Born March 29, 1973, Byron Hopkins started playing music at the age of nine. Beginning with the cello in the fourth grade and the South Carolina All-State Orchestra in high school his love of music grew to the vocals, guitar, bass, and drums of rock and roll by the age of 14.

In 1988 POINT BLANK was formed with school friends Jimmy Kennan (lead guitar), Trey Fulbright (drums), Jason Bundrick (1st bass player), Joe Jones (bass), and Benji Garrett (rhythm guitar). The five member band played several parties, BBQ's, and local shows. POINT BLANK wrote several original songs and recorded "From The Cellar" in 1989 and continued to play shows until graduation in 1990.

In early 1993 Byron Hopkins met lead guitar player Derek Western originally of Peterborough, Ontario, Canada  in a Simpsonville, SC bar while Derek was attending USCS. Six months later, drummer Austin Robinette of Spartanburg, SC met Derek at school and the three piece began practicing original material. A few months later the final member, bass player Tim Walters of Spartanburg, SC joined CHEMICAL SMILE.

The foursome quickly polished their original material and began playing South Carolina clubs, festivals, and bars. In April of 1997, with Byron on rhythm guitar and lead vocals, they recorded their all original "Initial Reaction" CD which contained 8 original songs, despite a crushed thumb and marathon studio session at Crystal Rain Studios in Travelers Rest, SC. CHEMICAL SMILE disbanded in 1998 and all the members moved onto other projects.

BLACK CAT was formed in 1998 when Byron met lead guitar extrodinare Mykyll Jones of Simpsonville, SC. With Byron on bass & vocals the guys wrote original material and began recruting member to join the band. After several member changes, rhythm guitar player Pat Mahoney originally of Upstate New York and drummer Paul Doan became permanent BLACK CAT members in 2000. They guys played several local clubs, open mics, and Battles of the Bands while Mykyll and Byron also continued to write and record industrial / goth tunes under the name RECYCLED KITTENS until late 2001. Creative Loafing even published a picture and article in March of 2001 about BLACK CAT.

As a three piece, Byron, Pat, and Paul recorded the original CD "Alive & Scratchin" in 2001 for LitterBox Records. BLACK CAT continued to play South Carolina clubs, festivals, and benefits until April of 2002.

The story of WITHOUT REASON though short and simple, produced great results. The four piece was formed in April 2002 by Scot Adamski on guitar & vocals, Byron Hopkins on bass & vocals, Pat Mahoney on guitars, and Scott Berluti on drums. The guys met though an add in Metro Beat newspaper in Greenville, S.C. and hit it off right from the start. They recorded a four song all original EP CD in 2002 called "What E.P." and played several South Carolina shows until Scot & Scott returned to their hometown of Waterford, CT at the end of 2002. WITHOUT REASON received the "Track Of The Day" award from garageband.com on 06/08/05.

Teaming up with fellow South Carolina musican Bryan Cooley in late 2002, Byron & Byran brought us a duo called LAZY SUSAN. The guys played acoustic in a few SC clubs & bars but, never recorded a CD. Another band called P.B.&J. was formed in early 2003 with Byron Hopkins on bass & vocals, Paul Doan on drums, and Jay Gooch of Simpsonville, SC filling the lead guitar spot.  P.B.&J. only played one show, at the Blind Horse Saloon but, had a good crowd. Byron Hopkins also recorded his solo acoustic CD called "Fire of Faith" in late 2002.

In the fall of 2003 Byron Hopkins joined CATEGORY FIVE as the new frontman / rhythm guitar player. Guitar player HUNT, bass player Richard "Turk Jr." Taylor, and drummer Kelly Harris had been jammin together for years in other bands. After several months of writting and practice CATEGORY FIVE recorded a four song E.P. entitled "Evacuation Route" in 2004. Several SC shows in 2004 were followed by a working break at the end of the year.

CATEGORY FIVE's all-original full-length CD "Landfall" was released in April of 2005 for Hunt Productions. In June of 2005 The Greenville News published a picture and full-page article about the band. As of August 19, 2005 CATEGORY FIVE was the Number ONE of 20 Most Downloaded Artists at Greenville Online.com. A full gig calendar is planned for the rest of 2005 and CATEGORY FIVE plans to be in the studio at the beginning of 2006.