Eve 6 preview

Eve 6
Chicago City Limits, Schaumburg
Friday, January 25, 2008

Eve 6 are an all-too familiar music industry horror story: They scored a big hit on each of their first two albums, but were abandoned by their label nonetheless when their third was a dud. Now, after a three-year hiatus, the pop punk band return.

Though bassist/vocalist Max Collins, guitarist Jon Siebels, and drummer Tony Fagenson released their self-titled debut just out of high school (the trio signed with RCA as teenagers), Eve 6 were mature and crafty songwriters — maybe to a fault. The genre was defined by groups like Blink-182 and Good Charlotte, whose borderline-idiotic formula was so simplistic it could be insulting. But it also sold – well. It’s probably no coincidence Eve 6 did their best business prior to the rise of most the aforementioned acts. Eve 6 weren’t visionaries – an oxymoron in pop punk? – but probably ahead of their time, proven by the fact their third record, It’s All In Your Head, flopped even though Simple Plan (the No Pads, No Helmets . . . Just Balls guys) were moving a trillion units. Their biggest hit, “Inside Out,” was a surprisingly clever piece of power pop, and “Here’s To The Night,” from 2000’s Horrorscope, was a homecoming dance sap fest for sure, but it’s hard to imagine New Found Glory or Sum 41 pulling it off.

So far, Eve 6’s comeback is limited to live shows; there has been no announcement of a new album, though when/if there is it will be without Siebels, who chose not to participate in the reunion. Matt Blair has taken his place.

– Trevor Fisher

Click here for Eve 6 streaming samples.

Category: Stage Buzz, Weekly