INTRODUCING: EYESHINE

Hey folks, happy thanksgiving. Hope you all havve a good time enjoying your turkey and your family. Thank you for having me as a writer on the blog, and now I'd like give my thanks to some very special people that though some of you may heard of once or twice, but probably don't know very well.



(left to right: Polo Yazaki, Johnny Yong Bosch, Maurice Salmin, Crystal Mesina)

As some of you may know, Johnny Yong Bosch, after leaving power rangers, became an anime voice actor, and a rocker. But what is this band that he is a member of? well, as stated in the eyeshine panel at PMC3, after having financial problems, Johnny had to make a decission with one of his last possessions (a guitar): play it or sell it. Of course he chose to play it. eventually he met drummer Maurice Salmin, and became the "Lennon/McCartney" of modern rock (though this was still sort of in their "Lennon/Sutcliff" stage). Much like how the Beatles were originally called the Quarrymen, Eyeshine were originally called "Partly cloudy", but then decided the name was stupid. After watching an episode of "Crocodile Hunter", having the late Steve Irwin talk about looking for a crocodile's eyeshine at night, they decided, that should be their new name.

The band mainly consisted of four members, who changed at various points, leading to Johnny with lead vocals/rhythm guitar, Maurice on drums/backup vocals, Crystal Mesina on bass, and Eddie Colmenares on lead guitar. At that point, they've performed at many anime conventions, at PMC1, and released their 4th LP album "Tone of Echoes" (the first three being "How About That", "Red Stripes and White Lights" and "My Paper Kingdom"). In their whole career they did a number of music videos, including "Our Whole Lives Tonight", directed by my good friend, Jason Narvy.

Sometime after losing the first Gimme The Gig competition in 2011, Eddie left the band, and was replaced by their sub guitarist, Masataka "Polo" Yazaki. Eddie then joined another band, and on occasion comes to the band's regular venue to perform, and give friendly support to the band. At that point, Eyeshine were at their best. The music blended so perfectly, and teamwork was just phenomenal. Now, i'm not saying that they were worse before or after, but to ever fan, there is one era in a band's carreer that they find most savoury, and for me, that was it. At that point, they finished their acoustic album "Afterglow", and started working on their 5th LP "Revolution Airwaves". After being reinvited to Gimme The Gig II in 2012, the band scored an amazing victory in the finals, granting them a chance to perform a music video for their song "Stratosphere" under the direction of Don Was. Sadly, this led to the dark age of the band.

Sometime after the competition, Crystal tragically left the band due to family and financial reasons. without a bassist, they had to work around gigs they've already booked by doing accoustic instead of full electric. Luckily, while searching for a replacement, Eyeshine's sister band, Service Interuption lended them their bass player, Zack Duncan. Thanks to Zack's help, they were able to perform to their fullest, even in PMC3, and from the fans' reaction (which I was a part of), they did not disappoint. before the actual concert at PMC, they had a panel with Q/A and music in the background. the next day there was an accoustinc Q/A where they answered in song form, but sadly i can't come because it was a gold event and and a communication error made me short one guest pass. but here's the the basic panel:

Recently, they've been able to find a perminant bassist in Ginny Eck. who joined the band sometime between PMC3 and Sept 5th. Now that the band is complete again, they are trying to rock out harder than they ever could, including a 2nd accoustic album, 2 new music videos "Consuming Fire", and "Broken and Abused", and a special surpise that I promised Johnny I wouldn't tell, but stay tuned for it when it comes. They still play at 2nd St. Jazz club every first Wednesday of the month (the next being Dec. 5th)

How I came aquanted with the band? Well, as some of you may know, Jason Narvy is a friend of mine, and both of us are huge Shakespeare buffs. On my 19th birthday, he got to hang out while he was playing a comedy version of hamlet (which if you really think about it, is a comedy....tragic...but a comedy). but right before he left home to pack for Chicago, he told me to check out the band. Of course I did, and was exited to find johnny was in it. I didn't put too much focus on them just yet but it was kinda cool that my favorite ranger was a rocker. But then last October, I was attending the opening of a toku art museum, and heard a band performing outside. I was surprised to hear it was the band that featured my hero from age 3. After the show, we got to chat for a bit, which was awesome. Afterwards, I started going to gigs, and I was even recognised as the "fedora guy" (long story).....anyways, a whole year has passed, and Johnny and Maurice are now good friends of mine. Looking back, it's funny when your classmates pretend to be friends with rangers, and then you become actual friends with one....and your all-time favorite no less. Granted, I don't go to gigs because he's a ranger....I do it because he's part of an awesome band, and i see a lot of friends rocking out with me. In fact when I watch PR episodes with him in them, it's hard to believe that guy in the show is a personal aquaintance.

Eyeshine is a local LA band, and aren't signed by a label. Not many people know them, but millions of PR and anime fans have heard of them through Johnny's wikipedia, PMC, anime conventions, youtube, or happen to have friends who already listen to them. You can check the band out on youtuble, eyeshine.net, like them on facebook, or follow on twitter, and follow their adventures on their documentary series "Eyeshine Experience". And if they happen to perform in your home town, like Tampa FL last weekend, for example, be sure to check them out.

EYESHINE HOME PAGE

EYESHINE FACEBOOK PAGE

EYESHINE YOUTUBE PAGE