About El[x]r

El[X]r began as the brain child of Kevin Miller who began writing and recording his own music in 2006. Without any other pieces to his project, he recorded his guitar parts and vocals and used music programs to create the bass and drum parts. He continued to make his own material up until the summer of 2012 when the band really began to come together. Jovon began to come over to Kevin’s house to jam, playing bass at the time. Kevin suggested to Jovon that he should get a set of drums and shortly thereafter, El[X]r had a drummer. With the addition of Ryan on guitar to the jam session duo, they proceeded to develop a cohesive sound. Friend of the band Mike Roberts introduced the band to Josh Konecki who then joined on to play guitar which moved Ryan to the vacant bass spot left by Jovon. Josh unfortunately left the band in the summer of 2014 for work and the search was on for a guitarist to fill this role. During this time, very little music was produced and the future of the band looked bleak…

The band is currently in production of a full length album which will include re-recorded versions of their older work as well as new material with its most current guitarist addition, Andres.

Current Members

Kevin Miller

Kevin Miller

Guitar, Songwriting, Vocals

I was introduced to guitar by my father at age 15 and have played music ever since 5th grade. Playing the clarinet in school began my love for music and eventually picked up guitar at home. The very first album I heard that made me want to learn guitar was Black Sabbath’s self-titled album released in 1970. After I was introduced to Black Sabbath I followed Ozzy Osbourne until I discovered a guitarist named Randy Rhoads. After that it was all over and I knew I wanted to one day be as good as him.

 

Influences:

Randy Rhoads, Onslaught, Joe Satriani, Nobuo Uematsu

 

Musician Styles:

Progressive Metal, Power Metal

Andrés Mariñelarena

Andrés Mariñelarena

Guitar, Vocals, Songwriting

I’m from Zacatecas, Mexico (the most beautiful city on the planet of course). I began playing music when I was 8 years old with organ/piano classes and then started playing guitar at 15 years old after I saw Billie Joe Armstrong playing Jesus of Suburbia. I then branched into a different style of music and it has become my passion ever since. It took me over a year to discover progressive metal with “As I Am” by Dream Theater.  Since then, I’ve been dedicating myself to play and write music under that influence. I currently have 1 solo album and 1 EP.

Influences:

John Petrucci, Dream Theater, Guthrie Govan, Steve Vai, Circus Maximus, Eric Johnson, Muse, Plini,

 

Musician Styles:

Progressive Metal/Rock, Rock/Jazz/Fusion

Marty Papesh

Marty Papesh

Bass, Songwriting

Growing up in a family of non-musicians, I’d dabbled with songwriting using MIDI sequences and FL Studio but knew I needed to put my hands on an instrument to find an authentic feeling and take myself seriously in music. I purchased my first bass in 2005, and learned to play through online tabs. My first band, Drudge, formed in high school and played numerous local shows from 2007-2008. I was on again/off again with music through young adulthood but have been steadily playing since moving home to Michigan in 2020.

Influences: Geddy Lee, Flea, Cliff Burton, Billy Sheehan, James Jamerson

Jovon Bryant

Jovon Bryant

Drums, Vocals, Songwriting

I’ve been drumming officially since 2012 but I’ve always loved music of all kinds. My influences range from classical to metal and country to rap. As long as the beat is right, I’m down to listen! My first instrument was an acoustic guitar that my grandfather gave me. I never took the time to learn to play until recently when I started jamming with El[x]r. Neil Peart was the first drummer that really got me into looking at drums more seriously but my idols have since broadened to the likes of Mike Mangini, Buddy Rich and more.

Influences:

Neil Peart, Travis Barker, Dave Grohl

 

Musician Styles:

Any

Past Contributors

Josh Konecki

Josh Konecki

Guitar, Songwriting

Tyler Van Velzor

Tyler Van Velzor

Vocals, Songwriting

Ryan Warsh

Ryan Warsh

Bass, Videographer, Songwriting