On Sunday, May 28, Northern California boy band the Honeyboys took a big leap onto the BottleRock stage, playing alongside major artists like Lizzo and the Red Hot Chili Peppers. The six person band consists of frontman Ari Eisenberg, guitarist Reese Gardner, bassist Nick Reeves, drummer Matt Sato, keyboardist Grady Gallagher and saxophonist Nathan Stanley. 

Prior to meeting at SLO Days – an orientation event at their college, Reese and Matt began discussing their shared interest in music at a pizza restaurant.

 “There was kind of this shared moment once we started talking about music. I think there was an instant connection that we had…,” Gardner said.

Reese went home and showed his parents a video of Matt “ripping it on the drums” and after watching the video, he knew that Matt’s talent was real.

Ari and Nick met during their freshman and sophomore years in college through a music production club on campus. The four began more as a Jazz group, but as the band grew, so did their musical styles. Currently, the group of six blends genres and continues to release hit music such as single “Mr. Daniels” and recent EP “Find My Way to You.” 

As the band grows along with their gigs, they have adapted a backstage ritual to remain united and focused before each show.

 “…we have this thing called a Honey Huddle, where we just meet right before the show, and we just say the things we want to say. But overall, it’s also just a reinforcement of just having fun listening to each other and just making sure they’re on the same page,” Sato said.

Other team building activities included preforming in matching honey bee costumes. The outfits are a play on their name, Honeyboys, which originated from Reese’s honey-like guitar style.

 “After meeting Reese for the first time and hearing his guitar style, I just felt like it was so drippy and oozy,” Eisenberg said. “All I’m gonna say is that, he had a lot of delay on his guitar and I was like, this is saucy. And I woke up in like a fever dream and it came to me.” 

BottleRock served as the biggest show that the band has played at, and anticipate larger gigs. The weekend’s musical event was a milestone for the Honeyboys, and an important experience. 

“Playing on a huge stage with the best sound and to play alongside his amazing artists it’s a dream come true. Honestly, my favorite show I’ve ever played with you guys [the band],” Gallagher said.