Artist description Formed in February of 1998, Myopia is a 5-piece upbeat alternative rock band hailing from the music Mecca of Mt. Victory, Ohio. Performing popular covers along with hard-hitting originals, Myopia is a favorite throughout the central Ohio region. Myopia is comprised of Luke Braun (bass guitar, vocals), Shaun Meloy (rhythm guitar, vocals), Chad Ledley (lead guitar, vocals), John England (lead vocals, megaphone) and Greg Braun (percussion, vocals).

Music Style Upbeat/Alternative Rock

Musical Influences STP, Soundgarden, Tori Amos, Metallica, Tool, CCR

Similar Artists Soul Coughing, 3rd Eye Blind, Blink 182, Eve 6

Artist History Myopia was formed in February 1998. Greg Braun was in the band Phase 9 when the idea was first brought up. Luke Braun, Greg's brother, was in the band Hinge at this time. Since Hinge was just getting started Greg agreed to let them play during the breaks at Phase 9 performances. The first and only time this happened was at the Roadhouse in Mt. Victory. The three-piece band Hinge took the stage during the first break of Phase 9’s show and played only five songs. The crowd stood around in awe of the 15 -year-olds for the first song. The crowd then jumped through the roof for the second song. For the next 20 minutes Hinge experience something they would never forget and wanted a lot more of. They experienced what it was like to stand in front of crowd, play music to the best of their ability, and have a crowd love them for it. Hinge went home on cloud nine and knew they had accomplished something. They wanted more. Greg being dissatisfied with his current band had a talk to lifelong friend/song writing partner John England about a new project. They sat down and came up with ideas of what it would take too make it playing music. They decided writing killer originals, playing out as much as possible, and being as professional as possible would do the trick. Greg and John both being 20 at the time knew they needed some fresh new talent and musicians that wanted play the same music as they did. Where else to look but Hinge. Luke Braun, Chad Ledley, and Shaun Meloy got with Greg and John to discuss business. They decided this was exactly what they were looking for and went for it. Shaun went from playing drums to strumming a six string. Luke played the bass and Chad played lead guitar. Greg played the drums, and John provided the lungs for the group. All they needed was a name…Greg heard the word myopia in one of his college classes. He brought it up and the group decided that is would be a good name for the band due to the fact that it means seeing short-sided on things. This is how people that had never seen Myopia perform saw the young boys. But after the performance the view was much different. Thus, Myopia was formed. The first thing Myopia did was collaborate musical ideas and which turned into four original songs. Myopia was now ready to hit the studios with their new songs. They were lacking one thing though, MONEY. The natural solution was to learn some cover songs and play out in local clubs and parties. It took them about two months of rigorous practice sessions and long nights of fatigue to learn enough songs for a complete night of covers. Myopia's first gig was played at The Roadhouse, which is where it all started. Myopia played for a full house (due to intense promotion from the band) and the crowd loved them. But now they had to put playing out aside so they could concentrate on recording. The band went to longtime friend Andy Perkins to record their first album. After the completion of the demo CD came many shows that gave the band great publicity. The guys instantly became extremely busy playing every weekend. Some of the shows were at local clubs such as Richardson’s Roadhouse, The Blue Moon Café and Rosie’s Roadhouse. The band also played numerous parties in their area. The shows became very special to both the audience and the band. Myopia was becoming an entertainment package and not just a music group. This became very obvious when clubs that usually are very empty on Friday and Saturday nights were filled with Myopians every time the band played there. People started coming to Myopia shows not to just hear their favorite music but to also see what in the heck these guys were going to do next. The band gets much pride in being dressed for success. Every show they have on the most off the wall gear humanly imaginable and the madness only gets deeper as the night goes on. Some shows end up in almost nudity. The band feels that the more nuts they get the more the fans will dig them. They make themselves look like crazy, idiots and it is funny for all in attendance and at the same time loosens them up for the big night ahead of them. After playing many local shows the group ventured into the Columbus arena and played several gigs. One of the group’s most memorable show was the Lane Avenue show in front of over 5000 people. This showed the band what it could be like every show. This event pushed Myopia into the next level. They had tasted a huge audience and they wanted more. Every Myopia show became more crazy and nuts than the last one and more and more fans were coming out to support Myopia. Word spread like wild fire. It was very obvious that Myopia had become the club favorite in their radius. PmProductions owner and the bands sound engineer Andy Perkins noticed this as well and offered the band the option for him to become their personal manager. The group jumped at the offer and liked what Andy had in store for them as well. Andy had a plan and with Myopia’s ambitious drive for worldwide success they knew they had a winning combination. The two local music powers collaborated ideas and laid out a floor plan that would ensure the bands success. Keep the live shows fresh, put out a great CD, sell merchandise at shows and saturate a 50-mile radius (Hence the name of the album.) After joining forces with PMProductions, Myopia has performed numerous local shows and played in Reading, PA and has landed many upcoming shows that are very prestigious. Myopia is finding out more and more everyday how hard the music business can be at times and they work hard to combat the many obstacles that stand in their way. Myopia is as much of a fan of their fans as their fans are of them. The group designates a fan of the month each month to the most dedicated and loyal fans. They post a picture and a little bio of the chosen fan for all to see on their web site. www.myopiarocks.com has become a great meeting grounds for fans to share ideas with the group and for the band to share their feelings with the fans as well. All of the merchandise that Myopia has available at shows can also be purchase online as well. The group along with Andy takes care of all the bands shipping/receiving for the band's merchandise. The group has learned to be self-sufficient. Also, the band pays much tribute to their hard working crew!

Group Members Vocals – John England Drums – Greg Braun Bass Guitar – Luke Braun Lead Guitar – Chad Ledley Rhythm Guitar – Shaun Meloy

Albums Debut Album Titled "Radius"

Press Reviews 8-19-99 For Immediate Release: Myopia prevails on 92 Zoo! On August 12, 1999 Myopia, the Northwest Ohio rock group took the radio waves by storm with the debut of 'Swahili Man' on 92 Zoo's Smash it or Trash it program. The band won the event with a whopping 69 votes to the competitors 7 votes. Myopia held tough the next round when they went up against National Recording Artist

Location Kenton, OH - USA

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