Unlike other areas in Southern California, Hermosa Beach is known as a hub for punk-meets-reggae bands.

Perhaps it's the close proximity to the ocean, or the influence of area favorites like Sublime, Kottonmouth Kings, Social Distortion and, now, Trenchtown.

The allure of the beach, desire to escape the frigid cold of North Adams, Mich. and the chance of seeking stardom is what brought the members of Trenchtown to Hermosa Beach.

Eric Wagler (vocals), Mike Nichols (rhythm guitar) and Mike Burlett (drums), three junior high school friends from the town 50 miles south of Detroit, started playing together in 1996 as a band called Maryz Eyez.

"Music was just something we really enjoyed and we were all best friends so it made sense to start a band," Eric Wagler told Patch. "We loved playing and writing together and it was just fun."

Musical Roots

Detroit is known for its raw punk bands, such as The Stooges, MC5 and The White Stripes, and its legendary Motown sound, plus, hip-hop kingpin Eminem.

Trenchtown's influences are as diverse as the city itself.

"We listen to stuff like Motown back from Berry Gordy, so that gives our stuff its soul influence," said Burlett, the band's drummer. "We also dig rock stuff like Iggy Pop and Ted Nugent. I don't think people realize how many pop influences are from Detroit, but being exposed to that stuff helped mold the sound we have now and always moved us."

When Trenchtown first started playing, the trio was set on becoming either the next Nirvana or something within the ilk of the grunge-punk genre, but not necessarily rock stars. 

"Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Everclear and Green Day—bands like that are what got us moving and motivated us," Burlett said. 

As Maryz Eyez, the band garnered three hits on XM Radio and two appearances on the Vans Warped Tour, which tremendously boosted the band's popularity.

"We've never cared about becoming filthy rich or becoming rock stars, but when going to work every day consists of writing and playing music then we have achieved our goals," Eric Wagler said.

California Dreamin'

The band added Ryan Wagler and Greg Bolenbough to the team in 2001. The group's sound then began to deviate from punk-grunge to reggae-dub-ska music.

And then from 2005 to 2007, the band decided to relocate to the town that would be the most ideal for their genre and style: Hermosa Beach.

The freethinking, artistic nature of the neighborhood, the bevy of music venues, the beautiful weather, and naturally, Hermosa's proximity to the beach, were all factors in the outfit's collective decision.

It was around that time when the band also decided to change its name to Trenchtown, reflecting its reggae influences and a tribute to Bob Marley.

"Adding Greg to the band and with our new sound, we felt it was time for a rebirth, so we ditched the old name," Burlett said. "Besides, people thought we were a metal band because of the Zs at the end of the name."

With a new name, sound, and home, it was time for the band to record an album.

Road to Success

Due to a little courage and a stroke of luck, the band's recent demo found its way into the hands of legendary Biohazard guitarist and producer Billy Graziadei. By chance (or fate), Nichols ran into Graziadei in the musical instruments department at a local Best Buy and offered him a demo.

The guitarist saw a lot of potential in Trenchtown and took the group under his wing to bring out their best potential. The band's first album, produced by Graziadei, was recorded at his home studio in Gardena.

The band's recent release, Trenchtown EP, also produced and recorded with Graziadei, sounds like a combination of punk, rock, ska and reggae.

Trenchtown's rust belt background, combined with its California sound, has made the band a local favorite, appearing on KROQ's "Locals Only" program. And for the past five weeks, Trenchtown's music has been in the Top 5, which is no small feat.

These musicians' plans for 2011 are simple: write, record, tour.

With a strong fan base, radio play and a potential slot on the next Warped Tour, don't be surprised to see these South Bay rockers on the big stage soon.