- Van Atta High
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Van Atta High (or VAH) was a four member rock band from New Jersey, formed in 2006, and disbanded on May 14, 2010.
Contents
History
Van Atta High was a band born in the heart of the New Jersey music scene. Founding member Steve Kellner formed the band with a few friends in June 2006. At this time, the band put together their first EP entitled We Are The Captivated. These members were Steve Kellner (Vocals), Socrates Moutsakis (Guitar) and Santino Loconte (Drums). Current members Stephen Jasko (guitar) and Clark Starace (bass) were later recruited to the group. Armed with this first EP and their charming stage presence, Van Atta High quickly became a crowd favorite among the local New Jersey band circuit. Some of their most well-known songs include "Call Me Jersey," "Birthday Girl," and their pop rock cover to the Starland Vocal Band 70's hit "Afternoon Delight" (contracted with S1 Songs, a music publishing company).[1]
With the addition of Jasko and Starace, the band released Run Like Hell EP in fall 2007.[2] After establishing a core fan-base in New Jersey and releasing Run Like Hell, the band managed to land spots in Taste of Chaos 2007, Vans Warped Tour 2007/2008 and The Bamboozle 2008/2009.[3] These shows further escalated the band's exposure, generating local and national press coverage including being named Alternative Press Magazine's "Unsigned Band of the Month" in August 2008.[4] Some venues they have played include the Starland Ballroom (Sayreville, NJ), the School of Rock (South Hackensack, NJ), Webster Hall (NYC), the Landmark Theater (Long Island), the Knitting Factory (NYC) and Crocodile Rock Cafe (Allentown, PA).[5] Van Atta High has shared the stage with The Used, Senses Fail, 30 Seconds to Mars, Just Surrender, Billy Talent, Pierce the Veil, Every Avenue, Jet Lag Gemini and Emarosa, to name just a few.
Glenn Petnel (Drums) and Justin Maikisch (Guitar) joined the band in fall of 2008, replacing Moutsakis and Loconte. However, Maikisch left the band during summer 2009.
Van Atta High inked a licensing agreement for one EP with indie label Thriving/Tragic Hero Records (prior home to Sky Eats Airplane and Emarosa). On March 10, 2009 Van Atta High released their first nationally distributed record entitled Doin' Somethin' Right (EP).
Van Atta High released a new album in January 2010.[6] called Love Blitz:United.
The End of VAH
On May 13th, 2010 the band released a blog post on their MySpace informing their fans the band would break up and also mentioned their last show at School of Rock in South Hackensack, NJ.[7]
Members
Past members
Steve Kellner: vocals
Stephen Jasko: guitar
Clark Starace: bass guitar
Glenn Petnel: drumsFormer members
Socrates Moutsakis: guitar (2006–2008)
Santino Loconte: drums (2006–2008)
Justin Maikisch: guitar (2008–2009)
Jarret Gallipoli: bass (2006–2007)[8]Discography
We Are the Captivated EP (2006, Self-released)
Run Like Hell EP (2007, Self-released)
Doin' Somethin' Right EP (2009, Thriving/Tragic Hero Records)
Love Blitz:United EP (2010, Self-released)Videography
"Call Me Jersey" (2008)
"Afternoon Delight" (2009)
"Birthday Girl" (2009)
"Little Fingers" (2010)External links
References
- ^ http://www.myspace.com/vanattahigh
- ^ "On A National Note... Van Atta High." The Circuit Mar. 2009: 26. Web. 30 November 2009
- ^ http://www.myspace.com/vanattahigh
- ^ "Unsigned Bands of the Month." Alternative Press Magazine Aug. 2008: 47. Print.
- ^ Kerwick, Mike. "Basement sessions paying off." The Record [Bergen County, NJ] 25 June 2009: F3. Print.
- ^ http://www.myspace.com/vanattahigh
- ^ http://www.myspace.com/vanattahigh/blog/534301598
- ^ http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendId=63905183&blogId=532659225
Categories:- American pop punk musical groups
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