Artist History An old vaudeville line’s goes "Will it play in Peoria?" If it plays there it will play anywhere. Taxi War Dance is a modern day definition of that line. The founder of Taxi War Dance, Bela McKnight, has been called a guitar prodigy since he can remember. You could say Bela was born with music in his blood, as both his father & grandfather were musicians. His father took him to his first concert, a Kiss show, when he was one year old and that experience was to mold him for life. Bela’s father, know as Big B. gave him his first guitar when he was young. Bela taught himself to play in an effort to impress his father and grandfather. He played in various bands since grade school. Taxi War Dance was born in 1991 when Bela met Fish, the bass player, at a concert. They assembled a band, recorded, and released their debut self-titled record in 1994, shortly after the records release the band’s singer moved. They began searching out a new vocalist. Bela and Fish discovered Jeff Talbert at open mic in 1995. When the drummer left the band local drummer Skinny was asked to join in 1996. The reformed band entered the studio in 1996 and recorded “Theory”. They took their new record to the Peoria radio station WWCT (ROCK 106) and played it for the music director radio. He said he would give the song “Blind” a couple to spins and get some feedback for the band. The song garnered such great feedback it was added. The second single, I’m Gone was received significant airplay. Taxi War Dance set up own distribution system by working closely with Co-op records throughout the Midwest. Based on the airplay, the band made the decision to rent the Expo Gardens for a record release show. The show sold out. Coincidently, one of the opening bands was Mudvayne, who was performing one of their first shows. The band spent the next year touring in support of the record. Their third self-released LP "Happily Angry" was released in 1999. It ranked in the top ten selling records in Peoria and the surrounding area. “Happily Angry” was selling more records than Fear Factory, System of a Down, Busta Rhymes and TLC in the area. It gave us the singles, “frustration”, “sugar man”, and “inner needs”. All of which received airplay on ROCK 106. This time TWD needed an even larger venue to stage their record release show. They decided to rent the Madison Theater (the legendary vaudeville house) in downtown Peoria. The show sold out. There were 1500 kids doing the war dance. Taxi War Dance became known for their high-energy live show and their fan’s infamous “war dance”. Their fan base has continued to quietly grow. They have quickly became one of the top drawing unsigned live acts in the Midwest. The band tours continuously and has shared the stage with several national acts. Taxi War Dance is currently recording their fourth LP. The record is being recorded at SR Audio in Des Moines, IA. with the studio and production team responsible for the first Slipknot, record. The album is scheduled for release in the March of 2002. For More Information: 21st Century Management- Michael D. Ryan P.O. Box 12128 Chicago, IL 60612 Tel. (312) 666 5827 Fax (312) 666 5829

Location Peoria, IL - USA

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