The idea for a band called Rumbullion began around 1996 when Pete began sharing with Scott his collection of accordion music in general and the recordings of the 1930s French master Gus Viseur in particular. The two had met about ten years earlier while living in Los Angeles and had worked together on a rock album for (ironically) a Paris-based record label. By coincidence the two later found themselves living and playing music around Austin, and after working together in a local band soon began to experiment with an instrumental accordion-based folk-jazz sound.
At the time Scott had little knowledge of traditional accordion music, but was soon drawn to the free-flowing stream of valse musette, a Parisian style that would later usher in the jazzier "hot club" sound of Django Reinhardt. Pete is by contrast of Basque descent, who since his childhood on a New Mexico ranch had developed an ear for New World folk and its European roots.
The duo Rumbullion (an archaic word for Rum) began performing at parties and beer gardens around Austin, and were soon joined by the first of a number of bassists. The now trio soon began including original compositions and other obscurities, often worked out in regular gigs at the HighLife Cafe in downtown Austin. In 1998 they released their first CD and the journey continues to this day.
Later the band met percussionist Jeff Hogan, and were unable to resist the spark that his playing was to give Rumbullion. Sean Hopper would also become a permanent member of the band. Since then Rumbullion has continued to reach out to a small but growing audience, making occasional road trips and playing at an ever increasing variety of public and private events. In 2012 the band has nearly completed its second CD, which promises to deliver a further evolution of its eclectic instrumental sound.