Victory Records gave the local band, Close Your Eyes, an opportunity to record an album when they signed them Oct. 30.

Brett Callaway, lead guitarist for Close Your Eyes, said the band was talking to other labels before Victory called, asking the band to play a show in Chicago. Soon after the show, Close Your Eyes and Victory started negotiating a contract. In the end, the contract with Victory seemed the most solid, Callaway said, and the band decided to sign with them.

Callaway, who has been playing guitar since seventh grade, said he always has aspired to sign with a record label. He has been a part of this project, though, for only about four years.

Shane Raymond, the band’s vocalist, and Callaway met while attending Hardin-Simmons University. They both were wearing band T-shirts, which sparked a conversation. The two realized they had similar interests in music and started Close Your Eyes, Callaway said.

Close Your Eyes is a five-man group: Raymond on vocals; Callaway and Andrew Rodriguez on guitar; Sonny Vega on bass; and David Fidler on drums.

Callaway said the group plays hardcore music, but contrary to the stereotype, they don’t scream all the time. He said their style is from a movement that came out of the punk scene in the ’80s. They consider themselves a Christian band and try to maintain a positive message.

According to the Web site, the band’s mission statement “is to give hope to the hopeless, give bread to the hungry, give love to the unloved and give life to those who feel there is nothing left.”

Zak Zeinert, a member of another Abilene band, Swing the Lead, has had a few opportunities to play with Close Your Eyes.

“They are awesome guys,” said Zeinert, senior photojournalism major from Houston. “They put a lot of effort into what they do.”

Close Your Eyes will start recording Monday, and the release date for the band’s new album – Callaway said Hands and Feet is the potential title – is Mar. 16, according to Victory’s Web site. Callaway also said the band plans to tour after recording wraps up.

For more information, visit www.myspace.com/closeyoureyesmusic.