Metro Station (band)

History

Beginnings

In 2005, Mason Musso and Trace Cyrus agreed to meet on the set of Hannah Montana, which starred Mason's brother, Mitchel, and Trace's sister, Miley. Sharing musical interests, they decided to form a band. Shortly thereafter, Cyrus recruited Blake Healy from Synthetic Joy and the Bum Out Eternal as a keyboardist, synthesist, and bassist. Metro Station soon gained the attention of drummer Anthony Improgo, who was added as the band's drummer after the group released the song "Seventeen Forever" on its MySpace Music website. The group's popularity on MySpace Music grew, and the band eventually topped the MySpace Music Unsigned Band's charts. The group self-released their debut EP The Questions We Ask at Night in 2006.

Metro Station was discovered by an intern working for Columbia Records' Walking Eye program, while looking through the MySpace Music charts, and the group was signed shortly thereafter. In the July 2007 issue of music magazine Alternative Press, Metro Station was listed as one of the "22 Best Underground Bands (That Likely Won't Stay Underground for Long)."

''Metro Station'' (2007–09)

The group headed to New York City to record their debut album. The album was produced by SAM and Sluggo and the band finished recording the album in July 2007. During the writing of the album, the group cited inspiration from the Postal Service, Forever the Sickest Kids and the Killers. In the summer of 2007, the band went on tour with Valencia and Just Surrender. "Kelsey" was released on August 7, 2007 as the first single from their debut album. The song peaked at number one on the US Dance Singles Sales chart. The song also reached the New Zealand Top 40 chart at number 25. They released their self-titled debut album on September 18, 2007. From October to December 2007, the group joined Motion City Soundtrack on their US headlining tour. The album's second single "Control", was released on December 17, 2007.

On April 1, 2008, the group released the album's third single, "Shake It". The song found commercial success, peaking at number ten on the Billboard Hot 100. The song was certified 2× Platinum by the RIAA. The success of the song also affected album sales with the album charting nine months later in 2008, peaking at number 39 on the Billboard 200. The album also topped the US Dance/Electronic Albums chart. The album went on to sell over 87,000 copies in the US and was certified gold in Canada. The album's fourth and final single "Seventeen Forever", was released on December 13, 2008. The song peaked at number 42 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was certified gold in the United States.

Metro Station performed at the 2008 Bamboozle festival in April. From October to November 2008, the group embarked on their first headlining tour, Disco Balls & Blow Up Dolls tour with support from the White Tie Affair, Cash Cash and Tyga. The band joined Boys Like Girls on their UK tour in January 2009. In April 2009, Metro Station toured in the Believers Never Die Tour Part Deux with Hey Monday, All Time Low, Cobra Starship and Fall Out Boy.

On September 28, 2009, the group released their Kelsey EP. The band contributed a song to the Alice in Wonderland soundtrack, Almost Alice, titled "Where's My Angel".

Internal disputes and hiatus (2010)

The group began working on their second studio album in the summer of 2009, having written over 20 tracks. Cyrus described the forthcoming album as "more mature" and expected it to be released in early 2010. In November 2009, the band joined Miley Cyrus on the Wonder World Tour. Mid-way through the tour, keyboardist Blake Healy departed from the group. Musso later revealed that Healy left to focus on his marriage. A month later, drummer Anthony Improgo also left the band. In March 2010, after a number of personal disputes between band members Mason Musso and Trace Cyrus in the studio, Metro Station went into indefinite hiatus as Musso and Cyrus split to pursue solo projects, putting Metro Station on a back-burner until they felt they could record together again. Musso retained his connections to the Metro Station name, while Cyrus began a solo project he named Ashland High.

