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Pat the Bunny (musician)

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Pat the Bunny
Pat the Bunny performing with Ramshackle Glory in 2011.
Pat the Bunny performing with Ramshackle Glory in 2011.
Background information
Birth namePatrick Schneeweis
Born (1987-05-07) May 7, 1987 (age 37)
Brattleboro, Vermont, United States
Genres
Occupation(s)Musician, singer-songwriter, producer
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • guitar
  • bass
  • trumpet
  • harmonica
Years active2000–2016, 2019
Websitepatthebunnymusic.weebly.com

Patrick Schneeweis, better known by his stage name Pat the Bunny, is a retired American musician, singer-songwriter, and producer. He has been the front man of notable folk punk and anarcho-punk groups such as Johnny Hobo and the Freight Trains, Wingnut Dishwashers Union, and Ramshackle Glory. Originally based out of Brattleboro, Vermont, he lived in Tucson, Arizona, during the final part of his musical career. His writing often describes topics such as life under capitalism, drug addiction, and the importance of pursuing radical ways of relating socially and economically, usually through anarchism and the DIY ethic.[2]

Biography

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Schneeweis was born in Brattleboro, Vermont. He has been playing music with his younger brother, Michael, for a long time. He attended the Putney School for a short period of time. His father, Charlie Schneeweis, plays the trumpet.[3]

In 2009, Schneeweis checked himself into rehab for heroin and alcohol addiction. He stated on his website that he was not sure if he would continue with music after rehab. Once out of rehab, he moved to Tucson, Arizona, and formed Ramshackle Glory.  After rehab, Schneeweis released a slew of Ramshackle Glory records, solo acoustic records, and split albums with other DIY musicians.[4] He toured both with Ramshackle Glory and independently for the next five years.[5]

In February 2016, he announced that he was at least temporarily retiring from music, stating that the ideologies of punk rock and anarchism no longer matched his own.[6] Ramshackle Glory played their final show at the final Plan-it-X Fest in June 2016.[7] They released their final album, "One Last Big Job," in December 2016. Patrick Schneeweis announced he will eventually donate the proceeds of his solo work and his band's releases through the social media music platform Bandcamp to bail funds in Vermont and Arizona.[8]

In 2019, Schneeweis was brought out by Ceschi to play "This City Is Killing Me" off of their split EP.[9] It is unclear if Schneeweis will continue playing shows in the future.

Johnny Hobo and the Freight Trains

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Johnny Hobo and the Freight Trains
OriginBrattleboro, Vermont
GenresAnarcho-punk, folk punk, Riot-Folk
Years active2000–2007
LabelsSpare Change Records, DIY Bandits
MembersFlash-C – trumpet
Ian Skumfuk – washtub bass
Jeff-Face – harmonica
Michael Jordan – drums
Pat the Bunny – guitar, vocals
Roma – bicycle drums
Rockstar Mike – bass drum
Wyatt – harmonica

Pat's first major recording project was called "Running with Meat Cleavers" and was inspired by the contemporary Brattleboro punk scene, including bands such as Vomit Dichotomy and Fancy Pants & the Cell Phones. Following this was a band whose name would regularly change and was tongue-in-cheek, with the format of "Johnny ___ and the ___." For example, the band was called "Johnny Sexless and the Virgin Mafia" to reflect the themes of the song "DIY Orgasms." Eventually the name "Johnny Hobo" stuck, despite the vocal irritation of Pat himself at this name. The first demo was primarily solo, with just acoustic guitar played atop programmed drums. The group quickly expanded and became entirely acoustic. Johnny Hobo toured extensively during their career; often, Pat would be the only touring member. Alcohol, drug use, homelessness, politics, suicide, and the punk scene were common themes in Johnny Hobo songs.[10] Song for a Harmony Parking Lot may be in reference to a parking lot in Schneeweis's hometown of Brattleboro, where Schneeweis once did a nude sit-in protest and was quoted as saying, "It's too hot to wear clothes."[11] They released four EPs, two splits, a live album, and two compilations before disbanding.

