Could be a Peavey connection, obviously at least the external design is copied but I don't think the company was started by a former Peavey employee. From what I remember, there was a connection with Plush, which made tube amps in Kustom-style pleated enclosures starting in the late 60s. It may have been one of the partners in Plush who started Earth after Plush went belly up. I believe Earth used the former Plush factory.