The Rocketboys
Encyclopedia
The Rocketboys is an indie
rock
band
from Austin, Texas
. The band was previously known as Homer Hiccolm & the Rocketboys. Since their formation, they have gained popularity from playing such festivals as Austin City Limits Music Festival
, Next Big Nashville, CMJ, and South by Southwest
.
. The original line-up met while they were attending Abilene Christian University
. Singer Brandon Kinder entered the (at that time) informal group in a college battle-of-the-bands and needed a name. Homer Hiccolm & the Rocketboys, an idea inspired by the movie October Sky
he had randomly had in mind for a while, was the first name to come to mind.
In 2009, the band shortened their name to simply The Rocketboys after relocating to Austin, Texas
where the band's members currently reside.
In early 2009, drummer (and creator of P. Ellis Drums) Philip Ellis left the band and joined Aaron Ivey's worship band in Austin, TX. Replacing Ellis was Alex Bhore, former drummer of The New Frontiers
. Bhore left the band, however, in Fall 2010 to join This Will Destroy You
full time. Guitarists and original members Dan Wheeler and Mitch Holt decided to part ways with the group in late 2010 to allocate more of their time to be home with their families and to pursue their other endeavors outside of the band.
The rest of the group is currently hard at work on its sophomore full-length album and is aiming for its release in early 2012. The band is also playing a handful of shows throughout the rest of the year and those dates are posted on the band's official facebook page.
and The Real World
.
, Matt Pond PA
), mastered by Alan Douches (Sufjan Stevens
, Animal Collective
) and features artwork from Dark Was The Night
artist, Ryan Feerer. In 2010, songs from the album were heard on The Real World
, Keeping Up with the Kardashians, and The Buried Life
.
in July and Death on Two Wheels in August 2010 by friend and touring FOH engineer Will Krienke (who was later assisted by Joey Benjamin). The band utilized many talented friends (such as BMI rep/violinist David Claassen, harpist/artist Timbre Cierpke, England in 1819, the Paste (magazine)\PASTE Magazine staff, and a church choir in Memphis) along the way in locations ranging from the van to living rooms to professional studios.
Financially the project was backed by fans using Kickstarter
where fans were encouraged to donate money to fund in the album in exchange for creative incentives ranging from tickets to shows to having the band cover a song of the backer's choosing.
Singer Brandon Kinder described "Wellwisher" not as a concept album but a concept experience. The musical collaboration, nomadic recording process, and communal funding of the project combined with the lyrical themes of unity, brotherhood and relationships, all contributed to and exuded from the final product.
, Bob Schneider
, Grizzly Bear
, The Octopus Project
, This Will Destroy You
, The Appleseed Cast
, Lydia
, Balmorhea
, and St. Vincent, to name a few. In addition, The Rocketboys has appeared at festivals nation-wide such as Austin City Limits
, Next Big Nashville, South By Southwest
, CMJ, Wild Frontier Fest, and Cornerstone Festival
.
Washington, D.C., and The Buried Life
. The group's songs "I Saw a Stone", "Endings", "Heartbeat", "Do I Wake or Sleep?", and "All the Western Winds" were played on these shows.
Indie rock
Indie rock is a genre of alternative rock that originated in the United Kingdom and the United States in the 1980s. Indie rock is extremely diverse, with sub-genres that include lo-fi, post-rock, math rock, indie pop, dream pop, noise rock, space rock, sadcore, riot grrrl and emo, among others...
rock
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
band
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...
from Austin, Texas
Austin, Texas
Austin is the capital city of the U.S. state of :Texas and the seat of Travis County. Located in Central Texas on the eastern edge of the American Southwest, it is the fourth-largest city in Texas and the 14th most populous city in the United States. It was the third-fastest-growing large city in...
. The band was previously known as Homer Hiccolm & the Rocketboys. Since their formation, they have gained popularity from playing such festivals as Austin City Limits Music Festival
Austin City Limits Music Festival
The Austin City Limits Music Festival is an annual three-day American music festival that takes place in Austin, Texas at the city's central public park, Zilker Park...
