IN THE ABSENCE

Ben Wright started playing guitar at the age of 14. At 16 he joined in his first band, "Shadow of Oblivion" (2003-2005) with friend Dylan Gray (Shadow of Oblivion, The Venom Feels Fine, Devouring the Fallen). The band found Gary Nobriga (Shadow of Oblivion, Galvaneyes, In The Absence) who eventually joined the band on bass. The band played a few local shows but eventually fell apart. A few years later, Ben put together another project, "The Venom Feels Fine" (2005-2007) with friend Nathaniel Sloan (Identity N/A, The Venom Feels Fine) and Dylan Gray. After a couple of years Ben received an offer from Gary Nobriga to tryout for the band "Galvaneyes" (2007-2008). Ben was accepted immediately. The band recorded its first full length CD in 2008. Shortly after, the band dissipated. Ben quickly joined In the Absence (2008 – present) along with Gary Nobriga. Ben has had the privilege of sharing the stage with Flaw, Born of Osiris, Suicide Silence, Primer 55 and many more. He has played notable venues such as the legendary Whiskey a Go – Go in Los Angeles CA. Ben dictates, "Its an amazing feeling, finally being in a band were every member has the drive and dedication to actually achieve the goals that a band sets out to accomplish. I have never played in a band that had such a display of professionalism and talent."

Gary Nobriga started playing guitar in 2002. He joined “Shadow of Oblivion” in 2003, picking up the bass guitar. Two years later, he joined “Galvaneyes.” The band played over 60 shows statewide from local Modesto venues to the world famous Whiskey a Go Go in LA. Gary G. quickly became a well-respected bass player in the area. Galvaneyes split up in early 2008 and Gary G. quickly joined “In The Absence” He affirms, “ITA feels like home. The energy of the music and the musicians in this band makes me want to rock the stage harder and heavier than ever.”

Shane Zimmerman is 25 years old. He was born and raised in Livermore, California and currently lives in Patterson, California. “Every member of my family is a talented musician. When I came along, it was just a matter of choosing what instrument I would play.” As it turned out... a few of them! Shane started receiving piano lessons at a young age and eventually picked up the guitar later in his teen years. He always enjoyed spitting melodies here and there, but it wasn't until his first original band, Dionysis, that he stepped up to the microphone. The band was comprised of long-time friends and family members. The band was together for about three years, but eventually quit the live scene. He met Izzy at age 22 and they found the Sidewalk Perspective. The band only survived for about six months but provided Shane with “front-man” experience. In the following year, he found himself writing soundtrack pieces in the home studio. Though it brought him back to his piano roots, every performing musician knows that the unsatisfying void of not being on the stage is often too much to bear. So almost inevitably, he began carving In the Absence. He searched for three specific elements: talent, creativity, and decorum. “I knew that these principles would allow this band to not only exist, but also succeed.” “You see, I have played in several cover bands over the years, rocking out to those classic rock songs that everybody knows and respects. And I know, in all humbleness, that one day your children will be hanging out at the local pub, listening to the house band count off one, two, three, four… And that song they are playing, if you didn’t already know, is by In the Absence!”