Stephen Speaks is an independent band composed of stepbrothers, Rockwell Ryan Ripperger and Dain Samuelson. The band was originally composed of TJ McCloud and Rockwell Ryan Ripperger. McCloud was the co-lead singer with Ripperger until 2003, when McCloud decided to part from the band a pursue a solo career, when he signed full ownership of the band over to Ripperger.