Pat the Bunny (musician)
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]
Pat the Bunny | |
|---|---|
 Pat the Bunny performing with Ramshackle Glory in 2011. | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Patrick Schneeweis |
| Born | May 7, 1987 Brattleboro, Vermont, United States |
| Genres |
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| Occupation(s) | Musician, singer-songwriter, producer |
| Instrument(s) |
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| Years active | 2000–2016, 2019 |
| Website | patthebunnymusic |
Biography
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 charitable organizations supporting music education.[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
Johnny Hobo and the Freight Trains | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Brattleboro, Vermont |
| Genres | Anarcho-punk, folk punk, Riot-Folk |
| Years active | 2000–2007 |
| Labels | Spare Change Records, DIY Bandits |
| Members | Flash-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
Michael Jumpshot Touchdown Pass | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Brattleboro, Vermont |
| Genres | pop rock, folk, acoustic |
| Years active | 2005–present |
| Labels | Spare Change Records, DIY Bandits, Plan-It-X Records, Savage Wasteland Music Collective |
| Members | Michael Schneeweis – guitar, bass, drums, vocals |
| Past members | Pat The Bunny – bass, vocals (live) |
| Website | mjtouchdownpass |
Michael Jumpshot Touchdown Pass is a solo recording project of Pat's younger brother, Michael, which began when he was 15 or 16. 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
Wingnut Dishwashers Union | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Brattleboro, Vermont |
| Genres | Anarcho-punk, folk punk, Riot-Folk |
| Years active | 2007–2009 |
| Labels | Spare Change Records, DIY Bandits, Triumph Of Life, Crafty Records |
| Members | Adhi – 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 – 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
Playtime Posse | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Brattleboro, Vermont |
| Genres | hip hop |
| Years active | 2009–2010 |
| Labels | Rhymetonia Records |
| Members | B.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
Pat "The Bunny" | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Tucson, Arizona |
| Genres | Anarcho-punk, folk punk, Riot-Folk |
| Years active | 2010–2016 |
| Labels | Savage Wasteland Music Collective, Plan-It-X Records, DIY Bandits |
| Members | Pat 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
Ramshackle Glory | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Tucson, Arizona |
| Genres | anarcho-punk, punk, folk punk |
| Years active | 2010–2016 |
| Labels | Savage Wasteland Music Collective, DIY Bandits, Plan-It-X Records, Get Better Records |
| Past members | Alyssa 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 Spencer, 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
One Man Romance | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Tucson, Arizona |
| Genres | Alternative rock, folk punk, pop punk |
| Years active | 2011–2016 |
| Labels | Savage Wasteland Music Collective |
| Members | Colin – drums, bass, guitar Pat The Bunny – guitar, bass, vocals Wyndham Maxwell – piano, guitar, vocals, melodica |
| Past members | Douglas 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
Big Swamp Gospel | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Tucson, Arizona |
| Genres | country, folk punk |
| Years active | 2013–2016 |
| Labels | Savage Wasteland Music Collective |
| Members | Pat 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
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
References
- "Pat the Bunny, "Probably Nothing Possibly Everything"". Retrieved November 9, 2021 – via Dakota Student.
- 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
- "Your Thanks". Brattleboro Reformer. December 27, 2009. Retrieved April 25, 2019.
- 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.
- Caron, Gregory (February 1, 2014). "Ramshackle Glory lead singer coming to local entertainment hall". Valencia Voice. Retrieved April 25, 2019.
- "Pat The Bunny | Facebook". Facebook. February 3, 2016. Archived from the original on February 3, 2016. Retrieved January 28, 2020.
- Wu, Lina (June 2016). "The super liberal festival a world away from the rest of Indiana". The Tab. Retrieved April 25, 2019.
- Schneeweis, Patrick. "Pat The Bunny Bandcamp". Pat The Bunny. Retrieved April 28, 2019.
- Pat the Bunny LIVE 2019 – YouTube
- iFghtffyrdmns (2005). "Who needs drugs? Johnny Hobo needs drugs". Sputnik Music. Retrieved February 2, 2018.
- Ceccarossi, Kristi (August 22, 2006). "[Vermont] Nudists seek harmony – Town asked to solve downtown issue". Free Republic. Retrieved April 25, 2019.
- "Live In Cortland, by Johnny Hobo & The Freight Trains". No Mans Records. Retrieved November 13, 2018.
- Schneeweis, Michael. "Michael Jordan Touchdown Pass". Michael Jordan Touchdown Pass. Retrieved May 7, 2021.
- Schneeweis, Michael. "sadjoy". sadjoy. Retrieved June 23, 2023.
- "Michael Jordan Touchdown Pass". Savage Wasteland Music Collective. Archived from the original on February 19, 2015. Retrieved April 16, 2015.
- "About". Michael Jordan Touchdown Pass. Weebly. Archived from the original on April 17, 2015. Retrieved April 16, 2015.
- McCormack, Kevin (March 10, 2016). "Wingnut Dishwashers Union". Sophie's Floorboard. Retrieved February 2, 2018.
- "Wingnut Dishwashers Union: Burn the Earth! Leave if Behind!". PunkNews.org. March 4, 2011. Retrieved April 16, 2015.
- "Playtime Posse". Facebook. Retrieved April 16, 2015.
- "Ramshackle Glory Facebook". Facebook. Retrieved May 22, 2016.
- "One Man Romance: About". Facebook. Retrieved April 16, 2015.
- "Big Swamp Gospel". Savage Wasteland Music Collective. Archived from the original on May 6, 2015. Retrieved April 16, 2015.
- "PAT THE BUNNY – Patrick Schneeweis Interview | A Fistful of Vinyl". Retrieved March 2, 2021 – via YouTube.