Spotlight Artist: Eye of the Dawn

Our next Spotlight Artists are Eye of the Dawn, a four piece, original rock band from Brooklyn. They are currently unsigned, but Aimee Kristi, co-host of WRAT-FM's "Electric Ballroom Radio Show" says, "If Eye of the Dawn doesn't get a record deal, I'll give up on this biz entirely."
I first met their lead singer & guitarist John Sully in 2006 when his band The Creamsicles performed at the Riverside Park Oyster Festival at Hudson Beach Cafe. The band has since evolved into Eye of the Dawn. John answers our questions below:
Spotlight Artist: Eye of the Dawn

Line-up:
John Sully - Lead Guitar Vocals
Vin Cin - Guitar
Andrei Sebastian - Bass
Keith Crupi - Drums

How did the band get its name?
Eye of the Dawn came about because of my interest in the ancient mystery schools of Egypt, Babylon and Sumeria. It is also the English translation of the name 'Mata Hari'. As you know she was an early 20th century rock star and all around bad girl. I liked that image of Light and Dark and it has a cool sound. We also use 'EOTD'.

How long have you been performing?
As the Eye of the Dawn, since January, 2010.

Past lives (i.e., previous bands, your early years, etc.):
Myself, Craig Gottlieb and Marcello Pantano have been playing together since 2004, most notably as The Creamsicles.

Photo left: The Creamsicles, featuring John Sully (right).



Favorite venues to play:
The Trash Bar in Williamsburg: great sound and stage and beautiful bartenders!

Musical influences:
Some people say we sound like a cross between Foo Fighters and Muse. But we love all kinds of music, from blues to techno. Recently I've started studying the dumbek. It's an Egyptian tabla drum.
Tell us a story or anecdote about performing live in NYC.
We got to open for our favorite NYC band The London Souls at a loft party in DUMBO. They just signed with Universal and recorded their album at Abbey Road and here we are at a private party rocking with them. I love this city!!
Any advice to someone just starting out?
Yes!! make sure you learn an acoustic instrument, just in case civilization as we know it comes crashing down. And how to rub sticks to make a fire of course. Oh yeah, and always read MurphGuide!!!

Can you recommend any other acts we could feature on MurphGuide?
I'm big fans of Sistine Criminals, Hank and Cupcakes and of course The London Souls.

Blatant self-promotion: What would you like to plug?
Our new CD!!!

Where can we buy your music?
iTunes, Amazon, Napster or just Google: EYE OF THE DAWN

Linkage:
Your website: EyeoftheDawnBand.com
facebook: Eye-of-the-Dawn
Myspace: eyeofthedawn
YouTube: eyeofthedawn

Next gigs:
You can catch Eye of the Dawn at Sully's birthday bash this coming Sunday at The Bowery Electric. They will also be at The Local 269 on Houston St. on February 17 and at Arlene's Grocery on February 22.

Sunday, January 16, 2011
Sully's B-Day Bash
with performances by...
Eye of the Dawn
The Creamsicles
Flay of Soul
The Men From Nantucket
9pm
at:
The Bowery Electric
327 Bowery (between 2nd & 3rd St.)
New York, NY
(212) 228-0228
TheBoweryElectric.com

Below is a clip of Eye of the Dawn performing "Happiness", recorded live at The Trash Bar in July, 2010. Video by Dave Mack: