Modern Short Stories
Encyclopedia
Modern Short Stories is a Pittsburgh
-based "media label" founded by Steve Soboslai
and Chris Fafalios of the Pittsburgh pop-punk band Punchline
and friend Amanda Yu. It's slogan is "Every song is a modern short story."
Records. Between 2003 and early 2008, Fueled by Ramen released two full-length Punchline albums (2004's Action and 2006's 37 Everywhere
), as well as a re-release of 2002's The Rewind EP
. During this time, a number of their then-labelmates (Fall Out Boy
, Panic! at the Disco
, The Academy Is, The Hush Sound
, etc.) were becoming hugely popular, and Punchline became less prominent in the Fueled by Ramen lineup.
The seed that would become Modern Short Stories was sown in July 2007 when Heavy.com
announced Punchline the $25,000 grand-prize winner of their Contraband Contest, in which bands competed for views on videos uploaded to the site. Over the course of the contest, Punchline uploaded 65 videos (including clips of Punchline in the studio) and netted nearly 1.2 million views, due in large part to the efforts of bassist Chris Fafalios to mobilize the band's fanbase.
became the first album released on Modern Short Stories.
On February 2, 2009, in accordance with their self-described position as a "media label", Modern Short Stories released Whistle Pig, a collection of short stories, poetry, and illustrations written by friends Chris Fafalios and Tony Hartman. The two previously collaborated on a "YouToon" (a term coined by Fafalios referring to any cartoon uploaded to YouTube
) called Texas Toast. According to the book's Myspace page:
Modern Short Stories is slated to release Justin Oliver's new album in "early 2009", according to an October 2008 entry in Steve Soboslai's "Modern Shorties" blog.
According to Punchline's Myspace, Modern Short Stories will release a Punchline DVD in spring 2009, followed by a full-length album by year's end.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh is the second-largest city in the US Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Allegheny County. Regionally, it anchors the largest urban area of Appalachia and the Ohio River Valley, and nationally, it is the 22nd-largest urban area in the United States...
-based "media label" founded by Steve Soboslai
Steve Soboslai
Steve Soboslai is an American singer/songwriter. He is the lead singer and guitarist of the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania-based punk band Punchline....
and Chris Fafalios of the Pittsburgh pop-punk band Punchline
Punchline (band)
Punchline is an American rock band from Belle Vernon, Pennsylvania, that formed in 1998. The band released released their sixth full-length album Delightfully Pleased on August 10, 2010 on their own label, Modern Short Stories, and TDR Records....
and friend Amanda Yu. It's slogan is "Every song is a modern short story."
Creation
Modern Short Stories was created during summer 2008 in the fall-out of Punchline's departure from Fueled by RamenFueled by Ramen
Fueled by Ramen is an American record label which operates as a subsidiary of Warner Music Group, and is distributed by Atlantic Records. The label, founded in Gainesville, Florida, is based in New York City...
Records. Between 2003 and early 2008, Fueled by Ramen released two full-length Punchline albums (2004's Action and 2006's 37 Everywhere
37 Everywhere
37 Everywhere is Punchline's second full-length album on Fueled by Ramen Records. It reached a peak of #36 on the Billboard Heatseekers albums chart on April 29, 2006...
), as well as a re-release of 2002's The Rewind EP
The Rewind EP
The Rewind EP was originally recorded in 2002 in collaboration with Billy Rossi.The band signed to Fueled by Ramen Records in 2003 and The Rewind EP was remixed and remastered by Shelly Yakus for its Fueled by Ramen re-release. Early pressings included The Rewind Documentary DVD.-Track listing:#...
. During this time, a number of their then-labelmates (Fall Out Boy
Fall Out Boy
Fall Out Boy is an American rock band from Wilmette, Illinois, formed in 2001. The band consists of vocalist, guitarist and composer Patrick Stump, bassist and lyricist Pete Wentz, guitarist Joe Trohman, and drummer Andy Hurley. The band released five studio albums from 2003–2008...
