SEV – GOTTA BRING IT BACK!

The D.C. area band SEV played their first show on October, 27th 1996. In the two decades since then, the band has toured North America and shared the stage with dozens of other local bands and platinum–selling artists of the era, including Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Ice Cube, 311, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Incubus, Kid Rock, Avril Lavigne, and Korn. They endured member changes, secured deals with two major record labels, and performed on national TV shows and television commercials. In 2006, the band parted ways and scattered across the country. Until now….

SEV’s catalyst, guitarist Max Alley, wrote the music for the band’s first album Sunflower with bassist Will Mazur and drummer Dennis Fay. The trio quickly identified vocalists Danny Schools and Phil Clayman from other local projects and were soon selling out shows at local venues. The combination of metal, rap, pop, and electronic music, mixed with their signature high-energy shows, made every performance a unique experience not to be missed. SEV gained the attention of the Mid-Atlantic music scene by winning the “Big Break” contest hosted by at-the-time alternative rock radio station 99.1 WHFS. They opened the 1999 HFStival with a performance on the Street Stage.

Their rising success garnered the attention of several national record labels, and the band originally signed with the Interscope/Universal joint venture Farmclub in 2000 with record industry moguls Jimmy Iovine and Doug Morris. However, the label closed its doors in 2001 and the band subsequently signed with Geffen and released their debut album, All These Dreams, in 2002. The success of their first single, Same Old Song, caught the attention of Pepsi and the band filmed a commercial for the launch of Pepsi Blue. [Business Insider has said, “The brand drew fire for being colored with Blue 1, a controversial agent banned in some countries. Years after it was discontinued in 2004, the infamous drink is still being searched for by some, but it’s extremely difficult to find.”]

The band’s original drummer was replaced in 2003 by Matt Hughes. The original bassist was replaced by Chris Mullen, then Tim Pryor, and then Matt Waller. Their original label was replaced with Geffen. Throughout all of the ups and downs, one thing has remained consistent: the band’s intense drive to deliver high-energy shows to their fans. Basement shows or stadiums, the power of SEV will compel you.

Their former manager and event producer, Eddie Fam of IMPACT Collective, has brought together four of the five original band members for a reunion concert as a way to raise funds for at-risk youth in DC, Virginia, Haiti, and Africa. April 27^th, 2019 will be the band’s first gig together in 12 years and this performance will help provide medical access, education, food provision, and music programs through Meant 2 Live Foundation.

The SEV Reunion will be an epic night of high-energy, nostalgic songs, fan community, and extreme passion for a worthy cause. Gotta bring it back!

Websites:
Union Stage: unionstage.com
IMPACT Collective: IMPACTcollective.com
Meant 2 Live Foundation: meant2live.org