Artist description "We're an original band, that means we're a cross between.....well just about everybody.....and somewhere in the middle." More than just the words of lead singer/guitarist Gabe Aylward, it's the story behind DESERT ECLIPSE.With influences ranging from John Mellencamp and Bob Seger to The Cure and R.E.M., DESERT ECLIPSE has been forced to develop a style of their own. As guitarist/singer Rick Kish explains, "Diversity has been a key to establishing our sound. We all have very different tastes, and we've blended them together to come up with our own fresh sound." With music that borders on pop, AOR, and progressive, DESERT ECLIPSE has in fact done this. Their electric-acoustic guitar sound has allowed the band to cross many different realms of music while still staying within a popular sound.

Music Style Alternative/Acoustic Rock

Musical Influences John Mellencamp, Bob Seger, The Cure

Similar Artists Gin Blossoms, Toad the Wet Sprocket

Artist History In the fall of 1988 fellow songwriters Gabe Aylward and Rick Kish met while taking a folk guitar class on the campus of Kent State University, after a few meetings and a brief chat the two decided to get together and try out their originals on each other. There first session produced the song "Kick in Life" and since that time the two have written and arranged close to fifty songs together.In September of 1989, Rick and Gabe began playing together with the band SHADOW. After only a couple of shows and less than one year together the band decided to call it quits. But Rick and Gabe did not want their work together to come to an end. They immediately began performing as the acoustic-duo ONWARD while working on forming a new band.In December of 1990, DESERT ECLIPSE was born when the two started working with bass player Chris Florio. Florio's hard-working attitude, determination, and smooth-textured bass lines added a new dimension to Gabe and Rick's songs. "Chris gave us a new writing perspective, his smooth, melodic textures have added so much to the music.... as soon as we heard him play we knew he was the right guy for the job,” said Rick. Chris's relaxed, easy-going personality has also helped him in joining the band. In February of 1991 the band was rounded out when drummer Bob Kamholz was added to the line-up. Kamholz, who had studied the drums for several years, helped in rounding out the group’s sound. "He's an awesome drummer,” said Gabe, "He simply amazes me every time I hear him play. "He's also amazingly quick at picking things up,” added Florio. And quick he was. Two weeks after joining the band, DESERT ECLIPSE went into the studio to record.In the studio, DESERT ECLIPSE recorded five songs that eventually made up their EP, “A Long Time Coming”, which received airplay on several local college radio stations including WKSR, WAPS, and WJCU.The band performed mainly around the Kent and Akron, Ohio areas throughout 1991 and into 1992. In the Spring of 1992 the band began to splinter as personal, work, and educational stresses began to mount. Just prior to the recording of their second EP, drummer Kamholz announced that he would be leaving the band. Stepping into his shoes was longtime friend and former Shadow drummer Ron Wise. Ron’s entry into the group was seamless as the band continued to perform around Northeast Ohio. In May of 1992, Gabe announced that upon completion of the band’s second EP he would be leaving the group. That marked the temporary end of Desert Eclipse as a band. Throughout the next several years the band members remained friends, occasionally working together in different combinations. In January of 1999 the band had a brief reunion as bassist Florio, and fellow guitarist/singers Aylward and Kish performed acoustically together for the first time in seven years. In May of 1999, DESERT ECLIPSE met up once again and performed as a part of Rick’s marriage celebration.While the members of DESERT ECLIPSE are scattered, the group still hopes to again work together (All 5 members plus perhaps more) in the near future and plans to record again in early to mid 2001. With strong, heartfelt lyrics and driving, melodic music, the members of DESERT ECLIPSE hope that you enjoy this glimpse into what was a will remain to be the music of Desert Eclipse.

Group Members Gabe Aylward-Vocals & Guitar, Chris Florio-Bass, Rick Kish-Vocals & Guitars, Ron Wise-Vocals & Percussion, Bob Kamholz-Drums

Albums ep-Long Time Coming-1991

Press Reviews Daily Kent Stater-Thursday, December 6, 1990By Bill CanacciStaff WriterThe acoustic duo Onward performed Tuesday afternoon in the Music Listening Center to a small but, but receptive crowd.Rick Kish and Gabe Aylward, who are also working on the formation of the original band Desert Eclipse, took turns singing mostly original numbers from the group's unavailable albums. Most of the 11 numbers performed had a melancholy nature, dealing with the many aspects of relationships.In "Respect Your Heart," Aylward sings, "Though I walk away, I still respect your heart-and that'll never stop, never change-I will always respect your heart.""Surrender" and "Mirrored Shades" also carried the relationship theme, as did "Ferris Wheel," although Aylward added that this song was based on a 12-year-old infatuation.The best song of the afternoon was "The Motorcycle Man," which is about the fact that sometimes your best just ain't good enough."The one-hour set closed with two cover songs. However, they did not fare nearly as well as their own material. Of course, one of the reasons for this is the fact that Kish broke a string in the middle of Neil Young's "Keep on Rockin' in the Free World." So he set the guitar aside and and left the playing to Aylward.Then, before Gabe sang Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run," which was inspired by the Boss's own acoustic version, he handed his guitar to Kish. Although it wasn't the best cover song ever done, Aylward managed to salvage the meaning of the song.But their own music is Onward's strength.They should stick to it.

Location Cleveland, OH - USA

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