Small Stages, Big Star

by Lauren Montgomery

After spending over a decade developing his career as a musician here, Bob Schneider has become a fixture on the Austin music scene. Schneider began performing on backup drums at a young age with his father on moonlight gigs throughout Germany. As he matured, his passion for art and music strengthened until he decided to turn his great love into a career. He attended the University of Texas at El Paso to study art, but eventually dropped out to pursue his dreams of becoming a rock legend.

Schneider left West Texas and moved to Austin, where he joined the funk-rock outfit Joe Rockhead as their lead singer. Joe Rockhead played to packed houses and released three independent albums in the early '90s before disbanding directly prior to signing with a major record label. Schneider experienced even more success in his second major gig with the soul-rock group Ugly Americans, who opened for the Dave Matthews Band and Horde in the mid-'90s. Then in 1996, Schneider went on to co-found the raunchy party band The Scabs, which released four albums between 1998 and 2001. Infamous for their wild performances, The Scabs helped propel Schneider into the limelight, where he became recognized as a charismatic performer. 

After bouncing around with several bands over the years, Schneider decided to launch his solo career in 1998. As a solo artist he has released nine studio albums (including a Christmas album), three live albums, and one EP. The release of his Lonelyland CD in 2001 led to a contract with Universal Records.

The Bob Schneider Group, as the band is now known, continues to play regularly at Austin venues and tours nationwide. Although he is constantly touring around the country, Schneider calls Austin, Texas, his home. When asked why he has stuck around the Austin scene so long, he enthusiastically replies, “Because I love it here!” Schneider enjoys many facets of the Austin lifestyle but is particularly drawn to its people. “This is a beautiful city,” he says. “Austin is culturally diverse. There are lots of interesting, open-minded and friendly people here.” Schneider has no plans to leave his home in the near future. In fact, his touring schedule has a three-week time limit so he is never away from his friends and family in Austin too long.

When he does return from long trips on the road, Schneider enjoys eating out, especially at local Mexican and barbecue restaurants. He’s also a regular at Barton Springs, the Austin City Limits Music Festival, Waterloo Records, and the Town Lake bike trail. He suggests that visitors to the area try all the different cuisines the city has to offer, and of course, check out the local music scene.

Bob Schneider’s natural ability to captivate live audiences with his passion and charisma may have launched him into the national music scene, but the SXSW award-winner still remembers why he became a musician in the first place. Schneider says his favorite part of being a musician is playing live. “Even after all these years, it is such a big rush. It’s why I do it,” he says. Schneider, who remains loyal to the Austin music scene, still plays to packed houses at Austin's Saxon Pub on Monday nights.