Joe “Joe-Bob” Sawasky
Vocals, Percussion & Other Assorted Noise Makers
Joe-Bob is the son of a grizzled tugboat captain, who was once in charge of dredging the Great Black Swamp in South Detroit and the muddy Maumee River near Michigan's rightful possession, Toledo, OH.
His musical journey began when his friend, JP, heard him banging on pots and pans and singing way too loudly in the kitchen of Luna Pier’s Chateau Louise restaurant, where they both worked as little as possible. JP, a bass player, taught Joe-Bob to play drums on an old Beatles-era kit, and they formed a hard-gigging high school three-piece, heavy metal band in the late 70s.
Joe-Bob met the love of his life on the high school dance gig circuit, proving that torrid groupie relationships can indeed last, despite what people say.
Joe-Bob and JP have been in many bands together throughout their lives, including the Midwest's greatest over-50 classic rock garage band, Wyatt Trash (incredibly, this band has an actual child named after it, for reasons that are still sealed under court order).
Joe-Bob has been unchained from the drums to serve as front man for Black Swamp Revival and sometimes stops talking and sipping Jack Daniels long enough to belt a song out. His bad influences include Aerosmith's Steven Tyler, Neil Diamond, Molly Hatchet's Danny Joe Brown and The Who's Roger Daltrey.
He says, “Southern Rock will surely rise again through Black Swamp Revival, deep in the heart of Southern Michigan!”
Joe “Hawk” Hawkins
Guitars, Vocals & A Deep Sense of Personal Belonging
Hawk was born to a coal miner from Kildav, KY, a spot so deep in the holler and so small you can’t even cuss a cat without gettin’ a mouthful of fur. He was raised with Southern Baptist roots so strong in Bluegrass & Gospel, he didn’t just say his prayers—he syncopated them.
Legend has it, Hawk didn't want a pacifier; he’d spit 'em out and scream until they handed him a glass medicine bottle to use as a slide. His dad finally started teaching him the guitar when he was eight years old—mostly just to give the boy something to do besides trying to tune the screen door! Fifty-one years later, Hawk is still "trying to learn." His biggest musical influences were his parents, Gary Moore, SRV, and JP.
A USMC veteran who says, “I’m just a little less mean and a lot less lean!”
John “JP” Pauli
Bass Guitar, Vocals & Comic Relief
JP was born in the wagon of a traveling show, and his momma used to dance for the money they’d throw. His poppa would do whatever he could, including driving his high school band to Fat Daryl’s for some epic gigs at U.T.’s Student Union! Back in those days the band got 50 bucks and all the Three-Two Beer and greasy Pepperoni Pizza they could consume!
His parents exposed him to Jazz, Swing, and Country, (fortunately that was all they exposed him to!) but it was his oldest sister who corrupted him with Rock ‘n Roll!
He picked up the drums at 10, the guitar at 12, and switched to bass at 15 and never looked back! Influenced by everything from the British Invasion to the Blues, JP remains the only thing standing between this band and total rhythmic collapse.
Gary “Gary” Benore
Drums, Vocals & a Bag of Chips
Born long, long ago, in a galaxy far, far away (Ohio), the designated Tub Thumper for Black Swamp Revival, known as "Gary" brings a variety of musical experiences to his stage shows.
These experiences may or may not include begging his friends for bail money. But they most surely include southern rock, hard rock, soft rock, jazz, and 19th Century Prussian Marching Bands.
For a drummer, Gary B is surprisingly literate, having once finished the first three pages of a book. And although he can't remember which book it was, he's convinced himself it was worth the two weeks of effort.
Gary B anchors the heartbeat of BSR despite his lack of talent, his total lack of good looks, and his determination to play while drunk. His rabid fans are in fact, mostly rabid.
His personal motto is, “I don’t follow the beat; I’m just giving it a head start!”