, Next Big Nashville, CMJ, and South by Southwest
South by Southwest
South by Southwest is an Austin, Texas based company dedicated to planning conferences, trade shows, festivals and other events. Their current roster of annual events include: SXSW Music, SXSW Film, SXSW Interactive, SXSWedu, and SXSWeco and take place every spring in Austin, Texas, United States...
.
History
Formerly known as Homer Hiccolm & the Rocketboys, the band formed late 2005 in Abilene, TexasAbilene, Texas
Abilene is a city in Taylor and Jones counties in west central Texas. The population was 117,063 at the 2010 census. It is the principal city of the Abilene Metropolitan Statistical Area, which had a 2006 estimated population of 158,063. It is the county seat of Taylor County...
. The original line-up met while they were attending Abilene Christian University
Abilene Christian University
Abilene Christian University is a private university located in Abilene, Texas, affiliated with Churches of Christ. ACU was founded in 1906, as Childers Classical Institute...
. Singer Brandon Kinder entered the (at that time) informal group in a college battle-of-the-bands and needed a name. Homer Hiccolm & the Rocketboys, an idea inspired by the movie October Sky
October Sky
October Sky is a 1999 American biographical film directed by Joe Johnston, starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Chris Cooper and Laura Dern. It is based on the true story of Homer Hickam, a coal miner's son who was inspired by the launch of Sputnik 1 to take up rocketry against his father's wishes, and who...
he had randomly had in mind for a while, was the first name to come to mind.
In 2009, the band shortened their name to simply The Rocketboys after relocating to Austin, Texas
Austin, Texas
Austin is the capital city of the U.S. state of :Texas and the seat of Travis County. Located in Central Texas on the eastern edge of the American Southwest, it is the fourth-largest city in Texas and the 14th most populous city in the United States. It was the third-fastest-growing large city in...
where the band's members currently reside.
In early 2009, drummer (and creator of P. Ellis Drums) Philip Ellis left the band and joined Aaron Ivey's worship band in Austin, TX. Replacing Ellis was Alex Bhore, former drummer of The New Frontiers
The New Frontiers
The New Frontiers was an American indie rock band from Dallas, Texas. Originally called Stellamaris, they released a self-titled EP in 2006, but changed their moniker after discovering that they shared a name with a long-established Israeli band. A second EP, titled Tour, followed in 2007. The...
. Bhore left the band, however, in Fall 2010 to join This Will Destroy You
This Will Destroy You
This Will Destroy You, often abbreviated to TWDY, is an American post-rock band from San Marcos, Texas, formed in 2005. The band consists of guitarists Jeremy Galindo and Chris King, bass player and keyboardist Donovan Jones and drummer Alex Bhore...
full time. Guitarists and original members Dan Wheeler and Mitch Holt decided to part ways with the group in late 2010 to allocate more of their time to be home with their families and to pursue their other endeavors outside of the band.
The rest of the group is currently hard at work on its sophomore full-length album and is aiming for its release in early 2012. The band is also playing a handful of shows throughout the rest of the year and those dates are posted on the band's official facebook page.
Sing, Bird, Sing EP
In May 2007, The Rocketboys spent several months recording their first studio EP, Sing, Bird, Sing. Once released, the EP was an immediate success and garnered impressive reviews from such media outlets as The Onion, The Austin American-Statesman and HM Magazine. Songs like "Heartbeat" and "Do I Wake or Sleep?" became favorites and quickly pushed The Rocketboys into the regional spotlight. In January 2008, "Do I Wake or Sleep?", a song from the EP, appeared on the Paste Magazine sampler CD, and in 2010 several songs from the EP appeared on TV shows including Keeping Up with the KardashiansKeeping Up with the Kardashians
Keeping Up with the Kardashians is an American reality television series that airs on E!. The series premiered in October 2007. It focuses on the personal and professional lives of the members of the Kardashian and Jenner family. There will be a 7th Season to premiere in 2012.As of September 2011,...
and The Real World
The Real World
The Real World is a reality television program on MTV originally produced by Mary-Ellis Bunim and Jonathan Murray. First broadcast in 1992, the show, which was inspired by the 1973 PBS documentary series An American Family, is the longest-running program in MTV history and one of the...
.
