Interview with Shawn and The Marauders

Who: Shawn and the Marauders
What: Rock and funk band in concert / Masquerade party
Where: The First National Bar, W. Center St., Pocatello ID
When: Saturday, September 18, 2010. 8:00 p.m.

Shawn and the Marauders are an up-and-coming, Pocatello-based rock, folk and funk group. Lead by guitarist, singer and songwriter Shawn Barnby and backed by a two-piece rhythm section, this will be the go-to band for rock concerts in the area. I recently caught up with bassist James "Bird" McCoy (who, by the way, has an incredibly sexy deep voice on the phone. Just sayin') to find out more about the band.

SLG: Describe your genre of music in as much detail as you like. Maybe list your three best crowd-pleasing songs? Can you explain in what way do you most appeal to your fans?

JM: We call it "Americana," a blend of folk rock, southern style, pop, rock & roll, blues, hip-hop and funk.

3 crowd favorites are: "Scarface" a tribute to the 90's gangsta rap artist, "Hot Corn Cold Corn" a beefed-up folk song about moonshining, and "Hoodrat Love" a groovy, 70's pop inspired arrangement about a hot girl who's playing hard-to-get.

Our songs generally encompass a variety of more "adult" material; mainly sex, booze, being naughty, talking smack, getting in trouble etc.

SLG: Band member first and last names / instruments. How long has this line-up been together?

JM: Shawn Barnby (vocals/guitar), Casey Johnson (drums), James "Bird" McCoy (bass)

Front man, Shawn Barnby, is a very unique and captivating entertainer. Bass player, James "Bird" McCoy, and drummer, Casy Johnson, bring an undeniable blend of classic and contemporary - LIVE- funk, rock and hard bumping dance grooves.

Casey and I have been developing our rhythm section for a long time before this band started. We've backed several local artists prior to Shawn and The Marauders' birth.
Shawn had been an amateur solo acoustic artist in Pocatello for a couple of years before Casey and I recruited him in April 2010 to do a full band show with us. Together, so far, we've developed mostly Shawn's original acoustic songs into a full blown power trio performance.

SLG: Past shows or venues you'd like to brag about? Past or future shows in the Pocatello area?

JM: We've performed multiple times at Flips!de Lounge, First National Bar, Hooligans, Pie Hole, Bull Moose Lodge in Alpine, Timberline in Victor/Driggs, Lakeside lodge in Island Park, Oasis Bar in Twin Falls, Road to Hempfest tour 2010 at The Point After in Salt Lake City, Portneuff Valley Farmers' Market, Old Town Pocatello, The Wild Hare Festival 2010, and many, many private engagements.

We are available anywhere if we can afford to pay for the trip.

SLG: Recordings?

JM: We have some recordings posted on Facebook and Myspace.

Our recordings were provided by Joe Hunt of Greyhouse Effect.

SLG: Describe this particular show. What can people expect if they come to this show?

JM: We promise at least 3 hours of solid, original rock, pop, and dance music to get 'em dancing and keep 'em celebrating all night... And we do it with a professional attitude.

Although our music is all original, the sounds are all very familiar to people who are used to hearing cover songs. We draw on influences from what we believe are "everyone's" favorite popular songs from the last 50 or 60 years. We don't pay much attention to modern country music however, I have to admit. But everything else goes into the mix!

SLG: What do you think is the best way to get your music out there?

JM: It is our intention to become the most sought after original rock band in this region, and we do that by delivering an authentic, original and dynamic show, strictly for people who want to have fun and get their groove on.

TBA Magazine's September issue features an interview with Shawn and the Marauders, and it has the specifics about the Masquerade Party on September 18th.

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