Band Bio: Story Of The Year

Story of the Year is a rock band based in St. Louis, Missouri and is currently producing songs as late as this year.

Band History

Back in 1995, four members - Ryan Philips, Greg Haupt, Adam Russell, and Dan Marsala banded together to form Big Blue Monkey. For seven straight years, they've been performing as local band while releasing three EPs during the period in. Their third EP was titled Story of the Year and it was that name that prompted the group to change their band name to that name after they found out that a blues group has the same name.

During the transition, Greg Haupt left the band while Philip Sneed took over to handle the guitar and other roles including vocals, piano, and keyboards. Dan Marsala who used to be the drummer in Big Blue Monkey took on the vocals role while a new member - Josh Wills joined to be the new drummer and percussionist. Ever since, the band stayed together.

Studio Albums Released

In 2002, Story of the Year took on new goals by attempting to reach out to the public by signing a deal with Maverick Records so they can go on to record their first studio album - Page Avenue the following year. Dan Marsala wrote and sang the first single of that album - "Until the Day I Die" and was aired on various radio stations to contribute to its worldwide sales which totaled more than 1,000 at the time.

One of the singles in that album - "And the Hero Will Drown" even made it to the popular Need for Speed: Underground title by EA as a music track. It was the second single - "Anthem of Our Dying Day" that garnered most of the success.

Before the release of their second album, a compilation of their videos on touring and live performances came out on CD entitled "Live in the Lou/Bassassins" which was praised by fans. That same year in late 2005, "In the Wake of Determination" made its release as their second album although it wasn't as successful, but still maintained a position in the Billboard 200 at number 19. The following year, Story of the Year traveled with supporting bands Flogging Molly and Emery to Australia and New Zealand to do a tour.

Not much was heard from Story of the Year until 2008 when the producer of Page Avenue John Feldmann returned to make "The Black Swan". Story of the Year signed with Epitaph Records and proceeded onward while ending their relationship with Maverick records.

Band Merchandise

Due to their popularity gained from multiple tours and album successes, official Story of the Year merchandise was later made. Story of the Year merch is currently sold in various online retailers.

Success

Page Avenue was their most popular album with three of their singles making it in the top 50 Hot Modern Rock Tracks of 2004.

Present Time

Story of the Year recently covered a song "Just Close Your Eyes" that was previously used for wrestling superstar Christian's entrance theme. The following month on March 2009, the band shot a video for one of their songs "Terrified" where the story is based on the lyrics.