What started out as three guys entertaining at a high school graduation party has turned in to a widely eclectic rock and roll cover band project. Willful Blindness is a Black Swamp area group of 20-somethings specializing in rock and roll from the 60s through today.
Founding members Zach Barger (lead vocals, bass, and keyboards), Jeff Zellner (rhythm guitar, harmonica, and backup vocals) and Evan Iles (drums, auxiliary percussion) formed a three-piece band after Zach was asked to provide live music for a family friend's graduation party during the spring of 2008. Zach recruited his long-time friend Jeff as his guitarist, and together they enlisted a mutual friend, Evan, as their percussionist. Evan and Zach had worked together previously in other musical acts including Findlay First Edition and the St. Paul's United Methodist Church praise band. Despite their young age, the trio's history together resulted in natural band chemistry. The performance was well-received and several similar gigs followed.
The band would soon pick up lead guitar extraordinaire Paul Romanoski, who had experience playing in bands with both Evan and Zach. Paul debuted with Zach, Jeff, and Zach's father on drums at a mutual friend's wedding reception. With a second guitar player, the band proved they could cover a wider variety of music and their performance at the reception paved the way for several more shows. They reunited with Evan and became the band known today as Willful Blindness.
The new 4-piece ensemble played their inaugural show at a customer appreciation event for Hancock Federal Credit Union. They were very well received, and have been gradually putting together a steady gig schedule ever since. Willful Blindness has appeared at many local venues, including Boogie on Main, Rally in the Alley (2009 and 2010), the 2009 American Red Cross B.A.S.H, the BS Connection tailgate at the 2008 BGSU vs. Minnesota football game, and a Swamp Party at Nino's in Findlay. Recently, the band has been playing regularly across northwest Ohio and has begun creating some of its own original music.
With such a broad repertoire including blues, pop, and rock songs covering hits from the last five decades, Willful Blindness can entertain at a wide variety of gatherings. Whether it's a corporate event, wedding, bar gig, graduation party, or any other social affair, the band is well-suited to provide listeners of all ages and backgrounds music they can connect to.