E.Y.C.: Who Are We?
(from American "Teen Machine" Magazine, sometime in 1995?)
E.Y.C. are a smash. They're just completing a year-long tour of Europe, Asia, and Australia, where they received an astoundingly over-whelming response from screaming and dedicated fans who camped outside their hotel rooms, followed them around, and generally made their presence known. They've opened up for Whitney Houston, Prince, Duran Duran, and are currently touring in Australia with Salt 'n' Pepa.
And the accolades that have been bestowed upon these three gorgeous singers/dancers are remarkable: they were named Smash Hits (one of our British sister mags) Breaking Band for '94, their debut album Express Yourself Clearly shot up the U.K. Billboard charts to #14, and their single, "The Way You Work It," went gold in Australia. Thing is, you've probably never even heard of them. That's all about to change REAL SOON.
E.Y.C. stands for Express Yourself Clearly, the band's personal philosophy about life. Who are they? They're 21-year-old David Loeffler, 22-year-old Trey Parker, and 22-year-old Damon Butler, three breathtakingly handsome and talented guys who officially got together in 1990. I was lucky enough to spend the day with these super-cool and down-to-earth gentlemen and got a chance to learn a little more about what makes E.Y.C.--and the guys behind it--tick.
Trey and Damon go back almost six years, when the two met in a California dance class. Trey, who is originally from Alabama (then moved to New York, and then to California with his family in hopes of making it in show business), was an aspiring actor/dancer/singer. You might recognize him from the NBC show Hull High (where he was one of the Hull High rappers) or from the film Newsies.
Damon was studying and working as a dancer. But when he and Trey met there was an instant connection, one so obvious that they were spotted in class and asked to go on tour with Tiffany and New Kids on the Block as back-up dancers. Hey!
Meanwhile, Dave was going through various bands, none of which worked out. Trey and Damon, too, were in a band after their Tiffany experience. Eventually, Trey met Dave at a party and subsequently introduced him to Damon. After that, the three could be seen dancing at clubs where they were the center of attention. They got along so well that they decided to make a go at writing songs and putting a group together. There lies the birth of E.Y.C.
At the time that they officially decided to "go for it," Trey and Damon were 18 and Dave was 17. Even at such young ages, the three were determined to have absolute creative control over E.Y.C. As Damon explains it, "We all had the same dream. I knew what I wanted to do in life, I knew where I was going. I wasn't going to stop until I got to this spot. Luckily, we all felt the same way."
Ultimately, they avoided the "manufactured band" trap and signed with a record label (Gasoline Alley/MCA) who gave the trip the say in what they wore, who produced them, how they sounded, etc.
Their debut album, which has been out for over a year (but not yet released in the United States), is a culmination of a year of "vibing." "The way we wrote this album, it was like a year full of jam sessions," Trey says. "We just got into a studio with the producers and they had beats going and we just started singing. That's how we made this whole album. It was so much fun."
Where do these guys get their inspiration for their infectious blend of R&B and hip-hop? As far as Dave goes, Prince is his major musical influence. Trey cites Luther Vandross and the a cappella gospel group Take 6 as his influences, while Damon loves R&B greats Teddy Pendergrass and James Ingram.
What Trey, Damon, and Dave do share is an absolute confidence in their music and in E.Y.C. Dave credits his mom with giving him the inner-strength he needs to keep going in such a demanding business. "I really don't idolize anybody in this world except for my mom," admits Dave.
Holding it all together is a strong attachment to their families who, as of this month, they've only seen for 30 out of 365 days, and their incredible friendship. Luckily, even with spending practically 24-hours a day, seven-days a week, the guys are still as tight as ever. Trey says, "We're friends and we know when to give each other space."
Before you know it, E.Y.C. will be in your record stores and burning up the stages all across America. Until then, what's the band's advice to you? "To everyone out there, always express yourself clearly!"
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