My Evolution

My Evolution
Also known as ME, My Ev
Origin Hollywood, California, United States, USA
Genres Alternative rock, hard rock
Years active 2004-present
Labels Independent
Associated acts Funktion, Unbroken, Garbo Swag
Website
Members Burgos
*M. Lopez*
Juzwick
Micah

My Evolution is an American rock band formed and based in Hollywood, California.

Early Evolution

History

My Evolution's very first "jam" took place in January 2004 with *M. Lopez* on guitar, Micah on drums, Vandemon on bass and no vocalist - the trio also had no name at the time. After *M. Lopez* dissolved his prior band Funktion, which also included Vandemon on the bass, he met Micah through a classified ad that he had placed in [Music Connection]. Micah answered the "drummer wanted" ad the very same day he arrived in California from New York. Micah was previously the drummer in a NY band called Unbroken, with Dan Nelson (now lead vocalist of famed NY Hardcore Metal icons Anthrax.) After a few weeks of playing together, the unnamed trio agreed to become a band, write songs and look for a vocalist. Coming up with a band name that everyone felt could represent the band well proved difficult. The three members finally agreed on Evolution, though *M. Lopez* felt the name Evolution might make people think of the San Fran arena rock heroes, Journey. The trio agreed to personalize the name and add “MY” to it, officially making the name MY EVOLUTION.

Searching For A Vocalist

Immediately after agreeing to become a band the trio now known as My Evolution set out on what would be nearly a year long search for a vocalist. Posting ads on many online classifieds with links to a detailed description of their front-man requirements on their own website [myevolutionmusic.com], a number of potential vocalists answered the ad. A careful screening took place and would be vocalists were asked to come to *M. Lopez's* home and audition over demo tapes recorded by the trio. In August 2004 a vocalist named David Burgos, originally from AZ. answered My Evolution's online ad. Burgos had moved to CA from Chicago where he was the lead vocalist of a band called Garbo Swag. He actually answered the bands ad twice, the first time not being able to hear the online demos due to a server error. After the 2nd time contacting *M. Lopez*, Burgos was able to hear the online demos and asked to audition. Like the others before him he was asked to come to

song penned by *M. Lopez* entitled, 'Girlfriend'. Enthralled by Burgos' vocal tone, range and ability to sing with melody, *M. Lopez* immediately contacted Micah to notify him that the band would be auditioning its first vocalist. A week later the band played together for the very first time. It was also the first time ANY vocalist had sung with the band making Burgos the only actual live vocalist audition the band ever had!

Getting Close To Something

After a month or so of Burgos adding vocals to already existing instrumentals that the band had penned over the year, the band set out to book its first live show. MY EVOLUTION debuted 7 songs live at the world famous Viper Room in late November 2004. After a triumphant first show, the band continued to rehearse more material and book more shows at Viper Room for early 2005. After a run of successful shows in the Hollywood area the band began recording its first demo, which would be called ‘Getting Close To Something’. Produced and engineered by Micah at the band’s rehearsal studio, the sound of the demo had a melodic, more youthful, classic hard rock tone to it . 'Getting Close to Something' was released on August 6, 2005 at a CD release show at the Viper Room. A little less than a year later original bassist Vandemon would leave the band for family obligations.

McJunkins & Lady Ransom

The month following Vandemon's departure ME performed live with friend and fill-in LA session bassist, Matt McJunkins[1] The band continued playing live with Matt filling in on such notable shows as openers for Anthrax, Rob Zombie/Godsmack at the Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre (Irvine)[2][3] and local Hollywood shows. My Evolution also continued writing material for its first official full length CD during this period. In addition, the band shot a video for the song ‘You're All Mine’ from the forthcoming new album with McJunkins in it. The video was produced by [Lady Ransom]. Matt McJunkins has gone on to perform with such notable acts as Thirty Seconds to Mars and Ashes Divide; formed by A Perfect Circle guitarist Billy Howerdel and Puscifer (side project of Maynard James Keenan of Tool and A Perfect Circle.)

mO, SiTV, and All Eyes On Me

In October 2006, My Evolution added new bassist Marshall McQuown, nicknamed mO. mO's first show took place at Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre (Irvine) with the band opening for rock/metal Gods, Iron Maiden. Quickly following mO's first show with the band, they were contacted by [Jef Hickey] – to meet with [Wildcard Productions] about a new music based reality TV series entitled Jammin. The new show was to air on the English based Latin cable station, [SiTV]. The show Jammin, originally airing in January 2007, was a look into the lives of an up-and-coming rock act with Latino members in it and finished with a live performance finale that paired them with an iconic rock star mentor. The mentor in the My Evolution episode was bassist/vocalist John Doe of the LA seminal punk band, X. A follow up entitled ['Jammin Rewind'] was filmed a year later in Jan. 2008 and was a catch-up piece with the band to check on its progress. In March 2007, My Evolution released its first full length CD ‘All Eyes On Me’. The CD was once again produced and engineered by Micah but this time the eight song CD was mixed by Brian Yaskulka at [7th Level Productions] in Hollywood, CA. This CD had a much more aggressive tone and vibe to it. Melodic like its predecessor, it featured more modern originality than the ‘Getting Close To Something’ demo showed. The band incorporated a more frenetic approach at times due to influence by bands such as System Of A Down and early Incubus. However, the CD still featured a couple of STP - like holdovers from the 'Getting Close' demo. ME played such notable shows to showcase the new CD as openers for Godsmack, Within Temptation and a slot on 2007 San Diego Street Scene concert festival. In late '07 M.E. recorded a cover version of the Depeche Mode song ‘Everything Counts’. In December 2007, mO left the band citing “a lack of ability to give the proper effort needed on his part to the band.”

Juzwick & Truth Be Told

In January 2008, Rich Juzwick joined MY EVOLUTION. Using Juzwick as his stage name and originally hailing from Cincinnati Ohio, his first show with the band took place at House of Blues - sunset strip in Hollywood, in March. A month later on April 5 ME performed at the first Bamboozle Left festival Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre (Irvine). The band continued to play a number of shows and continued writing new material for their next CD originally to be titled 'Real Life'. Quickly changing gears the band put together a five song acoustic EP entitled, ‘Truth Be Told’. Produced, engineered and mixed by Micah, the EP focused on the softer side of the band. It featured three new songs (eventually released on This Is Real Life) and two renditions of previously recorded songs. They performed an acoustic CD release show for Truth Be Told in November 2008 at On The Rox above the world famous Roxy Theatre (West Hollywood). The band then regained focus on recording their forthcoming full length, full production CD.

This Is Real Life

In January 2009, the new CD began full production. After completion of the drum tracks by Micah, guitar and bass tracks were recorded by *M. Lopez* and Juzwick with vocals to follow. Burgos' lead tracks were finished with Micah's harmonies and programming finishing out the recording process. With the CD mostly finished Micah called upon friend and former band-mate Dan Nelson - now lead vocalist for Anthrax. Dan contributed his voice to the song ‘Solid 15’ during a visit to LA (from NY) in March. A few days later Dan performed live with ME at the [Key Club] opening for Steel Panther (formerly Metal Skool). That night Dan Nelson performed the Wayne Static parts from the song ‘So Happy’. ME was also joined at that show by vocalist Tommy Vext (formerly of Divine Heresy and Snot), performing a cover of the Slipknot hit 'Duality'. With the recording finished the band sought out the services of producer Jay Baumgardner, of [NRG Studios]. Jay Baumgardner had already mixed the first single ‘So Happy’ featuring Wayne Static and now the band looked for him to mix the rest of the CD, which would now be called ‘This Is Real Life’. Jay agreed to work with the band again and mixing began in early April 2009. Mixing was completed in late April and the CD was released May 11, 2009. The CD is the bands most professional work to date and it shows a truly solidified “My Evolution sound”. ‘This Is Real Life’ captures the high-energy, aggressive sound the band is known for live and features strong, emotional vocal performances that make the songs memorable on first listen. Highlights on the album include the guest vocals of Wayne Static (Static-X) and Dan Nelson (Anthrax) as well as an amazing cover version of the hugely popular 80’s band Duran Duran hit, ‘Ordinary World’.[4]

Playboy TV

In September 2005, a friend of the band named [Jef Hickey] contacted M. Lopez on behalf of Playboy TV producer Derek Harvie, to write a theme song for an upcoming reality TV series entitled, Jenna's American Sex Star. The show was a reality based vehicle for porn super star Jenna Jameson to find her next contract girl for her company, Club Jenna. ME penned the tune American Sex Star for the show and Playboy TV loved it, making it the theme song for the show. The show ran for two seasons with Gene Simmons of Kiss as special guest judge on season one. ASS as the theme song become known, was used as the theme song for the show for both seasons as well. In January 2006, Derek Harvey, still of Playboy TV, once again contacted the band to write yet another theme song. This time for the revamped Playboy TV show, Night Calls. Night Calls - which featured adult stars sitting on a couch "misbehaving" while taking calls from viewers - had just parted ways with longtime hosts Tiffany Granath and Julie Ashton. The new host of Night Calls was Digital Playground’s Jesse Jane and co-host Kirsten Price of Wicked Pictures. ME was asked to write a "sleazy" rock tune to open the show. The band put together the song and once again Playboy TV loved it and made it the theme song for their show. The show ran for nearly two years with the band performing live as house band five times including the very first episode where they performed the ‘Night Calls’ theme song live.[5]

Wayne Static

In November 2008, Micah asked friend Wayne Static of Static-X to lend his voice to the bands new CD This Is Real Life. The two decided that the song 'So Happy' would be a good fit for his vocal approach and the Wayne Static vocals for the song were recorded in Dec. '08 with his wife Tera Wray Static holding the lyric sheet for him.[6][7] ‘So Happy’ was mixed by producer Jay Baumgardner (Papa Roach, Godsmack, Drowning Pool) at NRG Studios – North Hollywood and released in January 2009 as the first single from the forthcoming CD. Later that month, Wayne Static joined the band on stage at House Of Blues – Sunset Strip to perform ‘So Happy’ as well as an ME rendition of the Static-X hit song ‘Cold’.[8] On May 4, 2009 M.E. returned to House of Blues – Sunset Strip to perform with Static-X, and Burn Halo on the LA date of the SnoCore 2009 Tour. The following week My Evolution toured the mid-west with Static-X, Seventh Void and Skumlove[9]

Discography

Former members

Notes

  1. ↑ All Access magazine Article featuring the band on the cover with Matt 9/14/06
  2. ↑ http://www.myspace.com/myevolution
  3. ↑ show fliers and pictures taken with bands found on site
  4. ↑ The track Ordinary World is listed and listenable on the My Evolution CD This Is Real Life on the Apple iTunes site
  5. ↑ live performances can be seen on the band's Myspace page as well as syndicated episodes running on the Playboy TV station.
  6. ↑ http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=111641
  7. ↑ Blabbermouth.net article confirming Wayne Static's vocal contribution to the My Evolution song So Happy
  8. ↑ video reference of Wayne live on stage with My Evolution on YouTube as well as the bands websites
  9. ↑ Static-X.com and myspace.com/static-x tour section lists all opening acts
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