ABOUT THE BAND
Bringing the nation the best of DMB for over twenty years
Born in the pubs on the north side of Chicago, Trippin' Billies took to the “stages” of small rooms in the mid-nineties as an acoustic duo. It wasn’t long before lines grew too long for the small bars and calls started coming in from around the Midwest. As a result the band was forced to rise to the occasion, and for over twenty years ... they’ve done just that.
Trippin' Billies is comprised of some of Chicago’s absolute best musicians. They go far above-and-beyond the call of the average tribute band. Each band member's love and respect for DMB, their impact, and for high-energy performance has moved them above the "bar band" circuit and into full-blown concert settings. Whether it’s a club in Iowa City, a Hockey arena in North Dakota or a summer festival in Rochester, New York or Lincoln, Nebraska, this band puts on a SHOW that even a casual or non-fan of DMB can revel in.
The TBs tour schedule has come to resemble that of the Dave Matthews Band before their ascension to arena tours. Midsize venues sell out consistently across the country and the famous theatres whose names were once inked on the cover of DMB bootlegs listened to by the band now comprise the tour schedule of Trippin' Billies. The theatres they once approached with awe have now come to feel like home.
Talent buyers need only contact the agent and request Pollstar box office summaries to see the drawing power of Trippin' Billies. Many DMB tributes have come and gone but none have become such a permanent facet of the Dave Matthews Band movement and for that TB is extremely grateful. The idea was to amass the six best musicians and create a concert atmosphere that leaves people with dropped jaws, eagerly awaiting the next appearance. They feel they have done just that. Over the 25+ years as a band, Trippin' Billies has continued to evolve in order to perform at the highest level as musicians and for the fans. Crowds keep growing and calls from all over the US come in hoping to hear TB at a venue near them soon.
Trippin' Billies is grateful to the fans, intuitive agents and to Dave himself for helping to draw attention to their efforts in national publications. Hopefully they’ll see you out on the road.
MEET THE BAND
PAT MCKILLEN
lead vocals & guitar
The latest addition to the Trippin' Billies family, Pat McKillen was an instant fit. Having been to over 60 DMB shows from Alpine to Red Rocks to the Gorge, Pat breathed new life into the band when he joined in late 2022. An avid setlist-watcher and DMBAlmanac peruser, Pat relishes at this opportunity to perform the songs he grew up playing with the Trippin' Billies. An accomplished Chicago singer-songwriter in his own right, when he's not performing with the TB you can find Pat performing his original music with PAT MCKILLEN, MIDNIGHT CANYON or performing around the Chicago scene with the Gold Coast All Stars. Check out his original music HERE!
FAVORITE DMB SONG: Seek Up (Red Rocks 95) or #41 (Listener Supported)
KELSEY TARVER
drums/vocals
The heartbeat of the band, Kelsey "Arsenist" Tarver is a whirlwind behind the kit. Over the course of his 25+ years as a professional musician, his experiences include opening for Prince, Jeff Coffin, Gladys Knight, Take 6, Chaka Khan, Dwele, Chrisette Michele, Michelle Branch, and Jude to name a few. He has received three Chicago Music Awards with his previous reggae band INDIKA and has two Jazz Band Solo Awards. When he's not performing with TB, you can catch him around performing with MARLOW, ANIBA AND THE SOL STARZ, TIAYBE & URBAN FUSION and holding down the rhythm section for countless other renowned Chicago acts.
FAVORITE DMB SONG: Two Step
PHIL ROACH
violin
Born in Cincinnati but raised in Chicago, Phil Roach brings both musical precision & infectious energy each time he takes the stage. Having played violin since the age of 5, Phil masterfully blends improvisation with the established ear-worm melodies of the original DMB recordings. His skills have taken him around the world, performing with artists including Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes, Leftover Salmon, Elephant Revival, Joe Purdy, Cornmeal, and many others.
FAVORITE DMB SONG: Lie in Our Graves
FAVORITE ALBUM: Some Devil
MENDELL BECKFORD
bass/vocals
Born and raised in Jamaica, Mendell moved to the States at the age of 22 and began to pursue a career as a professional musician. His dedication to perfection immediately brought that dream to fruition and he never looked back. No arrangement is too bizarre for Mendell - he loves the challenge of locking in to complicated song structures like "The Last Stop." This dedication and skill has led him to share the stage with the likes of Lupe Fiasco, Donnie McClurkin, Take 6, Mary Mary, Byron Cage, Chrisette Michelle, CeCe Winans, Anthony Hamilton, Estelle and many more.
FAVORITE DMB SONG: Stay or Leave
STEVE SCHNALL
saxophones
Boasting a resume that includes a Masters Degree in Jazz Studies from Depaul University and a Doctorate in Musical Arts from the University of Illinois, there is no one better-suited to pay homage to the playing style of LeRoi Moore & Jeff Coffin than Steve Schnall. Steve's career has led him to share stages with luminaries such as Aretha Franklin, Barry Manilow, The Temptations, Patti LaBelle, Diana Ross, Buddy Guy, Gladys Knight and even members of the DMB themselves. Using a full range of horns from the baritone to the soprano sax, Steve masterfully weaves improvised solos between the classic horn riffs throughout the DMB catalog.
FAVORITE DMB SONG: Idea of You