First to Eleven won the Tri-C High School Rock Off at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland in 2015 and claimed a second win in 2016 , a feat accomplished only one other time in the 20-year history of the Rock Off .
The local high school rock band , First to Eleven , is currently experiencing what most high school bands only dream about , and work years to achieve . They are currently coming off backto-back battle of the bands wins , a new EP titled “ Out of Time ” released in April , over 3,000 Facebook followers , plus a coveted spot on the Vans Warped Tour this summer .
The group of five high school friends and musicians were brought together by Ryan Krysiak , music instructor and founder of The School of Rock at The World of Music store on 26th Street in Erie .
In 2009 , the first iteration of the band , called M4 , included Bo Root , the senior member of the band , on guitar ; his brother , Charlie Root , on drums ; and Matthew Yost on guitar . Later , Chad Tucker joined as the bassist .
The group of boys who attend Fairview High School together is rounded out with powerhouse lead singer Audra Miller who joined in 2013 , and attends Seneca High School in Wattsburg .
The meteoric rise started when the band won the Tri-C High School Rock Off at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland in 2015 and then followed that up with a second win in 2016 , a feat accomplished only one other time in the 20-year history of the Rock Off .
They describe their sound as primarily alternative rock with a mix of other sub genres , including pop .
Miller started singing when she was eight . Sweet and petite , she has a voice that makes you stop and listen . It comes so naturally to her that it seems effortless . It ’ s strong and commanding and lends the perfect counter to the bands , rock sound . For the Rock Off she tackled Adele impressively , showing the confidence she has in her talent .
Charlie Root says , “ I was 9 when I first got my Jr . Ludwig set . I was in third grade , and for a writing assignment we had to say what our dream was and I said , “ I want to be a rock star , ride in a limo and play drums upside down .” That is still my dream today .”
Bo Root started playing guitar when he was 10 . “ I was watching a video of Jimi Hendrix playing the guitar and ripping a solo and I thought , ‘ I want to be like him one day ,’ and that prompted me to take lessons at World of Music ,” says Root .
Tucker also started playing at age 10 . He grew up next door to Charlie and Bo and wanted in on the rock band , so he started taking lessons and found he had an affinity for the bass .
Although Guitar Hero was his inspiration , Yost picked up a real guitar at the age of eight . His dream venue is Wembley Stadium in London . “ Simply because it ’ s Wembley ! All the greatest have played there ,” says Yost .
The five members have built up quite a following in the area , especially with the high school and middle school age kids , and they have a fan page on Facebook started by their biggest fan .
“ A dad and his son at Creamland came up to us . He said his son decided to play the drums because of us ,” says Bo Root . “ Another time a little girl came up and gave her phone number to me and Charlie .”
Earlier this year M4 ran into copyright problems with a DJ based in Australia who already laid claim to the name .
When the copyright issues arose , they turned to their favorite band activity outside of playing music , volleybonk , for their new name . It ’ s a made-up game that is a hybrid of volleyball and tennis .
The winner of volleybonk is the first player to get 11 points and they used that idea as the basis of the new band name , First to Eleven . It seems fitting since they obviously know how to win .
In January , the band packed up and headed to Detroit to record five original songs to be released as an EP ( extended play ) at Metro 37 Studios in Detroit with producer Nick Scott .
They rented a house and all lived together while recording . Parents of the band rotated chaperone duty and took turns staying at the Detroit house .
“ Our parents are our biggest fans and behind us 200 %. They are very supportive ,” says Bo Root , whose parents own the Swan Tavern on West Lake Road and allow the band to use the location as rehearsal space .
First to Eleven might tease and rip on each other and occasionally disagree , but they all agree on one thing : performing live on stage is the best part of it all .
The quintet has a stellar summer lineup playing most of Erie ’ s major events like Celebrate Erie , Roar on the Shore , and the Seawolves block party , plus an appearance on the Vans Warped Tour . So if you can , check them out this summer and don ’ t forget the new EP “ Out of Time ,” available on iTunes . ■
West County | Summer 2016 | icmags . com 9