A Tulsa quintet formed by vocalist Eric Arndt and guitarist Matt Fisher, the Hero Factor was originally formed as a distinctly Black Crowes-esque act in the late '90s; the current lineup, completed by vocalist Ben Kilgore, keyboard player Chad Copelin, and drummer Nathan Price, came together in 2002. Swiftly building a ferocious local live reputation, the band made their recorded debut a little over year later, with the late-2003 live EP Tulsa City Limits (recorded at the venue of the same name). Reprising three of the songs from the earlier release, the studio Interactions was released in February 2005, with another live set, Live at Suede, following. A well-received performance at the annual CMJ event in New York in 2006 brought the Hero Factor to the attention of hip-hop producer Vada Nobles. He would helm the band's next release, spring 2007's Battling Chimaera EP. ~ Dave Thompson