Dying Street

**Dying Street** is an American rock band formed in Phoenix, Arizona, consisting of vocalist and guitarist David Stefanovic, guitarist Mike Barrett, bassist Colin Zeal, keyboardist Dojo Yukteswar, and drummer Rio Coka.

## History

### Formation (May-October 2017)

On 27 May 2017, the band was formed by vocalist David Stefanovic, bassist and producer Colin Zeal, and keyboardist Dojo Yukteswar. The trio met at Camelback High School in the 2000s.

Stefanovic and Zeal hired Scally as drummer shortly after the formation. David invited his best friend Mike Barrett to join to fill guitars' role. Mike declined, due to his job. Stefanovic agreed to play the guitars instead, until Mike decides to join.

Stefanovic, Zeal, Yukteswar and Scally started working on the album and they were doing small gigs across Arizona at the same time.

In July, Scally was fired from the group, due to disagreements with Yukteswar. Scally recorded 3 songs with the group, which appeared on their debut album *Lazy* prior his dismissal. Stefanovic hired his neighbor Rio Coka as the drummer. The bigger change would happen in August, when Colin Zeal left the band. Dojo Yukteswar also left the band the week after. They both were dissatisfied with the band's schedule.

Stefanovic and Coka, as the only remaining members, hired the bassist and producer Little Lucas and keyboardist Neil Durham the same month. The band finished the recording of the album in September. They were also doing small gigs around Arizona as the previous line-up. In September, Rio Coka was briefly replaced by Canadian Jim Bunty. The band announced the upcoming debut album to be released in October 2017. They released the album *Lazy* on 17 October 2017. The Lazy Tour began on 20 October.

### Reunion with Colin Zeal, Arrivals of Anton Spack and Mike Barrett (November 2017-December 2018)

Following the promotion of debut album *Lazy*. Little Lucas and Neil Durham announced their split from the group. Dying Street's co-founder, Colin Zeal, rejoined the band. Zeal asked his friend Anton Spack to become the keyboardist, after what he became the official member. They started working on their next album. During the recording sessions, the band were also on the tour around Arizona to promote their debut album. The tour finished on 20 January 2018.

Mike Barrett, who was previously considered as an unofficial member, he became the official member in February 2018. David Stefanovic, who disliked playing the instruments on live performances, has stopped playing the guitars. Stefanovic remained playing guitars in the studio.

The band finally released their second album *Profound Pleasure* in March 2018. Profound Pleasure tour began shortly before the release, and it was finished in July 2018. Following the end of the tour, the band started working on their next album.

The recording of their third album *(The) 3rd Album* was finished in October, and it was released on 15 November 2018. The album became commercial success and it has been considered as their best album. The success was later spread to Europe and South America. The 3rd Tour started shortly after the release of the album.

### Departure of Anton Spack, constant fights between band members (January-December 2019)

In early January, Anton Spack announced his departure from the band due to problems that he had in family. The co-founder Dojo Yukteswar was supposed to become the band member again. But Stefanovic recruited Neil Durham. The 3rd Tour was finished in February. The band announced they are working on new album. During the recording sessions, Durham and Colin Zeal were in various conflicts. David Stefanovic tried to solve their problem, but the conflict became more serious problem. David's goal was to finish the recording of new album, then to find out a solution about situation between Zeal and Durham.

The recording was finished in June. In July, Zeal announced his departure from the band, due to misunderstandment with David Stefanovic and fights between band members. Guitarist Mike Barrett also left the band shortly after that.

Stefanovic hired his friend Trent Nixon as a guitarist, while Rio Coka was looking for a bassist on YouTube. He found then 31-year-old Agent Mapother, who was offered to be the band's bassist, which he accepted. Mapother and Nixon became official members in July.

In August, Dying Street released their fourth album *As We Are*. The reviews were mostly negative, but that didn't stop the band to announce their tour to promote the same album. Stefanovic, Zeal and Coka stated: "This is, by far, our worst album." The tour was finished on 26 October.

In November, the band started working on the demos for the upcoming albums. Neil Durham and Trent Nixon were fired the same month. The statement from the band about their departure was never announced. Durham announced on his Twitter account that he was fired from the band with Trent Nixon. The reason was creative differences between Neil Durham and Trent Nixon against Stefanovic and Coka. Durham also stated that Rio Coka became the band's co-owner.

In December, the remaining Dying Street members announced they will play ten acoustic shows in Phoneix, from 10 to 20 December.

### Returns of Colin Zeal, Dojo Yukteswar and Mike Barrett (January-May 2020)

In early January, Agent Mapother announced his withdrawal from the band. Unlike the most members, he left the band in good terms.

Rio Coka and David Stefanovic, the only members, announced the returns of Colin Zeal, Dojo Yukteswar and Mike Barrett. They announced the release of new album in May.

In April, Colin Zeal was fired from the band. He announced he had problems that he had with band members, but Dying Street stated: "Zeal wasn't even serious about current situation with the band. He was more interested in recording with famous musicians then being in the band".
The band released the album *Love Me Like You Do* on 15 April 2020.

