The Starting Line
Encyclopedia
The Starting Line is an American
pop punk
band based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
that formed in 1999.
via an e-mail
from guitarist
Matt Watts to vocalist/bassist
Kenny Vasoli
. It asked if the then fourteen-year-old Vasoli, who was at that time in a band called Smash Adams, was interested in "Jamming and shit", as the message title read. Only a few weeks later, Vasoli found himself rehearsing with his future bandmates Watts, guitarist Mike Golla and drummer
Tom Gryskewicz. That year, Smash Adams released a tape, Batteries Not Included. It had 7 songs, of which only 4 were mastered. One song from that tape was incorporated into another bands work, 5 Days Ahead. They used a Smash Adams song, Kathleen, in an intro that was set inside of a car with two people talking. It was playing faintly in the background. Soon, the band started touring under the name Sunday Drive, selling out home-made merchandise and a self-recorded demo
cassette titled Four Songs. Their first official release was a three-way split with The Jimmy Tuesday Band and The Commercials contributing three songs each, released on KickStart Audio in 2000.
Sunday Drive was soon approached by We the People Records and asked to produce a recording session (the infamous We the People Records Sessions). Set for a release in December 2000, the twelve songs were initially planned to become the band's debut full-length With Hopes of Starting Over on We the People Records, but they ended up serving only as demos for tracks on future releases, as the band signed with Drive-Thru Records
in April 2001. On Drive-Thru, they soon released their debut EP
With Hopes of Starting Over
. They later found out, the name Sunday Drive was already taken by a Christian rock
band, so they changed their band name to The Starting Line. The band has said there is no significance behind the name, it was the only name they all could agree upon.
On July 16, 2002, almost exactly one year after the release of their EP, the full-length Say It Like You Mean It
followed. The songs ranged from energetic and fast-paced to melancholy and calm, dealing with performing on stage ("Given the Chance"- "I can't wait to hit the stage/and say hello/To Jersey!"), vacation ("Left Coast Envy"- "Vacation's everything we need!/Can I sell this sunrise/In return for a sunset?") and getting even with Vasoli's ex-girlfriend Karina ("Up & Go", "Hello Houston", "Cheek to Cheek", among others). The hit single "Best of Me" and its two music video
s, as well as the second single "Leaving", received heavy radio and TV airplay, securing The Starting Line a spot on the Warped Tour
. A clip of "Up & Go" was played during an episode of the short-lived television series from Fox, John Doe
! The episode aired December 13, 2002, and was entitled 'The Mourner.' "Up & Go" was also included in the full-length trailer for the movie She's The Man
, which starred Amanda Bynes
.
Due to their desire to put out new material, the band decided to release an all-unplugged
EP, recorded in three sessions over the following year. The first three songs ("Make Yourself at Home", "Selective", and "Playing Favorites") (recorded in The Prize Fight's Bob Jones' bedroom in August 2002), the second session ("The Nightlife" and n acoustic version of "Best of Me") (recorded in Vasoli's basement in March 2003) and the last track ("Lasting Impressions") (recorded on the band's touring bus in April 2003) became The Make Yourself at Home EP
, released on November 25, 2003. The CD and the DVD version issued simultaneously, featuring an acoustic set performed live at Skate & Surf 2003 in Asbury Park, New Jersey
, would be their last releases put out solely on Drive-Thru Records, as The Starting Line was signed by Geffen Records
soon afterwards.
Their major label debut, Based on a True Story, came out in May 2005. Lyrically, the band dissociated themselves from the post-relationship formula that was predominant on their previous records. The otherwise very positive and cheerful album was overshadowed by several rather angry songs, written to spite the band's record label. Songs like "Inspired by the $" featured lyrics that are unmistakably directed at Geffen: "Someone/Get to the point/Get it across!/To the boys at the top of the ladder I'm climbing up/I have my doubts". Another section of the song refers to a meeting the band had with the label's executives, where The Starting Line was asked to write more radio-friendly songs in the vein of New Found Glory
's Catalyst
(2004) and recreate "Best of Me" ("Just stay the same way/Do it like you did it before/Remain the same shape", followed by "If I did it again/Then Lord stop me /Then God help me now/Lord help me out").There were not many happy songs, with only one real "love song", "Stay Where I can See You". The album was far more successful than the band's 2002 effort and sold 42,000 copies within its first week, as opposed to its predecessor's 11,000. The release was followed by the semi-headlining Nintendo Fusion Tour
with Fall Out Boy
, kicking off in September 2005. The band brought with them a new addition to their live performances, keyboardist Brian Schmutz. A friend of Vasoli's, the two had short lived side-project called Statue in 2004. A few dates into the tour, The Starting Line were — at their request — released from their record deal with Geffen, and became free agent
s. Vasoli describes their time with Geffen: " It was kind of like having a sort of hot girlfriend that never talks to you. You say, "Oh yeah, I 'm dating this supermodel, but she's been in France for three years and doesn't really call me... but she promises that when she gets back we're REALLY gonna start to get serious. It was always an imaginary relationship."
