From meth burnt carpets in Las Vegas hell holes to champagne buffets aboard the Mary Ellen, their mission is to die free and to play music that will enhance the mood and make you become soul junkies.

It was this past spring when my brother introduced me to E.B Sollis. I got his number from my brother with the message saying “tell him you’re down to play with his band when you come out here.” I started talking to the man himself a couple days later when I told him they had some “sick tunes.” He replied, “thanks mang, your bro tells me you’re quite the hunk with an axe,” (yes, we talk like that.) From there, the ball started rolling. We became friends on facebook and from there, I got exposed into the world of a NY rockstar.

We met up later when I went to his apartment with my brother. There was Sollis and the rest of them chillen on the couches, the smell of cigarettes filled the room, a couple beer bottles, an ash tray, and a few lighters rested on the glass table by the couch and there were posters and photographs. I went to get a drink and the fridge had a few song lyrics written on stickies with polaroids and funny magnets. I thought “this is the life.” “Yo Ry,” Sollis said, “you know D-Bo went to Berklee too.” “You got in?” he asked. I told him it was the 5 week summer program I got accepted to, “Gotta love Boston man, I’m from there, just keep in mind Berklee ladies are fast, a little crazy, but oh so sweet.” Long hair and a silk long sleeve shirt made him look like somewhat of a Jesus figure, but nevertheless, he was one of the 5 characters that made up the band. Sollis, D-Bo, there’s Ryan the “pianist” as he likes to be referred to. Though he play’s keyboard like a man possessed, he calls himself, “a fxckin piano player.” Reason: “because I got straight class bro.” Chris “The monster” plays bass and Erik shreds along on the guitar. Sollis had a white Les Paul with the word “SOLLIS” written across the body and Erik had his Gibson SG by his side. They asked what I played, I pulled out the Fender Stratocaster I had in my case, “damnnnnn, someone must get the girlies huh?”-Erik.

They were all cool guys in person. True down to earth brothers who, although all are from from different backgrounds, contribute their own taste as well as the same soul that drives a rock and roll band. Touring now on behalf of their album “Introducing The Auctioneers,” they are currently shacked up in Detroit. The style is 70’s and the tone is bluesy and soulful. You can hear their music on either facebook, itunes where the cd is available, or blaring from my computer. Fellow journalist Madisen Demery has asked me to send her the song “Straight on till Morning.” I am yet to get on that. Based on underground fame across the country as well as the attitude they capture in their songs, The Auctioneers straight up rock.