A Lot Like Birds
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 2009 in Sacramento, California, United States |
| Founder | Michael Franzino |
| Defunct | 2018 |
| Fate | Disbanded in 2018; reunited in 2024 |
| Headquarters | Sacramento , United States |
Area served | United States |
Key people | Michael Franzino, Kurt Travis, Cory Lockwood, Joseph Arrington, Andy Cizek |
| Products | Albums: Plan B (2009), Conversation Piece (2011), No Place (2013), DIVISI (2017) |
A Lot Like Birds (abbreviated as ALLB) is a post-hardcore group from the United States, originating in 2009 in Sacramento, California. Prior to disbanding in 2018, ALLB produced four albums: their independently released debut Plan B (2009), followed by three full-length records under Equal Vision Records—Conversation Piece (2011), No Place (2014), and DIVISI (2017). The band reunited in early 2024 and resumed live shows.
Origins and Plan B Era (2009–2010)
The band was founded by guitarist and vocalist Michael Franzino, who brought together local musicians to create what became their first album, Plan B. Released in 2009, this largely instrumental and experimental record incorporated elements such as horns, strings, guest vocalists, screamed vocals, and post-hardcore arrangements. It was widely shared online at no cost.
Subsequently, ALLB established a stable lineup consisting of five main members: Franzino and Ben Wiacek on guitars, Michael Littlefield handling bass, Joe Arrington on drums, and Cory Lockwood as lead vocalist. Additional musicians frequently joined as live guests, leading the band to describe themselves as a "5–8 piece" ensemble.
Kurt Travis Joins and Conversation Piece Release (2011)
In January 2011, vocalist Kurt Travis, previously with Dance Gavin Dance, became part of ALLB after initially considering a collaboration. His involvement facilitated a connection with Doghouse Records, culminating in the band's signing with the label in April despite limited new material beyond Plan B. Prior to the announcement, a demo featuring Travis titled "Tantrum (Far from the Tree, the Apple Grew Rotten)"—an eight-minute track with an atypical structure—was leaked.
Building on this momentum, ALLB released their sophomore album, Conversation Piece, on October 11. This record placed greater emphasis on vocals compared to their debut and adopted a more streamlined post-hardcore approach with reduced experimental elements. It received positive feedback from fans within the genre. Following the release, the group embarked on their inaugural national tour alongside Just Like Vinyl and Dance Gavin Dance.
Equal Vision Signing and No Place Era (2012–2014)
On August 8, 2012, A Lot Like Birds secured a deal with Equal Vision Records. They announced their album No Place on September 12, 2013, which was released on October 29. The lead single "Kuroi Ledge" premiered on October 4, followed by a music video for "Next to Ungodliness" released on October 25.
No Place debuted at number 199 on the Billboard 200 chart and achieved number 6 on the Heatseekers Album Chart. The album's concept revolves around the idea of "home," focusing on emotional connections associated with various rooms through their distinctive lyrical and spoken word style.
An animated video for the song "Connector" was unveiled on January 9, 2014.
Lineup Changes, DIVISI, Disbandment and Post-Breakup Activity (2015–2019)
Bassist Michael Littlefield departed from the band on February 28, 2015. Matt Coate was introduced as his replacement on June 26. Meanwhile, guitarist Michael Franzino released his first solo album under a separate project. On February 20, 2016, Kurt Travis exited the group citing changes in artistic direction. Cory Lockwood expanded his vocal capabilities for the subsequent album while Coate contributed additional vocals. A teaser for DIVISI was shared on March 8, 2017; the full album followed on May 5.
The band publicly announced their dissolution on February 17, 2018 after nearly ten years of activity.
Instrumental versions of Conversation Piece, No Place, and DIVISI were released by Equal Vision Records on July 19, 2019.
On December 12, 2023, A Lot Like Birds declared a one-time reunion show at Kill Iconic Fest scheduled for March 23, 2024 at The House of Blues in Anaheim. An extra performance was added for March 21, featuring reunion members vocalist Kurt Travis, guitarist Michael Franzino, and drummer Joseph Arrington. Special guests included bassist Reese Ortenberg (Eidola), guitarist Greg Almeida (Secret Gardens, ex-VISTA), and vocalist Matthew Fitzpatrick (ex-My Iron Lung). With Cory Lockwood absent at this time, only songs from albums featuring Travis were initially performed; later tours reintroduced material from DIVISI.
On May 17, 2024 it was announced that ALLB would support Saosin during their California concerts on May 30 and 31. On June 18 they joined Hail The Sun’s 'Wake' decade anniversary tour. Andy Cizek (Monuments, Makari) joined as touring co-vocalist providing harsh vocals during this run but left near its conclusion; Blair de Leon took over those responsibilities. Cizek returned to touring duties with the band in 2025.
During an October 29, 2024 Reddit AMA session, touring guitarist Greg Almeida revealed intentions to record new material. Between May and June of 2025 A Lot Like Birds supported The Fall of Troy’s Doppelgänger twentieth anniversary tour.
On July 11, 2025 they announced their first headlining tour since reuniting. Later that month they confirmed plans to release new tracks in October featuring Travis and Cizek sharing vocal duties alongside Almeida on guitar and Ortenberg handling bass.
The band’s first official release following their reunion came on October 1, 2025 with "When in Love," featuring Geoff Rickly from Thursday. The accompanying music video officially introduced Cizek as a permanent member of the lineup.
Band members
- Current lineup
- Michael Franzino – lead guitar (2009–2018, 2024–present), vocals (2009–2011, 2024–present)
- Joseph Arrington – drums (2009–2018, 2024–present)
- Kurt Travis – vocals (2011–2016, 2018, 2024–present)
- Andy Cizek – vocals (touring 2024–2025; official member from 2025 onwards)
- Touring members
- Reese Ortenberg – bass guitar (2024–present)
- Greg Almeida – guitars (2024–present)
- Former members
- Cory Lockwood – vocals (2009–2018)
- Ben Wiacek – rhythm guitar (2009–2018)
- Juli Lydell – keyboards, backing vocals (2009)
- Matt Sunderland – trumpets, xylophones (2009)
- Tyler Lydell – drums (2009)
- Athena Koumis – violins (2009–2010)
- Michael Littlefield – bass guitar (2009–2015)
- Matt Coate – bass guitar (2015–2018), vocals (2016–2018)
- Former touring members
- Matthew Fitzpatrick – vocals (2024)
- Blair de Leon – vocals (2024)
Timeline
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Discography
- Studio Albums
- Plan B (2009)
- Conversation Piece (2011)
- No Place (2013)
- DIVISI (2017)
- Music Videos
- "Think Dirty Out Loud" (2011)
- "Vanity's Fair" (2013)
- "Next to Ungodliness" (2013)
- "Connector" (2014)
- "For Shelley (Unheard)" (2017)
- "The Sound of Us" (2017)
- "Trace the Lines" (2017)
- "When In Love" featuring Geoff Rickly (2025)