Rooted in the Underground, Alive on Stage

Dave Lebental is a rock singer-songwriter whose music blends piano-driven rock with Americana and blues, grounded in strong melodies and personal storytelling. Writing, producing, and releasing his own material, Lebental leads a seasoned live band, Karma Train, made up of accomplished players with deep roots in rock, soul, and blues.

Karma Train features drummer Gary Ferguson (Etta James, Cher, Gary Moore, Eddie Money), guitarist/keyboardist John “JT” Thomas (Billy Sherwood of Yes), bassist Mick Linden (Chunga), and saxophonist Dan Boissy (Larry Carlton). Together, they bring Lebental’s songs to life on stage with performances that are dynamic, musical, and deeply engaging.

In 2026, the band will tour in support of Lebental’s new LP, Stylus — a collection of new songs that draws from classic piano rock while leaning into a modern rock edge. The material opens up in a live setting, where improvisation, feel, and chemistry take center stage, creating shows that reward close listening and repeat attendance.

Lebental first emerged in the 1990s as the singer-songwriter behind guitar-driven rock bands Sunflower and Placebo Royale. Placebo Royale’s independent release, Crème de Mentia, charted on CMJ and developed a dedicated underground following. Both bands were fixtures on the California rock club circuit, where Lebental built a loyal live audience and shared bills with artists including Mick Taylor, Jane’s Addiction, Midnight Oil, X, The Blasters, The Plimsouls, The Tubes, Edgar Winter, and Leon Russell, among others.

Today, Stylus marks Lebental’s second solo LP. Advance singles have gained traction across Spotify, U.S. radio playlists, and YouTube, while press coverage has highlighted his resilience and long-running commitment to artistic independence. All proceeds from Dave Lebental’s vinyl and CD sales are donated to Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles.