Heroes and Villains (Band)
Encyclopedia
Heroes and Villains are an independent American rock band
formed in 2006 in Kansas City, Missouri
, consisting of singer and guitarist Ryan Wallace, keyboardist Cody Stockton and percussionist Jason W. Smith.
Guitarist Elliot Thurmon left the band in 2008.
Heroes and Villains have recorded two albums; Examples of the Cataclysmic, released in 2007 under Walter Alias, and Plans In Motion, released March 30, 2010 under Heroes and Villains.
Examples of the Cataclysmic is a full length album
recorded at Awe Struck Studios in Independence, MO with Larry Gann. Gann has worked with such acts as Lit, Elton John
, The Goo Goo Dolls and Tim McGraw
. The album featured 10 tracks including the first release of “Thin” which immediately received radio play on KRBZ
FM 96.5 the Buzz, where they are currently a mainstay.
The album garnered enough attention to be reviewed favorably by Kansas City’s weekly culture newspaper, The Pitch. The band’s second-ever live performance also received acclaims by noted Kansas City music writer Jason Harper.
Plans In Motion is a four song EP
entirely independently produced. The album features the single “Second Thoughts” which is currently receiving airplay at college radio stations across the United States. The EP’s title track accompanies a music video directed by Gnarly Enterprises. Kansas City’s premiere music writer Elke Mermis reviewed the album April 22, 2010, giving it high marks.
Heroes and Villains appeared on the Rock Out Reach Out compilation album in 2009.
Heroes and Villains are currently touring throughout the Midwest and national festivals. The band played three shows in Austin, TX in March 2010 during SXSW for the Redgorilla
Music Festival. The band has also performed at the South Park Music Tour in Fairplay, CO, the Hyperactive Festival and Conference in Albuquerque, NM, and the PLAY:stl in St. Louis, MO. Heroes and Villains also toured the Southwest and West Coast
. The band has shared the stage with other prominent bands including Vedera
, The Republic Tigers
, Life In Jersey, and Jimmy Kimmel Live! contest winner Radiant.
In June 2010, the band's video for Plans in Motion was inducted into Fuse TV
On-demand
. The band was also a featured artist on CMJ's website.
Plans In Motion. Released March 2010.
LPs:
Examples of the Cataclysmic. Released as Walter Alias in February 2007.
Compilations:
Rock Out Reach Out. Released December 2009.
“This is serious pop-rock, meant to be heard by the masses.” http://www.pitch.com/2007-03-29/music/walter-alias/
“While musical tides ebb and flow, it seems as if Heroes and Villains have planted an impressive anchor. They’re on the horizon line, and they’re making waves….beautiful, cascading, electronic-indie-pop waves.” http://thewayitmakesmefeel.tumblr.com/
“It's not hard to imagine the quartet's swelling choruses set against some critical moment in a movie.” http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/2007-05-17/music/walter-alias&page=80
“It amazes me what these guys do as a 3 piece.”
“It’s big, serious music that fans of Snow Patrol and Vedera should eat the hell up.”
CMJ, Spotlight, June 18, 2010
The Pitch, EP Review, April 22, 2010
The Way It Makes Me Feel, EP Review, March 25, 2010
KCStar, Interview, February 25, 2010
Kansas City Indie Music Examiner, EP Review, March 28, 2010
Ink KC, Top Show Announcement, March 26, 2010
Present Magazine, Top Ten, December 28, 2007
The Pitch, Top Picks, December 21, 2007
KC Anthem, Interview, October 19, 2007
Phoenix New Times, Album Review, May 17, 2007
The Pitch, Album Review, March 29, 2007
Rock Band
Rock Band is a music video game developed by Harmonix Music Systems, published by MTV Games and Electronic Arts. It is the first title in the Rock Band series. The PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions were released in the United States on November 20, 2007, while the PlayStation 2 version was...
formed in 2006 in Kansas City, Missouri
Kansas City, Missouri
Kansas City, Missouri is the largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri and is the anchor city of the Kansas City Metropolitan Area, the second largest metropolitan area in Missouri. It encompasses in parts of Jackson, Clay, Cass, and Platte counties...
, consisting of singer and guitarist Ryan Wallace, keyboardist Cody Stockton and percussionist Jason W. Smith.
History
The band originally had four members and was named Walter Alias.Guitarist Elliot Thurmon left the band in 2008.
Heroes and Villains have recorded two albums; Examples of the Cataclysmic, released in 2007 under Walter Alias, and Plans In Motion, released March 30, 2010 under Heroes and Villains.
Examples of the Cataclysmic is a full length album
Album
An album is a collection of recordings, released as a single package on gramophone record, cassette, compact disc, or via digital distribution. The word derives from the Latin word for list .Vinyl LP records have two sides, each comprising one half of the album...
recorded at Awe Struck Studios in Independence, MO with Larry Gann. Gann has worked with such acts as Lit, Elton John
Elton John
Sir Elton Hercules John, CBE, Hon DMus is an English rock singer-songwriter, composer, pianist and occasional actor...
