Steriogram

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Steriogram

Background information
Origin Auckland, New Zealand
Genre(s) Punk rock
Garage rock
Rapcore
Years active 1999–present
Label(s) Independent
Capitol Records(former)
Members
Tyson Kennedy
Tim Youngson
Brad Carter
Jared Wrennall
Jake Adams

Steriogram are a punk rock/hip hop band from Auckland, New Zealand, formed in 1999.

Contents

[edit] History

Formed in 1999, Steriogram's first single release, Soccerstar was mediocre but upon the release of their second single, White Trash saw the group success soar. Like many bands, Steriogram toured New Zealand in a friend's van without any support crew, doing gigs where they could. In 2002, still unsigned, they joined several other New Zealand bands in the annual Boost Mobile School's Tour, playing for free during high school lunch hours to get exposure, as well as at bars at night.

In 2002, while recording at a rented beach house they were spotted by an American Label Scout for Capitol Records who had come upon their music video for White Trash on the internet and were signed to Capitol Records later that year.

2004 also saw the release of their debut album, Schmack! which has seen six singles released from it.

There were two main factors contributing to Steriogram’s immediate success. Firstly, the national secondary school tour they went on helped to generate a wider fan base, as it allowed many who hadn’t heard of Steriogram before to enjoy their unique sound. The other factor was due to their internet site and the use of fans' loyalty. On the site fans were able to join up for the band’s newsletter and then eventually to what was known as a 'fan street pack'. This was sent to the fan via mail and contained promo CDs that had five of the tracks to be featured on their upcoming CD, and large amounts of stickers. This was where Steriogram relied on the support of fans, to hand out the promo CDs and stickers. These points proved to be very successful and rewarding for Steriogram as a new band.

[edit] Walkie Talkie Man

Their big break came with the release of "Walkie Talkie Man" which has been used for the iPod adverts and its video (in which characters and objects were created by knitting puppets and animating them using stopmotion). The music video was nominated for four MTV music awards.

Directed by Michel Gondry, director of Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and the White Stripes video Fell in Love with a Girl, the song debuted at #19 on the UK Singles Chart. Later in 2004, the song was picked up by EA Sports and is featured in the game MVP Baseball 2004 and MLB 2005. In 2006, a cover of the song featured in Elite Beat Agents for the Nintendo DS.

They toured New Zealand during May 2005 with the support of other New Zealand bands, 48May and Goodnight Nurse, Also in 2005, their album Schmack! was rereleased as a special edition containing four previously unreleased songs.

[edit] This is Not the Target Market

The band have released the album This is Not the Target Market which was recorded York Street Studios in Auckland, New Zealand. Yet unlike the last, was not released under Capitol Records. In an interview with Juice TV , Brad and Tyson stated that all the bands connections at Capitol had left since the release of their last album, and decided it would be easier to release the new album themselves. The album was released in New Zealand on the 16th of October, 2006. A preview of the album is available on the bands myspace page. The first single off the new album is named 'Just Like You' and is in similar style to that of the last album. However the album only has 10 songs on it, most of which show a much less mainstream sound to them, notably the aggressive distortion on both guitar and vocals. They have changed their appearance with longer hair, and also more hardcore music since their last album, Schmack.

[edit] Band members

  • Tyson Kennedy - (vocals)
  • Tim Youngson - (guitar)
  • Brad Carter - (vocals/guitars)
  • Jared Wrennall - (drums/vocals)
  • Jake Adams - (bass guitar)

[edit] Discography

Cover Date of Release Title Label Charted Certification Catalog Number
Albums
29 February 2004 Schmack! EMI (NZ) -
12 May 2005 Schmack Special Tour Edition EMI (NZ) - -
16 October 2006 This Is Not The Target Market - -
EPs
1999 Soccerstar[1] - -
2001 Sing The Night Away - -

[edit] Featured appearances

The group have appeared on a few compilations and soundtracks since their inception in both New Zealand and Australia as well as internationally. The following is a list of these albums that have featured tracks by Steriogram.

[edit] Singles

Year Single Album Charted Certification
"White Trash" Schmack! - -
2004 "Walkie Talkie Man" Schmack! #14 (NZ)
#19 (UK)		 -
"Roadtrip" Schmack! - -
2005 "Go" Schmack! #28 (NZ) -
"Tsunami" Schmack! - -
"On And On" Schmack! - -
2006 "Just Like You" This Is Not The Target Market - -
2007 "Own Way Home" This Is Not The Target Market - -

[edit] External links

  • [1] The official Youtube Page
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