Demos/EPs
Year Title Label Format
2003 Fire Hazard Self-Release CD-R
2003 Anarchy Means I Hate You Spare Change Records CD-R
2005 All Power to the Wingnuts Spare Change Records CD-R
2005 Easter Sunday Hangover Spare Change Records CD-R
2006 Chaos Infiltration Squad Spare Change Records CD-R
Split Albums
Year Title Label Format
2005 Live at Bandit H.Q. (Split with Captain Chaos) DIY Bandits CD-R
2005 Love Songs for the Apocalypse (Split with ManTits) DIY Bandits CD
Live
Year Title Label Format
2005 Caught in the Act of Not Being Awesome Spare Change Records CD-R
2007 Live in Cortland[12] Bootleg Cassette, Digital
Compilation
Year Title Label Format
2006 ...is Dead! Spare Change Records CD-R
2009 Smash the Plate! (Johnny Hobo and Wingnut Dishwashers Union from 2007 and Before) Spare Change Records CD-R
2019 FIGHT LIKE HELL (recordings from 2004 to 2007) DIY Bandits Vinyl, Digital

Michael Jumpshot Touchdown Pass

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Michael Jumpshot Touchdown Pass
OriginBrattleboro, Vermont
Genrespop rock, folk, acoustic
Years active2005–present
LabelsSpare Change Records, DIY Bandits, Plan-It-X Records, Savage Wasteland Music Collective
MembersMichael Schneeweis – guitar, bass, drums, vocals
Past membersPat The Bunny – bass, vocals (live)
Websitemjtouchdownpass.bandcamp.com

Michael Jumpshot Touchdown Pass is a solo recording project of Pat's younger brother, Michael, which began when he was 15. It was previously known as the Michael Jordan Touchdown Pass.[13] Three albums were also released under the name sadjoy.[14] Pat played bass and back-up vocals during live shows.[15][16] Michael has played with Ramshackle Glory live on at least one occasion.

Wingnut Dishwashers Union

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Wingnut Dishwashers Union
OriginBrattleboro, Vermont
GenresAnarcho-punk, folk punk, Riot-Folk
Years active2007–2009
LabelsSpare Change Records, DIY Bandits, Triumph Of Life, Crafty Records
MembersAdhi – saxophone
Agatha – banjo
Alex – vocals, guitar
Dallas – drums, bass
Davis – drums
Douglas – theremin
Emily – cello
Flash-C – trumpet, drums
Ian Skumfuk – washtub bass
Jacob – guitar
Kris Cain– bass
Matt – guitar, bass, trumpet, slide guitar, piano
Michael – clarinet
Michael Jordan – drums
Mike – guitar, harmonica, piano, accordion, bass
Nick – drums
Pat the Bunny – guitar, vocals
Scott – drums
Thorin – guitar

With the ending of Johnny Hobo, Pat continued writing songs and formed the Wingnut Dishwashers Union. Similar to Johnny Hobo, Wingnut Dishwashers Union toured constantly, often just with Pat. In contrast to Johnny Hobo, many songs used electric rather than acoustic guitar. They released three full-length albums, two splits, and a compilation during their two-year career, in addition to a solo rendition of their debut album by Pat. Their song topics diverged slightly from Johnny Hobo and the Freight Trains with a more hopeful view of the future.[2] Wingnut Dishwashers Union broke up when Pat entered rehab at the end of 2009.[17]

Full-length album
Year Title Label Format
2007 Toward a World Without Dishwashers Spare Change Records CD-R
2008 Never Trust a Man Who plays Guitar Spare Change Records CD-R, Digital
2009 Burn the Earth! Leave it Behind![18] DIY Bandits CD, Digital
Split Albums
Year Title Label Format
2008 Wingnut Dishwashers Union / James K. Polk and the Family- Split Triumph of Life 7"
2009 Partner in Crime No. 2 (Mischief Brew, Guitar Bomb, Endless Mike and the Beagle Club, Wingnut Dishwashers Union Split) Crafty Records 7"
Live
Year Title Label Format
2007 Live in Plattsburgh, NY Spare Change Records Digital
2008 Kalamazoo, MI (4/6/2008) Bootleg Digital
Compilation
Year Title Label Format
2009 Smash the Plate! (Johnny Hobo and Wingnut Dishwashers Union from 2007 and Before) Spare Change Records CD-R

Playtime Posse

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Playtime Posse
OriginBrattleboro, Vermont
Genreship hop
Years active2009–2010
LabelsRhymetonia Records
MembersB.C. A.K.A. the Big Chomp A.K.A. Beat Creep A.K.A. Kick the Gong Entertainment
China White
Count Compost
Monocular A.K.A. SK Murda A.K.A. Filthy T
Pat The Bunny

"The Green Mountain State's second-best rap crew, shattering all preconceptions and slanderous chatter, is a hot buttery corn muffin of rhyme." A humorous hip-hop side-project formed by Pat and several friends.[19]

Full-length album
Year Title Label Format
2010 Summertime Sounds of the Playtime Posse Rhymetonia Records Digital

