we are a band

this led to the formation of "10 Lbs. Big," a rather noteworthy and successful Ortonville band who recorded three albums and played incessantly around the tri-state area for around four years. This band allowed "Messing With Texas" members Erik P. Block and Dale Wentland (on drums and bass, respectively), to hone their hardcore chops, but little opportunity to work with melodies and harmonies--areas in which "Messing With Texas" have effectively picked up the slack.

When "10 Lbs. Big" split up, the dream of an "all-Ortonville band" existing in the member's current home in the Fargo/Moorhead area stayed alive.

Enter Matt Novak on bass and Jon Hartman on vocals,

The band's sound draws equally from the rhythmic hardcore of "Snapcase", the melodic, harmony-rich punk rock of "Bad Religion", the pop sensibility of "Taking Back Sunday", and the honesty and emotion of "Sunny Day Real Estate," combining all of these influences into a one-of-a-kind musical menagerie.

After 6 months of gigging around the F/M area, the band has released a successful 5-song EP entitled "...So Pretty In Pieces," and there's nowhere to go but up. The band's new material is so dynamic and eclectic that they are already itching to get back into the studio and record a follow-up to show the world that they are increasingly coming into their own sound.