Bus Stop Stallions

Artist Information

Biography

The Bus Stop Stallions are a modern day version of the seven piece 70's and 80's funk/soul/dance outfits and have been rocking the Live Music Capitol of the World for the last several years. The Bus Stop Stallions have been steadily building an audience in and around Austin with their brand of soul/rock ranging from "spacey jazz fusion" to "bubbly bass lines and a heavy dose of synthesized keys..." (Austin Chronicle). Their high energy live performances consistently get the crowd on their feet and to the dance floor.

The Bus Stop Stallions can be found playing consistently at local Austin standards The Saxon Pub and Momo's. They have played numerous other Austin institutions, including Antones, The Backyard, Austin Music Hall, The ND @ 501 Studios, La Zona Rosa, The Belmont, Speakeasy, Flamingo Cantina, Pine Street Station, Aces Lounge, Maria Marias, Beso Cantina, Room 710, Headhunters, and RutaMaya.

Always involved in the Austin scene, they played the First Look Festival for the grand re-opening of Austin's beloved outdoor venue The Backyard; the Austin Convention Center during a Texas Lonestar Rollergirls bout; the Old Pecan Street Festival; Fox 7 TV's Good Day Austin morning show; The Austin Music Hall for the United Sounds of Austin: Las Nubes of Hope, Harmony and Peace concert; Kenny Dorham's Backyard for the Black Star Coop Brewery; and Scholz Garten for the Blues for Blue Skies benefit.

They constantly tour the region including Houston, San Antonio, Dallas, Corpus Christi, Kerrville, Georgetown, San Marcos, and Marble Falls. They have completed two tours of the western states, where they played the Viper Room and the Mint in LA, The Stronghold in Venice, Winston's in San Diego, Mojito's, Union Room, Biscuits and Blues, and Kafe van Kleefe in the Bay Area, as well as venues in Temecula, Fresno, Sacramento, Eureka, Portland, Reno, and Pueblo.

The Bus Stop Stallions give a new life to the nostalgic days of 70's and 80's funk-soul, while giving an extra push with some pure, unadulterated rock and roll. With influences such as Sly and the Family Stone and Stevie Wonder, they have time-warped the sound into what some call "James Brown 3000". Whether it is the band's original songs or innovative renditions of classic cover songs, the crowds can't help but move their feet. Performing live music is what drives the band, and it shows in their performances. Their passion for playing live leads to shows that are each unique and dynamic instead of playing the same exact set night after night. The band's familiarity with one another and skills on their respective instruments allows them to improvise live without losing their audience's attention span.

The Bus Stop Stallions are Chris V. (lead vocals), Zach Knox (keys, synth, backup vocals), Jon Shea (guitars), Rsi Pollard (drums, percussion), Bill Normandin (bass),Tom Hays (trombone, backup vocals), Lucas Martell (saxophone, backup vocals), and Nixon Guerrero (trumpet, flugelhorn, backup vocals)

Instrumentation

Chris Varteressian- Vocals
Zach Knox- Keys and Backup Vocals
Jon "Cornbread" Shea- Guitars
Bill Normandin- Bass
Rsi Pollard- Drums
Steven Welch - Trumpet
Tom Hays - Trombone

Discography

"Ride" released 2007, unsigned
"Don't Block It" released 2009, unsigned
"Crosswinds" - currently in mastering, 2012 release

Links

• Facebook
• MySpace
• Twitter

Audio

• Happy Home
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• Slippin away
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• Funky Freaky
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• Long time Ago
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• Make Me
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Video

Photo Gallery

Press

• Austin Chronicle - Texas Platters [+ Show ]
  

  Bus Stop Stallions Don't Block It! With sophomore effort Don't Block It!, Bus Stop Stallions hav...Bus Stop Stallions
  Don't Block It!
  
  With sophomore effort Don't Block It!, Bus Stop Stallions have joined the increasingly crowded ranks of throwback local R&B outfits. Formed in 2006, the 10-piece Stallions (including two backup singers) trot in the tradition of Austin's mid-1970s Fable recording artists, channeling Starcrost on the spacey jazz fusion of "Never Is Forever" and mining the same white boy funk vibe that made Steam Heat a local favorite. "Make Me" and "The Gift" aim directly at the early 1970s Stevie Wonder canon with bubbly bass lines and a heavy dose of synthesized keys in the glorious tradition of "Superstition." The Bus Stop boys fall into an easy rhythm on midtempo groovers "Taxi Driver" and "Baby I Want You," which may not cause a stampede to the dance floor but seem to find the band's sweet spot, while "Without a Sound" crawls into a sunny reggae-inspired rhythm before rocking and skanking into a crescendo.

