Band With No Name

Band With No Name

Band With No Name is a rock group from Sterling Heights, near Detroit, and has been active since 2005. The line-up includes Jeff Gutt on vocals, Gary Pittel on guitar, Aaron Hutchinson on drums, and bassist Ben Lula; the group also includes keyboardist Justin “Antic” Hackman in its earlier line-up. Gutt is also known as a former Dry Cell vocalist and as the runner-up on the third season of The X Factor USA.

Formation and early development

The group begins when Gutt and Pittel meet while Gutt is performing acoustically in 2005 at a local nightclub. Pittel approaches him after hearing his voice and suggests working together. Gutt is initially unconvinced, but changes his mind after hearing Pittel’s arrangement of “Loser”. The pair start recording in Pittel’s studio, then pause the project when Gutt returns to Los Angeles to rejoin Dry Cell. When Gutt returns to Detroit permanently, the two resume work and record material such as “Animal Like” and “Criminal” in a short period of time.

Band line-up and activity

After establishing the core partnership, Gutt and Pittel recruit the rest of the group. Ben Lula is chosen on bass, Aaron Hutchinson on drums, and Justin “Antic” Hackman on keyboards, forming the line-up associated with the band’s early releases. The group performs around metro Detroit and shares stages with acts including Evans Blue, Kittie, Taproot, Critical Bill, HUSH, and Uncle Kracker.

Radio play and local recognition

Band With No Name receives airplay on Flint’s Banana 101.5 and Detroit’s 89X, and also appears on stations in Philadelphia, Chicago, and Cincinnati. In 2007, the band wins 89X’s “I’m With The Band” contest, which helps establish its presence in the Detroit rock scene.

Recordings

The group’s discography includes the Band With No Name EP and the album Humanity. Tracks associated with the release of Humanity include “Letter” and “I’m Your Enemy”.