Metro Station

Courtesy of Columbia Records

As is often the case in Metro Station's hometown of Hollywood, CA, the electro-rock outfit owes its formation to a handful of well-placed connections. Co-frontman Trace Cyrus is the stepson of country star Billy Ray Cyrus, and his half sister, Read More

As is often the case in Metro Station's hometown of Hollywood, CA, the electro-rock outfit owes its formation to a handful of well-placed connections. Co-frontman Trace Cyrus is the stepson of country star Billy Ray Cyrus, and his half sister, Miley Cyrus, rose to prominence as the title character on Disney's Hannah Montana. Similarly, singer Mason Musso's younger brother played the role of Oliver Oken in Hannah Montana, and the two older-sibling musicians met at the urging of their respective mothers. After adding keyboardist Blake Healy to the lineup, the trio recorded a single -- the teenage anthem "Seventeen Forever" -- and was surprised by its sudden chart success at MySpace.com. The group's Internet presence attracted the attention of percussionist Anthony Improgo, who took note of the band's mix of '80s-styled electro and pop. Improgo soon joined Metro Station as the band's drummer, and the group set off to play shows in the L.A. area.

However, it was MySpace that would (again) prove to be their biggest asset, as an intern at Red Ink discovered the band while perusing the website's music listings. A record deal with Red Ink followed in late 2006 -- the very same year as Metro Station's formation -- and the quartet headed to New York City to record its first full-length album. Featuring production from Motion City Soundtrack's Josh Cain and Justin Pierre on the leadoff single "Kelsey," Metro Station's self-titled debut was released in September 2007. Although reception was initially lukewarm, the band experienced a notable surge in sales following the release of "Shake It," which garnered double-platinum sales and charted in multiple countries. ~ Andrew Leahey, All Music Guide