I wanted to have one online home for all of the music projects I'm involved with, so a few months ago I began the arduous task of building this site. Many know of my Headsnack exploits, and lots of fans and friends remember Regenerated Headpiece, but few know of the collective known as Eli and the Mannings (EATM). When one looks at my catalog of work, there are huge gaps in it from 2009 (when RHP’s third studio album was released) to 2018 (when the debut Headsnack record was released). Now fans can put the pieces together to see that I was still busy creating music in the form of EATM.
EATM has been the most prolific outlet of the three because there is no judgement, rehearsal, rumination, or perfection involved with it. As it states in its bio here on the site, we’re just a gang of weirdos that get together a few times a year to make spontaneous music. Sometimes it's good, sometimes it’s bad, but it’s always fun to play and listen back on. EATM consists of a mostly regular but sometimes rotating cast with one exception. Performing under the pseudonym "The Method Manning," I have always been joined by my brother in arms, the sultan of guitar tone, "Barry Manninglow", also known to earthlings as Todd Eaton.
To know Todd was not only to love him, but to feel enriched by his knowledge, lifted by his humor, and always accepted. He was an exceptional conversationalist and a master photographer in addition to the way he not only played, but built his own fucking axe. It pains me to think that I will never see his smile or hear him noodle on his instrument again. Todd left this dimension for others unknown just a few weeks ago. I know he would've loved seeing and hearing his work on this site, a home all of my fellow collaborators can now visit to hear themselves but more importantly Todd play.
Always unassuming but never one to roll over, a true gentleman and forever scholar, Todd’s passing will leave a void in my heart. I hope that hearing his notes, or seeing the photos he took (which I plan to add more of as the days go on) will provide the closest thing to his physical presence that is possible now that he is gone. And with that I dedicate this website to my dear friend, confidante, and open-minded collaborator. I will rejoice when I am dead, too, and our souls get to play music with each other anew.
