A billion ernies

A Billion Ernies is hardcore ska band from Hemet, California. Started in 2001 by high school friends, they are now part of the record label Community Records, based out of New Orleans, Louisiana. Throughout the years they have changed line ups a few times, but currently are a 5 piece band. Original members include Bryan Stone (drums), Bryan Leavelle (bass) and Ryan Leavelle (guitar/vocals). Additional current members are Andrew Leavelle (trumpet), and David Wall (saxophone). They have recorded and released 3 full albums, but their most recent is Dumpster Generation (2009) on Community Records. During the years of 2005-2009 they have been on 5 US Tours, and 1 tour of the UK (2006).
History
A Billion Ernies began in 2001 as a high school talent show project. Their original singer (Johnny Contreras) asked his friends to join him in creating a ska band for the talent show. Their talent won over the judges and they ended up winning the whole talent show. This led them to write more songs, and give the band a real shot. They wrote their first album The Robot Said Courage in 2002, but recorded and added more songs to create their first released album, Please Do Not Reveal The Ending (2002). After this, their lead singer Johnny, left the band, and Ryan Leavelle became the lead singer and vocalist.
Their next album, Stop Calling Us Ska, was released in 2005 on Snapdragon Records and was sold worldwide. Critics described the album "pure undiluted chaos mixed with a haunting beauty that is instantly attracting." . After a couple of US Tours the band decided to take a break and focus on finishing school, and marriages.
In 2008, they got a calling to start the band up again and treat the band as a full time job. They wrote a brand new album, Dumpster Generation, and released it on the up and coming label, Community Records, based our of New Orleans, Louisiana who also has bands such as Stuck Lucky, The Flaming Tsunamis, and Fatter Than Albert. In 2009 the album was released and 3 US tours shortly followed.
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