20,000 Ghosts
In 2009 the band recorded its first full-length album, 20,000 Ghosts, which was engineered and produced by Louie Lino (Nada SurfNada Surf
Nada Surf is an American alternative rock band. Formed in 1992, the New York band consists of Matthew Caws , Ira Elliot and Daniel Lorca .-Early years:...
, Matt Pond PA
Matt Pond PA
Matt Pond PA is a New York based band formed in Philadelphia by singer-songwriter Matt Pond. They have released eight LPs and eight EPs since 1998....
), mastered by Alan Douches (Sufjan Stevens
Sufjan Stevens
Sufjan Stevens is an American singer-songwriter and musician born in Detroit, Michigan. Stevens first began releasing his music on Asthmatic Kitty, a label co-founded with his stepfather, beginning with the 1999 release, A Sun Came...
, Animal Collective
Animal Collective
Animal Collective is an experimental psychedelic band originally from Baltimore, Maryland, currently based in New York City. Animal Collective consists of Avey Tare , Panda Bear , Deakin , and Geologist...
) and features artwork from Dark Was The Night
Dark Was the Night
Dark Was the Night is the twentieth compilation release benefiting the Red Hot Organization, an international charity dedicated to raising funds and awareness for HIV and AIDS...
artist, Ryan Feerer. In 2010, songs from the album were heard on The Real World
The Real World
The Real World is a reality television program on MTV originally produced by Mary-Ellis Bunim and Jonathan Murray. First broadcast in 1992, the show, which was inspired by the 1973 PBS documentary series An American Family, is the longest-running program in MTV history and one of the...
, Keeping Up with the Kardashians, and The Buried Life
The Buried Life
The Buried Life is a reality documentary series on MTV. The series features Duncan Penn, Jonnie Penn, Ben Nemtin and Dave Lingwood attempting to complete a list of "100 things to do before you die." The pilot episode aired on January 18, 2010, and the show was renewed for a second season in 2010....
.
Wellwisher
In 2010, The Rocketboys garnered both musical and financial support from friends and fans to create its latest EP "Wellwisher". "Wellwisher" was recorded while on tour with LydiaLydia (band)
Lydia is an indie rock band from Gilbert, Arizona, formed in 2003.-Biography:Leighton Antelman and Steve McGraw started writing music and booking shows when they were both in 7th grade. The band really got their start as Rolo 15 while attending Greenfield Jr. High. They then went on to change the...
in July and Death on Two Wheels in August 2010 by friend and touring FOH engineer Will Krienke (who was later assisted by Joey Benjamin). The band utilized many talented friends (such as BMI rep/violinist David Claassen, harpist/artist Timbre Cierpke, England in 1819, the Paste (magazine)\PASTE Magazine staff, and a church choir in Memphis) along the way in locations ranging from the van to living rooms to professional studios.
Financially the project was backed by fans using Kickstarter
Kickstarter
Kickstarter is an online threshold pledge system for funding creative projects. Kickstarter has funded a diverse array of endeavors, ranging from indie film and music to journalism, solar energy technology and food-related projects.-Model:...
where fans were encouraged to donate money to fund in the album in exchange for creative incentives ranging from tickets to shows to having the band cover a song of the backer's choosing.
Singer Brandon Kinder described "Wellwisher" not as a concept album but a concept experience. The musical collaboration, nomadic recording process, and communal funding of the project combined with the lyrical themes of unity, brotherhood and relationships, all contributed to and exuded from the final product.
Touring
Over the past several years, The Rocketboys have toured nationally and have played shows both locally and nationally with many acclaimed bands/artists such as EisleyEisley
Eisley is a rock band from Tyler, Texas, consisting of four siblings and their cousin , all of whom were born and live in Texas. Although the band's name translates to ice island in several Germanic languages, it was actually selected by the bandmates because of its link to the Star Wars saga...
, Bob Schneider
Bob Schneider
Bob Schneider is an Austin, Texas-based musician and artist. He currently resides in Bee Cave, Texas.- Early career :...
, Grizzly Bear
Grizzly Bear
The grizzly bear , also known as the silvertip bear, the grizzly, or the North American brown bear, is a subspecies of brown bear that generally lives in the uplands of western North America...
