History of the group RAVENS MOON
The RAVENS MOON band was formed in 1992 with Tom "Rainbeau" Keller on bass, Dennis Pesicka on drums and Monte Knippling on guitar. This was the bands Promo photo crom the 1993 tour.
|
The Original RAVENS MOON 1993
|
Story Of Ravens Moon
Ravens Moon performed its first official show in October 1992 at the Silver Dollar Bar in Mandan ND. Formed with former bandmates Dennis Pesicka, who was in Ambush with Monte and Scott "Spud" Schanzenbach. Monte also tapped former bandmate Tom Keller, whom Monte worked with as FUBAR. The band played widely over North and South Dakota in 1992-1993. In early 1994, Tom left the band due to the distance the band lived apart. Mike Rugg was hired to replace Tom, and was the bands new bassist. Late in 1994, Monte hired a lead guitarist and the band was 4 piece. Personal issues flared and the band broke up in January 1995. Monte then rehersed and hired Russ Obego as the bands drummer. In May they began playing gigs mainly in the Reservation curcuit of clubs. Monte hired Gary Antoine of Mission SD as bassist and the Summer of 1995 the band opened for Toby Keith. The band continued to be a success and grow in popularity. Early in 1996, Russell was fired and Dennis Pesicka was rehired, as well as Dennis Nurnberg to replace Gary who left when Russ was fired. After a short time Clint Ducheneaux was hired as full time bassist, as Dennis had another gig at the time. In early 1997 Dennis Pesicka was fired and Travis Wingate was hired to replace him. Travis was only available part time so several fill in drummers worked with the band in 1998. Rob Miller was with the band full time for the end of 1998. In the Spring of 1999, Monte hired Travis Wingate full time and the band quickly became one of the best sounding acts around. The lineup opened for Zwarte that Summer with a dynamite live show, and grew in popularity. That fall Clint left the group due to personal conflicts, and Monte hired Shawn Fontonelle as the new bassist. The band continued to stay busy all over South and North Dakota, although Travis had conflicts often with his job that required a few guest drummers from show to show. Shawn began to have personal troubles with a girlfriend and the band again shut down for a time in late 2000 and Monte joined another local band, Hocus Pocus. After about a year that band quit and Monte joined Stiff Richard, another local band. In early late 2001 Monte quit the Richards and reformed the Ravens Moon band, with Dennis Nurnberg and John Schmidt on drums. In mid 2002, Monte hired present drummer Neil Anthony and that lineup continued until Mayof 2003, when Monte and Neil joined Midnite Hiway with Jim Isburg. This group opened countless professional shows for national acts and ruled the local club scene until Jim retired in August of 2004. Monte and Neil found former Midnite Hiway bassist Victor Nemec available and reformed Raven's Moon yet again. The group sounds stronger and better now than ever before.
|
Raven'sMoon Ltd
PO Box 145
Gann Valley SD 57341 605-293-3247
My Email address is:
my home e-mail
|
|
