ASPHALT JUKE HISTORY

On a friday night in February of 2006, founding members Bob Kapis and Dave Novakovich got together with a few friends to jam. Originally with no intentions of starting a band, Bob and Dave realized that there was something there, something rarely seen today. Pure, raw, honest music. After two practices with Bob originally slated to play drums, the duo had written a handful of brand new songs together, and combined with songs that they had each previously individually written, they realized that this was definitely within reach. So they placed an ad looking for other members.

*Dave and Bob had previously played a small acoustic set, drunk and late in the night, at Frank's Halloween party in 2004.

In March, Deric Payne (who had previously played in "Haircuts that Hurt") answered their ad, and after one practice he was the guy. Deric was a drummer, so Bob was able to move back to his natural spot on the guitar. This configuration led to the group writing alot more versatile material. With Dave as the principal singer, and Bob singing lead on a handful of other songs, they were able to offer up a wide variety of vocal styles and songs. Now all that was left was a bass player.

After auditioning a few bass players. One that they were too hard for, one that never auditioned, but felt the need to start sh*t with them anyway, because they listed "Live" as an influence, and one that apparently felt the urge to play Skynr'ds "Free Bird" to all of their material(we still love ya Greg), Deric remembered a previous jam session that he had with Ken Repass. After a few practices Ken became the final piece of Asphalt Juke.

After a month and a half of hard practice Asphalt Juke played their very first show at a party in Dorset, Ohio hosted by Curt and Julana. Fittingly that party opened with random gun fire, and blowing up a truck engine... These events were expected, and apparently this is normal, everyday life out in Dorset. Followed by Deric eating 7 and half pounds of bacon at the "Flying J".

*The Five song "Live at the Hi-Fi" e.p. was released in October of 2006, and featured the songs Beautiful Funeral, Rick, Contemplation, Cut Up and Dying To... with special introduction from Billy Morris of Warrant, and host of WMMS' Native Noise.

In December of 2006, after about ten shows, Ken decided to leave the band. Ken's last show was December 10th 2006 at Peabodys in Cleveland. He was almost immediately replaced by Willie Tharp. At that time, Willie played guitar in a band called "Until I Crash" based out of Marion, Ohio. With the addition of Willie came a new perspective on songwriting, that enabled the band to write some even more unique material, and to solidify the old material. Willies first show with Asphalt Juke was on Jan. 27th 2007 at Verlie's Cafe in Cleveland.

*Asphalt Juke entered 5/5th Studio in Painesville, Ohio in October of 2007 (the 6th and 9th to be more specific), to begin recording their debut album that consists of these ten songs: Head, And I Know You Will, Rick, Contemplation, Silvergreene, Cut Up, Dying To..., Please Keep Bleeding, 543, Throw Away and a bonus track titled Dear Diary. "Tragedy & Recovery was released on May 31st 2008.

Sadly, after some health problems, and subsequent surgery in Dec. of 2007 (I wonder if this had anything to do with the seven and a half pounds of bacon he consumed after the first show), Deric decided in Jan of 2008 to step away from the band. His final show, as an official member of the band,  was at the Cove in Geneva on Nov. 2nd 2007.  Without a permanent drummer the band played a few shows with Matt Lucy, their producer from 5/5ths Studio on drums, and even a show with Deric filling in for his own fill in.  After a series of auditions, Ed Small has joined the band on drums.  Ed had previously played with "Kill Hannah" from Chicago.  His first show with the band was April 26th at Cebar's in Madison. 

Now complete once again, the band plans on broadening their horizons and heading out in support of their debut album "Tragedy & Recovery".