Mandolin-charged indie rock // Norfolk, Virginia. 
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Big Head Todd and The Monsters have persisted as a rare force of nature in rock ‘n’ roll. The platinum-selling Colorado quartet—Todd Park Mohr [vocals, guitar, keys, sax, harmonica], Brian Nevin [drums, percussion], Rob Squires [bass, vocals], and Jeremy Lawton [guitar, keys, vocals, steel guitar]—have consistently churned out undeniable and often uplifting anthems fueled by a hybrid of no-nonsense hard rock, simmering soul, dyed-in-the-wool blues, and a twist of country. Akin to your favorite classic automobile, their influence and imprint only widen over time, selling out even bigger venues and enrapturing new eras of fans with every passing year. These cats have always paved their own lane. Todd, Brian, and Rob started playing music together while still in high school during the early eighties. Becoming Big Head Todd and The Monsters during 1986, that lane has twisted and turned just as much as Highway 66. Following a quiet D.I.Y. rise, the group shook the mainstream with 1993’s now-classic platinum-certified Sister Sweetly. In its wake, Robert Plant tapped the band to open his Fate of Nations Tour. Following Strategem [1994], they unveiled Beautiful World [1997] highlighted by a cover of “Boom Boom” [feat. John Lee Hooker]—which notably became the theme song for NCIS: New Orleans. They welcomed Jeremy to the fold in 2001. After penning “Blue Sky” at the urging of friends connected to NASA, they notably performed the song live from Mission Control as an interplanetary wakeup call for astronauts on the shuttle. Along the way, the guys joined B.B. King for a “Crossroads” session and toured with blues heroes a la Hubert Sumlin and David “Honeyboy” Edwards. They have headlined Red Rocks Amphitheatre a staggering 35 times. Recognizing “38 years of continuous musical service to fans,” the Colorado Music Hall of Fame inducted the quartet as part of its “Class of 2023.” Now, they’ve crafted the perfect soundtrack to this journey in the form of their 12th full-length offering, Thunderbird.

	
Somewhere on or about October 31, 1989, two members of the local Norfolk Band "Treefort" set out to start their own band. A new band that would be different than any band on the scene that encompassed their original music and fused the styles of their favorites: The Rolling Stones, Kiss, Led Zeppelin, The Who, Jimi Hendrix, James Brown, Sly Stone, Aretha Franklin, Parliament Funkadelic, Bad Brains, Fishbone, 24/7 Spyz
And many more...

They recruited some of the best raw local talent and began writing with singer Roy Boykins(Aka-The Original Astro Pirate). By the end of the year they had written 15 or more songs that laid down the foundation for what the band became. Some of those songs were: Ball & Chain, Why Can't We Try Again, Can't Stop It, Tough All Over, Mr. Cupid, Grey Government, Divided, Antamorphosis Orifice, Instant Gratification,
Ho's In Space, Girl Turned Lady & Unite.

By the top of 1990 they recruited the final members that rounded and completed the sound, vocally and added the variety of horns. New songs emerged and Ant Man Bee debuted as a local unique powerhouse band. Known as one of Tidewaters best; a force to be reckoned with.

They often could be found rehearsing in a room behind "The Corner" yet managed to perform on the road sometimes four nights a week. They went on to develop a performance fan base that took them on a stretch of the east coast opening for many greats that include "Bootsy Collins", "Black Uhuru" and as a regular headlining act.

In 1991 they released "Ant Man Bee" the self-titled album. And soon disappeared to reunite again in 1993-4 and as recently as 2011 with Rick Skatore of 24-7 Spyz, Enrique Coley of Follow 4 Now and the great; Gary US Bonds.

In 2011 Ant Man Bee was featured in the film, "Hardcore Norfolk". A live version of Antamorphosis Orifice can be found on the movie soundtrack.

Acoustic trio interpretations of covers old and new, and original material featuring:

Padric Toman - guitar & vocals

Alex Clark - percussion, vocals, harmonica & didgeridoo

Brent Esber - guitar, bass & vocals

Original solo music and other collaborations from Virginia-based bassist, Lex Park.

BrentEsber is following