Lead vocal & guitar - Mike Shannon is a product of New York's CBGB post-punk club scene and toured with the Stray Cats. Mike founded Charlotte's 4th Ward in 2000.
Lead and Rhythm guitar - Chick Tsikouras played with Theatre Gallery, opening for Widespread Panic, Tonic and Limp Bizkit.
Bass guitar and backup vocal - Henry Pharr played with Major Nelson, World Class Fab and Crisis
Influences
Lou Reed strolling in the night, down a cobblestone path with the Fab Four in tow. Sweet.
Sounds Like
Leonard Cohen, Smashing Pumpkins, Talking Heads, Squeeze, Lou Reed, Ray Davies, Neil Young, Bob Dylan, Radiohead, Beatles, Eric Andersen and Steve Forbert, Kinks
We're love to hear from you...let us know what you think
The CD, The Jesters of Xmas Town, is produced by Ray Henderson and will be available this summer
Upcoming shows: Big Bus Dream will be up at Summit Coffee, Davidson. Billy Jones will also be on that bill - check back for the late summer date. Also, BBD will be playing Merkfest, this October in Davidson
BBD's 2006 debut was chosen Editor's Pick at CD Baby
"Very Enthusiastic Reviews" at Garageband.com!
As a result of some very enthusiastic reviews from GarageBand.com members, "My Private Ghetto" was Track of the Day at GarageBand.com.
Reviews from Garage Band:
My Private Ghetto has passion and power. The spirit of this artist is genuine and there is great passion in his vocals.
This song is unique. It's a breath of fresh air.
Creative production - Interesting lyrics - Very original with an awesome use of textures and layering. As a musician, I really enjoyed this.
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Top of the Charts in Europe!
How is it that a band from Charlotte, North Carolina was ranked number 1 by music fans in Europe (Spring 2006)? Big Bus Dream topped the charts at Soundlift.com, a popular European site, in the Acoustic Pop and Psychedelic Rock genres.
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For all of us who dream big dreams
Step on up and dream Big Bus Dreams!
Imagine quirky Psych-Folk with a blast of Pop sensibility thrown in for good measure or, if youd like to put a face on it - a union between Bob Dylan and Radiohead. Yikes thats a picture worth more than a 1000 words.
How about Lou Reed strolling in the night, down a cobblestone street with the Fab Four in tow. Sweet!
Big Bus Dream was produced and recorded by Mike Shannon, Chick Tsikouras and Jamie Hoover (Spongetones, Smithereens & Hootie and the Blowfish) over a 2 year period beginning in 2005.
In 2000, Mike Shannon wrote, played and sang on the first release by Charlotte's 4th Ward.
"The album of the day. Imaginative and well crafted", wrote Dominick Miserandino of Celebrity Cafe. Creative Loafing's Tim Davis referred to the group's tunes as being "original without trying to be trendy."
Shortly after that release, Chick Tsikouras joined 4th Ward and co-wrote and recorded with Mike on their 2002 release Wonderland. 4th Ward played throughout the region - opening for Hootie and the Blowfish and Angie Aparo.
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The UK's very own Paul Reyno made a These Days Video and recently put it up on YouTube.
The BEST resource for live music, local music, bands, music festivals,
venues, bars, restaurants, nightclubs and the entertainment scene in Charlotte, North Carolina and beyond! Go to
charlottelivemusic.com!
Read the bands recent interview with Exclusive Magazine
Just stopping by to let you know about the FREE SHOW we're putting on at the Neighborhood Theatre here in Charlotte on July 11th...yep, FREE...it's part of our "economic stimulus package"...we're happy to be playing at home again and we wanted to invite you to the party...oh, and did we mention it's FREE...we're bringing our friends American Aquarium and Horse Ghost for the fun as well, so we're sure that it's going to be one heck of a foot-stompin' night...so come on out!!!
Hope you're doing well, and we're looking forward to seeing soon
c'est avec un plaisir immense que je te compte parmi mes amis car toujours à la recherche d'artistes talentueux je peux très facilement dire que tu en fais partis! très bel univers, bonne musique, ainsi qu'une très belle voix! n'hésite pas à m'envoyer tes amis musiciens que tu estime avoir du talent!
