The Measure (SA)

New Brunswick, NJ's The Measure [SA] — as in "strictly analog" — stayed true to that second part of their name for just about three years after forming in the summer of 2004. The trio of Mike Regrets (guitar, vocals), Lauren Measure (guitar, vocals) and Fid (drums, vocals) originally set the band's wheels in motion, adding in bassist Andrew (aka Big A) a bit later to strengthen their numbers and sound. The Measure [SA] mixed earnest yet spirited pop-punk with folk-punk influences and indie rock leanings, creating a sort of Discount meets the Weakerthans offering. They recorded their debut album Historical Fiction in the spring of 2005, and it was co-released on 12" vinyl by Salinas and Don Giovanni Records a year later. The 7"Union Pool appeared in November 2006, after which the gang was persuaded to expand past the limits of analog recording. Texas-based Team Science Records thus released the CD version of Historical Fiction in June 2007. Despite their entry into the digital age, the Measure [SA] continued issuing various 7" records on labels like Chunksaah, Kiss of Death, Team Science and Snuffy Smile, including several split 7"s with bands like the Modern Machines, Off with Their Heads and O Pioneers!!! In the fall of 2007, guitarist/co-vocalist Mike amicably left the group, moving Fid over from drums to the guitar. Mike went on to join fellow Jersey band Broom vs. the Combine; Mikey Yannich from the Ergs filled in for a bit behind the skins before CJ Frederick (ex-Broom vs. the Combine) joined on as the new drummer. The Means to an End 7" was then issued via Salinas in February 2008. That fall, the Measure [SA] helped out fans unable to get a hold of all of their previous vinyl releases and put together an 18-track rarities compilation entitled One Chapter in the Book: A Collection of Standard Waits and Measurements; the record collected songs from those prior 7"s and splits and was a joint release between Team Science and Kiss of Death. By October 2008, the band's lineup had shifted a bit, and Fid and Lauren found themselves completed by drummer Mikey Yannich, back from the Ergs, and bassist Tim Burke.