Bob Schneider

Son to an operatic singer, Schneider learned to play the piano and guitar at a young age and began to perform at his parents’ parties. Prior to his solo career, the singer played in a number of bands including the funk-rock outfit Joe Rockhead, which he dropped out of the Universsty of Texas at El Paso to contribute fully to. After three independent releases the band split and Schneider joined funk-fused jam-band the Ugly Americans, which signed to Capricorn Records.

After co-founding the band The Scabs, the musician left the band life to pursue a solo career, which would take a more acoustic approach than he had previously. His debut album released through Universal was called “Lonelyland” and was also the moniker Schneider used when he first went solo. The song “Big Blue Sea” from the album received a steady stream of radio airplay, with follow up “Metal & Steel” the musician's most played song.

2004’s sophomore full-length “I’m Good Now” was released by Vanguard Records to positive acclaim. Due to a stipulation in contract with his labels Universal and Vanguard “Lonelyland” and “I’m Good Now” were also released as a side-project on his own Shockorama Records label. Schneider’s has had a number of other side-project albums including 2002’s “Galaxy Kings” and 2003’s “Ive Seen The End of the World and It Looks Like This”, which have been rereleased through Vanguard in 2006.

Vanguard also released Schneider’s third studio album “The Californian” in 2006 and since a number of live albums including “Greatest Hits Live” “Songs Sung & Played at the Same Time with People in the Room” and “Live At The Paramount Theatre”. Schneider signed with Kirtland Records in 2009 and subsequently released the studio albums “Lovely Creatures”, “A Perfect Day” and “Burden of Proof”.

It was a decade prior that Stroke 9 originally came into fruition, in 1989, formed by high school friends Luke Esterkyn (singer/guitarist) and bassist Greg Guilder, initially for an optional extra-credit class. The band took a break after the members attended different colleges after high school and it was not until 1993 that Stroke 9 was reformed, bolstered by new members John McDermott (guitar) and Eric Stock (drums). The band began playing at various venues wherever the opportunity arose, as well as creating two independent releases, 1993’s “Boy Meets Girl,” and 1995’s “Bumper to Bumper.”

In 1999, Stroke 9 signed to Universal Records, which was to prove to be a good decision for the band. Their debut album, “Nasty Little Thoughts,” released the same year was a huge commercial hit, featuring two hit songs, “Little Black Backpack,” peaking at number 39 in the Billboard Mainstream charts, and “Letters,” which was certified Gold in April 2000. The album stood out amongst the other mainstream hits of the time, mostly consisting of teen pop acts.

Their post-grunge rock full of melodic choruses continued to impress with their second eponymous Universal release in 2001 and 2002’s “Rip Off.” in 2004, they left Universal, releasing music on their independent label, Rock Ridge Records, starting with “All In.” Three more records followed on Rock Ridge Records, “Hidden Treasures” in 2005, “Cafe Cuts” in 2006 and “Last of the International Playboys” in 2007. “Cafe Cuts” saw a stylistic change for Stroke 9, consisting of a collection of acoustic-based tracks. Despite their recorded output slowing down after 2007, the band continued to perform across North America.