''Middle of the Night'' and ''Gold'' (2011–14)

On May 31, 2011, Musso released a new song, "Ain't So High", on his YouTube page, metrostation2011. Musso regained rights to the Metro Station name and used the band's name without Cyrus. On July 20, Musso announced on Twitter that he was working on the new Metro Station record with help from Anthony Improgo and Blake Healy. On September 25, Musso released another track, "Closer and Closer" which was produced by Blake Healy. On November 20, Mason Musso, Anthony Improgo, and Ryan Daly performed at the American Music Awards Red Carpet. In May 2013, Musso released a five-track EP, Middle of the Night through an Indiegogo campaign. The EP was later released via iTunes on August 20, 2013. The EP's lead single "Every Time I Touch You" was released on July 23, 2013, and was written by Musso and Healy.

On August 13, 2014, Cyrus returned to the band, four years after previously leaving. Shortly after Cyrus' return, the band released a new single titled "Love & War". They premiered another track "She Likes Girls" on September 9, 2014. On October 14, 2014, the group released an EP titled Gold. On October 28, 2014, the band released the music video for their single "She Likes Girls". From October to November 2014, the group co-headlined the Outsiders Tour alongside the Ready Set with support from the Downtown Fiction and Against the Current.

''Savior'' (2015–2020)

In the spring of 2015, the group embarked on a headlining US tour with support from SayWeCanFly and 7 Minutes in Heaven. On June 9, 2015, the group released the lead single from their second studio album, "Getting Over You" which featured Ronnie Radke. On June 30, 2015, the band released their second studio album, Savior, which featured 18 tracks. The band performed at the 2015 Vans Warped Tour. The group toured with Falling in Reverse, Atilla, and Assuming We Survive from October 2015 to December 2015 on the Supervillians tour. Metro Station toured with Never Shout Never, Jule Vera, and Waterparks from January 2016 to February 2016.

Metro Station had announced that the band was working on recording an acoustic album. In October and November 2016, the band headlined the Savior tour with support from Palaye Royale and the Strive. In 2017, the headlined their 10-Year Anniversary tour in celebrate the 10-year release of their debut studio album. They released their Bury Me My Love EP on September 8, 2017. Following the tour, the band announced they were breaking up. They reunited once again in 2019 and began working on new music in Los Angeles, California. Cyrus confirmed that an album would be released in 2020. In April 2020, the group released a new single "I Hate Society".

Following the release of the single, Musso has started a new musical project under the name Social Order along with former drummer Anthony Improgo, while Cyrus returned as a solo artist releasing his debut EP, Killing the Pain in 2021.

Musical style

Their music has been described as pop rock, synth-pop pop punk, emo pop and scene music. Kerrang! stated that the band was power pop, and also categorized them as a "MySpace band". Their self-titled debut album has been described as electropop and scene pop, with elements of 80's pop, emo pop, new wave and pop punk. Music critics compared the album to Panic! at the Disco for its songwriting and catchiness. The singles "Shake It" and "Seventeen Forever" were often described as neon pop-punk.

Band members

Past members

• Mason Musso – vocals, guitars, keyboards, synthesizer (2006–2017, 2019–2020)
• Trace Cyrus – vocals, guitars, bass, synthesizer (2006–2010, 2014–2017, 2019–2020)
• Spencer Steffan – drums, backing vocals (2015–2017, 2019-2020; touring 2014–2015)
• Blake Healy – keyboards, synthesizer, bass (2006–2009, 2011-2013)
• Anthony Improgo – drums (2006–2009, 2013–2014)
• Kenny Bozich – keyboards, synthesizer, guitars, bass, drums (2009–2010)
• Austin Sands – keyboards, guitars (2011–2013)
• Cary White – drums (2011–2013)

Former touring members

• Jimmy Gregerson – guitars, keyboards, synthesizer (2015–2017)
• Ryan Daly – guitars, backing vocals (2012–2013)
• Bryan Lemus – keyboards, synthesizer (2014–2015)
• Jeff Simpson – keyboards, synthesizer (2015)

Timeline

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Discography

Main article: Metro Station discography

• Metro Station (2007)
• Savior (2015)

