Current Band Lineup- 

Bump Blomberg  -  vocals, guitar, songwriter, anecdotes 

Peto Caritas  -  mostly guitar, vocals, songwriter

Mark "Munchie" Collins  -  drums, drums, and more f'ing drums. Oh, and some percussion too.

Chris Ryder  -  bass, vocals, songwriter, sherpa

Brian "Buzz Chopper" Kopp  -  organ, piano

Adam Moe  -  vocals, fiddle, quipster

 

Previous Band Members-

Steve Rummler - drums, vocals, songwriter 

Jessica Schwartzbauer - vocals, tambourine, good vibes

Geoff Prettner - percussion, drums 

Tom "TW" Warner - organ, piano

Steve Graham - percussion

Chris Gillis - organ, piano, vocals

Rob Hilstrom - organ, piano

John Banks - organ, piano

Marc Ziegenhagen - organ, piano

 

Gooneybirds Albums- 

1) "Gooneybirds Live"   (1989, live recordings) 

2) "The Gooneybirds"   (1990, recorded at Paisley Park (Chanhassen, MN)) 

3) "Step Into the Light" (1992, recorded live at Cabooze Bar (Mpls, MN)) 

4) "A Live Mix"                (1993, live recordings)

5) "Alive"                         (2010, recorded live at Wolfe Park 8/30/09 (St. Louis Pk, MN))

 

History-

Formed in 1986, the Gooneybirds are part of the neo-hippie movement of the late 80's that saw the Grateful Dead begin selling out football stadiums and the rise of the modern jam band genre including Gooney contemporaries Phish, Widespread Panic and Blues Traveler. Like many of the originators of the San Francisco pychedelic sound, the Gooneybirds have always been interested in the roots of American music and culture wrapped within it. The Gooneybirds have always appreciated a well crafted song. Drawing from folk, blues, country and straight up rock 'n roll, they churn it up into something unique to themselves. In addition to a rich library of original material, the Goonies have covered songs by artists like Marty Robbins, Johnny Cash, Ike and Tina, Woody Guthrie, Leadbelly and rock luminaries such as Bob Dylan and Joni Mitchell.

 

The Gooneybirds played professionally from 1987 to 1996, traveling around the Midwest, the Rocky Mountains and points South and East. They held a house gig Sunday nights at the Cabooze bar in Minneapolis, MN from 1989-1992 -- Gooney Bucks anyone? The Goonies released five albums of mostly original material. The eponymous The Gooneybirds recorded at Paisley Park studios in 1989 and Step into the Light recorded live at the Cabooze bar in 1992. 

 

In 2002, the Gooneybirds reunited for a memorable show at their home bar the Cabooze, bringing back some original members who had strayed, including Bump Blomberg and vocalist Jessica Schwartzbauer. Sadly, it would be the last time the original lineup would play together. Schwartzbauer and her two children were tragically murdered by her estranged husband in 2003, shortly before another reunion concert was to take place at the Cabooze. Over the next several years, the band played occasional reunion shows. But in 2011 tragedy struck again. Drummer, vocalist, songwriter and founding member Steve Rummler died of an accidental overdose after struggling for years with chronic pain. 

 

The Gooneybirds continue to play a few times a year. Blomberg is busy writing and recording new music with his duo Pushing Chain. Collins plays regularly with Kung Fu Hippies, Momentary Lapse of Floyd and other local outfits. Ryder and Caritas mostly drink good craft beer and watch baseball or live music.

 

See you at the next Gooneybirds show!