Ancient Elephant
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Ancient Elephant

Sandusky, Ohio, United States | Established. Jan 01, 2013

Sandusky, Ohio, United States
Established on Jan, 2013
Band Alternative Hip Hop

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"Michelle's Music presents: Ancient Elephant"

you combine raw talent, ambition and determination with humility and spirit, you get Ancient Elephant.

Consisting of Christon Schadwil on vocals, Levi Ferguson on rhythm guitar, Anthony Guerra on bass, Justin DeMoss on drums and Kevin Bechtol on lead guitar, Ancient Elephant is reggae influenced rock band, dually based in Fremont and Sandusky.

Although most of the members have been musically inclined since childhood, several had been dormant for some time prior to Ancient Elephant.


The band formed just over a year ago, catalyzing from Schadwil participating in 95.3 WLKR’s March Madness Battle of the Bands in the beginning of 2014. Upon winning that contest, Schadwil decided to pursue a non-solo musical endeavor.

"I won the battle, so I needed a band," Schadwil laughed, describing the beginning of the band.

Through prior music projects, friendships and work associations, Ancient Elephant fell together eloquently, although the picture perfect puzzle wasn’t complete until just a few short months ago, when the band made their final line-up changing in adding Guerra on the bass.

Once the Ancients had risen, they stampeded full force into the area’s music scene.

Ancient Elephant produces a one of a kind sound, seamlessly twisting a mix of reggae with R&B, then incorporating subtle aspects of alternative and psychedelic rock, comparable to that of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Sublime and even Jimi Hendrix.

"Usually one person just plays something random and everyone kind of chimes in," Ferguson said on the band's writing process. "Christon will see how the song feels and sort of orchestrate what goes where."

The soothing, yet exhilarating melodies pair perfectly with the springy beats and flawlessly entwine with the powerful, emotionally fueled lyrics, which touch base on subjects such as love, tragedy, relatable life experiences and family.

The combined elements create quintessential music to the highest degree.

For the past year, Ancient Elephant has been been diligently working on their first album, which is project to be released in late summer. Along with countless hours in the studio, the band has been gaining reputation that precedes them through vigorously playing shows around Northern Ohio, from small bars to historic concert venues.

It was their unrelenting enthusiasm that led them to win the Scott Gast Memorial Battle of the Bands, resulting in them getting to open up for Puddle of Mudd, to kick off Ohio Bike Week.

"It was an overwhelming sense of warmth," Guerra said on the experience as a whole.

Upcoming performances include the Tiffin Music and Art Fest on June 12, State Room Sessions at the Sandusky State Theatre on July 10 and Nocturnal Frequency at Coyote Groove on July 17.

To keep up to date with show and news announcements for the band visit their Facebook at facebook.com/ancientelephant, or Twitter using the handle @RiseofAncients.

There's no doubt that Ancient Elephant is on the fast track in making it big in the music industry. They possess key elements needed to succeed, including talent, professionalism, motivation, ambition and much more.

"We do it because we love it," Ferguson said with a smile. - Sandusky Register


"State Room Sessions"

Together for close to a year, “Ancient Elephant” has done shows at: Main Street Tavern Huron, Howard’s BG, The Strand Fremont, and most recently Winners of the “Scott Gast Memorial Battle of the Bands” at the Barrel House Saloon in Sandusky, and most recently was the opening band for “Puddle of Mudd” at Mad River during Ohio Bike Week! Look out for the release of their first album “Rise of the Ancients” mid/late summer.

An OCM Production with Dan Hoke - Sandusky State Theatre


"Crystal Towers and band Ancient Elephant to host fundraiser"

Ancient Elephant promoting the first ElephesT. - WTOL NEWS 11


"Crystal Towers and band Ancient Elephant to host fundraiser, part 2"

Ancient Elephant promotes the first ElephesT, part 2 - WTOL NEWS11


Discography

1. Rise of the Ancients
2. Ancient Elephant Live!
3. Straight out the Trunk

Photos

Bio

In 2013 Christon Schadwil submitted his song, “Dr. Jekyll” to 95.3 WLKR’s March Madness Battle of the Bands as a solo artist and won. Ancient Elephant was formed as a result of this battle.

In 2014 Ancient Elephant began playing festivals regularly in the Northwest Ohio area such as Strange Fest, Food for Folks, Annicoustics.

Ancient Elephant has run support and opened for national touring acts such as The Expendables, Hed PE, Tropidelic, Ballyhoo, Bumpin Uglies, Bubba Sparx, Struggle Jennings, and Puddle of Mudd. 

The band started their own music festival ElephesT in 2017, in which all profits were donated to Crystal Towers Women's & Children’s Shelter and Food for Folks charities. The event returned again in 2018 with Tropidelic headlining ElephesT2. In 2019, ElephesT brought in Ohio Burn Unit and Of Good Nature along with other great local acts from around Ohio. 

Also in 2019, Ancient Elephant took their first steps to bigger name festivals starting with Spring Badfish at NLQP, and The Freakstomp Music Festival! 



Recently the band has expanded I to an 8 piece, adding keys, saxophone and a DJ. In addition to recording new music with their producer, Bishop, out of Voracity studios in Cleveland.

Band Members