Metro Station (band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 2006 in Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Founder | Mason Musso, Trace Cyrus |
| Headquarters | Los Angeles , United States |
| Products | Music albums, singles, EPs |
Metro Station was a pop rock ensemble originating from Los Angeles, California, founded by vocalist Mason Musso alongside bassist and guitarist Trace Cyrus. By late 2006, the band secured contracts with both Columbia Records and RED Ink Records. They gained widespread recognition primarily due to their hit single "Shake It" featured on their eponymous debut album. Internal conflicts caused the group to pause activities in 2010. Upon their 2011 comeback, Cyrus had departed, and Musso obtained ownership of the band's name.
In 2014, Cyrus reentered the lineup together with new drummer Spencer Steffan, releasing the track "Love & War." This period led to their sophomore album, Savior, launched in 2015. The band promoted this release through tours across the United States and Europe, an EP entitled Bury Me My Love, and a decade-anniversary tour in the U.S. Metro Station reunited once more in 2019 and unveiled the single "I Hate Society" in 2020.
Origins
The formation of Metro Station traces back to 2005 when Mason Musso and Trace Cyrus connected on the set of Hannah Montana, a show starring Mason's brother, Mitchel Musso, and Trace's sister, Miley Cyrus. United by shared musical ambitions, they decided to establish a band. Soon after, Cyrus enlisted Blake Healy, formerly of Synthetic Joy and the Bum Out Eternal, to handle keyboards, synthesizers, and bass duties. Drummer Anthony Improgo joined following the release of "Seventeen Forever" on their MySpace page. Their growing popularity on MySpace propelled them to the top of the Unsigned Band charts. In 2006, they independently released their debut EP The Questions We Ask at Night.
A Columbia Records intern discovered Metro Station through these MySpace rankings, leading to their signing shortly thereafter. By July 2007, Alternative Press recognized them as one of the "22 Best Underground Bands (That Likely Won't Stay Underground for Long)."
Metro Station (2007–09)
The band recorded their first full-length album in New York City, with production handled by S*A*M and Sluggo, completing it by July 2007. Their sound drew inspiration from acts such as the Postal Service, Forever the Sickest Kids, and the Killers. During summer 2007, they toured alongside Valencia and Just Surrender. Their initial single, "Kelsey", debuted on August 7, 2007, topping the US Dance Singles Sales chart and reaching number 25 on New Zealand’s Top 40. The self-titled album was released on September 18, 2007. Between October and December that year, they supported Motion City Soundtrack on a nationwide tour. The album’s second single, "Control", followed on December 17, 2007.
On April 1, 2008, "Shake It" emerged as their most commercially successful single, climbing to number ten on the Billboard Hot 100 and earning a double Platinum certification from the RIAA. This success significantly increased album sales, which peaked at number 39 on the Billboard 200 nine months later and reached number one on the US Dance/Electronic Albums chart. The album sold over 87,000 copies within the United States and received gold certification in Canada. The fourth single, "Seventeen Forever", released on December 13, 2008, peaked at number 42 on the Hot 100 and also achieved gold status in the U.S.
Metro Station appeared at the April 2008 edition of the Bamboozle festival. Later that year from October through November, they headlined the Disco Balls & Blow Up Dolls tour with support from acts such as the White Tie Affair, Cash Cash, and Tyga. In January of 2009, they toured the UK alongside Boys Like Girls. April saw them participate in the Believers Never Die Tour Part Deux with bands including Hey Monday, All Time Low, Cobra Starship, and Fall Out Boy.
On September 28, 2009, Metro Station issued their Kelsey EP. Additionally, they contributed "Where's My Angel" to the soundtrack Almost Alice for the film Alice in Wonderland.
Internal conflicts and pause (2010)
During the summer of 2009, the band commenced work on their sophomore studio album, having already composed over 20 songs. Cyrus characterized the forthcoming record as exhibiting a "more mature" sound, targeting an early 2010 release. In November 2009, Metro Station joined Miley Cyrus on the Wonder World Tour. Partway through the tour, keyboardist Blake Healy departed to prioritize his marriage, and a month later, drummer Anthony Improgo also exited the group. By March 2010, following personal disagreements between Mason Musso and Trace Cyrus during the recording process, Metro Station entered an indefinite hiatus as both members focused on solo endeavors. Musso maintained ownership of the Metro Station name, while Cyrus embarked on a solo venture named Ashland High.
