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The Schnebelens, Nick (31, guitar and vocals), Kris (29, drums and vocals), and Danielle (27, bass and vocals) are imbued with a profound sense of the traditions that underpin ancestry, place and music. Together they comprise Trampled Under Foot (TUF), a “rockin’ blues family, spreading their blues experience.”
Music was a pervasive presence around the Schnebelen home which was often taken over as a rehearsal space and the siblings have been playing it for as long as they can remember. In fact, music has flowed through their bloodlines for three generations including a great aunt and uncle who were in a mandolin/classical guitar ensemble in the 1910s and their parents who were members of the celebrated Kansas City, Missouri blues band, Little Eva & the Works during the 1990s. “It’s something we’ve always been a part of in Kansas City with its strong blues presence,” remarks Kris. “It’s always been a part of our lives.” Or, as Danielle likes to put it, “We were listening to Muddy Waters from the womb.”
Considered one of Kansas City’s musical treasures, Danielle has been a familiar voice on the local blues scene with Fresh Brew, The Nortons and Rush Hour Rendezvous. More adventurous by nature, brother Nick headed east when he was 18 to Philadelphia. He played in many of the blues and rock clubs in New York City, toured the East Coast with the high energy blues band Killing Floor and travelled much of the US during a brief stint with the New York City pop band Buddahead.
Sometime in late 2002, Nick, Kris and Danielle formed Trampled Under Foot. A crowd-wowing mix of individual voice and harmonies, a tight rhythm section undoubtedly stitched together by a DNA double helix, killer guitar chops and unmatched family stage chemistry, they quickly amassed a strong fan base.
Their break through arrived when they beat out 98 bands from 36 states and 10 countries to take top honours at the 2008 International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Tennessee and Nick won the Albert King Award for most promising guitarist.
TUF capitalized on the win securing performance slots at major festivals around the world and on the Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise. They also added two critically acclaimed CDs to their discography, May I Be Excused (2008) and Wrong Side of the Blues (2011). Notable for convincing original content and for covering the full gamut of blues styles from Delta hill stompers and slow tearjerkers to gospel and Texas rockers they position TUF at the forefront of the next generation of blues stars.
Even though the emotional euphoria of recent events has yet to ebb, TUF is ever mindful of their debt to family, Kansas City and loyal fans. Maintaining the integrity of that heritage rides on every performance that they give. “It’s about quality music, quality shows. There’s always gonna be a market for that if you work hard and bust your butt and work on the show,” concludes Kris. “It’s a very honest exchange between the people and the music. You can’t really fake that.” www.tufkc.com
Ken Wright
