Contributing Reporter

According to LastFM user SinstarClaudio, “The Evening Raid is composed of five cute dudes from the suburbs of Detroit.” 

Lead singer Mike Johnston, vocalist and bass guitarist Cam Brazelton, guitarist Josh Cyccone, guitarist Garrett Vernon and drummer Kevin Severance make up these “cute dudes,” with all but one member being current or former Oakland University students. 

The indie-rock band is in the process of finishing their second EP, “Our Fire That Defines,” which is planned to be released in July. 

The band is also performing at shows and hopes to tour throughout August. 

Johnston and Brazelton recently sat down with The Oakland Post in the Oakland Center between classes.

The Oakland Post: How long have you been together?

Mike Johnston: Three and a half years. 

Cam Brazelton: We got our initial start right out of high school, in 2004.

The Post: What bands have personally influenced you?

Brazelton: We all come from basically the same genres, but I think everybody has their own thing. Green Day was a big influence. I remember growing up I was really into Blink 182, then I went through my Finch and The Used phase, so we’re kind of all over the map. Garrett’s the metal kid.

The Post: Where do you find inspiration in things other than music?

Johnston: On our latest record, a lot of stuff comes from personal experience. We have a couple songs based on literature and current events.

The Post: What’s your favorite song to perform?

Johnston: In our sets right now we have a really solid opening song and a really good closing song that fits the set so well. Our opener is a song called “We All Have Demons,” and that is so much fun to play and it’s really energetic. We have a song that closes the set called “Home,” and that’s just really epic.

Brazelton: In the practice stage, however, the favorite song to play is “You Can’t Cheat an Honest Man.” Practice time tends to get a little bit silly and that song lends well to a little goofing around. 

Johnston: We can’t imagine there being another band that’s just so ridiculous. We think if somebody came to our practice for five minutes and saw everything that went down, they would think we were the lamest guys.

Brazelton: I mean, we’ve played in the dark, we actually all went into different rooms at one point, Garrett’s behind the chair, and I’m in the closet playing…

Johnston: We’ve made songs that were really outside of our genre, like we made a song as if we were Jet or AC/DC and the lyrics were all vulgar and gross and disgusting.

Brazelton: Alright, we’re getting a little carried away.

The Post: Okay, what’s your most memorable show moment?

Brazelton: When we played at the Hayloft with the Ataris we were able to get our friend Danny to come on stage, he does guest vocals on one of our new songs, and he did his part in the song. 

The Post: All but one of your band mates attend OU; what are the rest of you majoring in?

Brazelton: Elementary Education

Johnston: I’m in film. Kevin is in Germany, but he’s still enrolled at OU, and when he comes back he’ll be taking classes for business. Josh graduated from OU with a degree in English. Garrett is thinking about transferring here from Michigan State, but he’s still undecided. 

The Post: You mentioned you have played with the Ataris, what other bands have you played with?

Brazelton: The Audition, As Tall As Lions, This Providence, Spitalfield, Search the City.

The Post: What do you hope to accomplish with your music?

Brazelton: I think it’s everyone’s dream to take it as far as it can go, but at this point it’s such a long shot with everyone going to college. It is kind of hard to make it to that level without sacrificing pretty much your entire life, which I’m not sure everyone’s down for right now. 

Johnston: We have a great passion for it, but at the same time we don’t put all our eggs in one basket. We’re realistic about it.

Brazelton: If we could just practice a couple times a week, play some shows on the weekend, maybe create a little bit of an online buzz and buzz around the cities, maybe go on a few short little mini-tours, and maybe get a record deal offer without having to tour for three years. Basically, we’d like to accomplish a miracle.

The Post: Alright, anything else you want us to know?

Brazelton: Well, if you’re in the area around August, keep your eyes and ears peeled. All things go well, we’re going to get back on the rock train.

Johnston: Yep, we’re gonna ride the rock train, all spring long. 

Go to www.myspace.com/theeveningraid, to listen to and download a few Evening Raid tracks