Jump to content

I See Stars

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by 66.168.180.118 (talk) at 23:06, 1 July 2012. The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

I See Stars
I See Stars performing at Warped Tour 2010
I See Stars performing at Warped Tour 2010
Background information
OriginWarren, Michigan
GenresPost-hardcore, electronicore, metalcore, pop punk
Years active2006–present
LabelsSumerian
MembersDevin Oliver
Andrew Oliver
Jeff Valentine
Brent Allen
Jimmy Gregerson
Zach Johnson
Past membersChris Moore

I See Stars is a post-hardcore band formed in 2006 from Warren, Michigan. They are considered one the foremost pioneers of the emerging subgenre electronicore.[1][2] Their debut album, 3-D, featured a guest appearance from Bizzy Bone of Bone Thugs-n-Harmony.[3] The album peaked at #176 on the Billboard 200. Their second album, The End of the World Party, was released on February 22, 2011. The band's third studio album, Digital Renegade, was released on March 13, 2012. Digital Renegade demonstrates a stylistic change, featuring a more aggressive musical style than their prior albums.[4]

History

Green Light Go! (2006–2008)

In an interview with BVTV,[5] featuring band members Devin Oliver and Brent Allen, Oliver stated: "me, Brent, the drummer's my brother, and the bass player, Jeff, we all lived on the block from each other since we were kids, [in] elementary school." In the same interview, it is also stated that there is no specific reason for the band's name, I See Stars, other than the fact they needed a title and "someone brought it to the table". The band was officially formed in 2006.

The group released its debut EP Green Light Go! in 2007 and several demos, including a self-titled EP, before signing with Sumerian Records in 2008.[6]

3-D, Johnson's departure and Moore's arrival (2008–2009)

I See Stars recorded their debut album, 3-D, in 2008 at Chango Gridlock Studios in Orlando, Florida with producer Cameron Mizell. The album featured Zach Johnson as the unclean vocalist and keyboardist, who left the band soon after the album's release on April 14, 2009. The band then gained Chris Moore, formerly of We Came as Romans and a merch salesman for the group, to join as the new unclean vocalist and keyboardist.

In August 2008, I See Stars embarked on the second annual "Artery Foundation Across the Nation" tour, headlined by Emarosa with supporters Our Last Night, In Fear and Faith, Burden of a Day and Broadway. In late 2009, I See Stars finished touring with Attack Attack!, Breathe Carolina, Asking Alexandria and Bury Tomorrow for the third annual Artery Foundation Across the Nation tour.[7]

Moore's departure, Johnson's return and The End of the World Party (2010)

On June 14, 2010 the band's keyboardist/screamer Chris Moore announced his departure from the band, citing "artistic differences". Former I See Stars member Zach Johnson re–joined the band and joined them on Warped Tour 2010.

The group entered the studio in May 2010 to begin writing and recording their sophomore studio album called The End of the World Party with Sumerian Records and 3-D producer Cameron Mizell. Almost immediately after finishing the album, the band played Vans Warped Tour from June 24 to July 18, 2010.[8] The band has also been confirmed for Soundwave 2011 in Australia.[citation needed]

The band released a preview of their second album's title track, "The End of the World Party", on November 4, 2010 to Sumerian Records' YouTube page. They played the song at various live shows in 2010 before the album's release.[9] The full version of the title track was released to iTunes on December 7, 2010.

The band revealed the album's track listing on January 17, 2011. Before the album's release, the band played another song entitled "Glow" at various live concerts. On February 1, 2011, Alternative Press started streaming a new song from the album entitled "Wonderland".[10] The full album was released on February 22, 2011.

The band has played in the Soundwave 2011 tour in Australia. They supported We the Kings alongside VersaEmerge in the United Kingdom. They also participated in the 2011 American AP Tour along with Conditions, VersaEmerge, Destroy Rebuild Until God Shows and Black Veil Brides.

On May 31, 2011, the band made their national TV debut, while performing the songs "Glow" and "What This Means to Me" on Jimmy Kimmel Live![11]

Digital Renegade (2011–present)

I See Stars toured on the Monster Outbreak Tour with headliner Of Mice & Men and supporting bands For the Fallen Dreams, Iwrestledabearonce, Abandon All Ships and That's Outrageous! from October 26 to November 29. The band toured on the Scream It Like You Mean It tour with Breathe Carolina and Chiodos as headliners. The tour also featured the rapper Mod Sun, The Color Morale and the new metalcore band from Rise Records, The Air I Breathe. On recent interviews the band stated that they began recording a new album in September 2011, as soon as the Scream It Like You Mean It Tour finished. After a few recording sessions they began another tour in November. The new album will be produced by Joey Sturgis.

