The Story Changes

An emo band in the by now fairly old-school mold of genre forefathers Sunny Day Real Estate, The Story Changes are the vision of singer and guitarist Mark McMillon. Through most of the 1990s and into the new millennium, the Dayton OH-based McMillon was the sole constant member of a long-running act called Rod. When that band's final lineup split up not long after the release of their final album, The Story Changes Everyday, McMillon retired the name and chose to regroup under an amended version of the album's title. After releasing a split CD with fellow Dayton act Sparechange? that was mostly pulled from various weekend home-recording sessions, McMillon pulled together a stable lineup for the Story Changes, adding second guitarist Lokie Lewis (formerly of When Sparks Fly), bassist George Bradley, and drummer Chris "Poppy" Popadak (late of Gun Metal Grey). Following the recording of the band's debut album, Last Night a Rock Band Saved My Life, Lewis left the group; the remaining members continued as a trio, including a well-received stint on the 2006 Vans Warped Tour. In early 2007, Bradley also left the band, for personal reasons. A longtime friend of McMillon's, Matt Jenkins, stepped in as Bradley's replacement just in time for the 2007 summer touring season.