Bringing Back Rock & Roll: Lords of Van Buren

Lords of Van Buren bassist Randy Bush Chopper Johns, April 2023. Photo used by permissionPhoto byLords of Van Buren

Rock band Lords of Van Buren is the kind of band that brings memories of the 1980s Phoenix music scene, offering original music that makes people happy. Lords of Van Buren’s music is described as “a mix of punk and pop in the vein of Clash and the Foo-Fighters.” The band started life in Phoenix as Saints of Van Buren, and played their first gig with the new name this past April at Chopper John’s.

Meet the Band

Lords of Van Buren lead vocalist and guitarist Louis Lashes at Chopper Johns, April 2023. Photo used by permissionPhoto byLords of Van Buren

Louis Lashes, lead guitarist and lead vocalist, was born in downtown Phoenix, was raised on the west side, and now lives in Central Phoenix. Lashes’ musical influences include the New York Dolls, the Raspberries, and Lester Bangs, as well as the girl groups of the 1960s, UK Glitter, and UK and New York punk of the 1970s. Lashes says, “Although Brian Wilson and Prince are my musical heroes, their influence isn't reflected in the songs I write.” When he’s not writing music, Lashes spends his time reading, taking photographs, and writing stories about the funny experiences and sad times he’s had. Lashes jokes that the epitome of his musical life would be “any gig where I'm not booed off the stage and/or pelted with rotting vegetables. Or worse.” Right now, he says, he’s “just kinda living in the now. For now. Living in the moment, for the moment.”

Lords of Van Buren guitarist Harry McCaleb (in the foreground) at Chopper Johns, April 2023. Photo used by permissionPhoto byLords of Van Buren

Guitarist Harry McCaleb is a rock veteran, having played in Algebra Ranch, Undertow, and Crushed, as well as recently stepping in to play with legendary Arizona band Gentlemen Afterdark, opening for Modern English at Wild Horse Pass Casino on May 26. In his Tucson Weekly column, Tucson Salvage, Gentlemen Afterdark frontman Brian Smith describes McCaleb as “…quiet, and funny when he opens his mouth…one of those guys who seems to see all, know all, and say little.”

Lords of Van Buren drummer Rich Contadino Chopper Johns, April 2023. Photo used by permissionPhoto byLords of Van Buren

Bandmate and drummer Rich Contadino says that he and McCaleb “go way back,” and have formed eight bands together over the years. Undertow was one of those bands. Contadino has experimented with music from just about every genre; from reggae to metal. A sampling of the bands he has been a part of include The Eccentrics (with Randy Bush), Gentleman After Dark, Jagged Rocks, Tijuana Bullfight, Invisible Humans, and Tiki Creeps. A Cincinnati native who grew up in Phoenix, Contadino listens to all kinds of music, including pop, rock, metal, fusion jazz, and classical. He says that the first time the drums came to his attention was when he heard the sound of a kick drum which “came blasting through the radio by a band called Kansas.” When not playing the drums, Contadino enjoys creating art and music with his ‘beautiful wife and two amazing daughters.”

When long-time Phoenix bass player and “old-school Phoenix rock royalty” Randy Bush (pictured at the top of this story) became the newest member of Lords of Van Buren six months ago, he was already very busy. When he isn’t working at the Phoenix Veterans Affairs (VA) hospital, he is playing in 80s tribute band Hair Daze with some of Arizona’s best musicians, writing music for his three musician daughters, and working on projects with his oldest daughter, Eva Bush, whose band Dodge the Caravan has garnered some label interest. Bush himself has been part of the music scene in Phoenix for decades. The Tucson native went to high school with Rich Contadino, where the two played together in The Eccentrics. As bassist for local legends Rip N Tear with the late Jim Seagrave, Bush graced Phoenix stages from the iconic Mason Jar on the east side to Rockers on the west, as well as the Troubador in Hollywood, California. During the 2000s, Bush played in hard rock band Souldriver who released two CDs.

Eva Bush, lead vocalist of Dodge the Caravan. Photo used by permissionPhoto byRandy Bush

What’s next?

Where would the members of Lords of Van Buren like to take their talents beyond going out and having fun, playing lots of shows, writing new music, and making people happy? Well, in the words of Rich Contadino, “a massive European music festival -- that would be special.”

Louis Lashes invites everyone to come to a Lords of Van Buren gig and ‘Let [us] entertain you,’ as the song goes.” Rock fans will get that opportunity come Friday, October 13, when the band will be joining the lineup at the Starlite Lounge at 4346 West Olive Avenue in Glendale.

Book Lords of Van Buren at your venue!

Lords of Van Buren are looking for new places to play. The best way to contact them to book a show is through their Facebook page.

Mark your calendars today!

• WHO: Lords of Van Buren
• WHAT: in concert with five other great Phoenix bands (including Dodge the Caravan)
• WHEN: Friday, October 13 at 7:00 p.m.
• WHERE: Starlite Lounge, 4346 W Olive Ave, Glendale, AZ 85302
• COST: $10 cover