, The Octopus Project
The Octopus Project
The Octopus Project is an American indietronica band based in Austin, Texas, active since 1999. Its unique sound, blending pop and experimental elements, is a combination of digital and electronic sounds and noises and analog equipment...
, This Will Destroy You
This Will Destroy You
This Will Destroy You, often abbreviated to TWDY, is an American post-rock band from San Marcos, Texas, formed in 2005. The band consists of guitarists Jeremy Galindo and Chris King, bass player and keyboardist Donovan Jones and drummer Alex Bhore...
, The Appleseed Cast
The Appleseed Cast
The Appleseed Cast is an American emo/post-rock band based in Lawrence, Kansas, United States, composed of singer/guitarist Christopher Crisci , guitarist Aaron Pillar, bassist Nathan Whitman and drummer John Momberg...
, Lydia
Lydia (band)
Lydia is an indie rock band from Gilbert, Arizona, formed in 2003.-Biography:Leighton Antelman and Steve McGraw started writing music and booking shows when they were both in 7th grade. The band really got their start as Rolo 15 while attending Greenfield Jr. High. They then went on to change the...
, Balmorhea
Balmorhea (band)
Balmorhea is a minimalist instrumental ensemble from Austin, Texas that was formed in 2006 by Rob Lowe and Michael Muller. Balmorhea were influenced by Ludovico Einaudi, The Six Parts Seven, Claude Debussy, Ludwig van Beethoven, Rachel's, Gillian Welch, Max Richter, Arvo Pärt and John Cage.The band...
, and St. Vincent, to name a few. In addition, The Rocketboys has appeared at festivals nation-wide such as Austin City Limits
Austin City Limits
Austin City Limits is an American public television music program recorded live in Austin, Texas by Public Broadcasting Service Public television member station KLRU, and broadcast on many PBS stations around the United States...
, Next Big Nashville, South By Southwest
South by Southwest
South by Southwest is an Austin, Texas based company dedicated to planning conferences, trade shows, festivals and other events. Their current roster of annual events include: SXSW Music, SXSW Film, SXSW Interactive, SXSWedu, and SXSWeco and take place every spring in Austin, Texas, United States...
, CMJ, Wild Frontier Fest, and Cornerstone Festival
Cornerstone Festival
Cornerstone Festival is a Christian music festival put on by Jesus People USA and held annually around the 4th of July near Bushnell, Illinois. In a given year, many artists that play at Cornerstone also play at other events such as Creation Festival and mainstream festivals and tours such as the...
.
TV Licensing
In early 2010, The Rocketboys began to see success on the licensing front, having songs on TV shows such as ABC's "Private Practice" and MTV's, The Real WorldThe Real World
The Real World is a reality television program on MTV originally produced by Mary-Ellis Bunim and Jonathan Murray. First broadcast in 1992, the show, which was inspired by the 1973 PBS documentary series An American Family, is the longest-running program in MTV history and one of the...
Washington, D.C., and The Buried Life
The Buried Life
The Buried Life is a reality documentary series on MTV. The series features Duncan Penn, Jonnie Penn, Ben Nemtin and Dave Lingwood attempting to complete a list of "100 things to do before you die." The pilot episode aired on January 18, 2010, and the show was renewed for a second season in 2010....
. The group's songs "I Saw a Stone", "Endings", "Heartbeat", "Do I Wake or Sleep?", and "All the Western Winds" were played on these shows.
Fun Facts
- Former member Philip Ellis started a custom drum company called P. Ellis Drums.
- The band performed at author Homer HickamHomer HickamHomer Hadley Hickam, Jr. is an American author, Vietnam veteran, and a former NASA engineer. His autobiographical novel Rocket Boys: A Memoir, was a #1 New York Times Best Seller, is studied in many American and international school systems, and was the basis for the popular film October Sky...
's birthday party in 2008 and maintain a healthy relationship with the former namesake to this day. - Singer Brandon Kinder released a solo EP in May 2011 under the name The Wealthy West.
EPs
- Wellwisher (Self Released, 2010)
- Sing, Bird, Sing (Self Released, 2007)
- South Plains (Self Released, 2005)
Live albums/DVD
- Live at Antone's CD/DVD (Self Released, 2008)
- Colder Nights of Texas Live CD/DVD (Self Released, 2006)