In early January 2006, the band signed with Virgin Records
. The band released their third full-length album "Direction
" on July 31, 2007, containing the single "Island" which was written about and for Vasoli's girlfriend of the last four years, Michelle. The album had songs like "What You Want", "21", Birds" and "Direction". "Island" was the group's lone charting single, peaking at #21 on the Billboard Modern Rock charts. The album peaked at #30 on the Billboard 200 chart, but fell off the chart four weeks later. To date, the band's highest ranking on the chart was #18 with their second album "Based on a True Story". The band completed the 2007 Warped Tour
and began their nationwide headlining tour the following September.
On November 10, 2009, The Starting Line released their first Live CD/DVD entitled "Somebody's Gonna Miss Us." The Live CD/DVD documents the band's formation and growth through their last tour and final show at Bamboozle 2008.
they would be going on a break in order for Ken and Brian to explore Person L
, Matt and Tom to explore The Seventy Six, and Mike to spend time with his two daughters and explore The Traded Series. The band has been playing with the idea of coming back in 2011, but no one knows if there is any truth behind the claims. Matt Watts is currently a band manager for Red Light Management, managing the bands Fake Problems, Like Lions, New Atlantic, and Hit The Lights. They will continue The Starting Line if and when the time is right.
On April 14, 2009, in a chat with AbsolutePunk.net, Kenny Vasoli hinted that The Starting Line may actually be returning sooner than 2011, saying "it's looking good, may even be earlier. I hung with Matt and Tom the other day, we all are still in love with one another."
On November 5, 2009, in an interview for Punktastic.com; Vasoli reveals the band "do have plans to reform," have dates planned and will "eventually get it together enough to come back across the pond.
On December 29, 2009, The Starting Line had a reunion concert at the Theater of Living Arts. Starting Line guitarist Matt Watts stated on the website AbsolutePunk that "this doesn't mean that TSL are back together....It simply means that we're taking a break from our break, and wanted to play a fun show in Philadelphia and continue to focus on our lives outside of TSL" (Kohl 1).
The Starting Line added a second holiday show on December 30, 2009 in Philadelphia at the Trocadero Theater. This was added due to the fact that the first holiday show scheduled for December 29, 2009 sold out in a little over an hour and the band would like to give their local fans a better chance to see them. Towards the end of their set, Kenny Vasoli announced the band's reunion.
On August 5, 2010, the band announced they would be playing the Australian Soundwave Festival in February 2011. Matt Watts explained that they "didn't want to pass up this opportunity to hang out, have fun, and play with some really great bands," but again stated, "this doesn't mean that TSL are back together, and that we plan on doing a US tour any time in the near future."
On February 16, 2011, the band were announced to be playing the Slam Dunk Records
music festival in the UK. This was the band's first UK show in over 5 years.
On May 28, at Slam Dunk Records
Leeds music festival, the band played a 50-minute set during which Kenny Vasoli announced "People keep asking us when we're getting back together, and the answer I have is yesterday. And what happens when bands get together? They write music. So, we have a new song for you." The song is entitled 'Luck'. This announcement from Vasoli finally puts to an end any speculation that the band were just back together for fun. So, one can assume the band are back together and writing material for another album.
The Starting Line have always been known for their extensive touring. The band has toured or played shows with such bands as Brand New
, The Hush Sound
, Saves the Day
, The Ataris
, Midtown
, Sum 41
, No Use For A Name
, Taking Back Sunday
, Yellowcard
, New Found Glory
, Plain White T's
, Fall Out Boy
, Paramore
, The All-American Rejects
, The Format
, RX Bandits
, Bayside
, Four Year Strong
, Steel Train
, The Almost
, Motion City Soundtrack
, MxPx
, Reel Big Fish
, Panic! at The Disco
, Mae
, Boys Like Girls
, All Time Low
, Of All Days, Cartel
, Set Your Goals
and have played several stints on the Vans Warped Tour. The Starting Line has played shows spanning four continents - North America, Europe, Asia (Japan), and Australia.
Previous members:
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
pop punk
Pop punk
Pop punk is a fusion music genre that combines elements of punk rock with pop music, to varying degrees. Allmusic describes the genre as a strand of alternative rock, which typically merges pop melodies with speedy punk tempos, chord changes and loud guitars...
band based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Philadelphia County, with which it is coterminous. The city is located in the Northeastern United States along the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers. It is the fifth-most-populous city in the United States,...
that formed in 1999.
