About this user
These kids rock the 60s and 70s!
Not your typical cover band - The Heist will elevate your taste in classic rock. These early to mid 20-year-olds recreate the original energy of a timeless era with mind-blowing three to four part vocal harmonies and an explosive stage presence. Bridging the generation gap like no other band, The Heist is breaking onto the scene with exciting acclaim among fans, show organizers, as well as KLOS 95.5 classic rock DJ mentions. They have performed on KTLAs Morning News show and played to stadium crowds of 4,000+. Audience members at some of their shows include classic rock stars such as Glenn Cornick of Jethro Tull and Marty Walsh of Supertramp. Contemporary rockers such as Charlie Scene of Hollywood Undead and various members of Nural have also come to see The Heist and the buzz is just beginning.
"The Heist" began around January of 2008. It started out as a bunch of buddies looking for a way to kick back and jam the classics their parents raised them on. Bassist, Billy Ryder states, "It started out as an excuse to drink beer and whiskey on Wednesdays... a tradition I'm happy to report still continues to this day. Everyone takes their turn bringing 30 packs of PBR, Old Milwaukee, Keystone, and Coors. We were really excited when the 36 pack came out!" They booked their first show at a smoky, little Scottish pub called The Skyebox in Montrose, CA. We wanted to do something fun for all family and friends so we threw this drunken party and rocked some classics, says drummer Mark Schellenbach. Lead guitarist, Brendan McGrath mentions, We had a lot of requests to do another show. One thing led to the next, more people kept showing up, and next thing we know were playing on TV and getting shout outs from DJs on the radio. The whole thing is pretty unreal.
Drummer, Mark Schellenbach is the older brother of lead singer, Chris Schellenbach. Keyboardist, Jessica Paulson is Mark Schellenbach's girlfriend of four years plus. Bassist, Billy Ryder is a longtime childhood buddy of the Schellenbach boys. Lead guitarist, Brendan McGrath joined the circle of friends in high school where all four of the guys attended St. Francis, an all-boys Catholic school in La Canada, CA. All four were born and raised in Los Angeles with the exception of European import, Jessica Paulsson, who originally hales from Billesholm, Sweden. Jessica met Mark as a foreign exchange student at Glendale Community College.
Lead vocalist, Chris Schellenbach is a classically trained singer turned rock and roll shaman channeling singers from Jim Morrison to Robert Plant and many more. Chris's vocals have shined from a performance for Pope John Paul II at The Vatican in Rome to various captivating cover projects showcasing his talents on guitar and harmonica.
Jessica Paulsson brings her formal training on piano and violin all the way from Billesholm, Sweden. Jessica puts on an impressive show with her solid keyboard skills while weaving the band's sound together through various percussion instruments. She plays piano parts that most bands, including some of the originals, leave to samplers and synthesizers.
Bassist, Billy Ryder has personally studied with the highly respected bassist of Lagwagon, Jesse Buglione. Billy has toured the western United States with his original project opening for bands such as Strung Out, Yellowcard, Story of the Year, and many other groups seen on MTV. A classically trained pianist since the age of eight, Billy is consistently fusing his education of the ivories with his fretless bass studies.
Proficiently skilled on an array of instruments, Mark Schellenbach holds down the beats for The Heist. He is also the drumming genius behind the San Francisco powerhouse rock band Normal Like You, which has gained sea-to-sea recognition on multiple nationwide tours. He has opened for chart topping acts such as Something Corporate, Saves The Day, Paramore, and The Matches.
Brendan McGrath, a member of the highly sought after Irish rock band Wrath of McGrath, has displayed his intimate understanding of lead guitar and mandolin in front of tens of thousands all over California. Among other instruments in this artists arsenal, he also has a prowess for piano and drums. Brendan has toured internationally with all the current and former members of Jethro Tull as both their lead and rhythm guitarist.
MEMBERS:
Chris Schellenbach - Lead Vocals / Acoustic Guitar / Harmonica / Percussion
Brendan McGrath - Lead Guitar / Vocals / Mandolin
Billy Ryder - Bass / Vocals / Percussion
Jessica Paulsson - Keys / Vocals / Percussion
Mark Schellenbach - Drums / Percussion / No vocals thank god
Age
26
Hometown
Los Angeles
Country
United States
Interests
THINGS WE LIKE: classic rock, vintage instruments, booze, beer, whiskey, cigarettes, chewing tobacky, women, snowboarding, camping, hiking, kayaking, small boat sailing, Best of Craigslist.org, fmylife.com, USC and Notre Dame football, Dodger's baseball, Laker's basketball, dogs, cats, politics (both liberal and conservative), movies, cinematography, recording, music technology, books, classic cars, trucks, stations wagons, jettas and civics, Ford E450 buses with wheel chair lifts, America, fire pits, BBQs, the beach, homeless guys with really crazy stories, and booze. That's it!
HeistCoverband
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