Solo

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Pat "The Bunny"
OriginTucson, Arizona
GenresAnarcho-punk, folk punk, Riot-Folk
Years active2010–2016
LabelsSavage Wasteland Music Collective, Plan-It-X Records, DIY Bandits
MembersPat The Bunny – guitar, vocals

Shortly after discharge from an in-patient drug treatment facility, Schneeweis moved to Tucson, Arizona, and began writing new material about political agitation and his battles with drug addiction.  Most of these songs were used by the band Ramshackle Glory. However, during Ramshackle Glory's hiatus, Pat began focusing on a solo path. In 2012, he started releasing new solo music. From the beginning of 2014 until his retirement, Pat was touring frequently as a solo act.[5] After his South Eastern United States tour in October 2015, Pat announced that he would be taking a long break from shows and touring, though he would be releasing a final album with Ramshackle Glory.

In February 2016, Pat announced that he would be ending his music career altogether, stating a change in identity in contrast to his former persona as "Pat the Bunny."

Full-length album
Year Title Label Format
2011 Die the Nightmare Savage Wasteland Music Collective CD-R, Digital
2014 Probably Nothing, Possibly Everything Savage Wasteland Music Collective, Plan-It-X Records CD, Cassette, Vinyl, Digital
Split album
Year Title Label Format
2016 Ceschi / Pat The Bunny split 12" DIY Bandits Vinyl
2016 Surprise! Moon Bandits / Pat The Bunny Postcard Split Moon Bandits Flexi Disc, Digital
Demos/EPs
Year Title Label Format
2013 The Mark Inside Savage Wasteland Music Collective CD-R, Digital
2013 The Volatile Utopian Real Estate Market Savage Wasteland Music Collective CD-R, Digital
2014 Dividing the Sand (September Demo) Savage Wasteland Music Collective Digital
2014 This City is Killing me, ft. Ceschi (October Demo) Savage Wasteland Music Collective Digital
2015 Cocoon Music Self-Release Digital
Live
Year Title Label Format
2011 Pat the Bunny Live @ Tuscan 2/3/11 Bootleg Digital
Compilation
Year Title Label Format
2014 The Volatile Utopian Real Estate Market (Collection of Die the Nightmare, The Mark Inside, and The Volatile Utopian Real Estate Market) Savage Wasteland Music Collective CD, Vinyl, Digital

Ramshackle Glory

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Ramshackle Glory
OriginTucson, Arizona
Genresanarcho-punk, punk, folk punk
Years active2010–2016
LabelsSavage Wasteland Music Collective, DIY Bandits, Plan-It-X Records, Get Better Records
Past membersAlyssa Kai – clarinet
Andrew Link – bass (2012)
Charlie Schneeweis – horns (2011)
Dane Rossman – bass
Dottie Possee – bass, trombone
Dylan Kordani – guitar
Douglas-Fur – banjo, violin, tambourine (2011–2012)
Eric "Johnny" Freedom – trumpet
Luke Romano – drums
Michael Schneeweis – trumpet (2013)
Nick Berger- accordion, vocals
Patrick Schneeweis – guitar, vocals
Wyndham Maxwell – piano

After discharge from in-patient drug treatment, Schneeweis moved to Tucson, Arizona, began writing new music about the politics of drug addiction, and formed the full-electric band Ramshackle Glory. They released two full-length albums, toured the country twice, and then took a hiatus from 2012 to 2013. The group got back together, released a split album with Ghost Mice in 2013, and went on another cross-country tour. They broke up in 2016 following a farewell show at Plan-It-X Fest in Bloomington, Indiana, and the release of their third and final album.[20]

Full-length album
Year Title Label Format
2011 Live the Dream Savage Wasteland Music Collective, DIY Bandits, Plan-It-X Records CD, Cassette, Vinyl, Digital
2012 Who are Your Friends Gonna Be? Savage Wasteland Music Collective, DIY Bandits CD, Digital
2016 One Last Big Job Get Better Records CD, Cassette, Digital
Split album
Year Title Label Format
2013 Shelter (Split with Ghost Mice) Savage Wasteland Music Collective, Plan-It-X Records CD, Vinyl, Digital

One Man Romance

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One Man Romance
OriginTucson, Arizona
GenresAlternative rock, folk punk, pop punk
Years active2011–2016
LabelsSavage Wasteland Music Collective
MembersColin – drums, bass, guitar
Pat The Bunny – guitar, bass, vocals
Wyndham Maxwell – piano, guitar, vocals, melodica
Past membersDouglas Fur – banjo, vocals, guitar
Lane Doubt-it – harmonica
Luke Romano – drums
Michael Jordan – drums
Nick Berger – violin

