I Am Ghost

Infobox musical artist
Name = I Am Ghost
Img_capt =
Img_size = 200
Landscape =
Background = group_or_band
Alias =
Origin = Long Beach, California
Genre = Post-hardcore
Years_active = 2004–present
Label = Epitaph Records
Associated_acts =
URL = [http://www.iamghostmusic.com/ Official Website]
Current_members = Steven Juliano
Timoteo Rosales III
Ron Ficarro
Justin McCarthy
Chad Kulengosky
Past_members = Brian Telestai
Kerith Telestai
Ryan Seaman
Gabriel Iraheta
Notable_instruments =

I Am Ghost is an American post-hardcore band from Long Beach, California, conceived of and founded by Steven Juliano in 2004. They are signed to Epitaph Records.

History

Singer and graphic artist Steve Juliano utilized his knowledge of Myspace to attract prospective members to I Am Ghost. Seeking musicians that could bring his provocative, often dark lyrics to life, Juliano succeeded in forming a band that included lead guitarist Timoteo Rosales III; rhythm guitarist Gabe Iraheta; violinist Kerith Telestai and her husband, bassist Brian Telestai. Drummer Victor Angel Camarena was also in this lineup of the band, but quickly determined that their sound did not appeal to him. He was replaced by Ryan Seaman.

The band recorded a demo EP for Epitaph Records, entitled We Are Always Searching. Impressed by the EP, Epitaph issued the band's first full length album Lovers' Requiem in October 10, 2006. Juliano explains, "It’s essentially a rock opera, but for hardcore or Goth kids." [ [http://www.epitaph.com/artists/artist/188#albdesc Epitaph Records: I Am Ghost ] ]

I Am Ghost has attracted attention in the music press, including a [http://www.iamghostmusic.com/gallery/press/metalhammeruk.jpgMetal Hammer Interview] . They have been featured on several punk and alternative rock websites, and been favorably reviewed in several UK music magazines. Metal Hammer magazine named I Am Ghost on its "Dead Hot 50 Bands of 2006"List.

I Am Ghost toured with Biffy Clyro, TheAUDITION and The Bronx on the Kerrang! Tour 2007, the Epitaph Tour 2007 with Escape the Fate, The Matches, and The Higher, the Take Action Tour in 2006, and played on Warped Tour 2006 and Warped Tour 2007.

Band violinist Kerith Telestai released an official statement on June 30, 2007, stating that she would be unable to continue touring and would be leaving I Am Ghost due to health reasons. A few days after Kerith's departure, her husband, Brian Telestai, announced that he too would be leaving the band after their tour with Aiden.

According to Juliano, there was a conflict among the remaining members of I Am Ghost and the Telestais, concerning the direction of I Am Ghost. Juliano believes that this conflict was the true reason for the departure of both Kerith and Brian. The remaining members of the band explained that the Telestais were such devoted Christians, that they would describe I Am Ghost as a Christian rock band during interviews. Juliano went on to say that Kerith would edit song lyrics, and insist the band never swear. At one point she cried in a tour van for almost 30 minutes, after Juliano used the word "fuck" on stage. [http://www.straight.com/article-105769/battling-for-something-big] By the end of 2007, bassist/vocalist Ron Ficarro was invited to join the band and replace Brian Telestai; no mention was made of replacing Kerith Telestai. It is believed that drummer Ryan Seaman suggested the road-ready Ficarro as Brian Telestai's replacement, though Seaman himself quit the band for unknown reasons, just as Ficarro arrived.

Those We Leave Behind (Early 2008-Present)

I Am Ghost posted a teaser for their second full length album on Youtube, that contains a demo of a new song called "My Beautiful". This song has a female voice singing in the background, which presumably is not Kerith Telestai. The song teaser is also featured on the MySpace page of Electronic/Industrial act Chamber of Echoes, but there is no explicit evidence of any collaboration between Chamber of Echoes singer Klaryssa Korol and I Am Ghost.

Upon the release of the song on MySpace, messages to MySpace friends of I Am Ghost from Steven Juliano asked that I Am Ghost fans add Chamber of Echoes using the site's Friend feature. Again, Juliano made no mention of collaboration between the two bands.

On January 25, 2008, at the Chain Reaction club in Anaheim, CA, Klaryssa appeared onstage and played keyboards with I Am Ghost on a few songs. Portions of this show were filmed for the upcoming music video, "Pretty People Never Lie, Vampires Never Really Die".

In mid-February, Juliano tapped Justin McCarthy, a former colleague from a band called The Silence, to be I Am Ghost's new drummer.

Due to creative differences, rhythm guitarist Gabe Iraheta left I Am Ghost in May 2008. Iraheta is now working with a band called The Arkham Dream.

On the band's 'Til Death Do Us Part tour, I Am Ghost debuted Chad Kulengosky as its new rhythm guitarist. Chad was recruited on the advice of drummer McCarthy.

I Am Ghost posted a bulletin on their MySpace page on August 3, 2008 stating its new album will be released on October 7, 2008.The bulletin stated that there would be 14 tracks on the new album and that a CD release show would take place on October 12 at The Glass House in Pomona, California. On August 5, 2008, I Am Ghost posted the album artwork and title for their new album, "Those We Leave Behind".

On August 12, 2008, the band posted the song "Bone Garden" and accompanying lyrics on their MySpace page.

Band members

Current members

*Steve Juliano - Lead Vocals
*Ron Ficarro - Bass/Vocals
*Timoteo Rosales III - Lead Guitar
*Justin McCarthy- Drums
*Chad Kulengosky- Rhythm Guitar/Back up Vocals

Former members

*Brian Telestai - Bass, Keys, Vocals
*Kerith Telestai - Violin, Vocals
*Victor Angel Camarena - Drums (Tracks 2-9 on We Are Always Searching)
*Ryan Seaman- Drums (Tracks 2-12 on Lovers' Requiem)
*Gabe Iraheta- Guitar

Discography

Studio Albums

*2006: "Lovers' Requiem"
*2008: "Those We Leave Behind"

EPs

*2005: "We Are Always Searching"

Singles

*2005: "Civil War and Isolation Thirst"
*2006: "Our Friend Lazarus Sleeps"
*2007: "Killer Likes Candy"
*2008: "Pretty People Never Lie, Vampires Never Really Die"

DVDs

*2009: "Untitled" Live in Pomona, CA (Southern California)

References

External links

* [http://www.iamghostmusic.com/ I Am Ghost Official Website]
* [http://www.epitaph.com/artists/artist/188 I Am Ghost Epitaph Page]
* [http://www.purevolume.com/IAMGHOST/ Purevolume Profile]
* [http://myspace.com/iamghost MySpace Profile]