Simply Sedated
Eric Wier, Jaxon Graham, and Gavyn Green make up the hard rock trio Simply Sedated, as they assemble under a common goal: “Kicking you in the teeth” as lead guitarist Eric Wier describes it. The band’s mutual love for rock and roll shines true in every action they take as a band. Whether it be a blood boiling hardcore show, or a laid-back acoustic jam, Simply Sedated never fails to capture what rock and roll is all about.
Hailing from the greater Philadelphia area, Eric Wier was born and raised with Philly's grunge sound coursing through his veins.
“I used to come home from school and just play Nirvana songs and scream! Which is kind of what I do now with the guys. After a long week, just go out there and scream it out! I'm just taking what I’ve been doing for the past 10 years and putting it together” – Eric Weir
Simply Sedated has perfected the art of taking Weir’s latent anger and projecting it into something beautifully constructive and refined. Make no mistake though, Weir is far from the conventional guitarist.
Being a self-taught guitarist, Weir spent his early days imitating the guitar playing skills of his heroes. Names like Jimmy Page, Kurt Cobain, and Jimi Hendrix sculpted the righteous guitar playing skills of Eric Weir; but without any formal training, Weir was forced to fill in the blanks. “I hold the guitar like it owes me money” Weir describes, as his savage pursuit of emotionally rich sound melts through every note he plays.
No band is complete without some sense of order though which is supplied by bassist Gavyn Green. Green hails from a quiet town in the suburbs of Pennsylvania; not the opportune environment for the soul of a punk rocker to grow. Green explains:
“I was the only one there who played guitar, all the other musicians were in orchestras. I play guitar, bass, and drums. That didn’t really align with what everybody else was doing”
That lack of outlet didn’t stop Green though, as he spent his formative years refining his craft and writing songs with friends. Years went by and Green had little luck finding traction with his projects. “That's why I was so fired up when I came to Philadelphia. ANY band I would join, I just needed to play” he explains. Determination like that made it inevitable that Green would form an elite group.
It was only a matter of time until Weir and Green would finally meet, but one ingredient needed to be added before they could launch themselves into the Philly grunge scene. Enter: Jaxon Graham.
Growing up in the South Philadelphia music scene, Jaxon was no stranger to house shows, rock stars, and mosh pits. This was exactly the type of background that would glue the group together, and supply them with that classic Philadelphia sound. Graham’s love for the Philadelphia music scene radiates through his inviting disposition. That culture is something that he holds very near to his heart.
Simply Sedated formed on a warm September night in 2022, when Gavyn Green approached an unsuspecting Graham while he sat on his skateboard in a local park. The two hit it off from the get-go, discussing their dreams and passions. Despite their difference in background, a common love for the music they hold dear would create a bond stronger than steel.
With the band assembled and music on the way, the trio began to recognize that they could not do it alone. A manager is an essential ingredient to a successful ensemble, and Simply Sedated found that and more in their honorary fourth member, Sam Schultheis. Keeping an eccentric trio like Simply Sedated track is no easy task, and Sam handles it with ease. The composure that Sam brings to artist management is impressive to say the least, creating one of the most organized and well-prepared groups in the indie scene. Her influence on the band cannot be understated. Being a manager in the music industry is hard enough and being a woman representing a group of men does not make it easier. The music scene should have the upmost respect for individuals like her.
“My partnership with simply sedated has been phenomenal… we’re just best friends” - Sam Schultheis
Brotherhood is something that Simply Sedated holds near to their hearts. The four conquer the world together, dominating the sonic space, and having each other’s backs on and off the stage.
“Eric and Gavyn are like brothers I’ve never had, and we always look out for each other both musically and outside of the music” – Jaxon Graham.
So, what do you get when you cross an angsty punk rocker, with a passionately refined bassist, a drummer whose soul shines with the spirit of Philadelphia, and one of the most efficient young managers on the scene? You get one of the most tightly knit families the music world has ever seen. Bound by their love of music, and their adoration for this city, Simply Sedated are an unstoppable force of creative passion.
When we spoke, they were very vocal about their appreciation of Philadelphia’s music scene and every single person who goes out to see them play.
“It's really an unmatched feeling when you're out there pouring your heart out and the crowd is in your face giving it right back to you. That's what it's all about” - Eric Weir
Being a young band still comes with its fair share of difficulties, however. The group has come a long way in the past year, but they still struggle to be taken seriously. The band communicated their disdain for Philadelphia’s culture of gatekeeping, and the pressures that come with that.
Venues will rely on a small circle of artists to fill their bills, which leaves smaller bands fishing for scraps. That culture puts bands like Simply Sedated in a box, where they feel like if they are not entertaining, they’re losing.
“We love the community of the house show scene, but people stop listening sometimes when they just want something they know” – Eric Weir
In a scene where independent expression is all there is, diversity and ingenuity should be priority number one. Instead, audiences care more about cheap thrills and partying. This way of prioritizing turnout over expression stifles creativity and makes bands like Simply Sedated feel nervous to step outside the status quo.
“People are listening to your music, but not really hearing you. Playing is the ultimate form of expression. The way we play our songs is so emotional and meaningful for us. And we have fun when we're screaming our heads off… we just want to be accepted when we switch it up”
- Gavyn Green
While hopes for a more diverse and inclusive house show scene echo throughout basements in Philadelphia, Simply Sedated is sticking to their strengths. Entering the recording studio, they are exploring and learning more about their sound every single day.
Simply Sedated embraces their derivative origins and welcomes inspiration from the heroes they grew up listening to. In an industry where everyone is trying to be different, Simply Sedated is just trying to do their own thing.
