When Destrehan’s Jared Viola and Ross Browning were fourth- grade Cub Scouts, the two picked up instruments and took aim at earning their respective music badges.
They haven’t put those instruments down — and it’s paid off. The two local prodigies are guitarists for the alternative and modern rock band called Remedy, which was established in 2007 and is days away from taking a major step in their history. Remedy, which has historically been a cover band, will play its first show featuring original content Saturday at Southport Hall.
The band — consisting of Viola (rhythm guitar), Browning (bass guitar), Nathan Killen (lead singer), Steven Slaton (electric guitar) and Adam Salter (drummer) began playing original songs a year ago and released an EP on iTunes and Spotify late last year, which included three songs. One of the group’s originals, entitled, “In the End,” has been played on local radio stations 94.7 and 106.1.
“It’s a big step for us,” Viola said. “We had to go from learning songs to creating them. It takes a lot more discipline. In a band, that can create some bickering when guys start having different visions of what we’re going to do. But we’ve been playing together for so long, we have a great connection with one another.”
Each of the band members is under 20 years of age, yet the majority of the group has played together for as many as eight years — Slaton joined Browning and Viola during their middle school years— lending a rare cohesion and familiarity between its members.
“The chemistry we have at this point is fantastic,” Viola said. “Through trial and error, we know each other’s quirks, certain gestures we do … if something goes wrong for one, the rest of us can pick it up quickly. We grew up together and that helps a lot.”
He said the positive reaction he and his band mates have received from their cover song performances gave them the motivation to try and create something even greater.
“We felt like once we mastered the covers, we wanted more of a chance to get the name out there a little more,” Viola said. “We get great reaction for our covers, so started thinking we can start writing our own stuff and try to make this big.”
The infancy stage of Remedy came when Viola and Browning were in the fourth grade at Harry Hurst Middle School. The two were Cub Scouts and started learning to play music in order to earn a music badge. Eventually, that led to the two performing on stage at their fourth grade talent show and ultimately, that sparked their interest in music.
“Our old drummer, Chancey Cothren, got together with us and we played two songs,” Viola said. “Music helped us build a bond.”
Remedy has played several events and festivals, including the Alligator Festival, Family Gras, Andouille Festival, Gretna Heritage Festival and French Quarter Festival.
They’ve also played at popular venues such as the House of Blues.
Remedy earned 2010 Grand Champions honors at the Louisiana Kids State competition before going on to win first place in their category at the American Kids National competition in Missouri. The group has opened for several prominent acts including The Top Cats and Chee-Weez.
Saturday’s show will be a milestone for the group, who will be debuting 10 of their original tunes in front of a live Southport Hall audience. Remedy will be the show’s headlining act, with the band Traded Moments opening for them. The show is for those 18 years or older and the doors of the venue will open at 8 p.m.
Viola says he and his band mates hope to put on a great show for everyone who comes out in support—and that it provides a jumping off point to bigger things.
“We want to take it to the top, as long as we can ride it out,” Viola said. “We’ll work as long as it takes to get to where we want to be.”
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