12th Hope is an original two piece band, though their sound is nothing less than effervescent. With awesome riffs, astonishing lyrics, and a powerful drum beat, you’re guaranteed to be left in awe.
Jason O’Daire (vocals; guitar) was born and raised in Maysville,KY, not exactly a big town of oppertunites, but it didn’t take him long to find what he wanted to do with the rest of his life.
By 10th grade, O’Daire was heavily influenced by the post grunge era of the late 1990’s. He began learning to play the acoustic guitar. He actually learned during an electricity class, by classmate Tony Davis.
Davis and O’Daire helped form the band "Premium." The band, with O’Daire on bass guiter, played in nearby parks, gyms, and parties. They even made a couple of bucks by passing around tip jars during their performaces. Sometimes the boys received other little goodies in the jars, if you know what I mean.
"Premium" also made an appearance at Bogarts in Cincinnati, OH, during "The Battle of the Bands."
Throughout the longer period of the time "Premium" was together, O’Daire had expanded his career. He was now playing guitar and writing his own songs. So, after a long six years with "Premium," O’Daire was prepared to call it quits with his band.Jacob Henderson (drums; backup vocals) was born in Georgetown, OH and raised in Aberdeen, OH.
At a young age, Henderson was influenced by the same post grunge era as O’Daire, which led to his interest in making music.
Henderson helped create the band "Crooked," playing rythm guitar. They practiced in the basement of a small grocery store, owned and opperated by Henderson’s grandparents.
Two months before "Crooked was to perfom their first show, the drummer departed from the band. This forced Henderson to sit his guitar down, and begin an unfamiliar instrument, the drums. In an astounding 60 days, he found coordination, his beat, and, most importantly, his perminate instrument.
After only a few years of playing music together, "Crooked" would recede. Leaving Jacob in his parents basement, only accompanied by his drum set.Before both "Premium’s" and "Crooked’s" departures, the two local bands performed a show together, known as "Grunge Rock Fest ’99." This is where O’Daire and Henderson met.
Afterward, the boys started jamming at Jacob’s house, Aberdeen, OH, just messing around at first, playing cover songs.
One day, O’Daire began playing some of his own work, presenting it to Henderson for the first time. Jacob sat in silence for a moment, and then proceeded in adding an intense drum beat. They clicked immediatly. Every following practiced was like this. They were beginning to make their own "rock tunes"
"It wasn’t until I hooked up with Jacob that I actually Found my own true voice and sound." O’Daire States,"My song writing was greatly influenced from my time growing up on Wood Street [Maysville, KY.] My lyrics are sometimes obvious, yet dark at the same time. Personally, I prefer the dark side of things. It just seems more creative to me to be mysterious, but to the point."12th Hope finally came to the conclusion, it was time to move forward. It was time to record an album. So, they were referred to Josh McCrigger (former Bassist of local punk band Bobby Obvious) by a local music store employee.
12th Hope recorded their first demo, a four song single. This demo included the the song"killer in the house," which quickly became a local hit. Because of the popularity of the song, "Killer in the House" was eventually placed on their album "Welcome Mat."
"Welcome Mat" takes you threw feelings of deception, regret, jealousy, mortality, hangovers, and the feeling of making it out alive. The album will leave you feeling very human, and more normal than you’ve felt in a long time.
12th Hope will soon tour the north eastern U.S., promoting their name, and album, Selling cd’s as they perform.Emailthe [email protected]