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BUS.
Influences
Comparisons include the Beatles (songwriting and humor), Bob Marley (social-consciousness and reggae riddims), Old Crow Medicine Show (energetic performances), G-Love and Special Sauce (Acoustic Flow), Sublime (more riddims). We are influenced by the people that surround us, and the love that we feel from them. Travel has also been a big factor in our development as individuals.
Sounds Like
BUS. Blacksheep Troubadors drawing a diverse crowd with an organic sound, resonating positive vibrations with guitar, cello, accordion, beatboxing, socially-absorbing lyrics and contagious enthusiasm for their sound. BUS represent a heightened awareness of the people, places and blessings around them, with a live show that gets anyone with ears listening and moving.
Music- more powerful than any politician, riding on the wings of love and passion, capable of ending wars and changing minds, opening hearts and other body parts. For us, it is not a hobby or a pastime, it is a way of life. And when we are on stage, jamming in our house, beat boxin' or harmonizing in the street, that way of life is very good indeed.
How It Happened: Leon meets Lucas in the 3rd grade. Lucas turns Leon onto "Hey Jude" on the activity bus one day in the 4th grade. Leon doesn't know what the hell to think. Fast forward 14 years to 2003. Leon and Joe have been talking about forming some sort of band for years. Lucas moves to town, and the Red Rockets are initially formed for a impromtu performance at an Anti-war show in Chapel Hill. Meanwhile, Jake plays in a duo in town, titled "Big Pretty." Ingrid meets Lucas Mclawhorn one day on the street and invites him and his friends to play at a wedding shower. Breaking out the accordion to play along, the boys immediately fall in love with her and beg her to join the Red Rockets. Jake sees Leon and Lucas perform "Fur Coat" at a middle school talent show. Weeks later, he introduces himself to them one drunken night by singing the words. L and L don't know what the hell to think. The bands merge to play one night. Chaos insues, multiple shows are played sans drummer. One night at the Carolina Coffee shop, the band is playing, and Gary is watching. He approaches Leon, not knowing that Leon remembers him as a hand-percussionist from campus, and comments that they need a beat. Leon invites Gary to play the idle djembe onstage. Gary plays every show with them from that moment on. Fast forward to 2006. Jake moves to Michigan to pursue his dreams with wife Mikki. BP and RR need something to fill the gap musically, so invite friend Victor to play bass. Chaos continues unabated...
LEON GODWIN (Guitar, Vocals, Harmonica) - Leon was born in Ahoskie, North Carolina, and spent most of his youth alongside band member Lucas McLawhorn in the little town of Ayden, NC. There, he learned to play several instruments, including violin, trombone, and piano, before settling on guitar and forgetting how to play all the other ones. He has also been known to play harmonica from time to time. After graduating from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Leon hiked the entire Appalachian Trail in 2001, then biked 5,600 miles across the US in 2003. Somewhere in New Hampshire, he met Brianne Fowles, the woman of his dreams, and married her in 2005. He continues to avoid the real world with BUS, his side project the Dogwood Deddy, and his documentary video production company, Cirque Productions.
INGRID STENZEL (Accordion, Keyboard, Vocals) - Ingrid started her career in music when she was five years old and recalls being unable to read sheet music. She also recalls that when she messed up she got slapped hard on the hand. Ingrid jumped from teacher to teacher because she hated practicing and every instructor wanted her to practice. She picked up the accordion a couple years later, but soon gave it up with too many other things going on. Her accordion zest came back in high school and since then she's had a fun time toting it with her while living abroad in Spain, Denmark and Argentina. "People don't know what to make of the accordion. They really don't know what to do when they hear it. I like it when they sing and want to dance polka. As far as singing goes, I used to watch a lot of old movies with Frank Sinatra, Debbie Reynolds, Gene Kelly... I like people who have fun entertaining and sound saucy doing it."
JOE KWON (Electric and Acoustic Cello, Bass, Vocals) - Joe has been performing cello since he was just a kid. At the age of 9 he started private studies in High Point, NC. A year later he was giving his first concert for a crowd of a thousand. At age 16 he left his home town of High Point, NC to study seriously at the Idyllwild Arts Academy. Joe has studied with some of the great names in classical cello. It was not until he met Leon "Sicko" Godwin his Freshman year at UNC, that he began playing outside the confines of classical structure. After graduation, Joe worked for IBM for a few years, but left the financial security of a 9-5 job to be a poor musician, and has finally settled into getting his Masters in Music from UNC-Greensboro while continuing to rock it out on the cello at night with Big Pretty and The Red Rockets.
LUCAS McLAWHORN (Vocals, keys) - Lucas grew up in rural NC, where he played in the dirt a lot. He played a lot of hoops growing up with his two brothers. Learned to appreciate Spanish from his Mexican neighbors. Grew up on the Beatles. In third grade, he met a young man by the name of Leon Godwin. They still recall telling their teacher that they were now officially going to be friends. Little did they know what destiny had in store for them. Lucas played basketball, free-style rapped, and chased girls in high school. Attended UNC-Wilmington for four years, studied in Spain for a year. Went to teach Spanish at Smith Middle School in Chapel Hill, where he rejoined his old friend Leon and began to talk about a musical project. Coached a sick basketball team for two champion years. In 2003, Lucas rode his bicycle across the USA with Leon and some other troubadours (see Laundry Mat). Along with spreading love, knowledge, and social awareness with his music, Lucas's other ambition is to bike to the tip of South America.
