After playing guitar for several years, Tripp Morgan and Tim Webster wrote a song, with the dream of
a band in mind. Without a name, they called themselves UNTITLED and recruited Lucas Owens into
the band as lead singer. He had previously been the drummer of the band Cadence from Winterville
NC, also a guitar player and writer.
In April of 06, at age 16, the three, accompanied by a friend, entered their song “Stairs to Heaven”,
(now on the first CD) which was written in dedication to several classmates who had passed away,
into a high school talent show, “The Charger Idol”. Winning the awards show and getting press
exposure, the group sought a name for the band. Lucas had recently visited Irvine California and with
hopes of the band playing there one day the band decided IRVINE would be the New Name. The
talent show had won the band a spot in a local festival, and in need of a drummer, the band asked
Tripp’s father, Charles Morgan, to fill the spot. Playing drums and percussion all through school and
having jammed with the group often, he agreed to play and manage the band. The first IRVINE gig
was the Ayden Collard festival in fall of 2006. Following band battles and no, to low-paying gigs,
IRVINE started to gain recognition, and with the release of their CD, “The Past Repeats Itself”, in
Dec. of 2007 the band began to get airtime and to play venues all across eastern N.C.
The album was getting airtime on local radio and subsequently the band was receiving offers to play
highly advertised events in the area. Due to circumstances beyond his control Tim left the band in
early 08. Garett Bissonnett, band friend and former guitarist for the very popular local band Katharsis,
agreed to fill the spot. Having helped produce and do backup vocals on IRVINE’S first CD, it was a
smooth transition.
Having been through several talented bassists, the band found one that was as dedicated as the
others to making the band a profession. Trey Horton came on board and put the icing on the cake,
with driving bass riffs and experience in live performances, and the band progressed rapidly. In the
remainder of 2008 the band headlined the local stage at X-FEST 9.5 with Buckcherry, Saving Abel,
Decypher Down and Arial Down.
IRVINE was nominated for best NC Alternative Rock band by JNFE (Just Not Famous Enough) as
well as best breakthrough artist. Also in Dec. of 2008 the band was voted 1 on the local rock station
99.5 “the X” WXNR locals with the single “Tight Rope” off their upcoming “Can’t Control It” CD. A 3-
track EP will be released in early March 09 due to fan requests, as a precursor to the full CD.
Averaging a new meaningful rock song a month, the band continues to gain momentum. In Jan 09
beginning to receive air time on central and western NC radio IRVINE continues on its quest to reach
the masses with its hard driving sound, and to entertain with a whole barrage of covers from the very
bands that influenced them. The bands live stage performances are something the fans are talking
about as they reflect on a show. If you see this band live once… you will be back to enjoy more of
their pure passion and love for what they are doing!
A video of IRVINE performing their song “Hollow Hero” acoustic version live in wxnr, 99.5 theX, studio
can be viewed at www.995thex.com, X-Rated video’s, category- local 99 Tripp “Tr!pp!n” Morgan -
Guitar, Backup Vocals Garett Bissonnette – Guitar, Backup Vocals Lucas Owens – Lead Vocals,
Acoustic Guitar Trey Horton – Bass Guitar Charles Morgan – Drums,Band Manager