Meet The Band
Michael Williamson Gates "Gator"
Michael Williams Gates “Gator”; bassist, vocals, and founder of Green Chi, grew up in rural West Michigan. Mike always drew inspiration from his music Mom, Aunt, and Uncle. Gator’s first instrument was his mother’s acoustic guitar, always fascinated with the lower tones and playing it like a bass. His parents noticed his prowess and bought him his first bass guitar on his 14th Christmas.
Gator started playing shows in his late teenage years, playing punk/thrash/grunge/metal parties with enthusiastic crowds. Inspired by bands like Primus, Rush, and many more, he moved into a more funky harmonic style of playing. He now plays on a Warwick Corvette 4 string, affectionately named "Dionne Warwick" and an electric upright NS designs WAV 4, whose name is"Nora Steinberger". Mikes biggest musical inspirations include Stanley Clarke, Marcus Miller, Victor Wooten, Alex Slarevski, Brian Bromberg, Mark King, Sting, and Les Claypool.
In 2005, Gator toured the jamgrass scene with "Backwoods Revue" touring the Midwest festival scene. While touring, Mike played bass for The All Star Jam at Tripp’s Farm, in Terra Alta, West Virginia, which included Drew Emmett of Leftover Salmon, Rodney and Rob McCoury of The Del McCoury Band. In 2007 Mike started playing with "The Williams Brothers Band" (Americana/Rock/Blues) in Colorado. Later that year Gator met drummer Georges Octobous, and hired him to join The William Brothers for a 4th of July show at Suplizio Field, with 4000 people in attendance in Grand Junction, Colorado.
Green Chi was formed in 2010 when Michael started playing more frequently with Geroges Octobous. With Gators unique song writing and Octobous’ amazing drumming style, they formed an unstoppable rhythm section. Mike’s concept was combining studies of various martial arts, with the rhythm and patterns of music, to match the intensity of two martial artist masters sparring. In 2018, Michael became a father to an amazing son Michael Joyce Gates. His son’s biggest inspiration in life is being on stage with his father at Shine festival 2023. Michael Jr. has musical talent even at his young age, and jams regularly with his father.
Georges Octobous
Behind the kit for Green Chi is Georges “OCTOBOUS” Bouserhal, a talented drummer from Lebanon, with 25 years of experience and a lifelong passion for rhythm. Picking up the sticks at 15, he’s spent decades refining his sound—drawing from the power of Metallica, the technical brilliance of Symphony X, and the groove-driven spirit of Spin Doctors. His dedication to the craft has taken him to stages across the country, including an appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and performances alongside bands such as The Offspring, Hell Yeah, In Flames, Trapt, The Wailers, Slightly Stoopid, The Expendables, and Slaughter to Prevail. Georges is endorsed by TRX cymbals, Xcel drumsticks, and Ddrums.
When he’s not behind the drum kit, Georges is equally disciplined in martial arts, with over a decade of training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Muay Thai. That same intensity, focus, and fluidity translates into his drumming, giving Green Chi both a thunderous backbone and a dynamic pulse. Energetic, precise, and always pushing forward, Georges brings both skill and soul to the stage—making the heartbeat of the band impossible to ignore.
Brian Patrick O'Malley
Brian Grew up in Holly Michigan, inspired by his older brother Dennis' guitar skills he started playing the bass when he was 11. He then found a passion for drums which became his main musical focus while still practicing bass and guitar. His first performance was on drums at Holly High school playing Tool "H". After graduation he played around Kalamazoo, Michigan and Chicago, Illinois as a drummer in Jamtronica and Rock bands.
Brian started to travel when he was 20 while doing so he began to master the guitar. It was around this time he started diving into bluegrass and found his love for the Mandolin. He spent many years living as a working musician on the road playing guitar and mandolin. Brian started writing original songs on the road inspired by bands like The String Cheese Incident, Tim O'Brien, Lotus, and many more creating unique songs that will take you on a journey.
Brian reconnected with Gator in 2018 and together they reformed Green Chi with drummer Georges Octobous in Denver Colorado. The combination of Brian's psychedelic, bluegrass, jamtronica songwriting with Gator's rock, funk, progressive styles, made Green Chi the well rounded band it is today with the idea of having no musical boundaries. Brian now plays on a Eastmand acoustic electric mandolin and a 5 string Rono electric mandolin, ran through a Orange tube amp.
Michael Drummer
Serving as Green Chi's resident master of mischief, Michael Drummer is a classically trained multi-instrumentalist that rises to any challenge. With an emphasis in guitar and keys, Drummer is proficient in synth, vocals, bass, percussion, woodwinds, or whatever skillset he decides he feels he needs. Nothing is outside his reach.
A prolific composer and a studied musician spanning three decades, Drummer brings a harmonic edge to Green Chi's already diverse spectrum of musical genres. Favoring the darkness of minor keys and shadowed textures, he might still yet surprise you with artistic curveballs from his lengthy career in a wide range of projects, ranging from dance, metal, funk, blues, rhythm and blues, americana, or whatever he feels like on any particular day.
As the newest instrumentalist in the band, Mike will be overseeing the command center of electronic production and magical tricks, while never being afraid to get his hands dirty. His presence ushers in a new era for the musical powerhouse that is Green Chi, while still it's honoring its storied past.
Nicole Stephanie Cardelfe
Our jersey girl Nicole Cardelfe brings the powerful vocals at the heart of the band's jamtronica and psychedelic sound. Nicole wears many hats in the community; she is a preschool teacher, photobooth director, artist, reiki practitioner, entrepreneur and business owner. She enjoys her passions for music, dancing, and hiking on her downtime.
A passionate dancer and performer, Nicole brings her whole heart and a genuine excitement to the stage every time. Her high energy is contagious and her soulful voice will be sure to make you want to groove.
