Everclear

         On this weekend of my wedding anniversary, I thought I'd do a review of the band from mine and my husband's past college days that we enjoyed. The band was formed in 1991 in Portland, Oregon by the lead singer, guitarist, and songwriter Art Alexakis, who wrote in reflection of his experiences growing up. Largely spawned by his father walking out when he was five years old, his mother was forced financially to move the family to lower income Los Angeles, where they could be near extended family. He was constantly beat up and  ridiculed by older kids in the Mar Vista Gardens housing projects. Art's older brother died of a heroin overdose when he was 12. As a result he became an addict himself and nearly succeeded in committing suicide by putting rocks and sand in his pockets and jumping off the Santa Monica Pier. According to Art, he saw a vision of his brother and heard his voice which compelled him to change his life around and stop.

   Most of Everclear's music that has been so popular had reflected Art's pain of growing up and how he has come to overcome the experience like 'Wonderful' and 'Father of Mine'. But also songs of hope and pleasant musical reflection like 'Santa Monica' and 'AM Radio'.