Formation and history (1999-2009)
In 1999, the band that would become The Starting Line was initiated in Churchville, PennsylvaniaChurchville, Pennsylvania
Churchville is a census-designated place in Northampton Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 4,128 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Churchville is located at ....
via an e-mail
E-mail
Electronic mail, commonly known as email or e-mail, is a method of exchanging digital messages from an author to one or more recipients. Modern email operates across the Internet or other computer networks. Some early email systems required that the author and the recipient both be online at the...
from guitarist
Guitarist
A guitarist is a musician who plays the guitar. Guitarists may play a variety of instruments such as classical guitars, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and bass guitars. Some guitarists accompany themselves on the guitar while singing.- Versatility :The guitarist controls an extremely...
Matt Watts to vocalist/bassist
Bassist
A bass player, or bassist is a musician who plays a bass instrument such as a double bass, bass guitar, keyboard bass or a low brass instrument such as a tuba or sousaphone. Different musical genres tend to be associated with one or more of these instruments...
Kenny Vasoli
Kenny Vasoli
Kenneth Robert "Kenny" Vasoli is the lead singer and bassist of The Starting Line, a pop punk band. Vasoli attended Hatboro-Horsham High School. At the age of 14, he was invited to join the band after Matt Watts read his AOL Instant Messenger profile. His previous bands include The Prize Fight and...
. It asked if the then fourteen-year-old Vasoli, who was at that time in a band called Smash Adams, was interested in "Jamming and shit", as the message title read. Only a few weeks later, Vasoli found himself rehearsing with his future bandmates Watts, guitarist Mike Golla and drummer
Drummer
A drummer is a musician who is capable of playing drums, which includes but is not limited to a drum kit and accessory based hardware which includes an assortment of pedals and standing support mechanisms, marching percussion and/or any musical instrument that is struck within the context of a...
Tom Gryskewicz. That year, Smash Adams released a tape, Batteries Not Included. It had 7 songs, of which only 4 were mastered. One song from that tape was incorporated into another bands work, 5 Days Ahead. They used a Smash Adams song, Kathleen, in an intro that was set inside of a car with two people talking. It was playing faintly in the background. Soon, the band started touring under the name Sunday Drive, selling out home-made merchandise and a self-recorded demo
Demo (music)
A demo version or demo of a song is one recorded for reference rather than for release. A demo is a way for a musician to approximate their ideas on tape or disc, and provide an example of those ideas to record labels, producers or other artists...
cassette titled Four Songs. Their first official release was a three-way split with The Jimmy Tuesday Band and The Commercials contributing three songs each, released on KickStart Audio in 2000.
Sunday Drive was soon approached by We the People Records and asked to produce a recording session (the infamous We the People Records Sessions). Set for a release in December 2000, the twelve songs were initially planned to become the band's debut full-length With Hopes of Starting Over on We the People Records, but they ended up serving only as demos for tracks on future releases, as the band signed with Drive-Thru Records
Drive-Thru Records
Drive-Thru Records, established in 1996, was a California-based record label owned by siblings Richard and Stefanie Reines. It has produced various pop punk bands, many with a distinct SoCal sound....
in April 2001. On Drive-Thru, they soon released their debut EP
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
With Hopes of Starting Over
With Hopes of Starting Over
-Credits:*Mike Golla – guitar*Tom Gryskiewicz – drums*Kenny Vasoli – vocals, bass*Matt Watts – guitar...
. They later found out, the name Sunday Drive was already taken by a Christian rock
Christian rock
Christian rock is a form of rock music played by individuals and bands whose members are Christians and who often focus the lyrics on matters concerned with the Christian faith. The extent to which their lyrics are explicitly Christian varies between bands...
band, so they changed their band name to The Starting Line. The band has said there is no significance behind the name, it was the only name they all could agree upon.
On July 16, 2002, almost exactly one year after the release of their EP, the full-length Say It Like You Mean It
Say It Like You Mean It
-Credits:*Mike Golla – guitar*Tom Gryskiewicz – drums*Kenny Vasoli – vocals, bass*Matt Watts – guitar*Nate Barcalow from Finch – backup vocals *Keith Goodwin from Days Away – backup vocals...
followed. The songs ranged from energetic and fast-paced to melancholy and calm, dealing with performing on stage ("Given the Chance"- "I can't wait to hit the stage/and say hello/To Jersey!"), vacation ("Left Coast Envy"- "Vacation's everything we need!/Can I sell this sunrise/In return for a sunset?") and getting even with Vasoli's ex-girlfriend Karina ("Up & Go", "Hello Houston", "Cheek to Cheek", among others). The hit single "Best of Me" and its two music video
Music video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
s, as well as the second single "Leaving", received heavy radio and TV airplay, securing The Starting Line a spot on the Warped Tour
Warped Tour
The Warped Tour is a touring music and extreme sports festival. The tour is held in venues such as parking lots or fields upon which the stages and other structures are erected. The BMX/skateboarding shoe manufacturer Vans, among others, has sponsored the tour every year since 1995, and it is...
