Earth To Andy

From Charlottesville, VA. Earth to Andy is comprised of Andy Walbeck (Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; vocals, guitar), Chris Reardon (Northern Virginia, USA; bass, vocals), Tony Lopacinski (Fairfax, VA, USA; guitar, vocals), and Kevin Murphy (Charlottesville, Virginia, USA; drums, vocals). Walbeck and Murphy first got together in the punk/funk band, Egypt. In 1996, Andy began to feel musically restricted by Egypt's style and began to seek new creative directions. He found it in local rivals, Reardon and Lopacinski, bass player and front man for the more melodic Red Henry. Although both bands had indie deals and loyal local followings, it was time for a change. Soon, Earth to Andy was cranking out a new sound comprised of muscular guitar rhythms formed with tight harmonic melodies. Comparisons quickly likened them to Stone Temple Pilots. However, the group's musical signature, growling guitars combined with group vocals, separated Earth to Andy from the typical hard rock sound. Their sound caught the attention of Giant Record's Jeff Aldrich, who signed the band after seeing them perform for the first time. After working in the studio with the technical command of Nick Launay (Semisonic, Silver Chair, Talking Heads) and the mixing of Chris Lord-Alge (Everclear, Fastball, Hole), Earth to Andy debuted in September, 1999 with Chronicle Kings. Their single "Still After You" (featuring STP's Robert Deleo) made its mark in radio rotations with its aggressive energy and power. Tracks like the sitar-laced brew "Biting At My Heels" to the full-frontal assault of "Pollute" and the guitar-driven punch of "Sometimes" should soon follow. This band is young and their future is bright. Currently they tour with the likes of Tonic, Vertical Horizon, and most recently Stone Temple Pilots.