The Eeries
The Eeries are an American alternative rock band formed in 2012 in Los Angeles, California, by singer and guitarist Isaiah Silva following the dissolution of his previous group, the Rambles.[1] The band, known for their fuzzy garage rock sound drawing from 1990s alt-rock influences like Weezer and the Pixies, consists of Silva on vocals and guitar, Brandon Sweeney on guitar, Eliot Lorango on bass, and Nadir Maraschin on drums.[2][3] Initially an outlet for Silva's songwriting, the group expanded to a full lineup and gained early attention as an unsigned act when, following endorsements from Courtney Love—whose daughter was engaged to Silva—and others, their debut single "Cool Kid" was added to rotation on influential alternative station KROQ in mid-2014, propelling it to over 3.8 million streams on Spotify.[3][1][4] The band's self-titled debut EP, released on December 9, 2014, via Interscope Records, featured "Cool Kid" alongside tracks like "Love You to Pieces" and "Shine On," earning praise for its energetic, nostalgic alt-rock revivalism.[5][6] Following the EP's success, the Eeries toured with acts such as the Used and performed live sessions at venues including KROQ's Red Bull Sound Space, solidifying their presence in the Los Angeles indie scene during the mid-2010s.[7][8] Though they announced plans for a full-length debut album in 2015, no further major releases materialized, and the band has remained inactive in recent years.[7]History
Formation and early years
The Eeries were formed in 2012 in Los Angeles by Isaiah Silva, the band's lead vocalist and guitarist, after the dissolution of his previous group, The Rambles.[1] Silva initially established the project as a personal songwriting outlet to channel his creative ideas.[1] Silva assembled the lineup by recruiting Brandon Sweeney on lead guitar and backup vocals from Munster, Indiana; Eliot Lorango on bass and backup vocals from Torrance, California; and Nadir Maraschin on drums from Schio, Italy, near Venice.[9] The members' diverse geographic backgrounds brought varied influences to the group, which held early rehearsals in the Los Angeles area to refine their sound.[7] Rooted in the California indie rock scene, the band emphasized collaborative songwriting during this period, with Silva's vision evolving from bedroom sessions into structured band practice.[7] They self-produced initial demos, including fuzzy garage rock tracks, prior to securing a record deal with Interscope Records in 2014.[7][10] This geographic diversity among members contributed to the band's distinctive early sound.[9]Breakthrough and commercial success
In 2014, The Eeries signed with Interscope Records following the buzz generated by their debut single "Cool Kid," which had initially been self-released as an independent effort.[11] The track, a fuzzy garage rock anthem drawing comparisons to 1990s alt-rock staples, was released digitally on July 22, 2014, via iTunes, marking the band's first official commercial output.[4] The single gained viral traction after being tweeted about by Frances Bean Cobain, the fiancée of frontman Isaiah Silva, which amplified its reach and contributed to its addition to rotation on influential Los Angeles station KROQ in June 2014—despite the band remaining unsigned at the time.[12] This exposure propelled "Cool Kid" to peak at number 40 on the Billboard Alternative Songs chart, establishing the quartet's rapid ascent from local obscurity.[13][4] The song's raw, self-produced sound, characterized by urgent riffs and nostalgic garage rock energy, resonated particularly in the Los Angeles scene, fostering an initial fanbase through word-of-mouth and radio play.[6] Interscope's involvement led to the release of the band's self-titled debut EP on December 9, 2014, featuring "Cool Kid" alongside tracks like "Love You to Pieces" and "Girlfriend," all of which retained the lo-fi production style crafted prior to the label deal.[10] Early media attention highlighted the band's meteoric rise, with features in Spin praising the Cobain connection's role in their breakout and LA Weekly detailing how KROQ's airplay transformed them from unsigned locals to label signees within months.[14][4] This period solidified The Eeries' garage rock appeal, blending retro influences with contemporary urgency to capture broader alternative rock interest.Tours, appearances, and peak activity
