Audiovent

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Audiovent (formerly known as Vent) was a band that formed in Calabasas, California in the early 1990's when all of the members were still in high school.

The original members included Jason Boyd (lead vocals), brother of Brandon Boyd of Incubus; Benjamin Einziger (guitar, backing vocals), brother of Michael Einziger of Incubus; Paul Fried (bass); and Jamin Wilcox (drums, backing vocals). In 2001, the band signed with Atlantic Records and began recording their first major label album, Dirty Sexy Knights in Paris. The first song released off of the album was entitled "The Energy" and got significant national airplay on the radio along with its video. However, due to the fact that Jason and Ben were the younger brothers of Brandon Boyd and Mike Einziger of Incubus, charges of nepotism plagued the group. However, it is worth noting that Audiovent was quite different musically from Incubus, playing more straight ahead streamlined rock compared to Incubus' ever evolving So-Cal sound. Also Jason gained a reputation for his high-energy flamboyant stage presence compared to his normally stoic older brother. "Dirty Sexy Knights in Paris" received average reviews from the press, with many labeling it too slick and over-produced, especially compared to the band's raw live sound. A second single, "Looking Down" was released with a video as well but it turned out to be a huge failure. The band had a gig at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame filmed by MTV. They also toured with Saliva and Theory of a Deadman. In 2003 Jamin left the band citing creative differences and was replaced by Ryland Steen. Jamin would join Home Town Hero. In early 2004, the band was largely dormant, suggesting a breakup, but the band did re-convene for a time, playing a bunch of small clubs around California as "Nigel" suggesting they were having label problems with Atlantic. The new tracks they played were very different from the sound of their first album. In 2004, the band finally split, due to "creative differences," although it is largely believed they would be dropped from Atlantic anyway for poor sales performance.

Benjamin Einziger and Paul Fried moved on to start another band named Agent Sparks. Their first release was in September of 2005, a five track EP called "Not So Merry". They released a full length album in 2006, called "Red Rover".