A Cursive Memory

Ambitious at a young age, the Southern California-based outfit A Cursive Memory had already managed to secure MTV airplay when most bands their age were stuck trying to come up with an original name. The pop/rock group — which combines piano leads, rousing choruses, '80s-influenced keyboards, and sunny melodies — took influence from a wide range of sources, including bands like the Killers, the All-American Rejects, and the Beach Boys. Colin Baylen (guitar, vocals) and Shaun Profeta guitars, vocals) first met at a birthday party in eight grade, becoming fast friends and casually writing songs together. Friend Brian Boylen next came into the mix, and the trio began jamming after school before adding Mark Borst-Smith, a classically-trained pianist and budding bassist, to the lineup. A Cursive Memory was officially born, and the young group used Smith-Borst's piano skills to their advantage, slowly incorporating keyboard parts into their sound. By the time the members were juniors in high school, A Cursive Memory had attracted the attention of M-Music, the music management division of Bunim/Murray Productions (responsible for shows like The Simple Life and MTV's The Real World). The quartet was the first act to sign with the company, resulting in the inclusion of their music in such MTV shows as The Real World and The Gauntlet 2. By early 2006, they had begun work on their debut EP, Respeck!, which was released the following year. Drummer Dillan Wheeler climbed onboard to replace the departing Boylen, and A Cursive Memory signed with Vagrant Records before issuing their full-length debut, Changes, in February 2008.