Denton/Fort Worth band Eaton Lake Tonics sent out a press release this morning announcing that, "after 1,240+ beers, 20 some-odd hissy fits, 6 years, 4 LPs, 2 EPs, 0 deaths and 200+ live performances," they'll be calling it quits.
The band, whose members most recently included Tony Ferraro (Fate Lions, Matthew & The Arrogant Sea, Ryan Thomas Becker Band), Ryan Thomas Becker (RTB2, Slow Burners), David Howard (formerly of M&tAS) and Jonathan Losasso (M&tAS), will play two last shows before taking its final bow -- a gig on February 26 at Hailey's Club and a gig in mid-March at the 35 Conferette. Ferraro, meanwhile, will continue to write and perform solo material, likely with Becker and Losasso still backing him from time to time, the note says.
Also pertinent in the note: The band has put its entire up on its website, where it has been made available for free download.
After the jump, the press release, as sent out by the band this morning, has been posted for curious parties to check out.
The band, whose members most recently included Tony Ferraro (Fate Lions, Matthew & The Arrogant Sea, Ryan Thomas Becker Band), Ryan Thomas Becker (RTB2, Slow Burners), David Howard (formerly of M&tAS) and Jonathan Losasso (M&tAS), will play two last shows before taking its final bow -- a gig on February 26 at Hailey's Club and a gig in mid-March at the 35 Conferette. Ferraro, meanwhile, will continue to write and perform solo material, likely with Becker and Losasso still backing him from time to time, the note says.
Also pertinent in the note: The band has put its entire up on its website, where it has been made available for free download.
After the jump, the press release, as sent out by the band this morning, has been posted for curious parties to check out.
Press Release: DFW band Eaton Lake Tonics dissolves
Fort Worth/Denton, TX rock n' roll outfit Eaton Lake Tonics
has disbanded after 1,240+ beers, 20 some-odd hissy fits,
6 years, 4 LPs, 2 EPs, 0 deaths and 200+ live performances.
Styled as a "A Self-Contained Paper Scissors Rock and Roll Unit",
the band has chosen to end the impetus of their collaborative
project officially this week.
The band's ultimate personnel (and survived acts) are:
Tony Ferraro (Fate Lions, Matthew & The Arrogant Sea, Ryan Thomas Becker Band)
Ryan Thomas Becker (RTB2, Slow Burners)
David Howard (formerly of M&tAS)
& Jonathan Losasso (M&tAS)
The members will remain active in the aforementioned bands (and more) in the DFW area.
The final 2 Eaton Lake Tonics shows will be:
- February 26 @ Hailey's in Denton
Date TBA @ 35 Conferette in Denton (March 10-13)
Future: The principal songwriter, Tony Ferraro, has and will remain a prolific writing force.
He will soon be entering the studio for a solo release on his own Rancho Folly label.
Also, Ryan & Jonathan are slated to be on future records and live performances, as well as other friends/guests.
Included is a link to the Eaton Lake Tonics final digital resting place; where their entire discography is available for free download: http://eatonlaketonics.co.nr
In the unofficially dubbed "Alumni District" of Fort Worth, TX, Eaton Lake Tonics began as a congruent project to Pump, Pump, Cuddle: a math/surf/punk/post-punk outfit. After the christening and re-focusing, the first ELT sessions were recorded in David Howard's apartment during a playful and nefarious 40-song bet known as "Lent". In 2004, Tony Ferraro and Howard picked up Jonathan Losasso to complete the unit, and the songs went to the practice room and to sports bars in the area.
Close friends recorded the debut album "Bernadina" in two weeks (in their parent's garage at the price of Dr. Pepper cases) in the early spring of 2005. The album boasted an 'undeclared' position for the band's seemingly not-yet-chosen style. Part country, part stoner rock, part joke-rock, part third-grade crush pop-punk, this debut album was released to local reviews and the seeds of a reputation for prolificacy and determination.
The sudden departure of Howard left Ferraro and Losasso to work on the band's second full-length "Long Arm Days" in early 2006. The lyrics and music took a much more personal and dark tone, peppered with suicidal ramblings and heartbreak galore. This era saw the entry of Patrick Adams to step in and fill out the missing hole in the lineup. The live shows intensified and began to garner much more and favorable attention from many new loyal fans and press.
In late 2006, Ferraro, Losasso and Adams divided. From the wet shoulder of advice from fellow musicians and friends, Ferraro was convinced to maintain the name and make another record. "Vicodina" was recorded with the help of many new friends. Amongst the newbies, came the musical alliance between Ferraro and Dentonite Ryan Thomas Becker. The record began as a solo project in a San Antonio recording studio. Ferraro then came home to Fort Worth for he and Becker to complete under the ELT banner in January 2007. The live shows from this time were a littered hodgepodge of membership. There were many local live performances with descriptions ranging from: subdued solo act to outrageous romps with all-night outdoor screamers.
Later in 2007, Ferraro and Becker took Eaton Lake Tonics on tour across the Midwest with mate Grady Don Sandlin on drums. The tour was a stepping stone for the band, but also a highway of hindsight for Ferraro, the only remaining original member. After the tour, writing for the next record began. Each planned song plus additional ones were recorded in numerous accounts at various home studios. Feeling that the songs needed much more energy and temperament, Ferraro re-enlisted the forces of Howard and Losasso. Along with the steadfast and uninterrupted allegiance of Becker, Eaton Lake Tonics released their final full-length "Rancho Folly IV" in November of 2009.
