Sy Seyler - Regionally noticed and nationally endorsed, Sy has over 15 years of experience on stages throughout the East Coast. While performing original music in groups such as Aislynn, SHOCK LaRue and Return To Zero, Sy was endorsed by Slingerland drums and PureCussion R.I.M.S. Today, he is still on the active endorsement roster for Vic Firth drumsticks. In TRY, Sy plays electronic drums, programs samples and sequences to duplicate the sounds of the 1980s. In addition, he sings the eclectic new wave selections by bands like B-52's, Frankie Goes To Hollywood, Midnight Oil and Depeche Mode. His singing talents are displayed both behind the drum kit and while co-fronting the band.
Karen Ellison - This keyboardist was one of the founding members of TRY. She has also performed throughout the East coast with David Moreale's Busload Of Faith and Aislynn where she first met Seyler. Karen sings hits by 80's diva's, Madonna, Nena, The Bangles and Pat Benatar. She plays a key part (pardon the pun) in recreating the processed sounds of the 80's since many of the era's chart toppers were keyboard oriented. Karen's musical merits were confirmed as she placed in Music Monthly's annual Reader's Polls and when she performed at the 1995 Cutting Edge Music Business Conference in New Orleans, LA. Karen is affectionately known as TRY's "secret weapon", audiences everywhere adore her.
Michael Leigh - During TRY's short hiatus, Michael accompanied Sy in a project called Members Only (or MO-80's). Michael's heart is fond of 80's geared rock music. He entered the Mid Atlantic club scene at 17, fronting & co-founding the Glam Rock group Neglektid Toyz. Later Michael joined Mona Lisa in 1988 and IROC in the early 1990's He has regularly placed in the Mid Atlantic Music Monthly Magazine's Readers Poll in categories for Best Rock Vocalist & Male Front Person. Michael's uncanny vocal reproduction of Steve Perry solidified his role in Midnight Blue, a Journey tribute. In 1999, Michael briefly fronted a classic rock band, Stiff Richard. Michael adds another dimension to The Reagan Years by fronting the band and working the crowd. He replicates the vocal traits of 1980's icons, such as David Lee Roth, Jon Bon Jovi and Simon LeBon.
Glenn Riley - Glenn is a professional musician and guitar instructor that has been playing guitar since his teens. This truly blessed artist is a graduate of the Guitar Institute of Technology (GIT). His prior project, Dr. Brillyant, dissolved only a few days before joining Sy and Michael in Members Only. Glenn has authored three guitar instruction books for Alfred Publishing and played on Tobias Hurwitz's CD, "Painted Sky". Signature guitar licks in 80's classics and complex guitar works by Eddie Van Halen, Steve Stevens and guitar gods from all eras, flow effortlessly from his fingers matching the original recordings. On stage, his antics and flashy style are captivating. Glenn often will play solos with his teeth, with the guitar behind his back or over his head. Skills like this are seldom seen outside of arenas. Glenn Riley ..
Jody Lewis joined the presidential cabinet in January 2007. Several attributes made him the ideal candidate for the seat vacated by Lenny Everett. In the late 80’s and early 90’s, Jody’s band, Enforce, shared the stage on several occasions with both Sy’s and Michael’s heavy metal bands; Shock LaRue and Mona Lisa respectively. Throughout the years, he took part in Mid-Atlantic’s leading bands such as Bigger Better Faster More, Crushing Day and Right Foot Red. One project even featured a set of 80’s tunes in the same flavor of TRY. Although new to the line-up, Jody fits the groove like a long time band mate.
In addition to playing bass, Jody also offers strong vocals ability to the quintet. Singing lead and harmony vocals, his talents help compose the band’s strongest vocal roster ever. His influence from artists such as Rush, Iron Maiden, Queensryche, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers help create a new facet for the band.
uncanny similarity to the original artists like
AC-DC, A-Ha,
Animotion, Autograph,
The B-52's,
Bananarama,
The Bangles,
Toni Basil,
Beastie Boys,
Pat Benatar,
Big Country,
Blondie,
Bon Jovi,
David Bowie,
The Cars,
Belinda Carlsile,
Dead Or Alive,
Depeche Mode,
Devo,
Def Leppard,
Dexy's Midnight Runners,
Duran Duran,
The Fixx,
Flock Of Seagulls, Lita Ford, Foreigner,
Frankie Goes To Hollywood,
The Go-Go's, Guns 'N' Roses,
Corey Hart,
Billy Idol,
INXS,
James, Rick James,
Journey,
Joan Jett and ther Black Hearts,
J. Geils Band,
Katrina and The Waves,
The Knack,
Huey Lewis and the News,
Kenny Loggins,
Loverboy,
Madness,
Madonna,
Men Without Hats,
Men At Work, John Cougar Melloncamp,
Midnight Oil,
Missing Persons,
Modern English,
Nena,
New Order,
Gary Numan,
The Outfield, Robert Palmer,
Pet Shop Boys,
Prince,
Poison,
The Police,
The Pretenders, The Smithereens, Ratt,
REM,
The Romantics, The Ramones,
Simple Minds,
The Smiths,
Rick Springfield,
Bruce Springsteen, Split Enz,
The Talking Heads,
Til Tuesday
Tommy Tutone,
U2,
Van Halen,
The Vapors,
The Violent Femmes, Warrant, Whitesnake,
Wall Of Voodoo
The Reagan Years The East Coast's Premier 80's tribute band
This band of seasoned musicians recreates the sounds of the 1980s; a day when Ronald Reagan was President, M-TV first aired, CDs emerged, Acid Washed jeans were "Cool" and alternative music was called "New Wave". This period has resurfaced in today's entertainment industry. VH-1 has multiple segments echoing from the 80's Video Generation, radio stations across the U.S. feature artists from the 1980s in daily "flashback" programs while 1980s anthems have permeated TV commercials.