I See Stars headlined the Leave It 2 The Suits Tour with support from Stick to Your Guns, Memphis May Fire, Our Last Night and Make Me Famous. In a commercial video for the tour, it was announced that their third album would be released on March 13, 2012, with the album title confirmed to be Digital Renegade.[12] At midnight on January 8, 2012, an unmastered version of the song "Filth Friends Unite" from the upcoming album was released via the band's Facebook page.[13] A finalized version of the song was released as the first official single from the album on January 17.[14] I See Stars second single, "NZT48", was released on Youtube on February 23 as a lyric video. The song was released on iTunes February 28,[15] also with the album put on pre-order. The full album was released on March 13, 2012.

Musical style

I See Stars is recognized primarily for its stylistic mixture of post-hardcore and electronica characteristics.[6] Reviewers have stated that the band "strays away from all the musical features you are used to, blending all genres of music."[16] Heavy use of auto-tuned or synthesized vocals along with screamed vocals and typical hard rock instrumentation has defined their music. Due to this, the band has been labeled electronicore, or synthcore.[1][2][17] I See Stars is often recognized as a primary contributor of this style.[1][2] The group's debut album, 3-D, was popular "amongst the synthcore scene."[1] When asked about the musical style of the band's third album, Digital Renegade, the band's lead vocalist, Devin Oliver, said "it’s going to be heavier, but still with that pop rock element. It’s going to be more electronic driven. I love everything about electronic music. I think that as we progress, the amount of electronica in our music is going to increase."[18]

In addition to post-hardcore, electronica, and electronicore, I See Stars has been described as representing pop punk,[19] metalcore,[20][21] screamo,[6] alternative rock,[6] and emo.[6]

Band members

Current members
Former members
  • Chris Moore – unclean vocals, keyboards, synthesizers, programming (2009–2010)

Discography

Studio albums
Year Title Label Chart Positions
Top 200 US Indie US Heat US Rock US Alt US Digital
2009 3-D Sumerian 176 22 5 — — —
2011 The End of the World Party 144 18 1 37 23 —
2012 Digital Renegade 45 9 — 15 10 24
Singles
Year Title Album
2009 "What This Means to Me" 3-D
2010 "3-D"
"The Common Hours"
"The End of the World Party" The End of the World Party
2011 "Wonderland"
2012 "Filth Friends Unite" Digital Renegade
"NZT48"
EPs
  • Green Light Go! (Self-released, 2007)
  • I See Stars (Self-released, 2008)

Videography

  • "What This Means to Me"
  • "3-D"
  • "The Common Hours"
  • "The End of the World Party"[22]
  • "Wonderland"
  • "Glow"

References

  1. ^ a b c d Pio, Gabriel (Staff member). "I See Stars - The End of the World Party". TheNewReview.net. Retrieved April 25, 2011. {{cite web}}: External link in |first= (help)CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  2. ^ a b c Duffy, Grace (Staff member). "REVIEW: I SEE STARS – END OF THE WORLD PARTY". Under the Gun Reviews. Retrieved April 25, 2011. {{cite web}}: External link in |first= (help)
  3. ^ "I See Stars". Alternative Press #254 (September 2009), p. 48.
  4. ^ http://bandaidrecords.com/tag/digital-renegade/
  5. ^ "I See Stars Interview – BVTV "Band of the Week" HD". BVTV. Retrieved 4 January 2010.
  6. ^ a b c d e Biography, Allmusic
  7. ^ "The Artery Foundation, LLC". Artery Foundation. 15 December 2009. Retrieved 4 January 2010.
  8. ^ "Vans Warped Tour 2010". Vans. Retrieved 4 January 2010.
  9. ^ "STUDIO UPDATE!". YouTube. 4 November 2010. Retrieved 15 November 2010.
  10. ^ Heisel, Scott (1 February 2011). "Alt Press - Exclusive Stream: I See Stars "Wonderland"". Alternative Press. Retrieved 1 February 2011.
  11. ^ Common, Tyler (1 June 2011). "I See Stars perform on Jimmy Kimmel Live". Alternative Press. Retrieved 5 June 2011.
  12. ^ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S3sIej12T4o
  13. ^ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=15hDNlgAsGk
  14. ^ http://www.alterthepress.com/2012/01/i-see-stars-announce-new-single-filth.html
  15. ^ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=okB386exaIw
  16. ^ "I See Stars on PureVolume.com". PureVolume. Retrieved 1 November 2009.
  17. ^ Birchmeier, Jason. "I See Stars - Biography". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved April 25, 2011.
  18. ^ Band Aid Records - I See Stars Reveal Album Details
  19. ^ I See Stars Member Changes Sputnikmusic
  20. ^ I See Stars - The End of the World Party Overview by Sputnikmusic and TheNewReview
  21. ^ http://www.stereokiller.com/newsreviews/article.cfm?intarticleid=10313
  22. ^ I See Stars recently shot "The End of the World Party" music video – indiestar.tv
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=I_See_Stars&oldid=500244282"