Is that a ukulele in his pocket?

Last Friday we did a show back home in Akron, Ohio at Musica with Margot and the Nuclear So and Sos, Pete Nischt and the Lighthouse and the Whaler. The show was a great chance to see some old friends and make some new ones. The turnout ended up being the biggest crowd so far this year at Musica, which we couldn’t be happier about.

Besides it being a great show, for many who follow us, it was a first look at the new guy, Andrew Bonnis.

I found myself having to answer the same question/questions after our set, “Who is the new bass player? “ Or… “Where’d you find that guy?” Or… “So he’s single, right?” Yes ladies (and the three dudes that asked) Bonnis is single. Oh, and that WAS a ukulele in his pocket… but I’m sure he was happy to see you.

Andrew is a 19-year-old (21-year-old in NY, IL and MA) Kent State Student from Amish country who contacted us after bassist Alfredo Guerrieri had to leave the group for personal reasons. We juried Andrew in November and by January he was in Nashville recording the new album with us.

Andrew plays upright bass and ukulele for the Speedbumps but has been known to shred on guitar, vocals and bassoon. He also is incredibly large. I think he’s 8’10 and like 390 lbs. – this is undoubtedly inaccurate. He loves to eat beef Jerky that Sammy makes in the oven and he is not allowed to drive the band van because his eyesight (or lack there of) scares the bejesus out of the other members.

The best part about Bonnis besides being an amazing musician is - he fits with us. Like all of us, he walks to the beat of a different drum. He gets our humor. He’s not afraid to “go for it,” even if that means going against what is comfortable or expected. Call him Bonnis. He is one of the mad ones.

From Chitty to Qantas

Late last month the band was selected to play at the largest music industry showcase festival in the southern hemisphere.  In October, we will head to Perth, Australia for a performance at the One Movement for Music Festival.

This will be the band’s first performance outside North America.  Though one of our goals has always been to travel, it’s still a little shocking we are going to get the chance to play on the other side of the world. 

Because the festival showcases 80 of the world’s top emerging/export ready artists, we feel honored to be chosen.  Most of the artists traveling to Australia already have hits in Asia-Pacific countries.  As of now, we are one of six North American artists making the trip, others include Fefe Dobson (Canada) and Meiko (USA).

Most of the artists have the backing of their labels or government; we have shinny credit cards and tip jars.  But money isn’t going to stop us; we are ready for the Down Under and want to thank everyone who has made it possible for us to get to this point.

I was talking about the trip to a few friends this past weekend who have been around since the beginning of the band. We were reminiscing about the days when Sam and I would jump in my Volkswagen and start driving east, determined to play somewhere outside of Ohio.   Thinking about that progression -- from leaving home not knowing exactly where we were going to checking on the status of our visas for the 18-hour layover in Hong Kong is… interesting.

To the Kristoff and Urycki family:  Thanks for being cool when we took Chitty and the Gladiator to the east coast.  We are finally using that plane you kept referring to.

Down and Pushed Around

Hey Everybody! (Patty, that was for you)

I've been writing all week and felt a video blog post would be a nice change, so... 

Below is a song we are considering for the upcoming record. It's called “Down and Pushed Around.” Hope you enjoy and thanks for the continued support.  

Oh Oh Oh... and sorry about the Margot show -- I guess August wasn't our month.  The good news is the show is going to happen this fall and your tickets are still valid so hold on to them and check back for updates. Thanks.

E

Let’s take a deep breath.

We would like to address the situation that arose yesterday with our being bumped (no pun intended) from the Jason Mraz/G-Love show at Tower City Amphitheater.  We appreciate your emails and understand the frustration but please understand that we are as bummed about it as you are.

We can assure you this cancelation had nothing to do with us.   We were ready to do the show. We got the call about three hours before sound check.  The issues that fueled our cancelation are between Scene Magazine and Live Nation.  In addition, the excuses given to us by both organizations, from what we can see, are legitimate.

Please don’t bother live nation or Scene about this. We still have good relationships with both companies and don’t want to ruin any friendships we’ve made.  They assured us that cancelling our sets for the Fray show and Jason Mraz show was not because they hate us or think we are a crappy band.  Sometimes things don’t work out.  We will get another chance someday, and when we do we hope you are there to see us rock it out.

