elude
Hometown: Issaquah, WA
Genres: Alternative / Pop Punk
Members: Ryan Atkins (Bass/Vocals), David Osborne (Guitar/Vocals), Aaron Penn (drums)
With the release of their Bingo EP in June 2012, featuring top singles “Flinch” and “Small Fries”, the pop punk band elude got air time on 150+ radio stations nationwide, claimed several CMJ top 10 appearances and earned signed license agreements for popular MTV shows including Rob Dyrdek Fantasy Factory and Nirto Circus.
Formed in April 2010 by brothers Ryan and Kevin Atkins, elude wanted to become synonymous with fast, energetic music driven by hooky riffs, catchy vocal melodies and soulful harmonies. Taking inspiration from bands such as Green Day, blink-182, and The Beach Boys, the two brothers quickly set to work writing music they would enjoy listening to on sunny summer days.
Less than a month after elude’s formation, the two brothers hooked up with producer Bryan Lash on what would become their first five song EP entitled “Admit.” After working in and out of studios around Seattle for nearly a year, the two released the EP on August 1, 2011. The EP brought them immediate attention from music blogs around the web and multiple invitations to music festivals across the country. The biggest honor was being one of ten West coast rock bands chosen to play the 2012 Indie Music Festival in Las Vegas.
Shortly after the release of “Admit,” the two brothers headed back to the studio to explore new ideas to evolve elude’s sound. In September 2011, they kicked off their second project with Bryan Lash and Brent DeRocher. Three weeks later they had the final tracks for the five new songs on their second EP, “Bingo”, released in June 2012.
In September 2012, on the heels of the successful radio and TV campaigns, Kevin left the band as a performing member and was replaced by guitar and vocalist David Osborne. A mutual friend of Ryan and Kevin’s, David is a natural fit for the band’s mission while bringing his own talents to the mix. After a few acoustic shows Ryan and David decided to bring on Aaron Penn as elude’s first full-time drummer and the three are now working together to push the band to the next level.
From the early jam sessions in the original band members’ utility room, to professional recording studios, to stages in Las Vegas, air play on radio, and placements on MTV, the DIY effort has come a long way in its short history. Now, with the fresh energy and drive of new band members David and Aaron, elude is on the verge of busting open something big in 2013.
