User:Lukeprodgers/Gold Star Morning

Gold Star Morning are an American alternative-indie-pop rock band from Boston, Massachusetts, formed in 2008. The band consists of Cory Bean (bass guitar, backing vocals), Craig Blinten (drums, percussion), Ben Leang (guitar, keyboard, backing vocals), Joseph McHale (lead vocals), and Luke Rodgers (guitar).

Due to the band members' diverse musical tastes, Gold Star Morning has created a unique sound that is held together by the band's desire to generate "epic indie" songs. The group's debut EP album, Before the Light (2009), has started making its way through the New England music channels while the band expands its reach beyond the sold-out shows in its hometown.

Formation
In 2007, Joseph McHale and Luke Rodgers connected through Craigslist in hopes of starting a band. Though the two came from very different musical backgrounds, McHale and Rodgers shared a vision for what their band would become. After months of acoustic brainstorming and many failed auditions, the first permanent addition was made with bassist Cory Bean. Bean, although stating that he was foremost an acoustic guitar player, had experience with drums and bass. His straightforward grooves and positive creativity were a perfect fit. A few shows later and multiple drummers come and gone, the newly-formed trio began courting Craig Blinten, a successful drummer who had experience in New England before spending some time in California. Blinten's versatility and unique fills guaranteed a strong rhthymic foundation. Finally, Ben Leang was instantly accepted after demonstrating his virtuosity at both guitar and keyboard, elements that would complete the Gold Star Morning sound.

Live Shows
Despite a few live shows in 2008, Gold Star Morning really began playing throughout Boston in early 2009, most notably selling out shows at the Middle East (Upstairs and Downstairs) and The Paradise Rock Club. The expansion continued into 2010 as the band began playing gigs in New York, New Hampshire, and Maine.

Studio Work
After a few months writing as a group, Gold Star Morning headed into the studio. The goal was a short EP covering the spectrum of songs in the band's growing set-list. The rhythm section and vocals were recorded by engineer Pat DiCenso at Q Division studios in Somerville, MA. Guitars and keys were recorded in domestic settings. After Leang made some rough edits, Christopher Thomas mixed the tracks at Strewnshank Studios in Cambridge, MA. Lastly, Tom Waltz mastered the EP at Waltz Audio in Boston, MA.

Musical Style
Gold Star Morning's music has been compared to The Killers and Coldplay, though McHale likes to refer to their sound as "epic indie." This description is explained by the combination of edgy distortion rarely heard in indie pop with melodies often missing in alternative rock. The band explains their unique sound by the fact that no band member shares a common thread of musical influence. Bean takes his writing queues from alternative and punk rock. Blinten looks to Steve Jordan and other jazzy-blues drummers for direction. Leang has a diverse playlist that keeps U2 at the core. McHale cites Jeff Buckley and Sting as major vocal inspirations. Rodgers looks to Jimi Hendrix and Jack White for blues-oriented motivation. According to the band, this wide-sweeping set of musical tastes helps generate their original sound.

Before the Light (2009)
1. Best Excuse

2. Start Tonight

3. Caught My Tail

4. Pilot Light

5. Bigger Than Me

6. NSA