 2020.

Atkind played drums during the Bingo Tour in June 2020 when Goose livestreamed eight concerts without an audience from a barn in Connecticut, grossing more than $100,000. He was behind the drum kit when Trey Anastasio joined Goose for their entire third set at Radio City Music Hall on June 25, 2022. Atkind performed during Goose’s co-headlining tour with the Trey Anastasio Band in November 2022. He played with the Rhythm Devils during “Drums” at Dead & Company’s shows following Goose’s performance at Playing in the Sand festival in January 2023, when Bob Weir had joined Goose for three songs. Atkind was onstage when Jake Cinninger and Joel Cummins of Umphrey’s McGee joined Goose during the second set at Resonance Festival in Ohio in July 2023 to perform “Empress of Organos.”

On December 22, 2023, Goose released a statement that Atkind would be departing the band. His departure ended a nine-year tenure as one of Goose’s founding members. Atkind’s drumming appears on numerous live albums released by Goose documenting specific concert dates. After leaving Goose, Atkind has pursued other musical endeavors. His replacement Cotter Ellis joined the band in February 2024. Atkind’s nine-year tenure with Goose covered the band’s entire rise from local Connecticut act to nationally recognized jam band performing at major venues including Radio City Music Hall and appearing with established artists throughout the jam band scene.

Ben Teeters

Ben Teeters served as Goose’s drummer in 2014 during the band’s formation year. Teeters joined when Rick Mitarotonda, Trevor Weeks, and Ben Atkind were establishing Goose following the dissolution of their precursor band Vasudo. Teeters’s tenure with Goose was brief, lasting only through 2014. He departed before the band recorded their debut album Moon Cabin in 2016 at a barn in northern New Hampshire. Teeters left during Goose’s early period when the band was performing in Connecticut basements and local bars while gradually building their following.

Teeters was replaced by Ben Atkind, who became Goose’s drummer and remained with the band until December 2023. Teeters’s brief time with Goose came before the band had established any significant following or recorded any studio material. After leaving Goose in 2014, Teeters pursued other musical endeavors. His departure occurred during Goose’s formative period when the band was still developing its sound and lineup. Teeters’s drumming with Goose predated the band’s rise in the jam band scene and their performances at major venues that would come years later.

Isaac Slutzky

Isaac Slutzky served as Goose’s keyboard player in 2014 during the band’s formation year. Slutzky joined when Rick Mitarotonda, Trevor Weeks, and Ben Atkind were establishing Goose following the dissolution of their precursor band Vasudo. Slutzky’s tenure with Goose was brief, lasting only through 2014. He departed before the band recorded their debut album Moon Cabin in 2016 at a barn in northern New Hampshire. Slutzky left during Goose’s early period when the band was performing in Connecticut basements and local bars while gradually building their following.

Slutzky was the first of several keyboard players who would cycle through Goose before Peter Anspach joined in 2017 and provided stability to the position. After Slutzky’s departure, Goose brought in Chris “Doc” Capozzoli and Patrick “Butters” Carr in 2015, followed by Kris Yunker in 2016, before Anspach’s arrival. Slutzky’s brief time with Goose came before the band had established any significant following or recorded any studio material. After leaving Goose in 2014, Slutzky pursued other musical endeavors. His departure occurred during Goose’s formative period when the band was still developing its sound and lineup.

Peter Castaldi

Peter Castaldi served as a guitarist with Goose from 2015 to 2016. Castaldi joined during Goose’s early years when the band was still performing in Connecticut basements and local bars while building their following. His tenure overlapped with the recording of Goose’s debut album Moon Cabin in 2016, which was recorded in a barn in northern New Hampshire and established the band’s DIY approach early in their career. Castaldi’s guitar work supplemented Rick Mitarotonda’s contributions during this period when Goose was still establishing their sound and lineup.

Castaldi left Goose in 2016 before the band achieved their breakthrough at the 2019 Peach Music Festival. His departure came during a period when Goose was experiencing lineup changes in multiple positions, including keyboard players Chris “Doc” Capozzoli and Patrick “Butters” Carr who also left in 2016. After leaving Goose, Castaldi pursued other musical endeavors. His time with the band predated their rise in popularity and their performances with established acts like Dead & Company, Trey Anastasio, and Bob Weir. Castaldi’s tenure with Goose came before Peter Anspach joined in 2017 and before Aaron Hagele joined as percussionist in 2016.

Chris “Doc” Capozzoli

Chris “Doc” Capozzoli served as a keyboard player with Goose from 2015 to 2016. Capozzoli joined during Goose’s early years when the band was still performing in Connecticut basements and local bars while building their following. His tenure overlapped with the recording of Goose’s debut album Moon Cabin in 2016, which was recorded in a barn in northern New Hampshire. Capozzoli was one of several keyboard players who cycled through Goose during the band’s formative years before Peter Anspach joined in 2017 and provided long-term stability to the position.

Capozzoli left Goose in 2016 along with guitarist Peter Castaldi and fellow keyboard player Patrick “Butters” Carr. His departure came during a period of significant lineup changes for Goose as the band worked to establish a stable configuration. After Capozzoli’s exit, Kris Yunker joined as keyboard player in 2016 before Anspach’s arrival in 2017. Capozzoli’s time with Goose came before the band achieved their breakthrough at the 2019 Peach Music Festival and before they gained recognition in the jam band scene. After leaving Goose, Capozzoli pursued other musical endeavors. His tenure predated Goose’s performances with established acts and their rise to performing at major venues like Radio City Music Hall and Madison Square Garden.

