Onions At A Crime Scene has humble beginnings. The origins of the band can be traced to a playground at this elementary school in a small Midwestern town. It was on the playground at recess one October afternoon that the four friends - Todd, Eric, Laurel, and Lorelei - made plans to form a rock and roll band. Todd would sing lead and play bass guitar, Eric would play drums, Laurel would sing lead and play lead guitar, and Lorelei would play keyboard. Originally, the band was to be named T.E.L.L. - for the first letter of each person's first name.
kiss and t.e.l.l.
Pictured above: Lorelei (top left), Todd and Laurel (second row, side by side), and Eric (lower right) in their class photo. The inspiration for the band began when Todd and Eric saw the band KISS on a TV Halloween special. Watch the performance they saw below.
40 years later, Eric hangs out with KISS!
He thought they'd be taller. |
Dream stolen
Of all the band members, Eric was the one who didn't have musical training. He believed once he got vocal and instrument training in middle school, the dream would be on track. That did not turn out to be the case. Eric shares that story in the video below.
Even though Eric's part of the rock and roll dream was derailed, his love of the drums never died. In a corner of his heart the dream still lived and the 1985 TV performance by Sheila E kindled that small flame still within him.
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dream reignited
After sharing his dashed rock and roll dreams, two students of his sister's high school students - Nick and Daniel - offer to teach Eric how to play drums. This was the tipping point that inspired Eric to reunite the band. The video below is a brief clip from the 90-minute lesson.
Joan Jett's Platinum Album from 1989's "Up Your Alley" hangs proudly in Eric's home. Eric first saw Joan Jett in concert February 15, 1989.
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The concert Eric wasn't allowed to attend because his parents thought he wouldn't be safe in the arena. A friend was able to secure a poster from the event and gave it to Eric.
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Ticket stub from the first Joan Jett concert Eric ever attended.
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Eric's drawing of his lucky pet rock Viking from 4th grade.
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Ticket stub from the first Joan Jett concert Eric and Julie attended.
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Sheila E concert that should have been but wasn't.
AJ's on East Court in Des Moines, Iowa. This is where the Onions' story truly began.
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Eric finally got to see Joan Jett at the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, Iowa! 38 years in the making!
How amazing that Sheila E autographed this photo to Eric!
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