GARY MITCHELL (Drums, Hand Percussion,Vocals) - Born in Colorado and raised mostly in North Carolina, Gary Mitchell began drumming at the age of twelve. Graduating from UNC Chapel Hill in 2002, Gary gained a thorough background of marching, drumline and percussion, as well as drum-set playing in a variety of styles. Picking up guitar and keyboard along the way, Gary is now not only a very well-balanced and experienced percussionist, teaching a number of high school drumlines and private students, but has also become a capable guitarist, singer and songwriter, performing in many venues around the Triangle. As the last member to join the original group, he has found not only a near perfect niche for his style of drumming, but also a great outlet for all of his musical attributes in the group.
VICTOR SGROI (Bass) - A self-taught guitarist, Victor first picked up the bass when he had to fill in for a departed band member in his high school band, Plan B. Years later, he once again succumbed to the call, this time to play for BP and RR. A fan before he was a member, Victor is thrilled to be able to contribute to the songwriting process as well as mooch as much as he can from the experience of the rest of the band. As the newest member, he's still trying to find his place amidst the wide-ranging personalities of his bandmates, both on-stage and off.
Victor sez: "I honestly have no idea what happened. One night I'm sitting there, watching my favorite local band rocking out. The next week I'm onstage, faking my way through the set on bass. I must have made a pretty convincing performance, 'cause now they think I'm a legit bass player. And I guess since I'm actually in the band now, that makes me legit? These guys must have been desperate..."
New album, "...Moving People" out on CD Baby now! iTunes also!
That's right we've sold out of our first LP! If you still want a copy of "See What You Can Find" please search iTunes.
So i kinda miss the shit out of you guys...really i do...its been FAR to long. And how strange is it that Leanne is posted right under me? Cuz...well i kinda miss the shit outta her too. :-) Hope this message finds you all doing well. Love you guys!
Patiently awaiting another fabulous show anywhere in the triangle (Pour House is #1 for me, I just feel at home there)-where you play, we will come, we will dance, and everyone will celebrate!
Oh my!! I have been waiting for mention of another Bus. show!!! So nice of you to ask!! I live in Greensboro so naturally I will have to say I want you here! BUT a little tour of the state would be awsome as well cuz I'm willing to travel when possible and that way I could see y'all multiple times..and that would be scrumptious!
LEON GODWIN (Guitar, Vocals, Harmonica) - Leon was born in Ahoskie, North Carolina, and spent most of his youth alongside band member Lucas McLawhorn in the little town of Ayden, NC. There, he learned to play several instruments, including violin, trombone, and piano, before settling on guitar and forgetting how to play all the other ones. He has also been known to play harmonica from time to time. After graduating from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Leon hiked the entire Appalachian Trail in 2001, then biked 5,600 miles across the US in 2003. Somewhere in New Hampshire, he met Brianne Fowles, the woman of his dreams, and married her in 2005. He continues to avoid the real world with BUS, his side project the Dogwood Deddy, and his documentary video production company, 
JOE KWON (Electric and Acoustic Cello, Bass, Vocals) - Joe has been performing cello since he was just a kid. At the age of 9 he started private studies in High Point, NC. A year later he was giving his first concert for a crowd of a thousand. At age 16 he left his home town of High Point, NC to study seriously at the Idyllwild Arts Academy. Joe has studied with some of the great names in classical cello. It was not until he met Leon "Sicko" Godwin his Freshman year at UNC, that he began playing outside the confines of classical structure. After graduation, Joe worked for IBM for a few years, but left the financial security of a 9-5 job to be a poor musician, and has finally settled into getting his Masters in Music from UNC-Greensboro while continuing to rock it out on the cello at night with Big Pretty and The Red Rockets.
LUCAS McLAWHORN (Vocals, keys) - Lucas grew up in rural NC, where he played in the dirt a lot. He played a lot of hoops growing up with his two brothers. Learned to appreciate Spanish from his Mexican neighbors. Grew up on the Beatles. In third grade, he met a young man by the name of Leon Godwin. They still recall telling their teacher that they were now officially going to be friends. Little did they know what destiny had in store for them. Lucas played basketball, free-style rapped, and chased girls in high school. Attended UNC-Wilmington for four years, studied in Spain for a year. Went to teach Spanish at Smith Middle School in Chapel Hill, where he rejoined his old friend Leon and began to talk about a musical project. Coached a sick basketball team for two champion years. 
VICTOR SGROI (Bass) - A self-taught guitarist, Victor first picked up the bass when he had to fill in for a departed band member in his high school band, Plan B. Years later, he once again succumbed to the call, this time to play for BP and RR. A fan before he was a member, Victor is thrilled to be able to contribute to the songwriting process as well as mooch as much as he can from the experience of the rest of the band. As the newest member, he's still trying to find his place amidst the wide-ranging personalities of his bandmates, both on-stage and off.
