Me Like Bees

Who knew that little Joplin, Missouri, could produce a band that stood out among thousands of entrants and emerged as the victor in the 2013 Ernie Ball Warped Tour Battle of the Bands in Hollywood?

Take just one listen to Me Like Bees and you will immediately understand why. This indie rock/alternative band from southwest Missouri creates music that is fun, funky and upbeat.

I was lucky to get the chance to hear them play last weekend at the Blackthorn in Joplin, a fun little Irish pub that showcases local bands on a teeny tiny stage (there are plans in the works to build a bigger stage in an adjacent part of the bar). We got there early so that we could grab a bite to eat (the pizza was delicious) and to get a good spot for the show.

Another Joplin band called Sardis opened the show with their heavy metal music (there was some excellent big hair and head banging going on!).

Then Me Like Bees took to the stage with Luke Sheafer (lead vocals/guitar), Pete Burton (lead guitar), Nick Bynum (bass), and Timothy Cote (drums).  Luke Sheafer’s smooth, rich vocals drew me into the music and the funky bass and crisp drumbeat kept my feet tapping.

A few songs into their set, a man behind me (who apparently hadn’t come to the bar to hear the band) asked me what the band’s name was and where they were from. When I told him, he raised his eyebrows and said, “Wow! They’re really professional.”

It’s true. In addition to having good lyrics and a catchy beat, the band has that certain “something” that captivates audiences and creates immediate fans. Maybe it’s Luke Sheafer’s amazingly-executed hair flip (he really does have enviable hair) or the fact that all the band members appeared to be really enjoying their time on the stage, connecting with the music and with their fans.

And speaking of fans, the Blackthorn was packed with them. They were a fun bunch, dancing and singing along with the band and never getting too rowdy.

Two songs that Me Like Bees performed that night stood out to me. One was their alternative version of “Say My Name,” a Destiny’s Child song, and the other was “Naked Trees” with its catchy chorus (Loup! Le loup! Le loup! Le loup!). Click here to listen for yourself.

After hearing the band at Blackthorn, I looked up the lyrics for their songs. I discovered that “le loup” means “wolf” in French, and the wolf in “Naked Trees” is THE tornado and Joplin citizens are the little piggies (like from the centuries-old fable “The Three Little Pigs”):

For by the hair of our collective chin
Lord knows it wasn’t we who let it in

Pretty powerful stuff.

The money raised from the band’s performance at the Blackthorn last week was going to be used as gas money for their trip to Austin, Texas, where they will be performing in SXSW (South by Southwest). That’s right – this little band from Joplin is going to perform with some of the most talented bands in the country at one of the biggest and most popular music events of the year. Pretty amazing, isn’t it?

Next time Me Like Bees is in Joplin, make a point to see them. With their powerful lyrics and rich talent, they will go far.

Photos by Travis Smith.

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This article was commissioned by the Joplin CVB, however the opinions expressed are purely my own. The purpose of Joplin MO Life is to highlight all the best that our area has to offer, and when an article is written about a restaurant, business, attraction, or event, it is because I have had an enjoyable experience and want to share it with others.

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Living Life to The Fullest!

I love seeking out new experiences and finding places off the beaten path. I started Joplin MO Life in August 2013 as a way to share my discoveries with others in the Joplin community so that they can learn about the resources that exist right in their own backyards.

I have worked in education and event planning, and have always loved to write. I hold a master's degree in journalism from the University of Oklahoma and a bachelor's degree in marketing from Tulane University.