Speed Of Life

Rock / Alternative / Progressive

Brooklyn, NY

Billboard

Between 1998 and 2000 there was a vibrant drum and bass scene in New York at clubs like 'The Izzy bar' and 'Shine.' Drummer Tobias Ralph was in the forefront of this scene and a young John Zay was a devout fan of his playing. After seeing Tobias at shows and running into him randomly at rehearsal spots, Tobias and Zay started becoming friends. By chance, Tobias's roommate (Andrew Frawley) got a hold of Zay's solo effort "The Break," which naturally landed into Tobias's hands. The next time they ran into each other Tobias expressed interest to Zay in starting a project merging Rock songwriting with Drum and Bass rhythms.

When Zay told his friend bassist Taylor Bergren-Chrisman the news, Tay expressed a strong interest in being part of the first Jam session. "When Taylor wanted in I wasn't sure he would fit because I knew him as a stand up Jazz player." says Zay. "But during our first rehearsal my amp wasn't working right away so Toby and Tay started jamming. That's when I knew Taylor was the right guy." That was in March of 2001. In the first few months of being together Speed of Life wrote was to be over 1/2 of their debut album. In 2003 the band took a break for various side projects including Zay's stint with Steve Madden Rock-n-Sole winner Mehuman Jonson, but reformed in 2004 to finish the album and create the track "Fading" which would become its' crowing jewel.

The album was titled "Mainstay" , and was played on over 160 college and commercial radio stations. Eager to go artistically in a new direction, the band immediately went back into the studio to record some fresh new songs. But because of Tobias's newfound status of becoming a father, Speed of Life were unable to tour behind "Mainstay" and finish their next record with him. Zay: "It was tough for me to let go of Tobias at that time. I had revered his playing so much and he had founded the band with me. But I knew he needed time to be with his son and that I needed to continue to grow in the band."

October 2005, enter drummer Andrew Frawley, the guy who inadvertently brought Zay and Tobias together and has been their backup drummer since 2002. Andrew, who used to practice with Tobias regularly, knew the drummer's techniques well yet was still able to make the songs his own. He stepped in seamlessly and finished the drumming on the new Album "Catalyst". Which was released in January Of 2007. The release was followed by an extensive 2-month tour across the U.S. with new member Dan Policar on Keyboards.

Summer of 2007, Zay is in LA setting up a west coast summer tour with Tobias to promote both records. "Andrew has become unavailable for the summer and Taylor has amicabaly left the band. Tobias has expressed interest in coming back into the picture and he's bringing his buddy Nick Damato to play bass. It is an exciting time to finally be able to play these songs with Toby on the road, especially after the success of the first tour ". As Zay further introduces the public to the band and pursues business opportunities the guys are back in NY preparing for summer rehearsals, a NY show and the tour commencement in September of 2007. Stayed tuned for more info.