One for Nothing

Ether Seeds is a four-piece rock band formed in December of 2001. Through the coupling of a markedly varied body of influences with a common vision, Ether Seeds have created a seamlessly original blend of organic hard rock and modern edge. Having weathered the storm of a major label breakup, as well as countless miles on the road, the Atlanta-based foursome has pulled together to create a sound that is fiercely soulful and expressive.

Although the band calls Atlanta home base, its formation represents a near miraculous coming together of circumstance, music, and many, many, miles. Singer Dustin Lowery grew up in North Carolina. Dustin is the younger brother of Clint Lowery (Sevendust) and Corey Lowery (Stereomud/Sky Fall Down). Bassist Eric Nagy, formerly of Liquid Gang (Lava/Atlantic), comes to the band by way of Philadelphia. Drummer Billy Deputato is a New Jersey native who spent much of his time in the NYC band, Chlorophyll. Guitarist Stephen Seals hails from the State of Texas…and comes from no band in particular.

In the summer of 2001, after the breakup of a band that featured Seals on guitar and Lowery on drums, the two came together in Atlanta to form a hastily recorded demo with Dustin taking on vocal duties. With only a few rough ideas and no bass player or drummer, the two began an exhaustive search for a rhythm section that would allow the music to move forward. Unfortunately, the task at hand proved to be far more daunting than originally expected. After countless auditions, the year began drawing to a close without any suitable prospects in sight.

Fortunately, fate intervened in December of that same year, when a mutual friend introduced Seals and Lowery to Nagy and Deputato, who ironically had been trying to form a project of their own in New York. After exchanging a few phone calls and throwing a great deal of caution to the wind, Deputato and Nagy boarded a plane down to Atlanta. Minutes after the four struck their first note together in a cold Atlanta rehearsal space, the future became entirely evident…this was exactly what both parties had been seeking.

After a whirlwind courtship, Ether Seeds signed with Roadrunner/Island/Def Jam Records in March of 2002. The band spent August and September of that year recording their self-titled debut album in Los Angeles with producers Bill Applebery and Tobi Miller (Wallflowers, Adema, Fingertight). The record also features an additional track produced by Butch Walker (Sevendust, SR71, Injected).

With a release date firmly in place, the band hit the road non-stop in January of 2003. Through a series of nationwide jaunts with the likes of Finger Eleven, Sevendust, Fingertight, Stereomud, and Project 86 (among others), the band took a grass roots approach to building a core following. By the spring of 2003, Ether Seeds had become a ferocious live band capable of winning audiences over nationwide.

The band’s first single “Save Your Own Life” was released to radio in April of 2003 as the number two most added single at Modern Rock and Active Rock…second only to the Deftone’s “Minerva”. By the 4th week at radio, “Save Your Own Life” had established a promising and consistent climb up the charts.

Despite a strong start and a growing list of fans from one coast to the other, the band’s financially strapped record label was falling behind quickly. With a release date looming, and a mounting list of promotional requirements yet to be fulfilled by the label, Roadrunner Records folded on their contract with Ether Seeds in May of 2003. More determined than ever, the band sidestepped their label misfortune and began pounding the Southeast.

Having now been officially released from all contractual obligations to their former label, the Seeds are currently breaking ground on a body of material that promises to be even more focused and compelling than the first. With their search for a suitably supportive label home now in full swing; look for new tour dates and a 2004 release to follow.