School Bus Yellow is a four-piece jam-funk-reggae band originating from upstate New York. This band does it all on their own. Since their first show on New Year's Eve 2004, they have toured all over the Northeast, spreading the music and the SBY name to as many listeners as possible. They establish a new fan base in each city or town they roll into, making this band known to promoters as one of the heaviest-touring and hardest-working bands in the region.
Regional attention has gotten SBY noticed by Relix magazine. Relix has helped give the band national exposure, both in their “On the Rise” section and in a promo in the 2005 Jammy Awards program.
The band has developed a great relationship with many venues. In their short history, SBY has played 150+ shows at various venues across the Northeast, including dates at prominent clubs like the Paradise Rock Club in Boston, the Lion's Den and the Knitting Factory in New York City, and Nectar’s and Higher Ground in Burlington. One venue to highlight is Revolution Hall in Troy, New York, where SBY has made a lasting impression on both managers and promoters. SBY has been playing at this 800-capacity music hall since their start.
In the 2005 festival season, School Bus Yellow was welcomed at Camp Creek, Nugroove, Camp Reggae, Stonehenge Music Festival, and Saranac Brewery’s Fall Festival. Playing in front of large festival crowds, sharing the stage with bands like Umphrey's McGee, Soulive, Max Creek, Perpetual Groove, The Breakfast, the Benevento Russo Duo, Brothers Past, and RAQ, has dramatically broadened their fan base.
SBY has had the privilege of opening for the Wailers three times, as well as international acts like Third World, and numerous national acts such as Donna The Buffalo, Max Creek, Bernie Worrell and the Woo Warriors, Strangefolk, Addison Groove Project, John Brown’s Body, Jennifer Hartswick Band, Seth Yacavone Band, and many others.
School Bus Yellow's varied influences include Van Morrison, Primus, Jamiroqaui, Pink Floyd and Van Halen, as well as bands more traditional to the scene, like the Grateful Dead, Phish, and moe. The unique vibe that sets SBY apart is the ability to take these influences and cleverly blend them together into an original sound with wide appeal. The band strongly believes that every show should be an opportunity to come together with the fans and enjoy what is the live music experience.
