The Accidents were a power-pop/indie band that played in New York City from 1991-1998. New York natives and childhood friends Phil Yanos (guitar) and Kip Haris (bass) joined forces after playing as an acoustic duo, when Kip convinced Phil that the songs would sound better electric. After initially playing with friend Matthew Caws (later of Nada Surf) on drums, they recruited California native and recent New York arrival Mike Parham through a "print" ad in the Village Voice. The band members rehearsed and wrote tirelessly and began to play shows at (now bygone) New York venues like Nightingales, Brownies, McGoverns, and Spiral. Eventually, they recorded a group of songs with their friends Matthew Caws, Gerald Lee and Kyle Kelso, and prepared to release their debut album "Why Are You Still Here?" Shortly before the album was to be pressed, bassist and beloved friend Kip died suddenly and tragically of a ruptured brain hemorrage. After mourning and struggling with whether to continue, Mike and Phil agreed that they needed to continue the band to promote the CD that they had worked so hard on. After a few shows with friend Gerald Lee on bass, they recruited Worcester, Mass. native Bill Carey. Re-energized, they played locally (at later bygone venues like Coney Island High, Luna Lounge, and Continental) and regionally and recorded more songs with Kyle and Matthew before deciding to end the band in 1998. Friends were sad to see the band end, as it gave many a reason to go out into the New York night, drink too many beers, and go to sleep with a hoarse voice and ringing in one's ears.

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