Starving Millionaires

Starving Millionaires assembled in 2005 after years of procrastination and middle school angst. Now they play up-tempo punk rock, with swabs of reggae swagger, at clubs and high schools throughout the Bay Area. And now that people are beginning to listen the Millionaires are willing to leave the house.

Eric used to live in a dump, just off Sunset. It was there, between four crusty walls, where he drew inspiration to write juvenile attacks on the machine, often juxtaposing meaningless acts of sex against getting hammered and fighting over bumped elbows. When the Millionaires got together, Eric moved home to San Jose and kept writing, again adhering to the time tested success.

Bassist Joe, a tired middle school instructor, relies on music to escape from everyday pressures such as assigning detention. He plays to forget, all while drinking, spitting and swearing at screaming fans. That behavior is likely the result of heavy metal influences from back in the day, which Reghitto’s driving bass lines draw from.

Mun began playing drums because nobody else would. Now everybody wants to play and he won’t let them because he sits on a stool at all of the shows. Many maintain that Mun’s stool time is set aside for philosophizing about the origins of tribal rhythms—Millionaire staples such as "Double Brown" and "4th of July" are pleasingly dynamic in that regard, thanks to cerebral choice on drums.

After six months together, they’ve 40 shows to show. They also cut a compelling five-song EP called “First Ditch Effort” in June, which listeners reportedly play in cars, Zumiez, the shower, and in the bedroom. The first track, "Double Brown", has even managed to find itself some airtime on Channel 104.9 radio station. Also, a drunken group of intellects currently follow the Millionaires from venue to venue, hanging on their every utterance and asking for donations. It’s good to be in a band, even in San Jose.