Signalmen

A guitar pop combo formed by four veterans of the long-thriving college pop scene of Champaign-Urbana, IL, the Signalmen recall the artier side of '70s new wave (specifically <a href="spotify:artist:0S7Zur2g8YhqlzqtlYStli">Television</a>, whose twin guitar interplay the band acknowledges as a major influence) while remaining squarely in the indie pop ethos.

The Signalmen were formed in 1998 by Steve Burton and Michael Brosco. Longtime friends, <a href="spotify:artist:4agzhEVtyMP2t2Oexr08fb">Burton</a> and Brosco had collaborated before, first when Brosco produced three albums by <a href="spotify:artist:4agzhEVtyMP2t2Oexr08fb">Burton</a>'s experimental band the Lonely Trailer in the late '80s. Brosco's previous duo, Proof of Utah, had spent over a decade recording challenging art rock for Chris Cutler's Recommended Records and other labels; <a href="spotify:artist:4agzhEVtyMP2t2Oexr08fb">Burton</a> played bass for the duo's live dates and appeared as a guest musician on their later albums. When Proof of Utah broke up, <a href="spotify:artist:4agzhEVtyMP2t2Oexr08fb">Burton</a> and Brosco began writing and demoing songs together, adding Tim McKeage (formerly of the Outnumbered, <a href="spotify:artist:4vMXypF46rjZvWr8uu4Oxt">Weird Summer</a>, and the Last Straw) on bass and Jeff Evans on drums. This lineup released their self-titled debut in 1999. During the sessions for the follow-up, 2001's punningly titled Falsetto Teeth, <a href="spotify:artist:4jXfFzeP66Zy67HM2mvIIF">Evans</a> left the band to return to college. He was replaced by Brian Reedy, <a href="spotify:artist:4agzhEVtyMP2t2Oexr08fb">Burton</a>'s former <a href="spotify:artist:7bQkjvCsPYKmdqNvDUQwyA">Lonely Trailer</a> bandmate who also played in the early Champaign-Urbana band Ack Ack. ~ Stewart Mason, Rovi