. A clip of "Up & Go" was played during an episode of the short-lived television series from Fox, John Doe
John Doe
The name "John Doe" is used as a placeholder name in a legal action, case or discussion for a male party, whose true identity is unknown or must be withheld for legal reasons. The name is also used to refer to a male corpse or hospital patient whose identity is unknown...
! The episode aired December 13, 2002, and was entitled 'The Mourner.' "Up & Go" was also included in the full-length trailer for the movie She's The Man
She's the Man
She's the Man is a 2006 American romantic comedy film directed by Andy Fickman, based on Twelfth Night, a play by William Shakespeare. The film stars Amanda Bynes, Channing Tatum, Laura Ramsey and Vinnie Jones....
, which starred Amanda Bynes
Amanda Bynes
Amanda Laura Bynes is an American actress, comedian, singer, and fashion designer. Bynes appeared in several successful television series, such as All That and The Amanda Show, on Nickelodeon in the mid to late 1990s and early 2000s, and in 2002, she starred in the TV series, What I Like About You...
.
Due to their desire to put out new material, the band decided to release an all-unplugged
Acoustic music
Acoustic music comprises music that solely or primarily uses instruments which produce sound through entirely acoustic means, as opposed to electric or electronic means...
EP, recorded in three sessions over the following year. The first three songs ("Make Yourself at Home", "Selective", and "Playing Favorites") (recorded in The Prize Fight's Bob Jones' bedroom in August 2002), the second session ("The Nightlife" and n acoustic version of "Best of Me") (recorded in Vasoli's basement in March 2003) and the last track ("Lasting Impressions") (recorded on the band's touring bus in April 2003) became The Make Yourself at Home EP
The Make Yourself at Home EP
The Make Yourself at Home EP is an acoustic CD by The Starting Line, released by Drive-Thru Records on 25 November 2003. It contains six songs, one of which was previously released as an electric version on their 2002 album Say It Like You Mean It, along with enhanced CD video footage of their...
, released on November 25, 2003. The CD and the DVD version issued simultaneously, featuring an acoustic set performed live at Skate & Surf 2003 in Asbury Park, New Jersey
Asbury Park, New Jersey
Asbury Park is a city in Monmouth County, New Jersey, United States, located on the Jersey Shore and part of the New York City Metropolitan Area. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city population was 16,116. The city is known for its rich musical history, including its association with...
, would be their last releases put out solely on Drive-Thru Records, as The Starting Line was signed by Geffen Records
Geffen Records
Geffen Records is an American record label, owned by Universal Music Group, and operated as one third of UMG's Interscope-Geffen-A&M label group.-Beginnings:...
soon afterwards.
Their major label debut, Based on a True Story, came out in May 2005. Lyrically, the band dissociated themselves from the post-relationship formula that was predominant on their previous records. The otherwise very positive and cheerful album was overshadowed by several rather angry songs, written to spite the band's record label. Songs like "Inspired by the $" featured lyrics that are unmistakably directed at Geffen: "Someone/Get to the point/Get it across!/To the boys at the top of the ladder I'm climbing up/I have my doubts". Another section of the song refers to a meeting the band had with the label's executives, where The Starting Line was asked to write more radio-friendly songs in the vein of New Found Glory
New Found Glory
New Found Glory is an American rock band from Coral Springs, Florida. Formed in the summer of 1997, founding members were lead vocalist Jordan Pundik, guitarists Chad Gilbert and Steve Klein, bassist Ian Grushka and drummer Joe Marino...
's Catalyst
Catalyst (album)
Catalyst is the fourth studio album by American rock band New Found Glory. It was produced by Neal Avron and released on May 18, 2004 through Geffen Records. The album includes an enhanced CD portion with a making of the music video for the inaugural single "All Downhill from Here"...
(2004) and recreate "Best of Me" ("Just stay the same way/Do it like you did it before/Remain the same shape", followed by "If I did it again/Then Lord stop me /Then God help me now/Lord help me out").There were not many happy songs, with only one real "love song", "Stay Where I can See You". The album was far more successful than the band's 2002 effort and sold 42,000 copies within its first week, as opposed to its predecessor's 11,000. The release was followed by the semi-headlining Nintendo Fusion Tour
Nintendo Fusion Tour
Nintendo Fusion Tour is a touring rock music and video game festival sponsored by Nintendo, which began in 2003.Nintendo's Fusion Tour has provided early exposure for then-developing bands such as Evanescence, Story of the Year, My Chemical Romance, Fall Out Boy, Anberlin and Panic! at the Disco...
with 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...