• Saxon Pub Review [+ Show ]
  

  Bus Stop Stallions Live@SaxonPub Where: Saxon Pub, 1320 S. Lamar, Austin, TX When: Last Night, T...Bus Stop Stallions Live@SaxonPub
  Where: Saxon Pub, 1320 S. Lamar, Austin, TX
  
  When: Last Night, Thursday May 28th 2009
  
  Who: The Bus Stop Stallions
  
  
  
  The Saxon Pub on south Lamar is a legendary Austin live music venue. Hosting such performers as Bob Schnieder, Sunny Sweeney and Monte Montgomery, the self proclaimed “best listening room in Austin” really proved it last night when at 12:35am the Bus Stop Stallions took hold of the tiny wood planked stage and refused to let it go until 2am.
  
  An eight piece ensemble band described on their website as music “to put people’s heads in the clouds while their dancin’ feet stay on the ground” the Bus Stop Stallions are poised and ready to bring their new funk soul rock fusion to a much larger audience. Complete with horns, keyboards, and bass the band has a soulful funky sound that can easily be described as the positive result of a street brawl between George Clinton & P-Funk, Sly and the Family Stone with a few punches thrown in by the godfather of soul himself, Mr. James Brown. Last night they blasted the Saxon Pub with a solid wall of sound that made it impossible for the crowd to stay in their seats.
  
  The non-verbal communication between bassist Bill Normandin and drummer known only as Rsi kept the undercurrent beat tight, freeing keyboardist Zack Knox and guitarist Jon Shea up to get a little funky crazy while still managing to tie the band’s sound up into a neat little package just begging to be ripped open and apart by Steve, Tom and Sara on the trumpet, trombone, and tenor Saxophone respectively. Adding a smokey, gravelly, bluesy baritone and lyrics that are at once filled with playfulness and want is Chris Vartessian rounding out the octet on vocals letting the crowd know that this band not only serious about its music but serious about its fun and revelry as well.
  
  Even though they have only been performing together for little over two years, the Bus Stop Stallions have the tight cohesive sound and unabashed stage presence of a band that has bee doing this for decades. The band’s personality shines particularly bright when they are performing the bluesy “It Ain’t Easy” and the spaced out trippy psychedelic funk of “Itchy Scratchy Fever” . Giving plenty of room for each member to showcase their considerable talent in not to short and not to long solos.
  
  If funk and soul have any hope of leaking back into the main stream of popular music the Bus Stop Stallions may just be its best shot. In the mean time this is a band that is ready to be seen and heard.
  
  The Bus Stop Stallions will be performing again Thursday June 5th at Saxon Pub at midnight.

• CD RELEASE SHOW [+ Show ]
  

  As the cold (and the rain) continues on this dreadful week, why not take a chance to sit inside a wa...As the cold (and the rain) continues on this dreadful week, why not take a chance to sit inside a warm bar and listen to funky soulful music played by some talented fellow Austinites? This Saturday, December 12th, the Bus Stop Stallions are throwing a big CD release bash at Momo’s over on west 6th, and not only will they be putting on one hell of a show, but guests will also be treated to music from sets by Seth Walker and Geron Hoy.
  
  Before the Bus Stop Stallions hit the floor at midnight, Geron Hoy (the powerful folk rock singer/songwriter) and Seth Walker (the blues player described as “a little, white Ray Charles”) will be jamming out from 9 to midnight..Following these great acts at 12, the Bus Stop Stallions will hit the floor and rock out the bar. This 7-piece, funk, dance music group formed in Austin in 2006 and have played their fair share of shows in some of Austin’s top music venues (including but not limited to: La Zona Rosa, Antone’s, Speakeasy, Light Bar, Aces Lounge, Headhunters, and RutaMaya). Having also toured extensively in California, Colorado, and other western states, the band comes to us this Saturday with a brand new CD, one that again showcases their 70s/80s funk-soul style with an edge of rock and roll. They list influences such as Sly and the Family Stone along with Stevie Wonder, and never fail to impress with their lineup of original jams mixed with innovative renditions of classic cover songs. And apparently they rock out some impressive live shows that will not only knock you off your feet, but also guarantee that you get your ass on the dance floor.
  
  The ball gets rolling at 9, so make sure you come down, stay warm, and jam out to some great music this Saturday! Tickets are $10, but head over to the event page and click “I Like It!” for a chance to win a FREE pair of tickets! See you there!