One Man Romance is a pop band originally from Tucson, Arizona, and the lead singer and songwriter, Wyndham Maxwell, now resides in Worcester, Massachusetts.[21]

Full-length album
Year Title Label Format
2011 Second Treatise on Love and Timing Savage Wasteland Music Collective CD-R, Digital
2013 Dark Crystals (Part One) Savage Wasteland Music Collective CD-R, Digital

Big Swamp Gospel

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Big Swamp Gospel
OriginTucson, Arizona
Genrescountry, folk punk
Years active2013–2016
LabelsSavage Wasteland Music Collective
MembersPat The Bunny – guitar, bass, drums, vocals
Wyndham Maxwell – piano, drums, bass, vocals

Big Swamp Gospel is a fictional narrative album about god and the devil, set in a spooky small town.[22]

Full-length album
Year Title Label Format
2013 Big Swamp Gospel Savage Wasteland Music Collective CD-R, Digital

Personal life

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As of 2011, Schneeweis is sober and off drugs, describing it as his "life for a very long time" and "defined my life."[23]

Timeline

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References

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  1. ^ "Pat the Bunny, "Probably Nothing Possibly Everything"". Retrieved November 9, 2021 – via Dakota Student.
  2. ^ a b Bince, Ryan L., "Getting Out of the Basement: Space, Performance, and the Oscillation of DIY Punk Publics" (2017). Theses – ALL. 161. https://surface.syr.edu/thesis/161
  3. ^ "Your Thanks". Brattleboro Reformer. December 27, 2009. Retrieved April 25, 2019.
  4. ^ Moon, Carter (July 29, 2016). "Pat the Bunny: "It's Alright, it's Okay, it's Just That Everything's Fucked" – A Retrospective". XFDR. Retrieved April 25, 2019.
  5. ^ a b Caron, Gregory (February 1, 2014). "Ramshackle Glory lead singer coming to local entertainment hall". Valencia Voice. Retrieved April 25, 2019.
  6. ^ "Pat The Bunny | Facebook". Facebook. February 3, 2016. Archived from the original on February 3, 2016. Retrieved January 28, 2020.
  7. ^ Wu, Lina (June 2016). "The super liberal festival a world away from the rest of Indiana". The Tab. Retrieved April 25, 2019.
  8. ^ Schneeweis, Patrick. "Pat The Bunny Bandcamp". Pat The Bunny. Retrieved April 28, 2019.
  9. ^ Pat the Bunny LIVE 2019 – YouTube
  10. ^ iFghtffyrdmns (2005). "Who needs drugs? Johnny Hobo needs drugs". Sputnik Music. Retrieved February 2, 2018.
  11. ^ Ceccarossi, Kristi (August 22, 2006). "[Vermont] Nudists seek harmony – Town asked to solve downtown issue". Free Republic. Retrieved April 25, 2019.
  12. ^ "Live In Cortland, by Johnny Hobo & The Freight Trains". No Mans Records. Retrieved November 13, 2018.
  13. ^ Schneeweis, Michael. "Michael Jordan Touchdown Pass". Michael Jordan Touchdown Pass. Retrieved May 7, 2021.
  14. ^ Schneeweis, Michael. "sadjoy". sadjoy. Retrieved June 23, 2023.
  15. ^ "Michael Jordan Touchdown Pass". Savage Wasteland Music Collective. Archived from the original on February 19, 2015. Retrieved April 16, 2015.
  16. ^ "About". Michael Jordan Touchdown Pass. Weebly. Archived from the original on April 17, 2015. Retrieved April 16, 2015.
  17. ^ McCormack, Kevin (March 10, 2016). "Wingnut Dishwashers Union". Sophie's Floorboard. Retrieved February 2, 2018.
  18. ^ "Wingnut Dishwashers Union: Burn the Earth! Leave if Behind!". PunkNews.org. March 4, 2011. Retrieved April 16, 2015.
  19. ^ "Playtime Posse". Facebook. Retrieved April 16, 2015.
  20. ^ "Ramshackle Glory Facebook". Facebook. Retrieved May 22, 2016.
  21. ^ "One Man Romance: About". Facebook. Retrieved April 16, 2015.
  22. ^ "Big Swamp Gospel". Savage Wasteland Music Collective. Archived from the original on May 6, 2015. Retrieved April 16, 2015.
  23. ^ "PAT THE BUNNY – Patrick Schneeweis Interview | A Fistful of Vinyl". Retrieved March 2, 2021 – via YouTube.
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