Proto is a six-member progressive rock band, originally from Memphis, which moved to Chattanooga (Tennessee) in January 2003, after recording their first EP release with new label Torrent Records LLC. Shaun West and J. Mark Crider began Proto with Erik Berkes in 2002.

In the fall of 2003, the band began preparing for their first release to prelude the full-length album. Proto asked violinist Krista Wroten (schooled in classical music training at Boston University) if she was interested in playing on the CD to fill out some of the songs. What began only as an addition to the record became an addition to the band. It was obvious that Krista belonged after hearing her play.

They quickly recruited lead guitarist Benjamin Mansfield and wrote their first song, "The Backwards Waltz". The song embodied a mutual frustration within the band towards ignorance and the destruction of the human mind. It was from this collaboration that the band realized their potential and agreed to pursue a serious career in music. The music immediately took precedence over everything else in their lives.

Proto continued to write new material for their first full-length album, which was due out in 2004. After recording, the band left Memphis for Chattanooga.

Other projects of members of Proto are All Things Green and North American Royalty. The latter is formed by ultra-melodic, female vocal-fueled Elise Berkes on lead vocals and guitar; Krista Wroten of Proto on violin and vocals; Jack Kirton of Proto on guitar, mandolin and steel guitar; and Dennis Hubbard and Joey Berkley from All Things Green on bass and percussion.

Their first song, "Monkey", off the self-titled album, was used in introduction of the movie Devour (2005), starring Jensen Ackles, and in the third season of Roswell.

Members

• Erik Matthew Berkes – vocals, guitar (1983–present)
• Shaun Shelton West – drums, percussion (1982–present)
• James Mark Crider – bass guitar (1979–present)
• Krista Lynn Wroten – violin (1983–present)
• Benjamin Mansfield Christian Cowell – lead guitar (?-present)
• Jack Benjamin Kirton – guitar, mandolin, steel guitar (1980–present)

Discography

Proto have two full-length albums. Their first release, Proto, was released and distributed in digital and physical format copy in a special limited production, unlike the second album, The Alchemist, which was only released in digital form, via TuneCore, iTunes Store, Amazon, eMusic, and Rhapsody.

Other songs not included in albums: "When Shall I Return"

• Proto (2003)

• The Alchemist (2007)

Music featured on:

• WB Television Network series Roswell: Second Season DVD (2003)
• Devour (2005)

References

• http://www.cduniverse.com/productinfo.asp?pid=7158647
• http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/proto
• http://www.decoymusic.com/reviews/proto-proto
• http://www.mysecretidentity.org/ArtFRONT/Radio%20Promotion%20One%20Sheets/NorthAmericanRoyalty.htm
• http://cherrylane.mseek.net/pop_detail.asp?id=410131441518403%5B%5D
• http://www.localbandnetwork.com/bands/banddetail.cfm?bandID=17894
• https://www.amazon.com/Proto/dp/product-description/B0000CGDDG
• http://www.artfront.com/BarkingLegsPressRelease.htm