Patrick “Butters” Carr

Patrick “Butters” Carr served as a keyboard player and guitarist with Goose from 2015 to 2016. Carr joined during Goose’s early years when the band was still performing in Connecticut basements and local bars while building their following. His tenure overlapped with the recording of Goose’s debut album Moon Cabin in 2016, which was recorded in a barn in northern New Hampshire. Carr played both keyboards and guitar, contributing to multiple instrumental roles during this period when Goose was still establishing their sound and lineup.

Carr left Goose in 2016 along with guitarist Peter Castaldi and fellow keyboard player Chris “Doc” Capozzoli. His departure came during a period of significant lineup changes for Goose as the band worked to establish a stable configuration. After Carr’s exit, Kris Yunker joined as keyboard player in 2016, followed by Peter Anspach in 2017 who would provide long-term stability to the keyboard position. Carr’s time with Goose came before the band achieved their breakthrough at the 2019 Peach Music Festival and before they gained recognition in the jam band scene. After leaving Goose, Carr pursued other musical endeavors. His tenure predated Goose’s performances with established acts like Dead & Company and Trey Anastasio.

Kris Yunker

Kris Yunker served as Goose’s keyboard player from 2016 to 2017. Yunker joined after the departures of Chris “Doc” Capozzoli and Patrick “Butters” Carr in 2016, becoming the next in a series of keyboard players who cycled through Goose during the band’s formative years. Yunker’s tenure came after the recording of Goose’s debut album Moon Cabin in 2016, which had been recorded in a barn in northern New Hampshire. He played keyboards during a period when Goose was still performing primarily in Connecticut and building their following through local shows.

Yunker left Goose in 2017 and was replaced by Peter Anspach, who joined later that year and has remained with the band since. Anspach’s arrival finally provided the long-term stability to the keyboard position that had been absent since Goose’s formation in 2014. Yunker’s departure came before the band achieved their breakthrough at the 2019 Peach Music Festival and before they gained significant recognition in the jam band scene. After leaving Goose, Yunker pursued other musical endeavors. His time with the band predated their performances with established acts like Dead & Company, Trey Anastasio, and Bob Weir, and came before Goose began performing at major venues like Radio City Music Hall and Madison Square Garden.

Aaron Hagele

Aaron Hagele served as Goose’s percussionist from 2016 to 2018. Hagele joined during the year that Goose recorded their debut album Moon Cabin in a barn in northern New Hampshire. He played percussion during a period when Goose was still primarily performing in Connecticut and building their following through local shows. Hagele’s addition gave Goose an expanded percussion section during the early years of their development as the band worked to establish their sound and presence in the jam band scene.

Hagele left Goose in 2018, one year before the band’s breakthrough performance at the 2019 Peach Music Festival. His departure came before Goose gained significant recognition in the jam band scene and before they began performing with established acts like Dead & Company. After Hagele’s exit, Goose continued without a dedicated percussionist until Jeff Arevalo joined in 2020. Hagele’s time with the band predated their well-received late-night performances at Dead & Company’s Playing in the Sand event in Mexico in January 2020 and the Bingo Tour in June 2020. After leaving Goose, Hagele pursued other musical endeavors. His tenure covered a transitional period when the band was establishing their identity but had not yet achieved the success that would come with their 2019 Peach Music Festival performance and subsequent rise in popularity.

Jeff Arevalo

Jeff Arevalo joined Goose in 2020 as a percussionist, later expanding his role to include drums, vocals, and guitar. Arevalo joined during the COVID-19 pandemic and performed during the Bingo Tour in June 2020, when Goose livestreamed eight concerts without an audience from a barn in Connecticut that grossed more than $100,000. He appeared on Shenanigans Nite Club in 2021 and Dripfield in 2022. Arevalo’s percussion work became part of Goose’s sound during their rise to prominence in the jam band scene following their breakthrough performance at the 2019 Peach Music Festival.

Arevalo performed with Goose during their shows at Radio City Music Hall in June 2022, including the performance where Trey Anastasio joined the band for their entire third set on June 25. He played during Goose’s co-headlining tour with the Trey Anastasio Band in November 2022. Arevalo went on to play with the Rhythm Devils during “Drums” at Dead & Company’s shows following Goose’s performance at Playing in the Sand festival in January 2023, when Bob Weir had joined Goose for three songs. He performed when Jake Cinninger and Joel Cummins of Umphrey’s McGee joined Goose during the second set at Resonance Festival in Ohio in July 2023 to perform “Empress of Organos.”

On February 3, 2025, Goose announced that Arevalo was taking a hiatus from touring to prioritize his mental health. On March 23, 2025, the band announced that Arevalo had been permanently removed from the band due to “behavior in Jeff’s personal life that does not align with the band’s core values.” His departure ended a five-year tenure with Goose during which the band achieved significant success including performances at Radio City Music Hall, co-headlining tours with established artists, and their first headlining show at Madison Square Garden. Arevalo’s percussion, drums, vocals, and guitar work appears on multiple Goose studio and live albums released between 2020 and 2024.

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