E.Y.C. (band)
| Company type | Music group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1990s |
| Founder | Damon Butler, Dave Loeffler, Trey Parker |
| Headquarters | United States |
| Products | Pop and R&B music |
E.Y.C. (Express Yourself Clearly) was a US-based pop and R&B trio composed of Damon Butler, Dave Loeffler, and Trey Parker.
History
Although E.Y.C. set out to break into the American market, their popularity grew more significantly in the United Kingdom and Australia. Trey Parker featured in the Disney movie Newsies, and both he and Damon Butler originally connected while working as backup dancers on New Kids on the Block's Hangin' Tough Tour. The group earned the Best Roadshow Act award at the 1993 Smash Hits Poll Winners Party, a distinction that had previously helped elevate acts such as Boyzone and Backstreet Boys. E.Y.C. also toured alongside Whitney Houston during The Bodyguard World Tour and shared stages with Prince.
Before their split, they secured six singles within the UK top 40. Their first release, "Feelin' Alright," sold upwards of 60,000 units in the UK, peaking at number 16 on the UK Singles Chart. Their album Express Yourself Clearly reached number 14 on the UK Albums Chart. Globally, E.Y.C. moved over half a million records outside their home country and earned an ARIA Award for Best New International Act in Australia. Additionally, they appeared in a Dr Pepper advertisement broadcast in the United States.
On World AIDS Day in 1994, E.Y.C. performed at London's Wembley Arena during the Concert of Hope event alongside Princess Diana and George Michael to raise funds for AIDS-related causes. They also took part in the Childliners charity single "The Gift of Christmas," collaborating with several notable artists.
Following a short break, E.Y.C. signed with Red Ant Records and launched their US-exclusive album I Feel It, featuring singles like "This Thing Called Love" and "Only a Dream." They appeared at Nickelodeon's All That Music & More Festivals and supported Backstreet Boys on their Into the Millennium Tour, including appearances on programs such as Donny & Marie during this timeframe.
After disbanding, Trey Parker toured with LA Allstars, Damon Butler performed under the name Limp Wristed, and both co-wrote Anastacia's 2002 track "Why'd You Lie to Me." Dave Loeffler moved into artist management, representing talents including Lionel Richie and Why Don't We.
Albums
- 1994: Express Yourself Clearly – UK #14, AUS #96
- 1995: EYC Ya! (Japan exclusive)
- 1995: EYC Ya! – The Express Remixes (Asia exclusive)
- 1996: Put It On
- 1999: I Feel It (US exclusive)
Singles
| Year | Single | Highest chart positions | Certifications | Album | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AUS | UK | US Dance | ||||
| 1993 | "Get Some" (feat. Boo-Yaa T.R.I.B.E.) | — | — | — | Express Yourself Clearly | |
| "Feelin' Alright" | 7 | 16 | — | Gold (AUS) | ||
| 1994 | "The Way You Work It" | 41 | 14 | — | ||
| "Number One" | — | 27 | — | |||
| "Black Book" | 25 | 13 | 21 | |||
| "One More Chance" | — | 25 | — | |||
| 1995 | "Ooh-Ah-Aa (I Feel It)" | — | 33 | — | Put It On | |
| "In the Beginning" | — | 41 | — | |||
| 1999 | "This Thing Called Love" | — | — | — | I Feel It | |
| "Only a Dream" | — | — | — | |||