membership
member since: 08/22/07 02:26:03
background / biography
Chris Hobbs / Guitars
Chad La Roy / Drums
Brian Smith / bass
Casey Walker / Vocals
Ultimately, every struggling rock band wants the same thing out of life… become big stars, have their music heard and loved by millions, and most importantly, have their passion become their profession. But as the members of CAVO can attest to, the journey is a difficult one, and the effort often comes at a high price.
What began late in 2000 as a hobby has become more of a serious obsession for Chris Hobbs, Chad La Roy, Mike Tomas and Casey Walker, the founding members of this St. Louis rock band. After the release of their debut EP, “A Space to Fill” in 2003, some regional airplay and lots of self-belief, CAVO thought that the time had come for their shot at stardom. But it didn’t happen…
And then things started to fall apart. Their producer went AWOL, then a marriage fell apart, every relationship was feeling the strain of a struggling rock band. At rock bottom in their personal lives, and just about to give up on their passion, the band decided to lock themselves away for as long as it took to focus on getting their lives together and creating music based on their real-life experiences.
Now, two and a half years later in 2006, CAVO has emerged as a refreshed band, with Brian Smith joining on bass, a new outlook and a refined sound that is sure to garner some national attention. Their second independent release, “The Painful Art of Letting Go,” paints a dark and desolate picture from the title of the CD, but vocalist Casey Walker explains that the name only reflects one piece of the multi-layered album.
“There are definitely songs on this record that show the harsh realities of life and trying to keep your head above water,” he says. “Songs like ‘Awake,’ ‘Nameless’ and ‘Painful Art’ (from which the CD’s title originates) came from the band dealing with several internal and personal struggles. Those were some of the darkest times I’ve ever faced.”
He adds “but through those struggles comes a growing process. In the end all healing comes from “Letting Go”. All great art comes from a place of honesty, and we weren’t satisfied anymore with not being completely honest with ourselves and others. Songs like Gone and waiting For Silence sort of wrote themselves as a token to a long process of “Letting Go.”
Overall, “The Painful Art of Letting Go” provides a unique balance of opposites: happiness and sadness, shallowness and depth. CAVO has survived these last couple of years because they have never lost sight of their true passion.
“Even though we’ve all lost things and people who are important to us, it’s made us who we are today, and we’re quite proud of what we’ve become as a band, these are the guys you’re in the trenches with everyday, and that’s what helps bring closure to even the most painful times.” concludes Walker
So what does CAVO want out of life now? Without a doubt, the answer is the same as it ever was. The passion is, will always be, an obsession, and these five guys have emerged on the other side stronger than ever, and will stop at nothing to fulfill their dreams. They’ve learned a lot about life, and especially to take things as they come head on, and never lose sight of the common goal.
Chad La Roy / Drums
Brian Smith / bass
Casey Walker / Vocals
Ultimately, every struggling rock band wants the same thing out of life… become big stars, have their music heard and loved by millions, and most importantly, have their passion become their profession. But as the members of CAVO can attest to, the journey is a difficult one, and the effort often comes at a high price.
What began late in 2000 as a hobby has become more of a serious obsession for Chris Hobbs, Chad La Roy, Mike Tomas and Casey Walker, the founding members of this St. Louis rock band. After the release of their debut EP, “A Space to Fill” in 2003, some regional airplay and lots of self-belief, CAVO thought that the time had come for their shot at stardom. But it didn’t happen…
And then things started to fall apart. Their producer went AWOL, then a marriage fell apart, every relationship was feeling the strain of a struggling rock band. At rock bottom in their personal lives, and just about to give up on their passion, the band decided to lock themselves away for as long as it took to focus on getting their lives together and creating music based on their real-life experiences.
Now, two and a half years later in 2006, CAVO has emerged as a refreshed band, with Brian Smith joining on bass, a new outlook and a refined sound that is sure to garner some national attention. Their second independent release, “The Painful Art of Letting Go,” paints a dark and desolate picture from the title of the CD, but vocalist Casey Walker explains that the name only reflects one piece of the multi-layered album.
“There are definitely songs on this record that show the harsh realities of life and trying to keep your head above water,” he says. “Songs like ‘Awake,’ ‘Nameless’ and ‘Painful Art’ (from which the CD’s title originates) came from the band dealing with several internal and personal struggles. Those were some of the darkest times I’ve ever faced.”
He adds “but through those struggles comes a growing process. In the end all healing comes from “Letting Go”. All great art comes from a place of honesty, and we weren’t satisfied anymore with not being completely honest with ourselves and others. Songs like Gone and waiting For Silence sort of wrote themselves as a token to a long process of “Letting Go.”
Overall, “The Painful Art of Letting Go” provides a unique balance of opposites: happiness and sadness, shallowness and depth. CAVO has survived these last couple of years because they have never lost sight of their true passion.
“Even though we’ve all lost things and people who are important to us, it’s made us who we are today, and we’re quite proud of what we’ve become as a band, these are the guys you’re in the trenches with everyday, and that’s what helps bring closure to even the most painful times.” concludes Walker
So what does CAVO want out of life now? Without a doubt, the answer is the same as it ever was. The passion is, will always be, an obsession, and these five guys have emerged on the other side stronger than ever, and will stop at nothing to fulfill their dreams. They’ve learned a lot about life, and especially to take things as they come head on, and never lose sight of the common goal.
location
genre
influences
Anything with real honesty and passion.
