Braid

Emo/indie rock band founded in 1993 in Champaign, IL. The original line-up consisted of Bob Nanna (vocals/guitar), Pete Havranek (guitar), Jay Ryan (bass), and Roy Ewing (drums). Of that original quartet, only Roy was actually from Champaign. The other members were all from the Chicago-area and were attending college in Champaign. Jay Ryan, nearing graduation, left after a few practices and was replaced by Todd Bell. Also, Kate Ruess joined the band as 2nd vocalist. This line-up would last for 2 shows and record one song before Ruess departed. In the summer of 1994, Chris Broach, another Chicago-area native, joined the band as lead vocalist. Shortly afterwards, Pete Havranek, unhappy with the band's musical direction, left the group. The band had been planning on recording their first EP when Pete left, and the covers had been printed prior to the recording so he was credited on the first pressing despite not actually playing on the record. With Pete's departure, Chris stepped away from being the full-time lead singer and picked up the guitar. In mid-1999, the band announced their impending break-up, playing their last shows in the summer of 1999, hitting Champaign, Chicago, and Milwaukee (the home towns of all the members).