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South Bend was a Sonoma County band playing rootsy Americana music with a focus on melody, lush vocal harmonies and good ‘ol toe tappin’ good times! We like a good helpin’ of twang while maintaining the “rock” in our Country Rock. South Bend played mostly originals, but threw in great cover tunes from folks like: The Band, Waylon Jennings, Tom Petty, John Hiatt and others. South Bend is also a city in Indiana as well as the brand name of a lathe in Ross’ shop.
South Bend is:
Brett Swain (guitar, vocals, harmonica) has a hard time making up his mind sometimes. First he moves from his home in Texas to be closer to the bay area punk scene that stirred his soul. Then a few years later is writing some of the most hoppin’, soulful and tear jerkin’ country tinged tunes you’ll ever tap a toe to. Now he wants to be a nurse…go figure!
Jeff Piehl (drums) has been pounding on things (…drums too) since an early age. Honing his rhythm skills on the heaviest of heavy metal while learning to be a metal master with a welding torch (another highly rhythmic pursuit) made him the perfect choice for a country rock band who wants to really F--kin’ ROCK!
Nate Alfaro (bass, vocals) is in a competition with his son Connor (killer drummer for Adventures In Pancakes) to see who has the most rockin’ band. That’s why he’s taken control of South Bend’s low end in way that has us rockin’ and kickin’ it out more than ever before. Frankly speaking, I doubt South Bend will ever rock as hard as Connor and his AIP ska-monster cohorts….but will 15 yr old Connor be layin’ it out as sweet and solid as his old man when he’s in his 40’s?…you know facing the reality of imminent geezer-hood!
Speaking of geezer hood, Ross Shafer (guitar, vocals and AARP cardholder) has been attempting to play guitar ever since he was 10. A dirth of talent and a sick obsession with bicycles prevented Ross from getting serious about guitar. But one day while under the influence of un-warranted self confidence and delusions of guitar grandeur, Ross answered Brett’s Craigslist ad for a lead guitarist. His audition was sketchy at best, but Brett liked his cowboy shirt and figured having a good bike mechanic in the band might come in handy.
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