, kicking off in September 2005. The band brought with them a new addition to their live performances, keyboardist Brian Schmutz. A friend of Vasoli's, the two had short lived side-project called Statue in 2004. A few dates into the tour, The Starting Line were — at their request — released from their record deal with Geffen, and became free agent
Free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
s. Vasoli describes their time with Geffen: " It was kind of like having a sort of hot girlfriend that never talks to you. You say, "Oh yeah, I 'm dating this supermodel, but she's been in France for three years and doesn't really call me... but she promises that when she gets back we're REALLY gonna start to get serious. It was always an imaginary relationship."
In early January 2006, the band signed with Virgin Records
Virgin Records
Virgin Records is a British record label founded by English entrepreneur Richard Branson, Simon Draper, and Nik Powell in 1972. The company grew to be a worldwide music phenomenon, with platinum performers such as Roy Orbison, Devo, Genesis, Keith Richards, Janet Jackson, Culture Club, Lenny...
. The band released their third full-length album "Direction
Direction (album)
- Personnel :*Kenny Aronoff – drums*Howard Benson – keyboards, programming, producer*Justin Borucki – photography*Luis Conti – percussion*Paul DeCarli – digital editing*Mike Golla – guitar, vocals *Tom Gryskeiwitz – drums...
" on July 31, 2007, containing the single "Island" which was written about and for Vasoli's girlfriend of the last four years, Michelle. The album had songs like "What You Want", "21", Birds" and "Direction". "Island" was the group's lone charting single, peaking at #21 on the Billboard Modern Rock charts. The album peaked at #30 on the Billboard 200 chart, but fell off the chart four weeks later. To date, the band's highest ranking on the chart was #18 with their second album "Based on a True Story". The band completed the 2007 Warped Tour
Warped Tour
The Warped Tour is a touring music and extreme sports festival. The tour is held in venues such as parking lots or fields upon which the stages and other structures are erected. The BMX/skateboarding shoe manufacturer Vans, among others, has sponsored the tour every year since 1995, and it is...
and began their nationwide headlining tour the following September.
On November 10, 2009, The Starting Line released their first Live CD/DVD entitled "Somebody's Gonna Miss Us." The Live CD/DVD documents the band's formation and growth through their last tour and final show at Bamboozle 2008.
Hiatus and reunion (2008-present)
On March 5, 2008 the band announced in an e-mail and on Absolutepunk.netAbsolutePunk.net
AbsolutePunk is a website, online community, and alternative music news source founded by Jason Tate . The website mainly focuses on artists who are relatively unknown to mainstream audiences, but it has been known to feature artists who have eventually achieved crossover success, including Fall...
they would be going on a break in order for Ken and Brian to explore Person L
Person L
Person L is an American rock band fronted by Kenny Vasoli, of the pop punk band The Starting Line. Vasoli is the band's lead singer and guitarist and formed Person L in winter 2006 as an outlet to explore other musical styles...
, Matt and Tom to explore The Seventy Six, and Mike to spend time with his two daughters and explore The Traded Series. The band has been playing with the idea of coming back in 2011, but no one knows if there is any truth behind the claims. Matt Watts is currently a band manager for Red Light Management, managing the bands Fake Problems, Like Lions, New Atlantic, and Hit The Lights. They will continue The Starting Line if and when the time is right.
On April 14, 2009, in a chat with AbsolutePunk.net, Kenny Vasoli hinted that The Starting Line may actually be returning sooner than 2011, saying "it's looking good, may even be earlier. I hung with Matt and Tom the other day, we all are still in love with one another."
On November 5, 2009, in an interview for Punktastic.com; Vasoli reveals the band "do have plans to reform," have dates planned and will "eventually get it together enough to come back across the pond.
On December 29, 2009, The Starting Line had a reunion concert at the Theater of Living Arts. Starting Line guitarist Matt Watts stated on the website AbsolutePunk that "this doesn't mean that TSL are back together....It simply means that we're taking a break from our break, and wanted to play a fun show in Philadelphia and continue to focus on our lives outside of TSL" (Kohl 1).
The Starting Line added a second holiday show on December 30, 2009 in Philadelphia at the Trocadero Theater. This was added due to the fact that the first holiday show scheduled for December 29, 2009 sold out in a little over an hour and the band would like to give their local fans a better chance to see them. Towards the end of their set, Kenny Vasoli announced the band's reunion.
