User:Ericksen4

History and Membership

The Common was a small alternative band formed in the summer of 1993 in Friendswood, Texas. Original band members were Patrick Stevens (guitars/vocals), Daniel Mochen (percussion), and Rick Ericksen (bass guitar). The Common derived their namesake from the idea that no individual in the band were extraordinary in any particular way from others in society. Alternatively, it was the name of the student meal area at the local High School where all members attended, Clear Brook High School.

After realizing that the band was still incomplete, Chris Stevens, younger brother of Patrick, was invited to join the group as the new bassist, with Rick Ericksen becoming a second guitarist and backing vocalist. Still exploring the direction of the band, The Common experimented with covers ranging from artists such as The Cure, The Smiths, Morrissey, The Violent Femmes, and Smashing Pumpkins.

The Common played only a couple of shows and venues. They played at high school talent shows, local private parties, dances, and once in a sparsely attended night club, Zelda's (downstairs at Fitzgerald's in the Heights area of Houston, Texas).

The band dissolved in 1994 when Patrick decided to move to Germany to pursue other live ventures. Daniel left Friendswood for a brief stint at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. Rick went to Spokane, Washington, for two years in mid 1995, and Chris remained in the Houston, Texas area for several years, continuing to pursue both education and a career in the arts and literature. Ericksen4 (talk) 18:54, 6 June 2008 (UTC)