In the fall of 2014, The Eeries announced a nationwide tour supporting Gerard Way, former frontman of My Chemical Romance, kicking off on October 12 at The Fillmore in San Francisco and continuing through multiple U.S. cities including New York and Los Angeles.[11] This opportunity provided significant exposure for the emerging band, allowing them to perform alongside Way's solo Hesitant Alien tour dates and build momentum ahead of their EP release.[15] On December 9, 2014, The Eeries made their major television debut performing "Cool Kid" on Late Night with Seth Meyers, coinciding with the EP's release and marking their sole prominent national TV spot during this period.[16] The performance highlighted their energetic alt-rock sound and contributed to the growing buzz around their unsigned-to-label success story with Interscope Records.[17] Throughout 2015, The Eeries expanded their live presence with regional U.S. tours, including support slots on The Used's North American trek alongside Every Time I Die and Marmozets, starting April 3 at House of Blues in San Diego and featuring stops in Tempe, Detroit, and beyond.[18] They also opened for The Smashing Pumpkins during their In Plainsong acoustic-electro tour, notably on June 23 at The Pageant in St. Louis, where the band even joined onstage for an encore of The Beatles' "Something."[19] Additional headline and showcase dates, such as their November 19, 2014, performance at House of Blues Chicago—which extended billing patterns into 2015—helped cultivate a grassroots following across the Midwest and West Coast.[20] The band's peak activity in late 2014 and 2015 was amplified by live session appearances, including a November 14 session for Jam in the Van in Griffith Park, California, where they performed tracks like "Shine On" and "Love You to Pieces" in an intimate van setup.[21] On November 9, 2015, they recorded at JBTV studios in Chicago, delivering a raw rendition of "Love You to Pieces" that showcased their dynamic stage presence.[22] Exposure on influential platforms like KROQ, including an October 1, 2014, acoustic set and interview in the Red Bull Sound Space, further fueled their narrative as an organic, DIY act rising through radio play and regional touring rather than extensive media saturation.[23] These efforts solidified their grassroots momentum during this active phase.Hiatus and legacy
Following their peak activity in 2014 and 2015, The Eeries experienced a sharp decline in releases and tours, with no new music issued since their self-titled EP in 2014. The band's last documented tours concluded in 2015, including support slots with The Used and Gerard Way, after which no further live performances have been scheduled.[24] The hiatus was influenced by personal challenges faced by frontman Isaiah Silva, who married Frances Bean Cobain in June 2014.[25] The couple divorced in March 2016 after nearly two years of marriage, citing irreconcilable differences.[26] Legal disputes followed, including Silva's 2018 lawsuit against Courtney Love, alleging she conspired to murder him in an attempt to reclaim a 1959 Martin D-18 guitar inherited from Kurt Cobain and awarded to Silva in the divorce settlement; the case was settled in 2022.[27] By 2016, the band entered an inactive status, with no official disbandment announced and no verified activity since their 2015 tours, despite occasional listings as active.[24] Despite the limited output, The Eeries maintain a cult following in indie rock, particularly for their 2014 single "Cool Kid," which peaked at No. 40 on the Billboard Alternative Songs chart and is regarded as a garage rock anthem blending fuzzy guitars with pop hooks.[13] The track's enduring appeal is evident in its streaming performance, with over 3.8 million plays on Spotify as of 2025, contributing to the band's approximately 1,800 monthly listeners.[28] Their sound has left a mark on subsequent California indie acts experimenting with similar raw, hook-driven garage rock elements.[2]Musical style and influences
Genre and sound characteristics
The Eeries' primary genre is alternative rock, incorporating elements of garage rock and indie rock. Their sound draws from 1990s alternative influences, blending fuzzy, distorted guitars with raw, energetic production that evokes a gritty, unpolished edge.[7][29] This approach results in a mix of catchy hooks and lo-fi aesthetics, reminiscent of mid-90s alt-rock, where driving rhythms and punchy song structures create an immediate, visceral impact.[29][30] In their debut self-titled EP, these characteristics are prominent through features like the fuzzy garage tones and distortion-heavy guitar work, which process themes of love, frustration, and passion into a high-energy delivery.[7] Lead vocalist Isaiah Silva's emotive, echoing style—often compared to Nirvana's raw delivery—pairs with short, punchy tracks, such as "Cool Kid," a bracingly urgent single clocking in under three minutes and featuring an anthemic chorus built on swirling dream-pop elements and punk-inspired alt-rock drive.[29][10] The EP's overall vibe emphasizes a "basement rock" aesthetic rooted in the band's early DIY self-production efforts, which captured an authentic, garage-born intensity before transitioning to professional polish under Interscope Records.[7][9] With only one EP to their name, the band's evolution remains nascent, but their style consistently highlights a DIY ethos that balances raw, self-recorded origins with the cleaner production of their major-label release, maintaining an underdog appeal in the alternative scene.[29][30]Key influences and comparisons
