Fans: 104
Five A.M. has amassed a following so devoted, that their own fans invested $21,000 to help the band make their debut CD, “Degrees of Falling”, which was the first ever independent release to be named “CD Pick of the Week” by KRSH 95.9 FM (The Crush) in Santa Rosa. Five AM’s second album, “This Morphine Life”, was realized by the owner of a major Bay Area studio, who was so inspired after seeing the band perform live that he offered to record their entire album for free. Both albums have launched the group to the forefront of Northern California rock bands, receiving regular airplay on radio stations all over the Bay Area. Their single “Paper Bag” stayed in the Top 10 on Mix 104.1 FM for three months, alongside Dave Matthews, Creed, and Alanis Morissette. They also found success on the internet as they shot into Cornerband.com's charts--in both Rock and Pop categories--and stayed in the Top 10 for over a year. Five AM has sold over 5,000 CD’s as well as 1000s of digital downloads from itunes, Rhapsody, and Napster. Five A.M.’s intense live energy has brought them into the league of national acts, where they've been billed with Train, Dishwalla, Cracker, Guster, Bob Schneider, and Doobie Brother Michael McDonald. The band builds its sound around lead singer/songwriter Trent Yaconelli, who has the rare ability to write pop songs with a poet's soul. Backing him is a driving rhythm section led by drummer Jed Friesen, a natural born performer and an inventive linguist; bassist Jason McGrath, who can groove a bass line as well as fix your transmission; on keyboards and percussion Benjie Kushins, a rhythmic dynamo whose small size makes him ideal for long road trips. Complementing all of this is lead guitarist Zach Hammer who plays like someone named Zach Hammer should. in April of 2007, Five AM traveled to Vancouver, BC for 16 days to record the first three songs for a new album. This time, the project was funded by a longtime fan, determined to bring the band to national attention. Five AM’s latest adventure includes the talents of Producer Jeff Dawson (Daniel Powter's "Bad Day", Tal Bachman.) and Mixer Mike Fraser (Aerosmith, AC/DC, Gn'R, Joe Satriani, Metallica, Van Halen ).
