A Short History of Life After Darla

A simple beginning

Perhaps the most important and lasting effect that came from those loud and abrasive rehearsals was that two doors down lived a boy named Scott Key, whose father was a veteran musician on both guitar and bass. Scott, being Jeremy’s friend, asked to join the group. His addition to the band ended up being a link that within two years would be the glue holding together the emerging band's music.

Parallel universes

Just two residential streets away from Jeremy lived Gregoryallen, who was himself discovering his own interest in music with his friends Scott Zinn and Jason Kist. Sequestered inside Gregoryallen’s small bedroom Zinn and Gregoryallen spent endless hours creating music-- Jason would sometimes loan his skill on drums to support their music. Gregoryallen’s strength was his insatiable appetite for creating new music (a trait that has not waned to this day). With an old acoustic guitar and an ancient bass guitar, Zinn and Gregoryallen embarked again and again into uncharted musical territory.

Surprisingly, or perhaps not, Gregoryallen and Zinn, despite attending the same high school, had not yet met Scott or Jeremy. Jason Kist, a mutual friend of both parties, introduced Jeremy to Gregoryallen on one fateful afternoon. After their introduction Gregoryallen invited Jeremy over to his small bedroom to play bass on a U2 cover song that he and Zinn had been working on. With Zinn singing, Jason on the drums, Jeremy playing bass, and Gregoryallen on guitar the zealous but inexperienced quartet jammed the afternoon away. In truth, the music proved to be nothing short of a disasterous. However, they had a blast trying, and a bond was quickly forged.

Before long, Jeremy introduced Gregoryallen to Scott (who had become nothing short of a hermit due to the hours of practice on his new found love of guitar, under the proud tutelage of his father's skilled hand). It was not long after their meeting, combining Gregoryallen's songwriting ability with Scott's virtuoso skill on guitar, that the seeds of Life After Darla were planted. In Jeremy's bedroom the fertile soil of their collective imaginations and talent brought forth so many songs that are even more than a decade later remembered by many as their favorites.

Three Imaginary Boys

High school Senior Gregoryallen and Juniors, Jeremy and Scott, day after day stuffed into Jeremy’s 8' X 10' room with amps, guitars, drums, friends, and lots of anxious excitement. (Michael was no longer in the picture for no other reason than “I didn’t have a way to get there." In truth, he, at the time was pursuing other priorities and interests.) Zinn was a casualty of geography and priorities-- he would show up to sing as often as he was able (which was not often at all), but he lived too far away to make it on a regular basis. Jason Kist was occupied with many things, including his girlfriend. Maybe that’s why most teen bands don’t last more than a few months, they fall prey to the numerous responsibilities and distractions that arise from ordinary life. Yet, despite the obstacles, Gregoryallen, Scott, and Jeremy, having an advantage of close proximity, as well as a love for music, were able to keep their band together.

Scott’s learning on the guitar assured him the lead guitarist position. Gregoryallen, who always had a knack for bass guitar, gladly handled the low end, and Jeremy, of course, was the drummer. The three hammered out cover songs incompletely performed with whomever happened to be present filling in to sing. The boys had a great time playing music together, there was no doubt they had a connection, the only thing lacking was someone who could carry a tune. The band needed a vocalist.

Enter Elevator

A sturdy youth, both popular and well respected (who sang in his church choir), Elevator emerged out of the thousands who might have chanced on filling the vocal throne. As fate would have it, Jason Kist served as another invaluable bridge. He mentioned to the three that his girlfriend's brother, Evan Ford (not yet known as Elevator), may be interested in singing for the band. Within days an audition was set up.

