- Leon & The Forklifts
Leon and The Forklifts is an American band that played in and around Western New York from 1998-2007, best-known for hits like "American Music"(
2000 ), "BlueBird Street"(1999 ) and "New Jazz Fool"(2001 ).Band Members
Mike Bongiovanni - Lead Vocals
Matt Schneider - Lead Guitar
'Wild' Bill Wachowiak - Percussion/Drums
Jeff Cooke - Bass
"Rotating / Previous Members include:"
Fritz The Kat - Harmonica
Jason 'Jay' Ditley - Bass
Eric Murray - Bass
Discography
Leon in the Basement: Album Release-1998
Where's Leon?: Album Release-2001
History
The group, initially located in Buffalo,
New York , started as a four piece Blues band led byvocalist Mike Bongiovanni with Matt Schneider, Bill Wachowiak and Fritz The Kat. Fritz the Kat was currently playing with another Buffalo band namedSchwannoma , when approached by Mike Bongiovanni to possibly put together the band and play some local gigs.Leon and the Forklifts made their first appearance on October 23, 1998 at a local coffee shop on Main Street in Buffalo, New York on open mic night. The band was approached by a booking agent for
Nietzsche's , [http://www.nietzsches.com] , Buffalo's Legendary Music Hotspot, on Allen Street.The band began to make a name for itself, so the articles were written, "Always fair dressed in suits,' "lovin the ironing board keyboard stand," "the spinning bass, jumpin from amp to amp..." -
The Buffalo News - The Gusto,Artvoice Magazine ...Leon and The Forklifts became the regular booked house band for McGarrett's (formerly Heenans's - Elmwood Avenue and Bidwell) (
2001 ), The Calumet and Big Shotz (Chippewa Street) (2003 ).Leon and The Forklifts shared the stage with a great number of local and national acts - including, Michael Cisvca, Freddy "King" Cole, The Mighty Blue Kings, The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Rhubarb, Bob Weir, The Rusty Nails -
Thursday at the Square (1999 ), The Outer Circle Orchestra and The Benny Goodman Orchestra (Mayor's Ball, 2003).
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