The musical death and rebirth of a rock band rarely happens in the span of one night. But for Averkiou, such an unusual life cycle is the norm for the three-year-old Gainesville band. Convinced that they were playing their farewell show at Pop Mayhem in May last year after the brief departure of their guitarist, Averkiou played an appropriately rollicking final set.
"It was really meant to be the last show," said bass guitarist Chad Darby.
Performing as if they would never play again may have just rekindled Averkiou's reason for existing.
"It just turned out to be this fantastic night," said singer and guitarist Matt Brink. "This is why we're doing it, because we're having fun doing it."
That same night, the band also signed a record deal with clairecords. With a renewed energy, purpose and a record deal, Averkiou was reborn as a band.
After a month-and-a-half break, the band will play its first show Sunday at The Atlantic to release the vinyl for its first CD "Throwing Sparks." The Barracuda Sound Records Showcase will also feature Ninja Gun, Towers of Hanoi, Grabass Charlestons, Laserhead and Trailer of Tears. Doors open at 5 p.m., and tickets are $8 (under 21) or $6 (over 21).
Formed in the kitchen of Bistro 1245 by Brink and guitarist Jay Schuster, Averkiou was initially going to be a "super-loud two piece," a horror-punk band called "Baby Dracula," Brink said. Eventually the band expanded to five members and changed its name to Averkiou when they heard someone calling the last name of their friend, while working in the kitchen of Bistro 1245.
Instead of horror-punk, Averkiou plays what Schuster (guitarist) calls "shambly stoner-pop" jams. Influenced by Guided by Voices and My Bloody Valentine, Averkiou makes fuzzy, dense, soaring and sinking indie rock.
With the goal to make the debut CD sound like one could "swim in it," the band aims for multiple layers and multiple meanings, Darby (bass guitarist) said. One song in particular, "South Wall," encapsulates Averkiou's sound and journey as a band.
"It's such a special song to me for special reasons," he said.
It ended up becoming like a prophecy because the song lyrics predicted personal events, like deaths of family members and friends, and even the death of a band member's cat, Darby said.
"It's a pretty thick song on many levels."
Averkiou will also perform at the Harvest of Hope Festival in St. Augustine in March.