The best way to vent your frustration is to attend our next show!!!  Thursday, August 27 @ Musica with Margot and the Nuclear So and Sos -- we have presale tickets for $10.  Click here to buy.  Thanks and we can’t wait to see you in Akron at the end of the month. 

Saltzman and ASCAP receive Bull Moose Award

While performing last month at Arlene’s Grocery in NYC we met Seth Saltzman, Senior Vice President of Member Management at ASCAP.   Seth’s band Otto was performing at the same showcase hosted by the No Pulp Music Group.   We exchanged information and discussed meeting up the next time we were in town.  So when I told him we were returning for a show at the Living Room, he invited me to the ASCAP office for a chat.  I happily accepted and brought Sammy and Craiger for a little networking 101. 

For those of you who aren’t hip to the workings of ASCAP, in short, its an organization that oversees the distribution of royalties to publishers and composers/writers when his or her intellectual property is broadcast to the masses.  

Seth, being musician himself, was happy to take us in and show us around the place.  The company’s rich history would be evident to anyone pacing the halls.  From the Tony Awards to the Oscars to the Grammys, ASCAP has its fingerprint on music history and is proud of it.  I have to admit after hanging out at ASCAP, I was proud to be a member.  The “Corporate Culture” was that of a bunch of writers looking out for other writers.

After the office tour, we sat down with Seth in his office and had a good discussion about where the band is and where it’s heading.  Sammy, Craiger and I agree – Saltzman is a good dude.  We didn’t feel rushed or out of place – he even helped us find Mets tickets for that evening.   We give Seth Saltzman and the folks at ASCAP the Bull Moose Award for this month.     

Kristoff Motors

Check out the deals we got going at Kristoff's Used Car Lot

Evan's "Boom Outta Here" Letter

Dear friends and fans of the Speedbumps,

I once said in a band interview "Friends become fans and fans become friends." I still hold that to be true. I have met many wonderful people through this band and had an amazing experience these past 3 years as the Speedbumps bassist -- I don't regret any day or moment spent with the band or our friends, fans and families. However, I feel I must move on. Simply put, the Speedbumps require more commitment than I am able to provide. They are an amazingly talented group and more importantly, some of my best friends. But while the band continues to advance and gain popularity, I am just not able to provide the time and dedication required to be their bassist. So I'm joining the circus. The rumors are true. I'm actually the world’s strongest man. Just kidding.

 I'm trying to write this without sounding arrogant and this is directed to mostly my friends I've made through the band so they can understand why I'm leaving. Erik, Sam, Patty and Micah are still my very good friends.  I still live with them at "The Boat House". There was never any conflict or big band fight that would've made great reality TV. I'm still playing shows when current bassist, Alfredo Guerrieri, can't make it and I still help out as much as I can. We're all still very good friends. In fact, the old Speedbumps bassist and I are also good friends. It's a bassist thing I guess. We're cool like that.

I met the new/current Speedbumps bassist, Alfredo, in West Lake at a gig. He was playing in the bar next door to the Speedbumps. We happened to be taking a smoke break at the same time.  I asked him who owned the F Bass leaning against the amp. He said it was his and we became instant friends.  A few months later I posted online that the Speedbumps were looking for a new bassist and he replied – the rest is history. He's an amazing bass player.  His talent and knowledge will only help push the Speedbumps into writing better songs and playing better shows.

 I guess I just wanted to write this quick note to say THANK YOU to all our friends, fans and families for your support. It's been an amazing experience with the Speedbumps. From the first band practice when everyone was 45 minutes late, to touring in an overeating van, to opening for Andrew Bird, being so nervous I could've thrown up.

 I tried to quit playing music 10 years ago and just couldn't kick the habit, so I'll still be around. Please stay in touch with me on myspace at www.myspace.com/evanlewisbass  -- I'm still playing bass in various projects around Ohio. I cherish the wonderful friends I've made during these last three years as the Speedbumps bassist and felt you deserve a thank you note from me.

 Thank you once again for your friendship. The Speedbumps will only continue to grow and advance in every way, and I'm honored to have been part of that.

Sincerely,

Evan "Shock and Awe" Lewis