On August 5, 2010, the band announced they would be playing the Australian Soundwave Festival in February 2011. Matt Watts explained that they "didn't want to pass up this opportunity to hang out, have fun, and play with some really great bands," but again stated, "this doesn't mean that TSL are back together, and that we plan on doing a US tour any time in the near future."
On February 16, 2011, the band were announced to be playing the Slam Dunk Records
Slam Dunk Records
Slam-Dunk Records is an independent record label , founded in Leeds, England in 2007. The label is most notable for popular band You Me At Six. The label evolved, initially, from popular clubnight 'Slam Dunk', a weekly clubnight held at the city's Cockpit music venue, predominantly centered around...
music festival in the UK. This was the band's first UK show in over 5 years.
On May 28, at Slam Dunk Records
Slam Dunk Records
Slam-Dunk Records is an independent record label , founded in Leeds, England in 2007. The label is most notable for popular band You Me At Six. The label evolved, initially, from popular clubnight 'Slam Dunk', a weekly clubnight held at the city's Cockpit music venue, predominantly centered around...
Leeds music festival, the band played a 50-minute set during which Kenny Vasoli announced "People keep asking us when we're getting back together, and the answer I have is yesterday. And what happens when bands get together? They write music. So, we have a new song for you." The song is entitled 'Luck'. This announcement from Vasoli finally puts to an end any speculation that the band were just back together for fun. So, one can assume the band are back together and writing material for another album.
Touring
Brand New
Brand New is an American rock band from Long Island, New York. Formed in 2000, the band currently consists of vocalist/guitarist/lyricist Jesse Lacey, guitarist/vocalist/lyricist Vincent Accardi, bassist Garrett Tierney, drummer Brian Lane, and guitarist/keyboardist Derrick Sherman.In the late...
, 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...
, Saves the Day
Saves the Day
Saves the Day is an American rock band from Princeton, New Jersey, formed in 1994. The band consists of lead vocalist and guitarist Chris Conley, guitarist Arun Bali, bassist Rodrigo Palma, and drummer Claudio Rivera....
, The Ataris
The Ataris
The Ataris are a rock band from Anderson, Indiana. They have released five studio albums, and their most recent E.P. was released on November 25, 2010 on the Gainesville, Florida based label, Paper + Plastick. It contained the brand new tracks "All Souls' Day" and "The Graveyard of The Atlantic"...
, Midtown
Midtown (band)
Midtown was an American pop punk band from Springfield, New Jersey. Midtown was formed in November 1998 by three Rutgers University students, but soon became a quartet. The band took advantage of the fertile New Jersey punk scene to develop a sound that combined elements of pop punk and punk rock...
, Sum 41
Sum 41
Sum 41 is a Canadian rock band from Ajax, Ontario. The band was formed in 1996 and currently consists of members Deryck Whibley , Tom Thacker , Jason McCaslin and Steve Jocz .In 1999, the band signed an international record deal with Island Records...
, No Use For A Name
No Use for a Name
No Use for a Name is a punk rock band from San Jose, California, United States formed in 1987 by Chris Dodge , Steve Papoutsis , Rory Koff and John Meyers...
, Taking Back Sunday
Taking Back Sunday
Taking Back Sunday is a rock band from Long Island, NY, formed in 1999 by guitarist Eddie Reyes. Current members of the band are Adam Lazzara , John Nolan , Eddie Reyes , Shaun Cooper and Mark O'Connell ....
, Yellowcard
Yellowcard
Yellowcard is an American pop punk/alternative rock band formed in Jacksonville, Florida in 1997, and based in Los Angeles, California since 2000. Their music features the use of a violin, unusual for the genre...
, New Found Glory
New Found Glory
New Found Glory is an American rock band from Coral Springs, Florida. Formed in the summer of 1997, founding members were lead vocalist Jordan Pundik, guitarists Chad Gilbert and Steve Klein, bassist Ian Grushka and drummer Joe Marino...
, Plain White T's
Plain White T's
Plain White T's is an American Pop rock band from Chicago, Illinois. Formed in 1997 by high school friends Tom Higgenson and Ken Fletcher, the group had a mostly underground following in Chicago basements, clubs, and bars in its early years, and underwent numerous personnel changes.The band is best...
, 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...
, Paramore
Paramore
Paramore is an American rock band from Franklin, Tennessee, formed in 2004. The band consists of lead vocalist Hayley Williams, bassist Jeremy Davis, and guitarist Taylor York...
, The All-American Rejects
The All-American Rejects
The All-American Rejects are an American rock band formed in Stillwater, Oklahoma in 1999. The band consists of lead vocalist and bass guitarist Tyson Ritter, lead guitarist, Nick Wheeler, rhythm guitarist, Mike Kennerty, and drummer Chris Gaylor....
