February 2005's Band Of
The Month
From left to right: Christian (bass), Mike (guitar),
Kip (drums), & Jason (guitar/vocals)
This high-energy melodic rock group from Omaha, NE will blow
you away. They have recorded a CD entitled "West of Wendover" which
you can buy from www.interpunk.com
for $5, which is a definite bargin.
Kip and Jason first got together in the summer of 98'.
They played in a couple bands before they eventually added Mike (2001), and
then a little later...Christian (June 2004). They have played many many gigs
together and continue to be a favorite amongst the great people of Nebraska.
The band is made up of the following members; Christian
Skirmont, the bands 4th bass player; Mike Torres, the electrifying guitarist;
Kip Marshall, the ass kicking drummer; and Jason Struebing, the double
threat as the bands other guitarist and lead vocalist.
Each one bringing their own unique abilities to this increasingly popular
band.
Jason has been playing the guitar since he was 14, and
pretty much taught himself. He has been in 3 bands, the first of which
had no drummer, the 2nd was with Kip doing Metallica covers and the most
recent being Haven 21.
Kip started out playing the snare drum in 6th grade.
Christmas of 1997 he received his first drum set, it was a Ludwig Rocker.
He played drums in jazz band and swing choir in 8th grade, and continued to
play precussion for the school band in high school. In 1998 he got
together with Jason and they played in a couple bands before adding Mike and
Christian to form Haven 21.
When Mike was 16 he worked as a grocery bagger. He
saved up the money he earned to buy his first guitar. For the first
couple years, he only knew power chords. He got bored with that, and
decided to learn scales and the actual notes he was playing. Years
later, he still doesn't know what the hell he's playing. He joined
Haven 21 in 2001.
Christian joined Haven 21 in June of 2004, as the bands 4th
bass player. He has been in many bands. He started playing bass,
then switched to guitar for a few months, and then back to bass. He
claims that even though people say he is a good bass player, that he has
everyone fooled. He says he's just like Ahslee Simpson, cuz he has a
back track playing when the band performs.
To learn more about Haven 21 visit their official
website at www.haven21.com.
