10 Things You Didn't Know About Eyeshine

Each week, we will be profiling one of our top artists who will be performing in front of the legendary Don Was!

This week we had the chance to catch up with Eyeshine members Maurice, Johnny, Polo and Crystal.

Originally from Los Angeles, California, Eyeshine found success with a unique blend of pop punk and post grunge; called edge rock. Just like their genre suggests, Eyeshine members are edgy rock artists that personify the struggles of an independent band. Self-recorded and produced 8 albums thus far, Eyeshine lives by the band motto “Never Give Up” every day, and continues to produce authentic and edgy sounds for their loyal fan followings. With such dedication and commitment in their music; it’s no wonder Eyeshine landed a spot in our top 12 bands.       

Eyeshine

Read our exclusive interview below, and discover 10 things you didn't know about Eyeshine!

GTG: Where was your live performance on the Gimme the Gig II Focus Tour?

Maurice: It was at the Lobster fest at San Pedro, California.

GTG: Did you get the chance to sit and try out the Ford Focus while you guys were there? What is your favorite feature of the Focus?

Crystal: We did sit in it and it was amazing!

Maurice: I love the sun roof, because I like sticking my head out of it. (laughs)

GTG: What is one thing about one of you that your fans would never guess?

Maurice: Johnny, our front man, used to be a Power Ranger; he was the black one.

GTG: How did you guys come up with the name for your band?

Johnny: I was watching Crocodile Hunter, and he (late Steve Irwin) was at a lake late at night with a lantern and he said (in Australian accent) “You got to look for the eye shine!” And it just stuck in my head and we went from there.

GTG: What’s the most embarrassing thing that ever happened to you on stage and/or on tour in general?

Maurice: We were playing at the Trocadero in Philly and the other band before us let us use their drum set. I nicked my middle knuckle while playing because I wasn’t use to the setup, and I ended up bleeding all over this guy’s drums by the time we finished our set.

GTG: Who were your biggest inspirations as a band in the beginning of your career?

Maurice: Part of it is our instrumental background. But I think our lyrics and emotions come from our experiences; the good and the bad, and our whole struggle as an independent band.

GTG: Would you guys rather be rich and unknown or famous and poor and why?

Crystal: Well, rich and unknown sounds pretty nice because we are already poor…

Johnny: …and unknown. (laughs)

GTG: Any of you guys have any guilty pleasures on the road?

Crystal: I don’t think the guys know this but when we are in the van, I like to pick my nose and put my boogers on the sides; it’s a tradition of mine.

GTG: Any words of wisdom to other inspiring musicians?

Polo: Be yourself and just keep going!

Maurice: Be realistic with your music and listen to professional bands and compare yourself to them.

Johnny: Record yourself often, try to fix what sounds uncool and fix it.

Crystal: Practice everything in the book; melodies, scales and just try to make yourself the best.

GTG: What’s on the horizon for Eyeshine?

Maurice: We are releasing our new album called “Revolution Airwaves” soon. We also have an Eyeshine DVD on its way and the teaser is available on our YouTube Channel.

Check out a video message from Eyeshine to Gimme the Gig and their fans!

Make sure to check out their 8^th album “Revolution Airwaves” available soon.

You can “Like” them at http://www.facebook.com/Eyeshinemusic and you can follow them at http://www.twitter.com/TheEyeshineBand If you are a fan, give them a shout out on the Gimme the Gig II Facebook page!