"I refuse to accept the view that mankind is so tragically bound to the starless midnight of racism and war that the bright daybreak of peace and brotherhood can never become a reality."

Martin Luther King Jr.

For decades, the Bay Area has been a focal point of merging cultures and art forms, progressive thought, and social change. The Daybreakers, a Bay Area rock/ pop group, embody this fusion of cultural, artistic, and social backgrounds in nearly everything they do. Formed in 2008, The Daybreakers were the result of a coming together of four musicians that differed not only in the music they loved, but in their cultural upbringing as well. With influences that vary from Queen to Frank Zappa to Bob Marley and Pink Floyd, The Daybreakers create a sound that combines their differing musical backgrounds. This diverse source of influence is reflected in The Daybreakers' original work, which often explores themes and ideas from a variety of genres, such as reggae, folk, blues, and funk, while still maintaining a recognizable rock foundation. As described by Cliff, owner of Graeme Matthews Studio, "they (The Daybreakers) are an extremely passionate group of musicians... the energy they bring in with their music is really fantastic."

Embodying the words of Martin Luther King Jr., Tyler Montgomery (vocals, saxophone, piano), Aylon Steinhart (guitar, vocals), Nicky Mauthes (bass guitar, vocals), and Chris Stansell (percussion) have come together to create their own "bright daybreak", forming a brotherhood that transcends their cultural differences through music. Although their individual backgrounds differ greatly- Tyler a Buddhist, Aylon an Israeli immigrant, Nicky of French origin, and Chris a native central Californian- the four have come together to create a whole greater than the sum of its parts. Through music, Tyler and Aylon began a life-long friendship which overcame language and cultural barriers and introduced a fusion of artistic expression. "Aylon and I had really nothing in common," Tyler recalls, "he was that weird foreign kid in a neon t-shirt and purple shorts, but I guess music helped him overcome that" he says with a laugh. Similarly, Nicky contributed his own diversity to the materializing group. With a musical foundation heavily based on experimental and progressive rock, Nicky introduced new musical themes into the group's sound. Following the recommendation of their mutual musical mentor, Tyler and Aylon invited Chris to play in hopes of forming a new band. With musical influences that range from jazz to pop, Chris added another layer of intricacy to the group. United through the power of music, The Daybreakers were created.

Aside from producing almost 30 songs in their time together, The Daybreakers have managed to make each live show not just a concert, but an engaging performance. "We want to make each show a spectacle," Aylon explains, "one that creates an aural, visual, and emotional experience, oh yeah, and preferably melts faces too," he says half-jokingly. This philosophy is reflected in the manner in which they conduct themselves as a group. It is no secret that The Daybreakers strive for excellence in every aspect of their musical involvement. Just recently, The Daybreakers were declared winners of Berkeley Tau Kappa Epsilon's annual battle of the bands. In announcing their decision, the judges explained that "though all the bands tonight performed exceptionally well, The Daybreakers had an awesome connection with the audience that really got everyone feeling involved." This victory was not only an affirmation of their skilled musicianship, but also of their meticulous consideration of everything necessary to create an outstanding performance, from the emotional progression of their set-list to the changes in crowd dynamics.

With a studio session booked for next month, The Daybreakers will begin laying down the framework for their first album while working to release their first official singles. In the meantime, The Daybreakers will continue to increase their fan base throughout the Bay Area, playing shows at community events, private venues, and colleges. With the rise of every new day, The Daybreakers grow both as individual musicians and as a group of friends. Through music, Tyler, Aylon, Nicky, and Chris have made the "bright daybreak of peace and brotherhood… a reality."

Let the day begin!