In 2007, the Louisiana-based band Remedy was formed when Jared Viola of Destrehan, Louisiana and Ross Browning of LaPlace, Louisiana were 10-year-old Cub Scouts earning an instrument badge.
Today, Pearl River Central High School senior Nathan Killen has joined the ranks and thrills audiences with his vocal and songwriting talents.
Viola’s father, who was the boys’ Cub Scout troop leader, had a band room at his house and told the boys to pick up one of the instruments and begin playing.
“It sparked our interest in music,” Viola, the guitar player, said. “Our first performance as a band was in 2009 at our fourth grade talent show. From then on, we started playing at local country clubs, pizza places and birthday parties.”
Now, the band not only performs in Louisiana, but Texas, Georgia and Picayune.
All five band members are younger than 19. The band also includes Steven Slaton of Covington and Adam Sauter of Metairie.
Browning, who plays bass, said the band covers rock music and have three original songs. They will be releasing an EP on iTunes and Spotify in early November. They also hope to record a CD soon.
Drummer Adam Sauter said he doesn’t see band members’ age as a problem and the group has a lot of support from their parents, including band manager Robbie Slaton.
“We were invited to play at the Relay For Life events in Picayune,” Robbie Slaton said. “They volunteered their time, which keeps them grounded. Picayune is a beautiful city and the band fell in love with the quaint and close knit community.”
Sauter said seeing people enjoying and dancing to their music is what it’s all about for him.
Steven Slaton, who plays guitar, echoed Sauter’s sentiments and added that he envisions the band signing a major record deal in the future.
The group practices and writes music every Sunday in Kenner and they work through their flaws, he said.
“The best part about the group is that we have a bunch of diversity,” Steven Slaton said. “But, all in all, we are a cohesive unit and that’s what makes us successful.”
On Oct. 24, the band will return to Picayune to perform at the eighth annual Blues and Heritage Festival and both Viola and Killen said they are looking forward to the event.
Viola said the group enjoys playing in areas where the band members live.
Killen, 19, moved to Carriere from Covington about two years ago and was discovered by Robbie Slaton during a solo performance in a play in Covington.
At the time, the band was seeking a back-up singer and Killen fit the bill, he said. However, soon after, the lead singer left to pursue a solo career and Killen became the lead singer.
During his youth, Killen played country music and today he is starting to write songs about his past experiences with life, relationships, God and the river. He describes his lyrics and music as alternative and slow rock.
“Everyone in the band is really good people,” Killen said. “We are goofy, but serious and do what it takes.”
After graduation, he plans to attend PRCC for his basic courses and later pursue studies in music business and industry.
He said he is excited about playing at home because it’s often hard for locals to attend gigs out of town.
“It’s cool to show them the other side of me,” Killen said. “I get a high from it and I feel like I’m doing what I’m supposed to be doing.”
Learn more at www.bandremedy.com, Facebook and Instagram.