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Steve Horn- The head honcho and rabble rouser of Swat the Flea, has been
playing since the age of 8. Steve started with a plastic ukulele used as
a bribe by his mom to prevent thumbsucking. Steve got his first guitar
at age 9, and immediately started sucking his thumb again. Not to be outdone,
Steve’s mom got him an electric guitar and cut the ground plug on
his amp. Steve gave up thumbsucking in one quick lesson.
Steve’s teen years were spent in several garage bands, none of which
involved names with "thumb" in the title. Audiences of the band
did however, use the verb "suck" in various forms.
Undaunted, Steve went to NTSU (now UNT) and received a Bachelor of Music
in composition. His degree was used mainly to swat large "waterbugs" known
to inhabit every domicile in Denton.
Salvation, musically speaking, came in the form of Medieval music and Steve
added the lute to his collection of instruments. He also added a bunch
of big white shirts, tights, funny hats with big feathers, because Steve
was now appearing at several renaissance faires, where bawdy songs were
sung and Steve played "lutedly".
After catching a simulated version of the "Black Death", a feverish
Steve walked into a pawn shop and bought a banjo, thinking it was medieval
bozuki. So began Steve’s path to enlightenment via traditional music.
Lord Buddha must of heard a banjo when he came up with his "string
too tight, too loose" theory of the middle way.
Steve currently plays his new Deering Calico and custom Nechville Meteor
banjos as well as Irish flute (by Michael Cronnolly), and several other
instruments with Swat the Flea. Before that he played with the New Potatoes,
and several house bands and sessions.
"
Saint" Jenny, his girlfriend, listens to Steve’s constant practicing
on the banjo, and encourages him with positive affirmations. She also calls
a mean contra.
Steve has not sucked his thumb in a very long time!
