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.
