Members of Eclipse, once precocious teens too young to legally play gigs in bars, return to the Lost Horizon, 5863 Thompson Road, on Wednesday, Sept. 19, 9 p.m., for their first show together in 14 years. The 1990s pop favorites took off when multi-instrumentalist Rob Lauzon, having outgrown his days as a fiddler known as “Little Robbie,” signed on in late 1995 to join singer-songwriter Joel Ackerson, drummer-vocalist Bill Erickson and bassist Brett Hobin for what turned out to be a wild three-year ride, winning the 1996 Syracuse Area Music Award (Sammy) for Best New Artist (pictured at the Sammys, from left, are Hobin, soundman Justin Jackson, Ackerson, Lauzon and Erickson) and developing a strong following in bars, colleges and at festivals. The young phenoms also recorded two cassette albums and a CD at the studio of Hobin’s father, local rock veteran Todd Hobin.
“Musically and lyrically it was very mature,” Lauzon recalls. “Intellipop, we called it. Joel’s inspiration drew heavily from Glen Phillips of Toad the Wet Sprocket to the Beatles to Jeff Buckley to our very own homegrown hero, Martin Sexton, mixed up with the 1990s alternative we were all devouring, as it was our teenage angst years, like Weezer, Live, Radiohead. It was a unique sound. And people seemed to really like it. We had a pretty extensive fan base that were very loyal. Brett brought his father’s classic rock sensibilities and I added my country upbringing. We added Joel and Bill’s Neverly Brothers-like harmonies. Artie Lenin and Gary Frenay were also big heroes of ours. It was quite the sound for a boy band; a boy band that could play, I should say.”
Admission for the one-time, all-ages reunion is $5. Call 446-1934 for details.
