Eyes Lips Eyes Final Show - Part 2

After some years of performing randomly at parties they decided to expand it to a full band in 2004/2005. They added Adam Orton (bass) and Trevor Goss (drums). Their first show as an official band was at a Mexican restaurant.  About 20 people who were mostly friends or family of the band showed up. Tony was so juiced full of energy that on the opening song he proceeded to break the microphone stand after the first 20 seconds.

Performance at OZZ in Provo

After that first show I knew that a lot of people would hesitate to dance to their music, so I took it upon myself to dance the entire show no matter if anyone came up with me or not. (there were quite a few shows where I was by myself the whole time) I remember one show at a place called Steamers, that hosted mostly hardcore metal bands. The ceiling had blood on it from the night before.  The only audience was me, the owner and I think one other person. One thing that I remember telling Spencer a long time ago was to always play a great, energetic show no matter what, as if there were 500 moshing people in the room. For the most part that's exactly what they did. I had to dance around to get them going sometimes of course.                                                                                                                                                            

The picture might actually be from Steamers

This went on for about a little over a year, playing random shows, gaining a following, but not a serious one. Tony would still roam the crowd and try and embarrass and do what he could to make people uncomfortable. He was very energetic, but a bit raw.

 After a while it seemed apparent that they needed a change in order to be taken seriously.  The song writing needed to be sharpened, their performances needed to be tightened and basically needed to start from scratch.  Tony informed the drummer (Trevor) that his services were no longer needed after taking him out for a milkshake. Adam (bass) left on his own. It was back to the original duo once again in the fall of 2006. It would take them a year before they reformed. During this time, Tony and Spencer both wrote. Their approach was more serious, more edgy but still fun and energetic. They met their new drummer Thomas Carroll) the year before when they had played a battle of the bands the year before and he was playing for a different band. He was impressed with the band and agreed to join. The bassist was harder to find. Spencer knew a classmate name Aaron Hatch but hadn't really played bass before. He quickly learned before their first show in the fall of 2007. They also added a backup singer and someone to help compliment Tony, this was Hilary Hathaway.

 Their first show was at a house party. They only had a handful of prepared songs but you could tell that this was different. The crowd responded very positively to it, they weren't confused on what had just happened. They were no longer a joke band. This was very exciting for me personally. The next show that I remember was the battle of the bands at Muse Music in Provo. Their set was packed with people wanting to dance. They first song was Hola May which was on the first song that the full band had written together. It was their most edgy song to date with a driving bass and punchy guitar hook.  They wanted me and another friend to wave some flashlights around at the band which kind of turned out cool.  The crowd thought so as well as they were chosen as the winners.

Their was some reluctance to go full electric acoustic since they had always been acoustic, but Spencer added a little pickup on the original guitar that gave it a very unique sound. He also remained sitting which I thought was really cool and unique. No other band did that. No bands banged the crap out of garbage can, beat to death a little tikes mini piano, use the little piano to beat the garbage can to death and use a diving flipper as an instrument. Their whole approach was very refreshing.

 I went to every show no matter what.  I loved the energy they brought, it was kind of addicting to me.   I've been made fun of for being the "#1 fan" but I didn't really care.  I loved the music.

After the success of the the battle of the bands, it kind of put them on the map as a legitimate band in the valley.  They would often open for other bands and wear the crowd out for the headliner.

                   --- To be continued---