| Sparks the Rescue | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Portland, Maine, USA |
| Genres | Alternative rock, pop punk, pop rock, post hardcore (early) |
| Years active | 2005–present |
| Labels | Double Blind Music, Fearless |
| Members | |
| Alex Roy David Pait Toby McAllister Mike Naran Nathan Spencer |
|
| Past members | |
| Marty Mcmorrow Patrick O'Connell Ben Briggs |
|
Sparks the Rescue is a five-member American rock band from Maine. They formed when members of three high school bands Pozer, Short of April and Two Girls Later converged.[1] Their debut EP Stumbling Skyward was released independently in 2005 with McAllister and O'Connell sharing main vocal duties. The band released the Hey, Mr. Allure EP in 2006, which saw the addition of lead vocalist Alex Roy. On February 6, 2007, Sparks the Rescue released their junior EP The Secrets We Can't Keep after signing to Double Blind Music.[2] This release saw the departure of their keyboardist. STR officially released their debut full-length album Eyes to the Sun on May 5, 2009 on Fearless Records (the album was previously released October 7, 2008 on Double Blind Music). The album was produced by Jonathan Wyman of Halo Studios in Westbrook, ME.[3]
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Toby McAllister, Ben Briggs, and Nate Spencer formed the group Pozer in 1999, while still in junior high school. After years of local shows and failed Battle of bands competitions the band decided to add Patrick O'Connell on guitar and vocals and Marty Mcmorrow on synthesizer and vocals. The band changed their name to Sparks the Rescue and started shedding its skate punk aesthetic—gaining popularity and playing shows throughout New England. Alex Roy was added as main vocalist in 2006, and the group heavily toured the East Coast in preparation for and support of their new Hey, Mr. Allure EP.
The band released the EP The Secrets We Can't Keep in 2007. Following McMorrow's departure as keyboardist, the band released their first full album Eyes to the Sun, on Double Blind Music in 2008. This album got the group signed to Fearless Records[4], and shows the band’s evolution from scream-fueled hardcore music to their current hook-filled pop punk sound.
In May, 2009 Fearless re-released Eyes To The Sun featuring new songs and a different track listing. Billboard charts for the 5-15-09 issue reported Eyes to the Sun coming in at 3rd in the Top Heatseekers Chart for the Northeast, and tracks from the album received play on MTV’s The Hills and The Real World: Cancun. In late 2009, MTV announced Sparks the Rescue as the official winner of the 2009 "I Want My Music On MTV! Competition!", stating that the band will "rub elbows with A-List artists at the 2009 Woodie Awards".[5]
In 2010 the band toured relentlessly with bands like The All-American Rejects, Sum 41, Haste the Day, and Attack Attack!. Right before touring with Mayday Parade, Patrick O’Connell decided to part ways with the band. “He just didn’t want to be on tour anymore. He was into going home, getting a job and an apartment like a normal person,” McAllister said of the split[6]. Soon after O'Connell's departure, the band added guitarist Mike Naran.
In March, 2011 the band revealed the album art and track listing for their second full-length album Worst Thing I’ve Been Cursed With, set for release on May 10, 2011 in North America. The band also announced a tour with The Dangerous Summer in support of the new release.
On August 11, 2011 Back Road Eyes Media announced on Tumblr that bassist Ben Briggs has been replaced by David Pait.[7]
In December, 2011 Fearless Records released Sparks The Rescue from their contractual obligations due to the departure of crucial band members.[8]
'Tis The Season To Be Fearless