The reader may recall that during this time “grunge rock” was all the rave; bands like Pearl Jam, Alice in Chains, and Nirvana owned the air-waves. Elevator's first test was to sing a band favorite: “Alive” by Pearl Jam. Elevator loved Pearl Jam so it was to his advantage. To the pleasant surprise of the three present, he pulled it off rather well. After a few rehearsals it was apparent that Elevator was the one. Jeremy and Scott were sold after the first rehearsal but Gregoryallen wanted his long time friend as lead singer. Sadly for Greg, however, Zinn could almost never make rehearsals. Elevator was always there and showed the determination and dedication requisite of any band front man. After Gregoryallen thought it over he realized that Elevator was truly the better singer. Gregoryallen has since expressed to Jeremy and Scott how supremely grateful he is for steering him in the right direction.

In semi-professional form Elevator was asked to go in the other room while the final decision on his 'audition' was discussed. In reality there was nothing to talk over. Elevator's love for music was very strong, and his talent was undeniable. Another obvious factor was that Elevator loved to sing, even as nervous as he was, it was clear he was compelled to sing for an audience. A passion that never faultered. Thankfully, Elevator was just as excited to be in the band as the three were to have him. So, the union was formed-- WintersburG, as they called themselves, had arrived.

Training ground

For the next several years these four youths pushed their music on the Southern California market. Thanks to the work schedules of Jeremy’s parents (and forgiving neighbors) WintersburG was able to rehearse nearly six days a week, 3 to 5 hours a day. On weekends it was not uncommon for the boys to play both Friday and Saturday night parties. In short the lines between their lives and their music blurred to become nearly unascertainable.

As the band matured they began to play in Los Angeles and Orange County clubs. They recorded demos, live recordings, and even tested their abilities in the professional studio at Golden West College. WintersburG had defined its sound, realized its talent, honed its live performance, and finalized its signature in stereo after stereo. The boys had an impact, and the feeling was something they could never have anticipated.

One anecdote from this time period should suffice. Two girls, who shall go unnamed, testified that each time they were in their cars listening to WintersburG and the songs “L” or “Whatever Happened To Us” came on they would pull over to the side of the road, turn off their engine, listen intently, and then break down into tears. It is a true story.

Time waits for no one.

WintersburG eventually became Life After Darla. Drugs, the military, university, relocations, and girls, the band survived them all; yet, those realities did leave their mark. Scott Key is currently a Christian missionary in Scotland, hence he is no longer in the band. Gregoryallen took over on lead guitar, filling the vacancy left by Scott's departure with his own unique style. For a time Zinn filled in on bass guitar, and even added his signature by penning two fantastic songs: "Fading" and "Fame". His endeavors eventually led him out of state. Upon Zinn's departure, Tim K. (no longer with the band) took over at bass, his memory still present in a couple clever bass riffs. T.K. (as the band fondly knew him) is also responsible for the band's name-- it was upon his suggestion during one afternoon rehearsal, "How about Life After Darla?" that the band was named. Michael, after years of following his own path, has been led to his love of music once again. Michael's input ever helped to evolve Life After Darla's sound into the diversely sober array it became.

Life After Darla came to an abrupt and sad end with the follwing line-up. Elevator on vocals, who compelled audiences at every turn; Gregoryallen on lead guitar and vocals, forever writing songs and trying to find some new sound; Jeremy on drums, pounding wood on skins with ferocious intensity; and Michael on rhythm guitar, keyboards and bass, doing all that was asked of him, and then some.

Touch the Flame

Life After Darla built on its collective experience for almost four years. They had seen what needed to be accomplished if they are ever going to take their music to the world. Using their talent, skill, insight, and the help of some very generous and loyal fans, Life After Darla took their music to anyone willing to listen. They had a message, their goal was sure and they did not look back. Along the way they attempted to make the journey as fun and meaningful as possible. Incredibly, the song writing continued at break-neck pace; live performances were more ferocious than ever before. Day by day the music, indeed the life of Life After Darla became that much more meaningful. For Life After Darla realized that today could be the last day of their lives, or their life as a band, so they had to fulfill their call, they had to live and learn today. They did live and learn. They lived and learned as Life After Darla all the way up until the miserable end.

(written by Gregoryallen and Jeremy Stock)