Heroes and Villains (band)

Heroes and Villains

Background information
Origin	Kansas City, Missouri, United States
Genres	Indie Pop Alternative rock
Years active	2006-present
Website	Official site

Members	Ryan Wallace Cody Stockton Jason W. Smith

Heroes and Villains (Heroes+Villains) are an independent American rock band formed in 2006 in Kansas City, Missouri, consisting of singer and guitarist Ryan Wallace, keyboardist Cody Stockton and percussionist Jason W. Smith.

History

The band originally had four members and was named Walter Alias.^[1]^[2]

Guitarist Elliot Thurmon left the band in 2008.

Heroes and Villains have recorded two albums; Examples of the Cataclysmic, released in 2007 under Walter Alias, and Plans In Motion, released March 30, 2010 under Heroes and Villains.

Examples of the Cataclysmic is a full length album recorded at Awe Struck Studios in Independence, MO with Larry Gann.^[3] Gann has worked with such acts as Lit, Elton John, The Goo Goo Dolls and Tim McGraw.^[4] The album featured 10 tracks including the first release of “Thin” which immediately received radio play on KRBZ FM 96.5 the Buzz, where they are currently a mainstay.^[5] The album garnered enough attention to be reviewed favorably by Kansas City’s weekly culture newspaper, The Pitch.^[6] The band’s second-ever live performance also received acclaims by noted Kansas City music writer Jason Harper.^[7]

Plans In Motion is a four song EP entirely independently produced. The album features the single “Second Thoughts” which is currently receiving airplay at college radio stations across the United States. The EP’s title track accompanies a music video directed by Gnarly Enterprises.^[8] Kansas City’s premiere music writer Elke Mermis reviewed the album April 22, 2010, giving it high marks.^[9]

Heroes and Villains appeared on the Rock Out Reach Out compilation album in 2009.^[10]

Heroes and Villains are currently touring throughout the Midwest and national festivals. The band played three shows in Austin, TX in March 2010 during SXSW for the Redgorilla Music Festival.^[11] The band has also performed at the South Park Music Tour in Fairplay, CO,^[12] the Hyperactive Festival and Conference in Albuquerque, NM,^[13] and the PLAY:stl in St. Louis, MO.^[14] Heroes and Villains also toured the Southwest and West Coast.^[15] The band has shared the stage with other prominent bands including Vedera,^[16] The Republic Tigers, Life In Jersey, and Jimmy Kimmel Live! contest winner Radiant.^[17]

In June 2010, the band's video for Plans in Motion was inducted into Fuse TV On-demand.^[18] The band was also a featured artist on CMJ's website.^[19]

Discography

EPs:

Plans In Motion. Released March 2010.

LPs:

Examples of the Cataclysmic. Released as Walter Alias in February 2007.

Compilations:

Rock Out Reach Out. Released December 2009.

Quotes

“If fame is a ticking time bomb, Plans in Motion should help Heroes and Villains explode.”

“This is serious pop-rock, meant to be heard by the masses.”

“While musical tides ebb and flow, it seems as if Heroes and Villains have planted an impressive anchor. They’re on the horizon line, and they’re making waves….beautiful, cascading, electronic-indie-pop waves.”

“It's not hard to imagine the quartet's swelling choruses set against some critical moment in a movie.”

“It amazes me what these guys do as a 3 piece.” ^[20]

“It’s big, serious music that fans of Snow Patrol and Vedera should eat the hell up.” ^[21]