Novadriver

Fusing classic '70s-style hard rock with liberal doses of space rock and the odd psychedelic overtone, Detroit's Novadriver were formed in the late '90s by vocalist/organist Mark Miers, guitarist Billy Reedy, guitarist/bassist James Anders, and drummer Eric Miller. Quickly snapped up by hometown label Small Stone, they contributed a version of Aerosmiths "Seasons of Wither" to 2000's Right in the Nuts tribute disc, then released their first album, Void, the following year. But Miers' sudden departure to pursue "other projects" would halt the band in its tracks, resulting in years of inactivity and fruitless searching for an adequate replacement, until he ultimately decided to rejoin Novadriver's ranks almost three years later. The result, 2005's suitably anthemic Deeper High, almost made it seem as though Novadriver had never gone away, but coincided with the sad and unexpected passing of bassist James Anders from an apparent heart attack.