The Eeries' sound draws significant inspiration from 1990s alternative rock and grunge, particularly the raw energy and introspective lyrics of Nirvana, which are evident in their distorted guitar riffs and vocal intensity.[29] This influence manifests in tracks like "Cool Kid," where themes of youthful rebellion echo the angst-driven narratives of Seattle's grunge scene. Additionally, the band incorporates elements from other '90s icons such as Weezer's melodic pop-punk structures, Everclear's punchy rhythms, the Pixies' dynamic shifts between quiet verses and explosive choruses, and Oasis's anthemic guitar hooks, creating a nostalgic yet accessible alternative rock foundation.[2] Critics have drawn comparisons between The Eeries and contemporary acts like Cage the Elephant and Wavves, noting shared traits in their fuzzy, high-energy indie rock delivery and blend of garage revival aesthetics with pop sensibilities.[29] Their debut EP, for instance, recalls the ego-free, non-commercial vibe of earlier alternative eras while adapting it to modern production, positioning them as a bridge in the post-2010 indie wave that revives '90s nostalgia amid streaming-era demands for concise, hook-laden songs.[7] The band's touring associations, such as supporting The Used, further highlight parallels to post-punk and alternative revival movements.[7]Band members
Current lineup
The Eeries' current lineup has remained stable since the band's formation in 2012, consisting of four core members who contribute to its signature indie rock sound.[9][1] Isaiah Silva serves as the lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist, while also acting as the band's founder and primary songwriter; he was born on January 20, 1985, in Los Angeles, California.[31][9][7] Brandon Sweeney handles lead guitar and provides backup vocals; originally from Munster, Indiana, he is a key contributor to the band's intricate guitar riffs.[9][2] Eliot Lorango plays bass guitar and contributes backup vocals, establishing the band's rhythmic foundation; he hails from Torrance, California.[7][9] Nadir Maraschin is the drummer, bringing an international perspective from his origins in Schio, Italy, to the percussion elements.[7][9] Mark Lear is occasionally listed in sources as "banjo string test lead," a credit that appears to be humorous or erroneous and does not indicate a core performing role.[32]Timeline of changes
The Eeries were assembled in 2012 by lead vocalist and guitarist Isaiah Silva following the dissolution of his previous band, The Rambles, with an initial lineup consisting of Silva, lead guitarist Brandon Sweeney, bassist Eliot Lorango, and drummer Nadir Maraschin; no prior changes were recorded at formation.[1][31] From 2013 to 2015, this core quartet remained consistent, supporting the band's early releases including their self-titled debut EP in December 2014 and subsequent tours, with no documented departures or additions during this period of peak activity.[7][2] Following their last known performance in June 2015, the band entered an informal hiatus with no further group activity or releases, resulting in no lineup alterations; the roster has stayed intact without official shifts. As of 2025, members have pursued individual projects, including bassist Eliot Lorango touring and recording with artists such as Jerry Cantrell and Dorothy.[22][31][33] Silva's divorce from Frances Bean Cobain, filed in March 2016, coincided with the band's dormancy but did not lead to any roster changes, as confirmed by the absence of subsequent member announcements or disputes involving the group.[34][35] Throughout their history, The Eeries have demonstrated remarkable lineup stability for an indie rock outfit, maintaining zero official former members despite the hiatus.[7][2]Discography
Extended plays
The Eeries released their sole extended play, a self-titled debut EP, on December 9, 2014, through Interscope Records.[17] This five-track project marked the band's introduction to a major label audience, following the independent release of their lead single "Cool Kid" earlier that year.[12] The EP was distributed digitally via platforms such as Amazon Music and iTunes, emphasizing its role as an accessible entry point for fans.[36] The track listing comprises:- "Girlfriend" (2:46)
- "Cool Kid" (4:12)
- "Love You to Pieces" (4:06)
- "Shine On" (4:19)
- "Overrated" (3:17)