Bio
In the fall of 1991, Greg Asher (vocals) and Matt McCabe (guitar and textures) first met with the goal of starting an alternative/modern rock band. After a false start in a band with drummer Eric Foster and others, the duo decided to disband in order to concentrate on songwriting and finding like-minded musicians.
Able Cain was officially born during the summer of 1992, when Asher and McCabe met bassist Jordan Reading through a mutual friend. The song titled "Fire Flower" fell into place when Reading improvised what was to become the distinctive arpeggiated bass line that is the foundation of the song. Asher dubbed the band Able Cain - a play on words based on the Biblical account of Cain and Abel.
Some months later, keyboardist Eric Schrepel (whom McCabe had met during a brief stint with another band) joined the band. Drummer Leo Gunther was recruited to complete the lineup for the recording of Able Cain's Two Song Demo. After the recording sessions, Gunther was unable to continue playing with the band due to prior commitments with another local artist. Foster was once again recruited as drummer.
Able Cain's Two Song Demo was widely distributed to college and commercial radio stations during 1993 and 1994.
Able Cain's first gig was performed on Halloween Night 1993 in the Downtown Plaza, Chico, CA to a crowd of approximately 3,000 onlookers (check out the video of "Fire Flower" and "Truth"). This gig secured Able Cain a place in Chico's burgeoning club scene. Many well received local gigs and a live radio broadcast on KZFR followed.
Due to the success of Able Cain's Two Song Demo, the band was asked to contribute a track on Mootown Records 1994 compilation CD Tastes Like Chicken. The band, currently working on what was to become their self-entitled EP, submitted "Fire Flower" and the newly recorded "They Don't Understand." The label decided on "Fire Flower," which was re-mixed by producer/engineer Loren Alldrin and Able Cain for the compilation.
While work continued on the EP, the band played a number of regional gigs, including the Screem in Concord, CA. Thanks to the Mootown CD, "Fire Flower" generated interest from a number of independent labels hoping to cash in on Able Cain's unique sound. As negotiations stalled, McCabe connected with Jeff Elbel of Marathon Records via the Internet USENET forum rec.music.christian. The band eventually joined the Marathon Records roster. Meanwhile, the band became a fixture at Juanita's, La Salle's, and Chico's outdoor venue the Bidwell Bowl.
Shortly after completing basic tracks for the EP (summer 1994), Foster and Schrepel moved and were no longer able to participate in the band. Asher, McCabe, and Reading completed overdubs and final mixes. Gunther rejoined the band for a string of gigs.
Able Cain's Able Cain EP was released in January of 1995. In support of the album, the band headed south for a number of concert dates with Farewell To Juliet (another Marathon Records band). Nationally, the EP was very well received, with both "Fire Flower" and "Charlatan's Song" charting on a number of college and independent radio stations. Notable gigs included a string of dates at The Paradise Grill in Chico, CA and two dates at the legendary The Warehouse in Sacramento, CA.
Able Cain's final curtain call was at The Warehouse/House of Commons in Sacramento, CA on September 9, 1995.