• The First Look Festival [+ Show ]
  

  A wide swath of Austin stalwarts will be on hand to fill the spring air with their rootsy tunes, in... A wide swath of Austin stalwarts will be on hand to fill the spring air with their rootsy tunes, including multi-faceted blues howler Carolyn Wonderland; the juke-joint throwbacks of Gary Clark Jr.; blue-eyed funksters Bus Stop Stallions

• Rock the Republic [+ Show ]
  

  This past weekend, Rock the Republic was held in Downtown Bryan for the second time. Dozens of band...This past weekend, Rock the Republic was held in Downtown Bryan for the second time. Dozens of bands, singers, poets and other artistic performers made their way around the mini-metropolis, appealing to audiences at every venue. The music offered ranged from grunge to soul to rap, and the poetry and spectacles were nothing short of spectacular.
  Two of the best musical acts this year were Jackie Herbert and Bus Stop Stallions. Jackie Herbert, a young solo artist with a milky-smooth voice, sang several songs of her own favoring the style of Nora Jones and V.V. Brown. She also performed a few acoustic spins-offs, accompanied by a guitar, of "Come Away With Me," "Shark in the Water" and the enchanting, "Wagon Wheel." This proved to be a tranquil escape when juxtaposed with the clanging sounds of Featherface who were performing a few yards away at The Palace.
  Bus Stop Stallions delivered an enjoyable jazz-funk-groove during their performance at The Stafford later in the night. They were truly a band producing irresistible sound and rhythm from a host of instruments, including the saxophone and the organ, all in complementation of meaningful lyrics. Their stage presence was thrilling, with each musician engaging in at least one solo.

• Rock the Republic Blog Post [+ Show ]
  

  By Joey Treviño You couldn’t help but feel excited as Rock the Republic 2010 kicked off Thursday ni...By Joey Treviño
  You couldn’t help but feel excited as Rock the Republic 2010 kicked off Thursday night in downtown Bryan. The streets were full of people ready for a weekend full of music from artists that come from all over the state of Texas.
  As I walked from venue to venue checking out the best of what the festival had to offer, I walked into the Stafford and undoubtedly into one of the most entertaining performances that I have ever had the pleasure of watching.
  The Bus Stop Stallions are a funk/rock band that brought a level of energy to the stage that just can’t be matched. They feature a seven-man lineup that serves up the funkiest music to hit any Rock the Republic venue hands down. Their tight arrangements, screaming brass section and soulful vocals had every head in the Stafford bobbing to the beat. It was like a blast from the past and I feel that the music industry could use a little more of their style. I wasn’t expecting to hear like this but I am sure glad I went to the Stafford when I did.

• Rock The Republic [+ Show ]
  

  You couldn’t help but feel excited as Rock the Republic 2010 kicked off Thursday night in downtown B...You couldn’t help but feel excited as Rock the Republic 2010 kicked off Thursday night in downtown Bryan. The streets were full of people ready for a weekend full of music from artists that come from all over the state of Texas.
  
  As I walked from venue to venue checking out the best of what the festival had to offer, I walked into the Stafford and undoubtedly into one of the most entertaining performances that I have ever had the pleasure of watching.
  
  The Bus Stop Stallions are a funk/rock band that brought a level of energy to the stage that just can’t be matched. They feature a seven-man lineup that serves up the funkiest music to hit any Rock the Republic venue hands down. Their tight arrangements, screaming brass section and soulful vocals had every head in the Stafford bobbing to the beat. It was like a blast from the past and I feel that the music industry could use a little more of their style. I wasn’t expecting to hear like this but I am sure glad I went to the Stafford when I did.
  
  Other bands that I had the pleasure of enjoying:
  
  I had a chance to catch The Tontons who played on the main stage. If you have never seen them perform I would recommend it. Asli Omar is the lead vocalist for this psych-blues band and her stage presence as well as her instantly recognizable voice will capture your heart.
  
  Day one was amazing and I expect no less from the remainder of the weekend. Don’t forget to take a picture with someone in a maroon weekly shirt and post it on Facebook/Twitter for your chance to win a prize. I hope to see you tonight in Downtown Bryan.
  

Setlist

The Bus Stop Stallions have around 4-5 hours of material including original compositions and cover songs. Typical set ranges from 1 hour to 3 hours depending on the venue. Examples of covers include Ray Charles, Sly and the Family Stone, Parliament, James Brown, Sam and Dave, Michael Jackson, Bill Withers, the Beatles, Howard Tate, Stevie Wonder, Otis Redding, Al Green, Marvin Gaye, Earth Wind and Fire, The Temptations, Con Funk Shun, and Kool and the Gang, Talking Heads, Bob Marley, Ween, Grateful Dead.

Basic Requirements

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