Stare at The Sun

Bright flashing lights pierce the darkened room as small whispers turn into a roaring sea of fans. It must be show time.

Dustin Kensrue, Teppei Teranishi, and brothers Ed and Riley Breckenridge run out on stage. The lights dim to barely a glow and the already loud roar seems to deepen with the occasional high-pitched screams of girls crying out their favorite member's name. What once was an unheard of ?garage band that formed in the heart of Orange County has become the world-renowned rock band named Thrice.

"When we started the band it was just to have something fun to do after work and school," Riley said. "I don't think any of us ever thought we would have accomplished a lot of the things we have. Such as record albums, making music videos, and touring the world."

Zebrahead is another band ?originating from Orange County and has been together as long as Thrice. Both bands have also released new albums this year and Zebrahead is currently on tour. Zebrahead member Ben Osmundson explains his band's establishment as dumb luck.

"When it started out, we were just trying to have some fun. At the beginning our band was not anything we took seriously," ?Osmundson said. "One day it just kind of happened on accident. We were playing a gig and this guy approached us after we performed to tell us he was a talent scout for music labels. We looked at him and said 'yeah right dude, sure you are.' He continued by saying 'I will have record labels at your next show,' again with sarcasm, we replied 'sure you will buddy, sure you will.' Just like he had promised we showed up to about thirteen major labels at our next show. It really was just dumb luck."

Although Zebrahead seemed to fall into the ideal position of getting discovered without any conscious effort, most bands do not have such luck. Riley, the drummer of Thrice, explains his band's story with a ?different beginning. "We played a lot of shows, and our inspiration was going to see some of our favorite bands almost nightly," Riley said. "We would watch them perform at local places like Chain Reaction in Orange County or the Glass House in Pomona."

Thrice was inspired by big-named bands growing up such as Bad Religion, Strung Out and Lagwagon; they understood becoming big was not an overnight process. Riley stresses the importance of creating a fan base.

"You have to build a local fan base and slowly expand that base outward," Riley said. "Too many younger bands are holding out for this big show or to open for their favorite band. Meanwhile turning down smaller gigs along the way. Beginning bands need to play every opportunity they get if they want to make a name for themselves."

Before Riley and Osmundson were touring around the world with thousands of screaming fans, both were living similar college lifestyles. Riley talks about playing baseball for Golden West Community College before moving up to play for Pepperdine University's baseball team. Riley had goals of taking baseball as far as it would allow him.

After discovering he was not going to get as far as he had hoped, it became clear to him music was his talent to follow. His music background consists of playing the trumpet in junior high school and taking unofficial guitar lesions from a friend in high school.

"It was not until senior year of high school [that] I started to play the drums," Riley says. As for Osmundson, his college years consisted of attending Fullerton College before transferring to California State University, Fullerton, where he graduated with a degree in science and business with an emphasis in finance and marketing. Osmundson jokes about how he graduated with a degree and hasn't had a chance to use it due to his involvement with his band.

Osmundson's music history consists of learning how to play the base guitar while attending FC. "I had a friend who helped me and taught me," Osmundson said. "He gave me my first bass and said I'll give you lessons, so I said OK, sounds fun."

As a band, there are constant struggles to fight through. Both Thrice and Zebrahead agree that it is wrong to pursue a career in music for the means of fame or money. "If you want to see yourself on the front of a magazine or tabloid you're in the wrong profession," says Riley.

He spoke of the frustration he and his members had convincing their loved ones that quitting their jobs and dropping out of school was going to be a risk they had to take for the future of their music careers. Riley said he was lucky to have understanding parents who believed in his band and more importantly him as a musician when he left for his first tour. He went on to say, "there comes a time you will have to drop everything and know you're not going to be making any money at first, if ever. You are going to be sleeping on floors or in the van you are traveling in. It's hard, and it is a huge risk to take. It's a scary thing, but an absolute must for anyone who wants to go for it."

Osmundson spoke of the ?difficulties of touring and being away from his three children and wife for long lengths of time, "I have little kids, so it's tougher for them." Riley agrees saying, "the downside of doing what we do is, being away from friends and family, but it's just part of the job."

Osmundson gives his best advice for any beginning band when he says, "the truth is if you believe in it, keep doing it. Who cares what anybody says."

Life as a musician may have its downsides, but ultimately the band members agree that it's worth it. "I'll take missing Thanksgiving with my folks, or missing the birth of my friend's child, to be able to do what I do any day. I'll much rather do this then the nine to five," Riley said.

As the neon lights faded to black in the sold out Hollywood ?Palladium, the members of Thrice made their way backstage. It may have just been another night ?for the group, but for the hundreds ?of fans that showed up that ?night it was an experience they will never forget. T