About
Spellbound was started on Whidbey Island in 2009. Version 1 recorded and sold a CD and played at the first Oak Harbor Music Festival. Version 2 also recorded and sold a CD and played at several private parties and restaurants to include headlining a New Years Eve concert at Loakal, the largest restaurant on Whidbey. Spellbound plays both originals & covers selected based on the preferences of the hiring venue.
The current lineup, Version 3 (V3), has been together for 4 years and includes Rich Switzer, Jay McAlaster, Morgan Merrill and Ryan Allman. They are currently in the process of recording a full length album. Spellbound headlined the 2025 Independence Day Festival at Windjammer Park in Oak Harbor.
Rich (bassist, backing vocalist & songwriter) has played professionally since the late 60's and owns and operates Island Music Recording Studio, the largest recording studio on Whidbey Island. His previous CA based band, Wormunit, toured nationally to include concerts opening for Robben Ford, Eric Gales, Tony Levin (Peter Gabriel & Yes), Johnny Winter and Merle Haggard. Wormunit made several TV appearances plus won several San Diego & LA rock radio sponsored battle of the bands contests. They recorded and sold 4 CDs, the most popular of which remains Germanium Tree. Despite being together for 14 years with a very bright future the lead vocalist/guitarist unexpectedly passed away. Rich played in dozens of bands prior to Spellbound & Wormunit to include the Switzer Bros., with his brother, Scott, living and playing in Birmingham, England during 1969-70.
Long before he could legally drive, Jay McAllaster was already beating the skins like they owed him money — and frankly, they still do. Armed with a pair of sticks, a relentless groove, and enough Aqua Net fumes drifting in from the rest of the band and his mullet, Jay cut his teeth in the Kirkland/Bellevue scene with Beg, Borrow & Steal, a name that accurately describes how most 80s bands got their gear. He leveled up with instrumental rockers Triaxe — landing a PBS television appearance on KCTS-9's PIE and a slot at Oregon's Guitars Under the Stars festival, because apparently the Pacific Northwest wasn't big enough to contain all that rhythm. Along the way he co-ran a Recording Studio, in a Kirkland Barn, where great music was made and no one had to explain what a click track was. These days Jay brings the thunder to SpellBound on Whidbey Island — writing originals, singing backup, and proving that the best drummers never really retire, they just move somewhere scenic and hit things harder. Catch him also keeping the beat for cover band Marty & the Moontans, where the setlist is familiar and the grooves are anything but.
Ryan Allman (lead vocalist & songwriter) has a very powerful voice with very good vocal range partly due to guidance from Pamela Moore who did some vocals (Suite Sister Mary on Operation Mindcrime) with Queensryche.
Morgan Merrill (lead/rhythm guitarist, backup vocalist & songwriter) is known for his quick, flashy and creative lead guitar work. Originally from Idaho, Morgan first became mesmerized by the 1980's guitar heros, and decided to join the fun. He picked up his dad's big red hollow-body six-string and got to work. He has played guitar now for 35 years. Much of that has been spent on his eternal solo career, playing and recording his own work and performing occasionally for various small events. He now dedicates his musical energy to SPELLBOUND.
NEW ALBUM COMING SOON
Preview the album here: