Speaker

In 1995, friends in Long Beach, California launched Speaker as a musical venture. Guitarist/vocalist Tom Gonzales and bassist/vocalist Matt Jacovides had each performed alongside others throughout the area, but Jacovides discovered that teaming directly with Gonzales surpassed the value of his prior group once he set out to locate additional players for Gonzales. Drummer Scott Devours rounded out the configuration, after which the three began composing and delivering their energetic, wide-ranging sound.

Speaker issued their debut Model Citizen in 1997 through Capricorn Records. They then devoted much of 1998 to songwriting and sessions with producer and friend Rich Mouser before unveiling Orizaba in 1999.