The early part of 1998 saw many changes to brothers Jimmy Wodarski and Robert Foster, especially in their musical endeavors. Tossing aside the old style, they got serious with the goth and punk music they had been toying with for the past several years. And suddenly, a new band was born.
It wasn't until April of that year that Myke Greenlese decided he wanted to try the same thing. Always enamored with the gothic music and scene, he quickly joined up with Jimmy and Robert to complete their dream. All they needed now was a singer.
Near the end of August, Jonathan Yowell noticed an ad in Detroit's Metro Times for a Toledo-based band looking for a singer. After a quick audition, he was welcomed into the band, and the group was never the same.
Originally going under the name Lot 81, the band decided upon Lenore in January of 1999, partly based on the poem by Edgar Allan Poe, and partly based on the hilarious comics by Roman Dirge. Several weeks later, Lenore ventured into the Tempermill in Ferndale, MI for their first recording session.
"Looking Glass" was born, and sold out within weeks of its completion. Sharing the stage with several other goth-type groups from the Detroit area, such as Esion, The Unfriendlys, Deathgirl.com, and more, Lenore was able to share the stage with such national acts as The Cruxshadows and Seraphim Shock.
In February of 2000, they set off to the recording studio once more to record their full-length LP, "Valentia", which landed them the Band Of The Week spot in the Detroit News.
May of 2001 saw Robert leaving the band, citing creative differences. After a lengthy search for a new drummer, Lenore disbanded in January of 2002. Jimmy and Robert are now working on their own projects, while Jonathan and Myke are currently working in Hypodermic.
While the rumor of a Lenore reunion is being whispered, chances are the band will at least head back to the studio to record the three songs they wrote before their untimely demise. In the meantime, Lenore merchandise is still available! "Valentia" is for sale, as are Lenore logo t-shirts, either by emailing here, or by visiting The Purple Gang website.
