Shark Bandit

Shark Bandit started up in Fall of 2008 when Conner Buenting and Casey Pride decided they wanted to start up a new band. They had briefly played together in a couple other small projects, and knew that they clicked as musicians. Soon, auditions were held for lead guitar and bass slots. Jake Bates was selected right away as the bass player, and soon after that, Phil Martin was selected to play lead guitar and sing backing vocals. Within days of playing together, they had written the song "Worst Timing in History," which they recorded and sent out to local venues in the hope of booking shows. The first Shark Bandit show was held at the Iron Post, where over 80 people came to see them play. Shark Bandit has quickly made a name for itself in the Champaign-Urbana music scene. After only one year, they wrote and recorded several songs, played about 30 shows around the midwest, won a local and regional battle of the bands, placed third in the Illinois State BOTB Finals, and recently had the opportunity to open for New Found Glory in Milwaukee, WI. With no intention, of slowing down, they are excited to see where the project takes them.