John Moss (guitar), John Cross (drums), Eva Johnson (singer) and Russ Mansfield (bass)

Coming up with the name for a band isn’t easy, but for the members of Roadkill, it was a no-brainer.

“I came up with the name to be whimsical, I guess. Since we drive on the road all time, I thought it would be appropriate,” said Russ Mansfield, creator of the Reno, Nevada-based band.

 

Far from fierce and intimidating, as their name might imply, the Teamster members of Roadkill are actually polite and pleasant, and their band was born out of the need to do a good deed.

 

Working for the Regional Transportation Commission of Washoe County (RTC) Ride, Mansfield has been a city bus driver for a little more than three years. Mansfield worked in marketing and advertising for many years before he found himself looking for work in a poor economy, and discovered a Teamster job provided good wages and stability. 

 

Every year his employer would take part in the bus Roadeo, a competitive driving event that tests driver safety skills. This year, however, there was no funding for the Roadeo, and it was about to be cancelled.

 

Mansfield, who had prior experience with fundraising, took charge and was able to raise $19,000 to keep the competition alive.

 

“When we needed a band for the event, I said let’s just put a band together ourselves,” said Mansfield, a member of Local 533 in Reno.

 

While Mansfield performed at the Roadeo with a larger group of Teamster co-workers from RTC, the core group for Roadkill consists of three RTC drivers, Mansfield, 54, on bass guitar and vocals; John Moss, 45, on guitar and vocals; and John Cross, 56, on drums. Eva Johnson, a co-worker, has also performed on vocals with the band.

 

Getting the band together was as simple as posting a notice at work calling on fellow musicians to join.

 

“Russ and I bought some equipment. We needed the right kind of amps, and I already had some guitars,” said Moss, who has been playing guitar since he was nine years old and also plays fiddle, mandolin and bass guitar.

 

Going Off the Rails

 

At the band’s debut performance, the crowd sang and clapped along to the sounds of Roadkill performing Ozzy Osbourne’s “Crazy Train.” The band counts Tom Petty, Eddie Money, Foreigner and Loverboy among their musical influences.

 

Cross, a 30-year RTC driver, had so much fun performing that he wanted the band to stay together after the Roadeo event.

 

“It’s a good hobby to keep me out of trouble and it’s a lot of fun,” Cross said.

 

Following the Roadeo, the band performed at the Teamster picnic, where they developed a larger fan base, including UPS Teamster drivers who had not seen them perform previously.

 

“The main reason I formed the band was for the Roadeo, because safety is so important, and to do something to bring all of us together. I wanted to make sure that we put out the positive message of the Teamsters,” Mansfield said. “The union is a wonderful thing for the drivers and makes sure drivers are good, quality people.”

 

Practice is held every Wednesday and Saturday night, in Mansfield’s garage. His son Taylor, a college student with technical skills, serves as the sound man.

 

“We have to bid on our schedules at work, and we did it in a way that we could consistently be at practice,” Moss said.

 

“I think it’s important to recognize the band,” said Paul Tea, Secretary-Treasurer of Local 533. “They’re really talented and could keep this going to the next level.”

 

The band doesn’t know what the future holds in store, but there are a few gigs in the works, including a performance at the grand opening of a new RTC terminal in downtown Reno on October 31, at which they may perform some Halloween-themed music. The band is also looking forward to performing in local venues.

 

And it’s not too late to join the band in their formative, pre-fame days.

 

“We don’t have a keyboard player. We have the equipment, but a keyboardist is hard to find,” Mansfield said. “So, if you know anybody…”

 

Check out Roadkill live.