, The Format
The Format
The Format was an American indie rock band formed by Arizona natives Nate Ruess and Sam Means. The band announced a hiatus on February 4, 2008. Their style can be considered a mixture of indie, alternative, punk and folk music, with elements of 1960s and 1970s pop music...
, RX Bandits
Rx Bandits
RX Bandits is a four-piece band based in Seal Beach, California. The band formed in 1995 in Orange County, California. They have appeared on the Vans Warped Tour, at the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival, Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival and at The Bamboozle.-Early years :Originally known as...
, Bayside
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and have played several stints on the Vans Warped Tour. The Starting Line has played shows spanning four continents - North America, Europe, Asia (Japan), and Australia.
Albums
| Date of release | Title | Label | Billboard 200 |
|---|---|---|---|
| July 16, 2002 | Say It Like You Mean It Say It Like You Mean It -Credits:*Mike Golla – guitar*Tom Gryskiewicz – drums*Kenny Vasoli – vocals, bass*Matt Watts – guitar*Nate Barcalow from Finch – backup vocals *Keith Goodwin from Days Away – backup vocals... |
Drive-Thru Records Drive-Thru Records Drive-Thru Records, established in 1996, was a California-based record label owned by siblings Richard and Stefanie Reines. It has produced various pop punk bands, many with a distinct SoCal sound.... |
109 |
| May 10, 2005 | Based on a True Story | Drive-Thru Records/Geffen Geffen Records Geffen Records is an American record label, owned by Universal Music Group, and operated as one third of UMG's Interscope-Geffen-A&M label group.-Beginnings:... |
18 |
| July 31, 2007 | Direction Direction (album) - Personnel :*Kenny Aronoff – drums*Howard Benson – keyboards, programming, producer*Justin Borucki – photography*Luis Conti – percussion*Paul DeCarli – digital editing*Mike Golla – guitar, vocals *Tom Gryskeiwitz – drums... |
Virgin Records Virgin Records Virgin Records is a British record label founded by English entrepreneur Richard Branson, Simon Draper, and Nik Powell in 1972. The company grew to be a worldwide music phenomenon, with platinum performers such as Roy Orbison, Devo, Genesis, Keith Richards, Janet Jackson, Culture Club, Lenny... |
30 |
| November 10, 2009 | Somebody's Gonna Miss Us live show/documentary(DVD/CD) | Image Entertainment Image Entertainment Image Entertainment, Inc. is an independent licensee, producer and distributor of home entertainment programming and film & television productions in North America, with approximately 3,000 exclusive DVD titles and approximately 250 exclusive CD titles in domestic release, and approximately 450... |
EPs
| Title | Release date | Label | U.S. Billboard 200 Billboard 200 The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists... Peak |
|---|---|---|---|
| With Hopes of Starting Over With Hopes of Starting Over -Credits:*Mike Golla – guitar*Tom Gryskiewicz – drums*Kenny Vasoli – vocals, bass*Matt Watts – guitar... |
June 25, 2001 | Drive-Thru Records Drive-Thru Records Drive-Thru Records, established in 1996, was a California-based record label owned by siblings Richard and Stefanie Reines. It has produced various pop punk bands, many with a distinct SoCal sound.... |
|
| The Make Yourself at Home EP The Make Yourself at Home EP The Make Yourself at Home EP is an acoustic CD by The Starting Line, released by Drive-Thru Records on 25 November 2003. It contains six songs, one of which was previously released as an electric version on their 2002 album Say It Like You Mean It, along with enhanced CD video footage of their... |
November 25, 2003 |
Singles
| Title | Release date | Label | Album/EP |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Three's a Charm" | 2001 | Drive-Thru Records Drive-Thru Records Drive-Thru Records, established in 1996, was a California-based record label owned by siblings Richard and Stefanie Reines. It has produced various pop punk bands, many with a distinct SoCal sound.... |
With Hopes of Starting Over With Hopes of Starting Over -Credits:*Mike Golla – guitar*Tom Gryskiewicz – drums*Kenny Vasoli – vocals, bass*Matt Watts – guitar... |
| "Best of Me" | 2002 | Say It Like You Mean It Say It Like You Mean It -Credits:*Mike Golla – guitar*Tom Gryskiewicz – drums*Kenny Vasoli – vocals, bass*Matt Watts – guitar*Nate Barcalow from Finch – backup vocals *Keith Goodwin from Days Away – backup vocals... |
|
| "Leaving" | 2003 | ||
| "Bedroom Talk" | 2005 | Drive-Thru Records/Geffen Geffen Records Geffen Records is an American record label, owned by Universal Music Group, and operated as one third of UMG's Interscope-Geffen-A&M label group.-Beginnings:... |
Based on a True Story |
| "Island" | June 19, 2007 | Virgin Records Virgin Records Virgin Records is a British record label founded by English entrepreneur Richard Branson, Simon Draper, and Nik Powell in 1972. The company grew to be a worldwide music phenomenon, with platinum performers such as Roy Orbison, Devo, Genesis, Keith Richards, Janet Jackson, Culture Club, Lenny... |
Direction Direction (album) - Personnel :*Kenny Aronoff – drums*Howard Benson – keyboards, programming, producer*Justin Borucki – photography*Luis Conti – percussion*Paul DeCarli – digital editing*Mike Golla – guitar, vocals *Tom Gryskeiwitz – drums... |
| "Something Left to Give" | 2008 | ||
| "Somebody's Gonna Miss Us" | 2009 |
Non-album tracks
- "Break Up Day" – released on Welcome to the FamilyWelcome to the FamilyWelcome To The Family is a compilation album released on November 20, 2001 by Drive-Thru Records. The CD features mostly previously unreleased songs by the label's bands and is packaged in a miniature cardboard pizza box...
