Nearly 30 years after their high school punk-emo days, Everyone Asked About You has made a remarkable return, sparked by online fan dedication and orchestrated by the acclaimed Numero Group. This definitive guide delves into their surprising reunion, the new music, and how their story resonates with a growing appreciation for 90s indie culture.
In the vibrant, yet often fleeting, world of 90s independent music, countless bands emerged with passionate, short-lived careers. Among them was Everyone Asked About You (EAAY), a punk-emo group formed by high school friends in Little Rock, Arkansas, in 1996. Composed of Chris Sheppard, Hannah Vogan, John Beachboard, Collins Kilgore, Lee Buford, and Matt Bradley, the band carved out a niche before disbanding in 2000, seemingly destined for cult status rather than a mainstream resurgence.
However, nearly a quarter-century later, the impossible happened: Everyone Asked About You reunited. Their story is a compelling testament to the power of fan dedication, the enduring appeal of 90s music, and the visionary work of archival record labels like Numero Group.
Humble Beginnings: The Original Run of Everyone Asked About You
During their initial four-year run from 1996 to 2000, Everyone Asked About You released a few singles and a single full-length album, primarily on vinyl. Their distribution was grassroots, selling hundreds of copies through mail orders and by hand in and around their hometown of Little Rock. Their raw, emotive sound resonated deeply with a small but dedicated local following, laying the groundwork for a legacy that would blossom years later.
Life Beyond the Music: Diverse Paths After Disbandment
After the band members graduated from high school and went their separate ways, they largely lost touch, moving into diverse and successful careers far removed from the music scene:
- Chris Sheppard became a swimming coach.
- Hannah Vogan pursued a career as a nurse.
- Lee Buford found success as the drummer for the experimental metal band The Body.
- Matt Bradley established himself as a production designer based in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
- Collins Kilgore relocated to California to become a lawyer.
- John Beachboard remained in Little Rock, where he opened a brewery.
These varied paths underscored the unlikelihood of a reunion, making their eventual comeback all the more remarkable.
A Digital Revival: The Unseen Force of Fan Dedication
Years after Everyone Asked About You faded from active performing, their music began to cultivate a life of its own in the burgeoning online world. Fans of 90s emo and indie, delving into obscure uploads and digitized archives, discovered the band’s catalog. Platforms like YouTube, Reddit, and eventually TikTok became conduits for rediscovery, fostering a quiet yet passionate following for their forgotten tracks. This organic, fan-driven resurgence was a crucial catalyst, proving that their music had an enduring quality that transcended time and geography.
The Architect of Reunion: Ken Shipley and Numero Group
The turning point arrived in 2019 when a YouTube video featuring Everyone Asked About You’s music caught the discerning ear of Ken Shipley, the co-founder of Numero Group. Based in Chicago, Numero Group has built an formidable reputation for unearthing and meticulously reissuing obscure, high-quality music, particularly from the 90s punk and indie scenes. Shipley’s vision for archival preservation and his keen sense for overlooked gems had previously led to successful reissues for other 90s punk icons like Tsunami, as reported by The Philadelphia Inquirer.
Shipley’s persistence was legendary. He reached out to Lee Buford multiple times, proposing a partnership to reintroduce EAAY’s music. Initially, the band members, deep into their new lives, declined. However, after two years of unwavering appeals from Shipley, John Beachboard was convinced and, in turn, persuaded the rest of the band to reconsider.
Reconnecting and Relearning: A Journey Back to Themselves
Over the Christmas holiday in 2022, the members of Everyone Asked About You gathered for four intense days of rehearsal. It was a profound experience, helping each other relearn their instruments, vocals, and the intricate dynamics of being a band again. As Collins Kilgore shared with Rolling Stone, “When we first got together to play these songs that none of us had even really thought about or listened to in that 25 years, it took me straight back there to what it was like to play them and feel those things the first time.” This period was not just about revisiting old songs; it was about rekindling deep friendships and rediscovering younger selves.
The Triumphant Return to the Stage
The highly anticipated reunion gig took place in February 2023 at The Palace Theater in Los Angeles. Everyone Asked About You opened for Unwound, another band on the Numero Group roster, celebrating its 20th anniversary. Initially, many in the audience were unfamiliar with EAAY. However, as John Beachboard recounted, “When we started playing the first note, they were thrown out of the way by kids immediately moshing and dancing.” Chris Sheppard added, “As soon as we walked out onstage, it was a bum rush of hundreds of teenagers and young 20-year-olds just running to the front of the stage.” The response was immediate and overwhelming, proving the timeless appeal of their music.
New Music, New Horizons: “Never Leave” and Beyond
The reunion wasn’t merely a nostalgic look back. In 2024, Everyone Asked About You released a new album titled Never Leave, demonstrating their continued artistic evolution. This new material, coupled with the rediscovery of their past works, cemented their place in the modern music landscape. Bolstered by their burgeoning online popularity, the band embarked on their first tour in decades in 2025, playing shows in their hometown of Little Rock and across Texas, as detailed in an Instagram update.
The official reissue of their work by Numero Group further solidifies their legacy, providing definitive versions of their original recordings. The label’s dedication is evident on their official product page for the band, allowing both old and new fans to fully experience their catalog.
More Than Just a Comeback: A Legacy Reimagined
The story of Everyone Asked About You is more than just another band reunion. It’s a powerful narrative about how music finds its audience, sometimes decades later, and how genuine artistry can transcend the limitations of time and commercial success. As John Beachboard eloquently stated, “We’re all rapidly approaching 50 years old, rekindling friendships from junior high. I mean, nobody gets that opportunity.… Who gets these opportunities? It’s not a story I’ve heard that many times before.” Their authentic comeback, fueled by a blend of nostalgia and fresh creativity, stands as a beacon for other 90s bands and a testament to the enduring, cyclical nature of music appreciation.
