Escapists was formed early in 2003 as a side project of Richmond, Virginia musicians Evan Plante (Light the Fuse and Run), Mathew Crittenden (Falls Under April) and James Hoffer (Tri State Killing Spree). The group quickly took on many functions of musical-duality; blurring the lines between classic rock and post-punk, excess verses humbleness, and even human versus superhuman (band members suggest the name can be taken as literally as "escape from life" or suggestivly "like a magician's optical illusions"). The line up is filled out with Scott Hamilton on third lead-guitar, Laura Holmes on electric organ, and Nathan Joyce on bass guitar. Escapists have never whinced about providing a six piece, three guitar plus organ, line-up to accompany their lofty musical bravado.
The band was initially put on hiatus a few times in 2003 for members to fulfill commitments with their other respective projects, but was quickly snapped back into grooves by the fall of 2003. It was at this time the first demo EP was recorded at Minimum Wage Studios. Canyons and Blackwater was a lofty melting pot of ideas and experiments in musical genres. Straight forward punk riffs were crowded out by arena-style triple classic rock leads, blues standards were overtaken by pop riffs and catchy hooks. Canyons and Blackwater was more than most people could digest in a handful of listens. It was also durring this time the band stylisticly commited to a live presentation: Play big. There was never any other option than to crowd the stage with equiptment and musicians; Escapists quickly embraced thier place as a ruckus musical mob. Band members bounce around, falling over each other and climbing the bar to play solos. The songwriting quickly began to foreshaddow the live shows. Songs became more concise and rowdy. This more focused version of the band was quickly appreciated by Richmond rock radio stations and bar rooms alike, and was captured on a second demo EP called Red Lust Lights.
Currently, Escapists continue to their prolific songwriting in Richmond, with modest touring under their belt and asperations to continue to to "Play big."
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