Awards and nominations

References

References

1. (March 10, 2016). "Song Premiere: Metro Station's 'She Likes Girls'".
2. Chris Harris. (June 11, 2008). "Metro Station's Trace Cyrus Isn't Standing in the Shadow of Half-Sister Miley".
3. (12 October 2009). "Interview: Metro Station - 10/12/2009".
4. Paul Lester. (December 8, 2008). "No 445: Metro Station".
5. August Brown. (February 15, 2008). "Another Cyrus, another career".
6. Chris Payne. (July 11, 2017). "Shake, Shake It: Metro Station Announces 10-Year Anniversary Tour Dates".
7. (April 24, 2020). "Metro Station Return with Surprise New Song "I Hate Society"".
8. Crystal Fernandez. (November 14, 2008). "Metro Station past and present discussed".
9. John J. Moser. (August 30, 2008). "Metro Station is shaking off "Hannah Montana" ties".
10. (August 6, 2007). "Red Ink Readies the Release of Metro Station, the Eagerly-Awaited Self- Titled Debut Album From one of America's Fastest-Rising Indie Rock Bands".
11. Andrew Leahey. "Metro Station Biography by Andrew Leahey".
12. (July 3, 2007). "Metro Station complete debut album".
13. "Metro Station Interview".
14. (September 27, 2007). "Meet Metro Station!".
15. "Kelsey - Single by Metro Station".
16. "Metro Station Chart History (Dance Singles Sales)".
17. "Discography Metro Station". Hung Medien.
18. Brian Shultz. (August 8, 2007). "Motion City Soundtrack / Anberlin / Mae / Metro Station".
19. "Available for Airplay Archive: 2007 – December".
20. (March 25, 2008). "AllAccess.com Alternative eWeekly".
21. "Metro Station Album & Song Chart History - Hot 100".
22. "Metro Station Chart History (Billboard 200)".
23. "Metro Station Chart History (Top Dance/Electronic Albums)".
24. (April 27, 2009). "Gold/Platinum Music Canada". [[Music Canada]].
25. (December 13, 2008). "Buy Seventeen Forever Online".
26. Jonathan Cunningham. (April 16, 2008). "Last Night: Saves the Day, Metro Station, and Every Emo Band You Can Think of at Revolution".
27. Jon Pareles. (October 30, 2008). "Answering Flirty Come-Ons With Squeals or Singalongs".
28. (November 23, 2008). "Boys Like Girls / Metro Station to tour the UK".
29. Aubin Paul. (January 15, 2009). "Fall Out Boy / All Time Low / Cobra Starship / Metro Station / Hey Monday".
30. "Kelsey - EP by Metro Station".
31. (January 12, 2010). "3OH!3, All Time Low, Owl City, more on Alice In Wonderland soundtrack".
32. (June 20, 2009). "Station to Station".
33. Gary Graff. (June 19, 2009). "Metro Station Ready To Roll With Miley".
34. Jeff C. (December 19, 2009). "Trace Cyrus: Blake Healy "Just Bailed On" Metro Station".
35. (December 26, 2009). "Metro Station drummer leaves band".
36. Satvir Bhamra. (March 26, 2010). "Metro Station split up! - Amplified". Amplified.tv.
37. Jacob Tender. (September 7, 2011). "Metro Station Returns Minus Cyrus".
38. (April 25, 2013). "Trace Cyrus takes a second shot at success".
39. "Ain't So High".
40. (July 20, 2011). "Check out my new track "Ain't So High" Working with @blakehealy and Anthony Improgo on the new M.S. record. GET READY!".
41. "Closer and Closer".
42. "Metro Station at the 2011 AMA's".
43. (May 12, 2013). "Whose purchased the new EP "Middle Of The Night"...??? Almost time for you guys to hear it!".
44. "Middle of the Night - EP by Metro Station".
45. "Every Time I Touch You - Single by Metro Station".
46. (August 22, 2013). "Metro Station Releases New EP "The Middle of the Night"".
47. (12 August 2014). "Miley Cyrus' Big Brother Rejoins Metro Station: Hear Their Comeback Single".