, Panic! at the Disco
Panic! at the Disco
Panic! at the Disco is an American alternative rock duo, formed in Las Vegas, Nevada in 2005. Since its split, the band's line-up includes Brendon Urie and Spencer Smith . Former members Ryan Ross and Jon Walker left the group in 2009...
, The Academy Is, The Hush Sound
The Hush Sound
The Hush Sound was an indie quartet originating in DuPage County, Illinois, United States. Initially named "The Hush," the band later changed their name to "The Hush Sound" due to the discovery of a rapper with the same name...
, etc.) were becoming hugely popular, and Punchline became less prominent in the Fueled by Ramen lineup.
The seed that would become Modern Short Stories was sown in July 2007 when Heavy.com
Heavy.com
Heavy.com is a broadband entertainment website founded in 1999 in New York City. The site was founded by David Carson and Simon Assaad in the wake of the popularity of their first series of video shorts, Behind the Music that Sucks...
announced Punchline the $25,000 grand-prize winner of their Contraband Contest, in which bands competed for views on videos uploaded to the site. Over the course of the contest, Punchline uploaded 65 videos (including clips of Punchline in the studio) and netted nearly 1.2 million views, due in large part to the efforts of bassist Chris Fafalios to mobilize the band's fanbase.
Releases
On September 18, 2008, Punchline's own Just Say YesJust Say Yes (Punchline album)
Just Say Yes is an album from pop punk band Punchline, first announced in April 2008 with a release date of September 16, 2008. It is the follow-up to 2006's 37 Everywhere. Tracks 1-5, 7, 9, and 10 of the album were recorded at Room Sound Studios in Tempe, Arizona with producer Jamie Woolford...
became the first album released on Modern Short Stories.
On February 2, 2009, in accordance with their self-described position as a "media label", Modern Short Stories released Whistle Pig, a collection of short stories, poetry, and illustrations written by friends Chris Fafalios and Tony Hartman. The two previously collaborated on a "YouToon" (a term coined by Fafalios referring to any cartoon uploaded to YouTube
YouTube
YouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos....
) called Texas Toast. According to the book's Myspace page:
Whistle Pig is a children's book for people who used to be children. Within these pages you'll find a treasury of thought-provoking and hilarious poetry, illustrations, and (masculine) fairy tales written by Tony Hartman and Chris Fafalios. These two (straight) buddies have figured out the formula for comedic cartoon poetry while spending Saturday afternoons drawing, writing, and laughing. The result is a magical journey through the whistle pig ranch of the mind. Enjoy this lesson in cartoon poetry science. Oh, and there's probably some fables in here as well...
Modern Short Stories is slated to release Justin Oliver's new album in "early 2009", according to an October 2008 entry in Steve Soboslai's "Modern Shorties" blog.
According to Punchline's Myspace, Modern Short Stories will release a Punchline DVD in spring 2009, followed by a full-length album by year's end.
Artists
- PunchlinePunchline (band)Punchline is an American rock band from Belle Vernon, Pennsylvania, that formed in 1998. The band released released their sixth full-length album Delightfully Pleased on August 10, 2010 on their own label, Modern Short Stories, and TDR Records....
- Justin Oliver (solo artist)
- Spontaneo
- The Composure
See also
- PunchlinePunchline (band)Punchline is an American rock band from Belle Vernon, Pennsylvania, that formed in 1998. The band released released their sixth full-length album Delightfully Pleased on August 10, 2010 on their own label, Modern Short Stories, and TDR Records....
- Just Say YesJust Say Yes (Punchline album)Just Say Yes is an album from pop punk band Punchline, first announced in April 2008 with a release date of September 16, 2008. It is the follow-up to 2006's 37 Everywhere. Tracks 1-5, 7, 9, and 10 of the album were recorded at Room Sound Studios in Tempe, Arizona with producer Jamie Woolford...
- Fueled by RamenFueled by RamenFueled by Ramen is an American record label which operates as a subsidiary of Warner Music Group, and is distributed by Atlantic Records. The label, founded in Gainesville, Florida, is based in New York City...