, The Goo Goo Dolls and Tim McGraw
Tim McGraw
Samuel Timothy "Tim" McGraw is an American country singer and actor. Many of McGraw's albums and singles have topped the country music charts with total album sales in excess of 40 million units in the US, making him the eighth best-selling artist, and the third best-selling country singer, in the...
. The album featured 10 tracks including the first release of “Thin” which immediately received radio play on KRBZ
KRBZ
KRBZ, FM 96.5 in Kansas City, is an Alternative rock station. The station uses the brand name 96-5 The Buzz. It is the Kansas City market's home for the syndicated program Loveline. The station is owned by Entercom Communications, and is based in Mission, Kansas.-History:KRBZ began broadcasting in...
FM 96.5 the Buzz, where they are currently a mainstay.
The album garnered enough attention to be reviewed favorably by Kansas City’s weekly culture newspaper, The Pitch. The band’s second-ever live performance also received acclaims by noted Kansas City music writer Jason Harper.
Plans In Motion is a four song EP
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
entirely independently produced. The album features the single “Second Thoughts” which is currently receiving airplay at college radio stations across the United States. The EP’s title track accompanies a music video directed by Gnarly Enterprises. Kansas City’s premiere music writer Elke Mermis reviewed the album April 22, 2010, giving it high marks.
Heroes and Villains appeared on the Rock Out Reach Out compilation album in 2009.
Heroes and Villains are currently touring throughout the Midwest and national festivals. The band played three shows in Austin, TX in March 2010 during SXSW for the Redgorilla
Redgorilla
RedGorilla Music Fest is held annually in Austin, Texas. In 2008 the festival played host to over 300 bands and solo artists from all over the U.S.A. RedGorilla Music Fest is a free event and is open to all ages...
Music Festival. The band has also performed at the South Park Music Tour in Fairplay, CO, the Hyperactive Festival and Conference in Albuquerque, NM, and the PLAY:stl in St. Louis, MO. Heroes and Villains also toured the Southwest and West Coast
West Coast of the United States
West Coast or Pacific Coast are terms for the westernmost coastal states of the United States. The term most often refers to the states of California, Oregon, and Washington. Although not part of the contiguous United States, Alaska and Hawaii do border the Pacific Ocean but can't be included in...
. The band has shared the stage with other prominent bands including Vedera
Vedera
Vedera is a pop/rock band from Kansas City, Missouri.- History :Kristen May grew up in the Kansas City suburb of Blue Springs, as did the rest of her bandmates. Her entire family was musical; her mother was a singer who loved Joni Mitchell, Carole King, and Jim Croce. “I listened to those artists,...
, The Republic Tigers
The Republic Tigers
The Republic Tigers is an American rock band formed in Kansas City, Missouri by Kenn Jankowski and Adam McGill...
, Life In Jersey, and Jimmy Kimmel Live! contest winner Radiant.
In June 2010, the band's video for Plans in Motion was inducted into Fuse TV
Fuse TV
Fuse is an American national television network dedicated exclusively to music. It features original series and specials, exclusive interviews, live concerts and video blocks....
On-demand
Video on demand
Video on Demand or Audio and Video On Demand are systems which allow users to select and watch/listen to video or audio content on demand...
. The band was also a featured artist on CMJ's website.
Discography
EPs:Plans In Motion. Released March 2010.
LPs:
Examples of the Cataclysmic. Released as Walter Alias in February 2007.
Compilations:
Rock Out Reach Out. Released December 2009.
Quotes
“If fame is a ticking time bomb, Plans in Motion should help Heroes and Villains explode.” http://www.pitch.com/2007-03-29/music/walter-alias/“This is serious pop-rock, meant to be heard by the masses.” http://www.pitch.com/2007-03-29/music/walter-alias/
“While musical tides ebb and flow, it seems as if Heroes and Villains have planted an impressive anchor. They’re on the horizon line, and they’re making waves….beautiful, cascading, electronic-indie-pop waves.” http://thewayitmakesmefeel.tumblr.com/
“It's not hard to imagine the quartet's swelling choruses set against some critical moment in a movie.” http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/2007-05-17/music/walter-alias&page=80
“It amazes me what these guys do as a 3 piece.”
“It’s big, serious music that fans of Snow Patrol and Vedera should eat the hell up.”
Interviews, Reviews, and Press
The Pitch, Article, June 7, 2010CMJ, Spotlight, June 18, 2010
The Pitch, EP Review, April 22, 2010
The Way It Makes Me Feel, EP Review, March 25, 2010
KCStar, Interview, February 25, 2010
Kansas City Indie Music Examiner, EP Review, March 28, 2010
Ink KC, Top Show Announcement, March 26, 2010
Present Magazine, Top Ten, December 28, 2007
The Pitch, Top Picks, December 21, 2007
KC Anthem, Interview, October 19, 2007
Phoenix New Times, Album Review, May 17, 2007
The Pitch, Album Review, March 29, 2007