By Emily Carroll
Drummer Cooper Miller and Kristian Pearson needed a guitarist. So, just as they would when looking for a new couch or job, they turned to Craigslist.
Soon after, Joshua Zabica, sociology junior, responded. With his jazz interests, he helped to add a new texture to their songs, songs they each grew to like for different reasons.
Miller said growing up listening to 90s rock and grunge along with his stepdad who took him to his friend’s shows inspired him to appreciate music.
“[A band] played a gig at our house for a big birthday party we had for my sister’s 13th (birthday) so I was exposed to alternative and heavier music early on,” Miller said.
Zabica said he became interested in learning to play music because it challenged him to be better.
As for Pearson, after he saw his brother get a bass guitar in the fourth grade, he wanted an electric guitar of his own.
“I practiced every day and started covering Blink-182 songs, and then I got Rock Band the game for Christmas one year and learned drums off of that,” Pearson, a bioenvironmental engineering technician in the Air Force, said.
Band members come from different backgrounds of musical inspirations but they all connect when it comes to bands from mid-2000’s post-hardcore. They are willing to hear what a new vocalist will bring to the table whether it be a strong female voice like Hayley Williams of Paramore or a male lead like Spencer Chamberlain of Underoath.
Even with three musicians ready to go, they are still missing one piece that will bring their post-hardcore, pop-punk alternative to life.
“Everything instrument-wise is done. We’re ready to go,” Miller, a junior in mass communication, said. “We just need a singer.”
Since most of their search is being done via the internet, they want to be sure that the vocalist will be dedicated and just as passionate about the band as they are.
“We try and make sure they are credible in the world of social media,” Zabica said. “When you meet people online you want to make sure they are credible before [meeting in person].”
Band members said many vocalists they have tried out sing with the instruments but that they believe vocalists are their own instrument.
“We need someone who actually knows how to bring their vocals to the table and not just follow our instrumentals,” Pearson said.
As they are on their mission to find a vocalist, they are hoping to pick up a bassist along the way.
“We’re cool with a bass player that sings too,” Cooper said.
After being together almost a year, the band has recorded six full-length songs and numerous demos. They want to play shows and travel to different venues.
“We don’t just want to jam. We want to put out an EP, have some merch(andise) and play shows,” Cooper said. “Having someone on board with the same mind-set would be ideal.”