This week I was lucky enough to meet a new and upcoming band in the Lawrence area. This group of five guys all go to KU and are hoping to share their music with anyone who is willing to listen.
Their name is Shoebox Money and they consist of:
Reid Stein – Lead Vocals Ben Wellwood – Guitar Jeremy Marr – Guitar, Backup VocalsPatrick Spanier – Bass Quinn Maetzold – Drums
Left to right: Reid, Ben, Jeremy, Quinn and Patrick.
They all agreed that their main genre of music is Alternative Rock. Patrick went on to say that “we’re all from different parts of the country, which really helps the blend of our music come together and create something awesome.”
I asked them if they would ever be open to playing different types of music, not just alternative rock.
Patrick said that, “Well, we’re like a family in that way. I’m the mom and the guys will want to play a cover of a song and the father Ben is the one they have to convince. Reid is the little kid.”
“I will sing whatever is put in front of me honestly,” said Reid.
“We’re just trying to figure ourselves out and get a feel for what truly defines us.” Jeremy added.
When has been an influence on their style and their life and I got many unique bands ranging from Rise Against to Pink Floyd to Green Day.
Then I asked them what their guilty pleasure songs and/or bands are and the responses were great.
Reid said” I love Coldplay, I don’t care what anyone else says.
And he and the other guys were not afraid throw Patrick under the bus and say his was Taylor Swift.
“I like her song “I Knew You Were Trouble,” Patrick said. “It’s catchy.”
Jeremy said that his was Alanis Morisette, whom I have never heard of, but I’m fascinated that there are so many different styles that these guys like.
Ben’s guilty pleasure is Eminem and Quinn’s is “definitely Passion Pit.”
When I asked if they would continue this after college there was a lot of “ If we get famous and we would get money from doing this, than yes.” As of right now though they are just taking it with baby steps and getting a feel for what this type of hobby is all about.
My final question was why people should come to their show?
“They should come see us be were local and small,” said Reid. We need money to record our songs- we’re not getting money for this for ourselves.”
“We want our songs to have meaning behind them. One of our songs is overcoming self-doubt and being confident. This is all a campaign for that,” said Patrick. “And we want people to support the local Lawrence scene because there are so many unique and awesome bands here that I think people would really enjoy listening to. We want to make an influence.
I had such a wonderful time interviewing these men and after listening to a song that they played for me I think that they have a lot of potential. Their sound is very awesome and I truly think that people would like listening to them.
Their next concert is this Sunday, April 5th at the Jackpot Music Hall. The concert starts at 6:30pm and their band plays at 8 p.m.
Since they are a new band they’re still loading information on their social media sites. If you want to learn more about them, you can find the group’s Facebook page is facebook.com/shoebox money and their twitter is @shoebox__money or see their music on Youtube at shoeboxmoney.
All of these guys are super sweet and hilarious and I know that this is going to turn out to be a great show!
Check out their original song Make You Feel Crazy