IN THE BEGINNING

In the beginning, there were two – Chris and Ron.

Ron (to Chris): "Man, how come we never jam together? You rock on guitar. Let's do it!"

Chris (incredulous, turns to Ron and says): "Man, I haven't played in a while – but I'll check out your band some time."

A handful of weeks pass before Chris makes an appearance. After checking them out, now itching to shrug off a self–imposed (3) year hiatus, he rings Ron up on the phone.

Chris (completely impassioned now): "Okay, dude. You rock on drums! Bring your kit over. Let's jam!"

Jamming ensues. After a while, the duo starts to feel lonely.

Ron (putting it out there): "You know any bassists here in town?"

OUT OF THE BLUES

Chris (immediately inspired): "Yeah, Pat Ross. We played together from '92 to '97. Man, we toured ALL over the country..."

Chris (after some reflection & on a roll now): "Pat & I played the HOUSE OF BLUES on the Sunset Strip. Shit, we stayed in ZEPPLIN'S suite at the Riot Hyatt!!! I'll totally give him a call. He'll definitely be into it!"

Pat, unsuspecting, receives "the call."

Chris (convincingly): "Hey man, I've been playing with this kick ass drummer. We're writing some original tunes. It's just for fun – just about the music. Come on over next Wednesday night & we'll jam!"

Pat (without thinking twice, replies): "Sure."

Pat & Chris pick up in the same sweet spot where they left off. Ron has no trouble working his beats in around them. Four years pass as nearly a dozen singers make their way in & out of the group. The guys wonder what's up & start developing a minor complex.

THE 12TH DEVOTEE

Eleven dusky disciples came, laid down vocals & went.

Each spun their own sad but familiar story:

Then, in February of '06, came Jeremy – doing his best to look cool & coming highly recommended.

But he was nervous as a teenaged boy on prom night – not knowing if he'd actually "get the girl" ...sliding off barstools while completely sober & all that jazz.

He brought with him an acoustic guitar, a cache of self–penned lyrics & just enough individual style to intrigue & surprise the rest of the guys.

He was serious about his music – a lead singer who might actually have some staying power...

BARSTOOLS & BAD ASS MUSIC

Here's how it all came down.

The guys were getting ready to start another Wednesday night practice session at Chris's in-home rehearsal studio. Zeppelin, Hendrix & Rush banners are draped, like fine art, over egg-crate padded walls. Industrial strength speakers, bar stools, amps & mics take up every square inch of the room.

Enter Jeremy, literally. Chris offers him a barstool to sit on, as he introduces himself.

Chris (in his usual, affable manner): "Hey, Jeremy! It's good to meet you. These Wednesday nights have become our poker nights, when we have fun & get away from work – from our 'normal' lives..."

Chris (quickly cutting to the chase): "Let's hear what you've got!"

Jeremy (slightly surprised, as he sits down, says): "This is a song I've been working on lately. I don't really have any lyrics but the music & melody are pretty solid. I call it 'No Fault'."

As Jeremy strums the first chord, the barstool gives way. He jumps up.

Jeremy (red faced now): "As if I weren't nervous enough!"

Ron (amused, says wryly): "Great save – you didn't fall completely on your ass!"

Jeremy (back on the barstool) resumes singing as the rest of the guys look on & think to themselves, "Yeah, man, let's do something with this!"

They drink. They work on the song. They record 'No Fault'. Wednesdays officially become rehearsal nights. Thoroughly impressed with the night's outcome, recording ensues.

PUBLIC OFFERING

LEADED develops a batch of original songs that inspires, in all its members, undeniable creativity – fueled by Jeremy's meaningful lyrics, layered with Chris's rapturous yet energetic riffs, which are meaningfully underscored by Ron & Pat's tight, bluesy rhythms.

Without a name, the band begins posting their new music on a crude, 1st attempt website made for friends' & families' sake. The dedicated fans spawn a Thursday morning movement – downloading the sonic creations as fast as they can be posted.

E–mails begin pouring in. "Where are you guys playing at?" most of them read. Nowhere – yet. A local promoter calls Chris. He's got a slot to fill in one of his shows.

Chris (to the other band members, says): "We've got a show. We need a name."

Everyone pitches in. Ron, in a moment of brilliance, suggests naming the band after a song Chris & Pat wrote ages ago, which is called "Leaded."

The band, LEADED, plays its first public gig – a killer one at that – at Kansas City's GRAND EMPORIUM. Chris, post-show, is accosted by KC area journalist Hearne Christopher, Jr., who asks (with some urgency), "Do you have time for an interview?"

The following day, a KC area promoter pitches Chris another kind of request.

Promoter dude (expectantly): "That was a great set last night! I've got a slot for you guys at the HURRICANE. Will you do it?"

Show night. The bar's filled to capacity with a fresh crop of LEADED fans.

Jeremy (addresses the crowd): "I'm happy to see you. I hear they charged you money to see us. I'm sorry for that but I'm trying my best to give you every penny's worth. Thanks for being a part of this with us!"

The rest, as they say, is the stuff rock & roll history is made of! LEADED begins writing new songs at each rehearsal session. They play out, when requested.

After weeks of deliberation, they go into the studio to create a (7) song EP. They make plans to sell related merchandise online (i.e. CD's, T-shirts, stickers & buttons) to coincide with the EP's release.