Introducing The Futuros!

This marks the FIRST interview of a band featured during the “Bootsy’s Band” segment of The Basement Tapes with Nick and Bootsy. This week, I’m introducing The Futuros. The Futuros are a 3-piece Retro Pop/Garage band hailing from Virginia Beach, Virginia. Their original music is a blend of heavy open string guitar driven power chords, jumping bass lines and smooth, sultry drumming. Add to that a pinch of sarcastic, somewhat wry lyrics with good old-fashioned storytelling, wrap it in a 3-minute pop song format and you have the recipe for the Futuros sound! 

I played the following three songs by the band on Show #572:

• I Am George Bailey
• Hot Rod
• Disposable World

I caught up with Jon Schaier, lead vocalist and songwriter for The Futuros and asked him a few questions about the band. I’m sharing his answers here so that you, our listeners, can get to know one of the bands I’ve chosen to feature on Bootsy’s Band. Introducing, The Futuros:

Who are the band members and where are they from?

Gordon Degges on drums has been playing drums for the Futuros since its inception in 2013. Originally from Maryland, Gordon moved to Michigan while in high school and now resides in Virginia Beach. An accomplished longtime drummer and car enthusiast, Gordon has played with many local Virginia Beach musicians/bands before taking a seat behind the kit for the Futuros. His drumming style is reminiscent of Charlie Watts which adds the perfect measure of control that helps keep the band from going off the rails. Also, he looks good in sunglasses!

Greg Baumgartner on bass and vocals is a bass player’s bass player, Greg is the man with the deep voice and killer chops. Originally from Florida, Greg played in Austin Texas for 30 years where he assembled quite an impressive musical resume. Among his many musical credits, Greg played with a traditional Irish music ensemble, an Americana-Country band and had the honor of warming up for Arron Neville. He also had the pleasure of touring with Johnny Solinger (from Skid Row fame) before Solinger’s untimely death. Gregg currently lives in Yorktown, Virginia and is also an accomplished graphic designer. Greg does all the artwork for the Futuros and like Gordon, also looks good in sunglasses!

Jon Schaier, guitar and vocals is the lead vocalist and songwriter for the Futuros. Jon is originally from Long Island, NY. He grew up playing in many bands before moving to Virginia Beach to open his private practice in 1992. He has an extensive history of writing and recording music and had the opportunity to showcase before several major record labels before choosing his career path as a chiropractor. A past member of Nashville Songwriters Association International, Jon is an avid songwriter and guitar player. His lyric oriented song writing makes for a perfect fit with the dark, grungy high energy sound of the Futuros. He also looks good in Sunglasses (But not as good as Gordon and Greg!).

How/when/where did the band get together? 

The Futuros first began as a band in 2013 in Gordon’s Virginia Beach garag as a four-piece rockabilly cover band with a love of 50’s style rock and roll. Bobby Humphries, guitar player and original founding member of the Futuros, switched over to bass after the original bass player left the band due to family commitments. Since then, the Futuros have marched forward as a trio. Due to Humphries’ urging the band to play more original tunes, the Futuros slowly evolved into a mostly original retro pop band, and never looked back. Bobby, who was an integral part of helping develop Futuros sound, left the band in 2020 when he relocated to Florida, leaving a big hole to be filled. As luck would have it The Futuros were blessed to find bass player Greg Bumgardner. Greg brought a whole new dimension to the band with his deep gravelly voice and proficiency on the bass. Their influences are eclectic and include the likes of The Velvet Underground, Del Shannon, DADA, Elvis Costello, The Ramones, Bruce Springsteen, The Good Rats, The Animals, just to name a few.

They released their first EP “Disposable World” in 2019 and recently released their second EP “Too Late For Rock And Roll” in 2022. They have enjoyed some airplay on independent radio and have recently had their song “I Am George Bailey” featured on NPR’s “Out Of The Box”.. They are currently nominated in Veer Magazines 2023 music awards for best indie/pop song (“She Don’t Like It”) as well as best posed band photography by band member Greg Bumgardner.

What are your plans for the future?

Having just completed recording, the band is busy rehearsing in preparation of playing live again. They plan to be back in the studio this summer and are always evolving their sound. 

How can our readers hear your music?

Their music can be found on Spotify, YouTube and their Facebook page.

You can hear The Futuros on Show #572 of The Basement Tapes with Nick and Bootsy. We hope you listen to the whole show, but you can skip to The Futuros tunes around 16:36.

[powerpress]