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