In the Absence was founded by Shane Hobaugh, who decided he wanted to give stardom a chance. He posted fliers at Guitar Center in Modesto advertising for "a band interested in producing new sound with positive influences". That is what he got. Bobby Butler and Roger Jones were the first to jump in, then came Izzy Ottovich. While combining all the different experiences and creativities, they had created a sound that was unlike any other. They kept a consistant, heavy music flowing with alternative undertones. It was a success! From these meetings of brainstorming and writing, came a sound completely undefined. To find someone to compare them to is often difficult at best. They are often compared to Stone Sour, whose writings and creativity are extreme, but still there is a slight difference. In the Absence teeters on the line between Main Stream Acceptability and Underground. There is no exact genre that totally fits their description. During a switch in members, a new drummer, Gabe Everett, came to us with incredible skill. The band would now possess more intracacy than ever before. Their first shows included Modesto's own Fat Cat Music House and Lounge, which has become a home for In the Absence, The Whiskey A Gogo in Hollywood and several others in Sacramento, Turlock, Modesto, Ceres, Santa Clara, Marysville and Fremont. In their list of bands they have played with are Static-X, Otep, Invitro, 6 Days to Nowhere, Alabaster, Fallen Sleepless, Social Illness, The Rum Fits, Suffer tree and many more talented bands. The talent is never ending. This band has also been offered shows with bands such as Endrone and Depswa. In the Absence has never fallen short, but has always made sure to deliver a top notch show. Their theory is whether there is 5 or 5000 people in the crowd, give them the show of a lifetime! And that, my friends, is exactly what we do.