The core of AV8 revolves around two people: Mick Rhodes, principal songwriter, and lyricist, and Jay Lawrence, co-writer and drummer percussionist for the band.

Mick has been a musician all of his life, and a construction lineman for the last 25 years in the high desert of northern Nevada.

Jay is a highly respected percussionist in the Salt Lake City area and has been playing professionally since he was 15 years old, as well as augmenting his income by driving truck.

AV8's musical roots are multi-faceted, coming from a love of jazz, folk, rock and world music of every description.

This is a working class band that has stayed working class.