(2001) - "Thanks, You're the Best" – released on an eponymEponymAn eponym is the name of a person or thing, whether real or fictitious, after which a particular place, tribe, era, discovery, or other item is named or thought to be named...
ous three song sampler (2002) - "I'm Real" (Jennifer LopezJennifer LopezJennifer Lynn Lopez is an American actress, singer, record producer, dancer, television personality, and fashion designer. Lopez began her career as a dancer on the television comedy program In Living Color. Subsequently venturing into acting, she gained recognition in the 1995 action-thriller...
cover) – released on Punk Goes PopPunk Goes PopPunk Goes Pop is a compilation album part of the Punk Goes... series created by Fearless Records. It contains a collection of songs by various artists performing covers of pop songs. It was released on April 3, 2002.-Track listing:...
(2002) - "Nights and Weekends (Is it True/ Do you hate Me?)" – released on the JapanJapanJapan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
ese import of Based on a True Story (2005) - "Big Time SensualityBig Time Sensuality"Big Time Sensuality" is a song by Björk, released as the fourth single from her 1993 album Debut. The song helped boost Björk's popularity worldwide, particularly the U.S., where she charted for the first time.-Background:...
" (BjörkBjörkBjörk Guðmundsdóttir , known as Björk , is an Icelandic singer-songwriter. Her eclectic musical style has achieved popular acknowledgement and popularity within many musical genres, such as rock, jazz, electronic dance music, classical and folk...
cover) – released on Punk Goes '90s (2006) - "Pictures" – released on the JapanJapanJapan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
ese import of DirectionDirection (album)- Personnel :*Kenny Aronoff – drums*Howard Benson – keyboards, programming, producer*Justin Borucki – photography*Luis Conti – percussion*Paul DeCarli – digital editing*Mike Golla – guitar, vocals *Tom Gryskeiwitz – drums...
(2007) - "Time To Run"; Currently Unreleased Track
- "Classic Jazz"; supposed to be included in their second album Based on a True Story, but was instead released on purevolume.com on The Starting Line's profile page.
- "West Girl Scout Road"; Currently Unreleased Track
Members
- Kenny VasoliKenny VasoliKenneth Robert "Kenny" Vasoli is the lead singer and bassist of The Starting Line, a pop punk band. Vasoli attended Hatboro-Horsham High School. At the age of 14, he was invited to join the band after Matt Watts read his AOL Instant Messenger profile. His previous bands include The Prize Fight and...
– vocalsSingingSinging is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
, bassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
(1999–present) - Matt Watts – guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
s (1999–present) - Mike Golla – guitars, backing vocalsBacking vocalistA backing vocalist or backing singer is a singer who provides vocal harmony with the lead vocalist or other backing vocalists...
(1999–present) - Tom Gryskiewicz – drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
(1999–present) - Brian Schmutz – keyboardsKeyboard instrumentA keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
, backing vocals (2007–present)
Previous members:
- Simon White - guitars (1999)
External links
- The Starting Line's official website
- The Starting Line's profile at MySpaceMySpaceMyspace is a social networking service owned by Specific Media LLC and pop star Justin Timberlake. Myspace launched in August 2003 and is headquartered in Beverly Hills, California. In August 2011, Myspace had 33.1 million unique U.S. visitors....
- The Starting Line's profile at PureVolumePureVolumePureVolume was the first independently run website of its type, allowing for the upload and stream of music files. It was created in 2003 by Jennifer Welch , in conjunction with the Unborn Media team; Brett Woitunski, Nate Hudson, and Mitchell Pavao; all from the University of...