The spring of 2005 would bring about much change in the lives of four guys from Southeast Texas.  Four guys that held the same love for rock music, and the desire to do what they loved.  But for each, the road always seemed to lead right back to where they started – looking for that band that just had the sound, the talent, the ambition – the band that had ‘it’. 

Guitar player, Matt Sebastian and drummer Grady Saxman met in January 2005, after the two met through an online ad on a local musician’s forum.  After jamming for a couple of months with Grady, Matt posted more ads, still searching for more.  While searching, Matt would soon discover guitarist Billy Wills, who was also searching.  Billy, inspired by the classic Dimebag, Nugent, and KISS, met up with Matt and the two decided to move forward.

Singer/songwriter Paul Noyola had plans for years of reentering the music arena, and once again enjoy performing and writing.  This led Paul to the online musician’s forum where Matt and Billy had posted ads looking for other musicians.  Paul auditioned with Matt and Billy.  At that point, Matt took on the role of bass player for the group and Grady was recruited as the beat keeper.  Demagogue was now complete.  As the group evolved, they realized that the chemistry was something special, blending raw crunch and sweet clean, while delivering a powerful message.

Demagogue wasted no time and began writing material and soon entered the recording studio in the fall of 2005, playing a few promotional shows along the way.  By the end of 2005, they had completed the EP, appropriately titled “Passage To Repute”.

2006 arrived and Demagogue began promoting the EP, finding time where possible to continue adding material to the pool for the planned early 2007 released of their first full album. Powerful, True, and Real Rock: Demagogue

ARTICLE: The Examiner, published July 7th 2006 - Click here to view the actual article (PDF)

Excerpt from The Examiner, published July 7, 2006
With a little Seether mixed with a pinch of Audioslave, Demagogue was born in 2005 as guitar player Matt Sebastian of Fannett met drummer Grady Saxman of Anahuac and the two got together for several jam sessions. The two decided it was time to form a rock band and searched the area and found guitarist Billy Wills of Nederland and singer/songwriter Paul Noyola of Jasper. Sebastian then took the role of bass player and Demagogue was born.

And what does Demagogue mean? Webster defines it as a leader who obtains power by means of impassioned appeals to the emotions and prejudices of the populace and/or a leader of the common people in ancient times. The band has struck a chord with the local rock fans of Southeast Texas as Demagogue set an attendance record for a local group at Antone’s on June 17 with 430 fans attending the show. “We love playing live shows,” said Sebastian. “We pride ourselves (on) the live show.”

The group released an EP, “Passage To Repute,” and plan to return to the studio this fall to record their first full-length album. “Once we start working on the album, we’ll start searching for some management and try to hit the road outside of Beaumont.”