Although many retro tribute bands have popped up across the country, TRY helped pioneer the concept in 1996. The Reagan Years continues to reign as the East Coast’s Premier 80’s tribute band. holding attendance records at many clubs, festivals and concert series events. The secret is the music, not the costume. While other acts are stretching their spandex, rummaging for parachute pants, putting on a wig and a Miami Vice blazer to capture the era, The Reagan Years is playing uncanny reproductions of the hits to recreate the nostalgia of the decade.
The Reagan Years achieved "headline status" in both nightclubs and concert venues throughout the Mid-Atlantic. The band leads a high profile campaign of nearly 100 events in a year. Past accomplishments include entertaining Baltimore's New Year's Eve celebration in 1998 and 2002. Those events held at the Innerharbor amphitheater included an audience estimated at 175,000 people. The band has been featured multiple years in Charm City at the Harborplace Summer Concert Series and Power Plant Live. Other large-scale concerts include Herndon, VA's Friday Night Live, Gaithersburg Olde Towne Days, Bowie and Frederick, MD's Independence Day concerts, as well as the Maryland Seafood Festival in Annapolis. TRY headlined the 2003 Mid-Maryland Music Festival and 2008 Maryland Brewers Festival at Harry Grove Stadium in Frederick. TRYwas part of WHFS's sold out Classic Cracker show in 2005. TRY has sold out the Deck Party 4 for 4 times as part of Frederick, MD's In The Street festival.
The group has drawn the attention of the Media. Several articles have been written about the band. TRY was featured in
The Baltimore Sun
, Washington City Paper The Frederick Post, twice in the Gazette (Gazette 1 and Gazette 2)
and PA Musician magazine as the March 1998 cover story. The band was interviewed on Baltimore's WJZ-TV Channel 13 in preparation of their 2002 New Year's Eve performance. The band appeared on Frederick Cable's entertainement show, Out On The Towne.
In the corporate setting, the quintet is experienced in private gatherings, wedding receptions and holiday parties. Most Private Engagements remain confidential however this Fund Raiser drew press.
The band has also shared the mainstage with 80's legends such as Starship , The Psychodelic Furs, The Violent Femmes and Bow Wow Wow.
TRY's stage show creates a party atmosphere filled with fun college and high school memories. Throughout a performance, the quintet changes lead vocalists and plays special requests from the Reagan era. Musical selections although diverse in style, all share the "common thread" of success during the 80's decade. The Reagan Years: no Voodoo Economics, just great music!
Hi The Reagan Years, thanks for accepting my friend request. I appreciate the opportunity to introduce You to the music of ALIEN SKIN.
If you enjoy the MySpace song previews, you can listen to DON’T OPEN TILL DOOMSDAY by visiting my band-website (below) … AND while you’re there, help yourself to the selection of free downloads!
You guys are WAAY too good to be doin free shows! I'll be seeing you at Westview on Friday for a pre-graduation celebration!! It's been a while since I have seen you...Can't Wait!!!
Thanks for the add! Please leave us a comment, let us know what you think. Our video for “Black” just charted #1 on http://www.powerplayed.com. It will be airing on MTV’s Headbangers Ball, Fuse, Metal Mania and many other shows. Watch it now, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sb-K6cpINIY. We are now booking our “09“ tour. If you would like to see us live, click the “Demand It” tab on our profile to be notified when we come to your area.
IT's 10 Seconds...BANDS HELP BANDS...Bands need votes all the time for different contests. Please swing by and log your vote for JOEL PORT this round. It will come back around when you need your votes. I'm happy to distro for you. THANKS
DAN REED live at The Ottobar in Baltimore. W special guests Rob Faheyand Aaron Zvi 2549 N. Howard St. Baltimore, MD 21218 410-662-0069 A one off gig before the European tour. Openers TBA http;//www. danreed. com
.gif)
