My Superhero

My Superhero
Background information
Origin	Anaheim, CA United States
Genres	Ska punk, third wave ska, pop punk
Years active	1994–2003, 2011
Labels	Sick Little Monkey, Risk, Vegas
Website	http://www.my-superhero.com
Notable instruments
Guitar, Bass, Drums, Accordion

My Superhero was an American ska punk band formed in Anaheim, California, who were originally active from 1994 to 2003.

Biography

My Superhero formed in 1994 and quickly released their debut album entitled SKAteboard Music in 1995 under their own independent label Sick Little Monkey Music. In 1997, the band released their most successful album, Solid State 14, which received positive reviews from such presitigious publications such as The Los Angeles Times^[1] and AllMusic, the latter having been quoted as saying "[i]t's unusual to find a debut effort from a punk-ska band that sounds this good".^[2]

In 1998, My Superhero re-recorded SKAteboard Music, releasing it on Vegas Records, before signing to Risk Records to re-release Solid State 14, which helped them find success on the national commercial radio charts.^[3][4] The following year, the band worked with producer Thom Wilson to release their third album entitled Station One under Risk Records.^[5] They spent the next 2 years touring nationally alongside bands including Reel Big Fish^[6], The Aquabats^[7], The Hippos^[8], Fenix TX and Frenzal Rhomb^[9], as well as touring as part of the 1999 and 2000 Warped Tour. My Superhero received regular exposure on KUCI's pioneering Ska Parade radio show, managing to tie the record held by Long Beach's One Eye Open for the most on-air live performances.

In 2000, My Superhero attempted to reorganize the band and play as a power pop trio. In 2002, they recruited a fourth member and recorded their final release, the Send Gas EP. The group quietly disbanded after front man Brian Gilmore got married. My Superhero's final performance was at Gilmore's wedding in 2004.

Reunion shows and beyond

On September 17, 2011, the four original members of My Superhero played a reunion show at The Glasshouse in Pomona, California, headlining a concert organized by Tazy Phyllipz and the Ska Parade. A while later on November 5, the band again reunited at The Glasshouse to open for The Aquabats, the first time the two groups have played together since 1998.

Despite the success of the recent reunion shows, there has been no official announcement as to whether or not My Superhero will continue touring or recording as a band.

Discography

• SKAteboard Music (1995) (1999, re-recorded)
• Solid State 14 (1997) (1998, remastered)
• Station One (1999)
• Send Gas EP (1999)

Band members

• Brian Gilmore - vocals, guitar, bass (1994-2003, 2011)
• Chris Clawson - drums (1994-2003)
• Huey Huynh - guitar (1994-2003, 2011)
• Mike Berault - keyboards, accordion (1994-1999, 2003, 2011)
• Dan Park - bass (1994-1998, 2011)
• James Salomone - bass (1999)
• Ean Brown - guitar (2001-2003)
• Tim Bivens - drums (2011)

References

1. ^ http://articles.latimes.com/1997-04-02/entertainment/ca-44574_1_solid-state
2. ^ http://www.billboard.com/album/my-superhero/solid-state-14/325107#/album/my-superhero/solid-state-14/325107/review
3. ^ http://articles.latimes.com/1998/jun/26/entertainment/ca-63638
4. ^ http://books.google.com/books?id=wuH6GvuKk-0C&pg=PA84&lpg=PA84&dq=my+superhero+CMJ+1998&source=bl&ots=JETMWjUvhb&sig=MWBB4untghx_-A-S_A1LGmpKXFQ&hl=en&ei=en5mTpOVMZTYiAKc6NDICg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=2&ved=0CBwQ6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q=my%20superhero%20CMJ%201998&f=false
5. ^ http://articles.latimes.com/1999/aug/11/entertainment/ca-64539
6. ^ http://www.inmusicwetrust.com/articles/01h16.html
7. ^ http://members.efn.org/~cschatz/ska/Archive/1998.html
8. ^ http://www.austinchronicle.com/issues/vol18/issue40/calendar/music.roadshows.html
9. ^ http://www.inmusicwetrust.com/articles/01h16.html