The band has humble beginnings, starting in 2009 with vocalist Lee Dillon, lead guitarist Peyton Favi, and a loop pedal. Dillon had the know-how, having been involved in concert production and marketing for MTV, Simon Malls, and DirecTV, and Favi had the experience, having played in bands since the raw age of 13. After months of writing and searching for members, they stumbled across Jaques "Jock" Faulkner, a local hip-hop artist who added a whole new dimension to the group. His aggressive underground rap delivery paved the way for the group to bridge the gap between Memphis's hip-hop scene and their mainstream rock scene.
The band continued searching for the best people to finish their lineup, and in the summer of 2010, guitarist Colby Brown stepped into the picture. His involvement in the writing process was nothing short of fate. The chemistry between the 4-piece was uncanny, and the songs seemed to write themselves. At this point, the band solidified their trademark sound into a blend of hip-hop, rock and roll, and blues music.
The group kept writing, but the struggle to find a solid drummer and bassist were weighing heavy on the band's ambition. After several lineup changes and auditions, drummer Donnie Jones stepped in to audition, and with him came a flood of optimism and a new sense of motivation. The following practice, Donnie brought bass player Dustin Allen to try out, and the lineup was complete. The chemistry was undeniable, and the band continued writing, establishing a firm sense camaraderieand musicianship, preparing to take their next step.
Soon after the lineup was cemented, the group started tracking their debut EP with producer Justin Rimer, guitarist of the nationally-acclaimed 12 Stones. Justin's ear for hit songs has been a huge step in the recording process of Skyline Divide, and having heard a couple of unmixed tracks from the record, I can honestly say that the wait was definitely worthwhile. The band's talent and solidarity pours out of every song, and the best part is they aren't catering to a genre. They are simply doing what they're good at, not paying attention to what the culture is telling them they should fit into, but instead creating a whole new genre that suits their own musical tastes. The EP will be mastered by the Grammy-winning Brad Blackwood at Euphonic Masters and will hit the shelves in mid-April.
Once the EP drops, the band plans to hit the road in the summer of 2012, touring extensively and establishing themselves on a national level. Keep an eye on the band's website for new music, tour announcements, and other general information.