In May, Dojo Yukteswar was fired from the band due to drug problems that he had over 5 years.
Stefanovic and Coka with Barrett began searching for bassist and keyboardist.

### Commercial success with Rod Star and Boomtown (June 2020-November 2022)

In June, David hired well-known English bassist and producer Rod Star and the keyboardist Boomtown.

### Boomtown's departure, Luke Silther's arrival and departure, Marlon Cosby's arrival, the band's hiatus (November 2022-April 2024)

During the promotion of the newest album *Reworked*, the band witnessed mixed reviews from the critics. The band decided to change their musical direction once again. Boomtown was against it, which caused disagreements between him and the other members. He left the band peacefully in November 2022 and David Stefanovic rehired Neil Durham, which caused fallout in the band. Durham left the band next month. The band announced there will be no tour support for their latest album.

The band got back in the studio in January 2023 with their new keyboardist Luke Silther. The band decided to change their music direction back to progressive rock with pop elements. The album was recorded from January to April in Rod Star's studio in Manchester, England, and later mastered in May. The band announced the album *I Go Evil* will be released in July, but due to record label policies, the release date was scheduled for release in September. The tour began on July 25, 2021, while it finished on April 25, 2024. During the tour, they performed the songs from the upcoming album. *I Go Evil* was finally released on September 27, 2023. This release became their best-selling album at that time.

Luke Silther left the band in November 2023, due to his heart condition. He was replaced by Marlon Cosby. Cosby was also an ocassional lead vocalist, as Stefanovic had to lower his voice due to throat infection.

After the tour, David decided to leave Dying Street, which was announced by Rio Coka on their social media. The band and management decided to split, as there were no original members left. Some sources stated that Rio Coka had become the band leader as he was considered David's right hand. Rio responded that he doesn't have intentions to lead the band without David. There were also speculations that Mike Barrett could become the leader, since he's the only original member left, while he said that he wasn't considered official until he fully joined the band in February 2018.

### Hiatus (May 2024-January 2027)

After the split up, the members from last line-up focused on their private lives. Mike Barrett focused on family and he also worked in his studio. Rod Star decided to move back to England, stepped away from public life. Marlon Cosby worked as a session musician for famous singers. Rio Coka also focused on his family and worked in Mark's studio with Mike Barrett. David Stefanovic decided to remain active as a solo musician, but later he decided to work with Dojo Yukteswar. They both formed their side project Dojo & David, which also consisted Stephen Murray, Wolfgang Reed and Robin Biden.

The former members of Dying Street were active in public life, especially Colin Zeal who worked for famous music groups and musicians. Anton Spack also worked with Mike Barrett and Rio Coka, before he would be promoted as the Rock-Out Records manager.

### Reformation, tour and comeback album (February-August 2027)

In February, the Dying Street announced the reformation with the "classic line-up": Stefanovic, Barrett, Zeal, Spack and Coka to celebrate 10th Anniversary of the band.

The band started touring in March. They also announced the comeback album to be released in August. The album contained re-recorded version of the songs from the first three studio albums.

The tour was finished in July. Rio Coka announced his departure due to personal reasons. He was replaced by Jim Bunty.

The album *Back on the Track*, was released on 25 August. Anton Spack, who was mostly unsatisfied about the situation between the management and the band members. He announced he would be leaving the band 3 days after the release.

On 28 August, the remaining members made the deal with Lewis Benton to become the replacement for Anton Spack. Benton will be in the band til 28 August 2030.

### Changes (September 2028-August 2030)

Stefanovic, Zeal and Barrett started touring with Benton and Bunty to promote the comeback album. The tour started on 14 September 2027, and it was finished on 13 February 2028.

## Members

### Current members

* **Colin Zeal** – bass, main producer (2017; 2017–2019; 2020; 2021; 2027–2039; 2045–present)
* Jim Bunty – drums, backing vocals (2017; 2027–2031; 2045–present)
* Christopher Benton – keyboards (2030–2035; 2039; 2045–present), session musician, producer (2032–2035)
* Albert Benton – guitars, vocals (2045–present)
* Seth Gray – vocals (2045–present)

### Former members

* **David Stefanovic** – lead vocals, guitars (2017–2024; 2027–2039)
* **Dojo Yukteswar** – keyboards (2017; 2020; 2032–2038)
* Scally – drums (2017)
* Rio Coka – drums, backing vocals (2017–2024; 2027; 2031–2039), keyboards (2031–2039)
* Neil Durham – keyboards (2017; 2019; 2022)
* Little Lucas – bass, main producer (2017)
* Anton Spack – keyboards (2017–2019; 2027)
* Mike Barrett – guitar, backing vocals ([unofficial 2017-2018]; 2018–2019; 2020–2024; 2027–2036)
* Agent Mapother – bass, main producer (2019–2020; died 2031)
* Rod Star – bass, main producer (2020–2024)
* Boomtown – keyboards (2020–2022)
* Luke Silther – keyboards (2023)
* Marlon Cosby – keyboards, occasional lead vocals (2023–2024)