Anthology

Bob Schneider is an Austin, Texas-based musician and artist who was born
in Ypsilanti, Michigan, and raised in Munich, Germany.

Bob Schneider is an Austin, Texas-based musician and artist who was born
in Ypsilanti, Michigan, and raised in Munich, Germany.

The son of an opera singer, he moved with his parents to Germany when he
was two and learned guitar and piano at an early age.

He made his first live appearances performing at his parents’ parties
and performed for years in various bands before embarking on a solo
career.

He dropped out of the University of Texas at El Paso where he studied
art to front his first band, the funk-and-rap outfit Joe Rockhead. The
band independently released three albums before disbanding immediately
prior to signing with a major label.

A stint with a jamming outfit called the Ugly Americans followed, which
experienced some success as an opening act for the Dave Matthews Band
and H.O.R.D.E. festival.

In 1997, Schneider went on to co-found The Scabs, which later merged
with the Ugly Americans. With The Scabs, Bob Schneider made a further
name for himself as the front man.

None of these bands gained much national recognition, but built solid
reputations on the road. They were also a fixture in the Austin live
music culture.

In 1999, Schneider became a solo act, though performing at first under
the band name Lonelyland (which he later dropped as a band name, but
titled his first major label album after).

Schneider’s musical approach as a solo artist has proven as eclectic as
the diverse musical styles of his former bands-a little bit
singer/songwriter, a whole lot of bits and pieces of funk, country,
rock, and folk.

Because of the sexual nature of some of his lyrics, Schneider’s music
has been labeled as “adult alternative” by some.

He went on to record the major label solo albums, Lonelyland (2001) and
I’m Good Now (2004), which garnered him significantly more national
attention and some critical acclaim. “Big Blue Sea” from the Lonelyland
album received significant radio play, as did “Come With Me Tonight”
from I’m Good Now.

“Metal & Steel” from Lonelyland is, to date, Bob’s most played song, but
his tunes have been heard in films like “Miss Congeniality,” “Secrets of
the Ya-Ya Sisterhood,” and “Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back.”

Bob remains committed to playing smaller venues and thrives on the
energy of the stage. He currently has a long standing Monday night
residency at the Saxon Pub, and plays the legendary Antone’s in Austin,
Texas, with both his band and, on occasion, the Scabs, all while
maintaining a tireless touring schedule.

Although he tours nationwide, he is still known best as a true Austin
musician. His musical influences spread into the far reaches of musical
culture – funk, soul, folk, lounge, rap, punk, even some melodic
experimental-ism.

He is also known for having dated Sandra Bullock. It is speculated that
the breakup following their relationship became fodder for his music,
although Schneider has been known to deny autobiographical content in
his music.

* Austin-based musician combines funk, soul, folk, lounge, rap, punk,
even some melodic experimental-ism.

* Known for dating Sandra Bullock, and his music has appeared in at
least two of her movies.

* Acclaimed for his work in the Scabs and the Ugly Americans.