Band members
: Dear Maybe is Jeff Llewellyn on vocals and guitar, Jason Milan on guitar, Kevin Hamilton on bass and Bob Buckley on drums. All members are originally from Grosse Ile.
Band History: Meeting as students at Grosse Ile High School in the early 1990s, Llewellyn, Milan and Buckley originally formed the band JFK. After graduation, the band members went their separate ways, with Llewellyn continuing to write songs and search for a suitable band. He and Buckley reunited in late 2000, with Hamilton joining the band not too long after. After sitting in with the band at its early shows in the fall of 2002, Milan agreed to join Dear Maybe full time in March 2003.
Meaning behind the name: "It’s like the heading of a letter that was never sent or read, and the ‘maybe’ is to keep it all anonymous," said Llewellyn. "Or maybe it’s letters or thoughts that you should have written."
Music style: I guess if you had to classify us, we’d be an original alternative rock band," said Buckley, adding that Dear Maybe isn’t going for any specific style. Influences cited were Radiohead, The Cure, Smashing Pumpkins and what the band calls "a little splash of hi-hop."
Has the band recorded anything? The "Sincerely, EP3" CD includes four songs, as well as a bonus acoustic track. It is available at all of the bands shows, as well as through its official Web site at www.dearmaybe.com. Slated for a June release is a seven song follow-up disc that is currently untitled.
What does the future hold? "If I could be a rock star, I would quit my day job," said Hamilton. The focus now though, according to the group, is just having fun playing shows and expanding its fan base.
When is the band’s next gig? Dear Maybe has a busy month of shows in the Downriver area, first hitting Wyandotte’s Le Jive Music Cafe, 109 Maple, on May 17. On June 7, the band will play at Drinks Saloon, 19380 Allen in Brownstown Township, as well as at Scalici’s in Allen Park at 6650 Allen, on Friday, June 20.
For up-to-date information on the band’s happenings, log on to www.dearmaybe.com and join its e-mail list.
Contact Staff Writer Nick Brandon at nbrandon@heritage.com or 1-734-246-0861.