Brandon Smith (
guitar) and Kevin Lee Burns (vocals) were the founding duo of Jeta, in Ontario, California, in 2000. Delineating their creative direction by blending electronic compounds with alternative
pop/rock marks, the two-person team expanded into a
six-piece lineup with the additions of Jeremy Kinnick (vocals, keyboards), Oscar Gutierrez (drums), Bryan Lareau (
guitar), and Scott Usher (bass). Revealing strong influences coming from groups such as Depeche Mode, Duran Duran, and other major '80s bands, the California
crew started gathering a considerable fan base, mostly due to their ingenious live performances. Following numerous live shows solidifying their major following not only in the
U.S. but also in Canada, the band eventually delivered two discs, Jeta
Jam and Jeta Internal, in 2001.
