Axium

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Axium, also known as Red Eye, was a hard rock/post-grunge band from Kansas City, Missouri, active from 1999 to 2006. They were led by David Cook, who would later win American Idol, and their sound was described as a mix of Alice in Chains and Tantric.

The band formed in Cook’s junior year of high school and changed its name from Red Eye to Axium after a name clash with Pink Eye. The early lineup included Cook, Bobby Kerr, Matt McLaughlin, and Drew Foss; Foss was soon replaced by Anthony Mazzarella. After several bass players, Jeff Shrout joined in 2001. In 2004 they added Travis Grogan on bass for their final studio album, The Story Thus Far.

Axium broke up in 2006 after Kerr left in 2005 and Cook departed about a year later; their last show was in Kansas City. Afterward, Shrout played lead guitar for Sleep Another Year, Grogan continued on bass, and they released the EP We Won’t Ask. Bobby Kerr released two Rat Pack–themed albums. Axium shared stages with bands such as 8Stops7, Caroline’s Spine, Maroon 5, Fountains of Wayne, and Smash Mouth. Their song “Hold” was used by AMC Theatres Movie Tunes, played before previews on more than 20,000 screens. They were named one of the top 15 independent bands in the Got Milk? contest and were voted best band in Kansas City in 2004.