Xavier's School
Photo by Ryan Russell
Xavier’s School was a scrappy punk/emo band from Bellingham, WA, active from 2013 to 2016. Rooted in the DIY ethos of the Pacific Northwest, the band blended melodic emo riffs with punchy punk energy.
The band began when Aaron Apple and Tyson Ballew met at a Joyce Manor house show in Bellingham and began playing together, practicing infrequently while working on early original material. Apple later connected his lifelong friends Aaron Kayser and Lauren Bunke to form a one-off cover project performing songs by The Get Up Kids. This is the lineup that stuck and ultimately evolved into Xavier’s School.
They originally performed under the name Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters, eventually shortening it to Xavier’s School as a nod to Rival Schools United by Fate and to make show flier listings cleaner and more consistent.
Drawing influence from second-wave emo and classic pop-punk, Xavier’s School released their full-length album Stay Bold or Get Old, followed by the EP Death To False Pop Punk. Both were self-released and captured the band’s unpolished, heartfelt approach.
During their brief but active existence, Xavier’s School shared the stage with touring acts including Shellshag, Ed Schrader’s Music Beat, The Velvet Teen, The Sidekicks, and Walter Mitty and His Makeshift Orchestra, along with numerous local and regional favorites. The band came to an end in 2016 when Apple relocated to New York.
Lineup
Tyson Ballew – guitar / vocals / bass
Aaron Apple – drums
Aaron Kayser – bass / guitar
Lauren Bunke – keyboard
Discography:
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VIDEOS:
BELLINGHAM SOUNDCHECK
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NERVOUS ENERGIES SESSION
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NERVOUS ENERGIES SESSION
EULOGY SONG - official video
"Bystander Method"Live at Shakedown
"SHARKS" live at Make.Shift (1st show)
Showography:
12/27/16 • Bellingham, WA • Make.Shift
Xavier’s School, Schemes, Yardsss, Nintedudes
4/9/16 • Bellingham, WA • The Shakedown
Xavier’s School, Skymall, Tyrant Fly Catchers
3/5/16 • Missoula, MT • ZACC
Mido Skip, Buddy Jackson, Ranges, Eat Strike, Scruffager, Xavier’s School, Megagiant, Howardian
3/4/16 • Seattle, WA • Hollow Earth Radio
Zoning Out, Versing, Scruffager, Xavier’s School
3/3/16 • Bellingham, WA • Make.Shift
Scruffager, Fallopia, NES, So Adult, Xavier’s School
2/11/16 • Bellingham, WA • Waterfront
After the Fall, Dead Bars, Girl Guts, Xavier’s School
1/5/16 • Bellingham, WA • Make.Shift
Looming, Run Forever, Rookery, Xavier’s School
12/12/15 • Bellingham, WA • Swillery
STFU Robot, Xavier’s School, Dumb Luck, Bobby’s Oar
11/13/15 • Bellingham, WA • Make.Shift
Shellshag, The Narrows, Little Child Man, Xavier’s School
10/21/15 • Bellingham, WA • The Shakedown
Ed Schrader’s Music Beat, STFU Robot, Xavier’s School
9/24/15 • Bellingham, WA • Make.Shift
Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters, Sin Bad, SEMINARS, Trust Me I’m Scared, Girl Guts
9/3/15 • Bellingham, WA • The Shakedown
Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters, Scumeating
8/16/15 • Seattle, WA • The Kraken
Listen Lady, Shadow Cats, City Mouse, Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters
8/1/15 • Bellingham, WA • The Shakedown
SEMINARS, Tin Foil Cat, Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters
6/26/15 • Bellingham, WA • Make.Shift
Megagiant, Idaho Green, Sweet Invicta, Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters
4/23/15 • Bellingham, WA • The Shakedown
Falling Upstairs, Minor Plains, City Hall, Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters
3/28/15 • Bellingham, WA • The Shakedown
The Velvet Teen, Hot Victory, Slow Bird, Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters
3/5/15 • Bellingham, WA • Make.Shift
The Sidekicks, Cayetana, Livingston Seagull, Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters
1/7/15 • Bellingham, WA • Kame House
Wuv, Dryland, Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters
11/18/14 • Bellingham, WA • Make.Shift
Walter Mitty and His Makeshift Orchestra, Weston Bookhouse, Girl Guts, Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters
2/14/14 • Bellingham, WA • Make.Shift
Get Up Kids cover set (debut performance)