48. (14 August 2014). "Metro Station Returns with Trace Cyrus and Mason Musso in 'Love & War' Video".
49. (9 September 2014). "Metro Station Stream New Song, "She Likes Girls"".
50. (15 October 2014). "Album Review: Metro Station - Gold {{pipe}} idobi Network". idobi.
51. (October 31, 2014). "Metro Station Release "She Likes Girls" Music Video".
52. Steve Baltin. (August 12, 2014). "Metro Station Reunite for New EP, Tour".
53. (March 12, 2015). "Metro Station announce headlining tour with SayWeCanFly, 7 Minutes In Heaven".
54. (June 9, 2015). "Ronnie Radke Joins Metro Station for New Single, "Getting Over You"".
55. (June 17, 2015). "Metro Station announce 18-track 'Savior' mixtape".
56. (June 30, 2015). "Trace Cyrus: "We're Probably Gonna Fight Tonight and The Band's Gonna Break Up".
57. (September 14, 2015). "Falling in Reverse Announce Headlining Tour with Atilla, Metro Station".
58. (9 February 2016). "Never Shout Never and Metro Station Breeze Through Chicago".
59. (27 September 2015). "Metro Station on Twitter: "Who wants a METRO STATION ACOUSTIC ALBUM? We are working on it now and have completed one song! 😉"".
60. (27 September 2015). "Trace Cyrus on Twitter: "Metro Station acoustic album on the way. First song is already done 😁. On to the next one tomorrow within @themasonmusso"".
61. (10 March 2016). "Mason Musso on Twitter: "Its really cool recording acoustic songs. Im always doing electronic type stuff so its nice to switch up the Metro sound a little bit"".
62. Caitlyn Ralph. (September 1, 2016). "Metro Station announce headlining tour".
63. "Bury Me My Love - EP by Metro Station".
64. Andrew Wendowski. (August 28, 2017). "Metro Station Announces Band Breakup and Farewell Tour".
65. Paige Owens. (December 20, 2019). "Trace Cyrus confirms Metro Station reunion, new music in 2020".
66. Alyssa Quiles. (December 6, 2019). "Trace Cyrus hits the studio after Metro Station reunion tease".
67. Mala Mortensa. (July 13, 2020). "Supergroup Social Order unites Metro Station, New Politics and Mowgli's".
68. Peony Hirwani. (August 19, 2022). "Miley Cyrus's brother Trace opens up about his body transformation journey: 'I was mentally destroyed'". [[Yahoo!]].
69. Phillips, Marian. "20 scene albums from 2007 that are probably still stuck in your head".
70. (2020-01-22). "15 MySpace bands you probably don’t remember".
71. Andrew Leahey. "Metro Station Review by Andrew Leahey".
72. Marian Phillips. (August 17, 2020). "20 scene albums from 2007 that are probably still stuck in your head".
73. Kaj Roth. (September 29, 2007). "Metro Station - Metro Station".
74. Joe DeAndrea. "Metro Station - Metro Station - Album Review".
75. (March 29, 2009). "Album Review: Metro Station".
76. Mala Mortensa. (November 20, 2020). "QUIZ: Can you match these neon-pop lyrics to the bands who sang them?".
77. (September 9, 2017). "20 neon pop-punk songs you probably forgot".
78. Sands, Austin. "Austin Sands on about.me".
79. (March 21, 2012). "Interview with Metro Station". [[YouTube]].
80. "Australia: Winners at the 2008 Nickelodeon Kid's Choice Awards".
81. "MMVAs - Full List Of Nominees".
82. (July 1, 2009). "Metallica, Slipknot, Lamb of God, Mastadon Among Kerrang! Awards Nominees".
83. Hugo Fernández. (September 3, 2009). "Premios 09 MTV Latino America".
84. Nick Levine. (November 5, 2009). "In full: 2009 MTV EMAs - The Winners".
85. (October 27, 2010). "And who will replace Metro Station in the Worst Band category in the @kerrangmagazine Readers' Poll? You decide".