Middle of the Night and Gold (2011–14)
On May 31, 2011, Musso unveiled "Ain't So High" via his YouTube channel, metrostation2011. Having reclaimed rights to the Metro Station moniker, Musso continued without Cyrus. On July 20, he announced on Twitter that he was collaborating with Anthony Improgo and Blake Healy on a new Metro Station project. Later, on September 25, Musso released "Closer and Closer," produced by Healy. On November 20, Musso, Improgo, and Ryan Daly appeared at the American Music Awards Red Carpet event. In May 2013, Musso introduced a five-track EP titled Middle of the Night, which was financed through an Indiegogo campaign and subsequently made available on iTunes on August 20, 2013. The EP’s lead single, "Every Time I Touch You," co-written by Musso and Healy, debuted on July 23, 2013.
Cyrus rejoined Metro Station on August 13, 2014, after a four-year absence. Shortly thereafter, the band released the single "Love & War." They premiered another song, "She Likes Girls," on September 9, 2014. The EP Gold was released on October 14, 2014. The music video for "She Likes Girls" followed on October 28. Between October and November 2014, Metro Station co-headlined the Outsiders Tour alongside the Ready Set, with support from the Downtown Fiction and Against the Current.
Savior (2015–2020)
In early 2015, Metro Station embarked on a headlining tour across the US featuring support acts SayWeCanFly and 7 Minutes in Heaven. The lead single from their second studio album, "Getting Over You," featuring Ronnie Radke, was released on June 9, 2015. Their album Savior followed shortly after on June 30, containing eighteen tracks. The band performed at the 2015 Vans Warped Tour and participated in the Supervillians tour from October to December alongside Falling in Reverse, Attila, and Assuming We Survive. From January to February 2016, they toured with Never Shout Never, Jule Vera, and Waterparks.
Metro Station revealed plans for an acoustic album and had completed one track by late 2015. During October and November of 2016, they headlined the Savior tour with support from Palaye Royale and The Strive. In celebration of their debut album's tenth anniversary in 2017, they undertook a headlining tour and released the Bury Me My Love EP on September 8. Following this release, the band announced their dissolution.
The group reunited in 2019 to begin new recordings in Los Angeles, with Cyrus confirming an anticipated album release set for 2020. In April of that year, they issued the single "I Hate Society."
Subsequently, Mason Musso formed a new act called Social Order with former drummer Anthony Improgo, while Trace Cyrus pursued solo work culminating in his debut EP Killing the Pain, released in 2021.
Musical style
Their sound is characterized by genres such as pop rock, synth-pop, pop punk, and emo pop. The band's eponymous debut album fuses elements of electropop and scene pop alongside influences from 1980s pop, emo pop, new wave, and pop punk. Critics have drawn parallels between the album’s songwriting quality and infectious melodies to those of Panic! at the Disco. The tracks "Shake It" and "Seventeen Forever" are frequently identified within the neon pop-punk subgenre.
Band members
Previous members
- Mason Musso – lead vocals, guitar, keyboards, synthesizer (2006–2017, 2019–2020)
- Trace Cyrus – vocals, guitar, bass guitar, synthesizer (2006–2010, 2014–2017, 2019–2020)
- Spencer Steffan – drums, backing vocals (2015–2017, 2019–2020; touring member 2014–2015)
- Blake Healy – keyboards, synthesizer, bass (2006–2009, 2011–2013)
- Anthony Improgo – drums (2006–2009, 2013–2014)
- Kenny Bozich – keyboards, synthesizer, guitar, bass guitar, drums (2009–2010)
- Austin Sands – keyboards, guitar (2011–2013)
- Cary White – drums (2011–2013)
Former touring musicians
- Jimmy Gregerson – guitar, keyboards, synthesizer (2015–2017)
- Ryan Daly – guitar, backing vocals (2012–2013)
- Bryan Lemus – keyboards, synthesizer (2014–2015)
- Jeff Simpson – keyboards, synthesizer (2015)
Discography
- Metro Station (2007)
- Savior (2015)
Awards and nominations
| Year | Organization | Category | Outcome | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Australian Kids' Choice Awards | Favourite Song — "Shake It" | Template:Won | |
| 2008 | MTV EMAs | Best Alternative Band | Template:Won | |
| 2008 | Rocksound Awards | Worst Song of the Year — "Shake It" | Template:Won | |
| 2008 | AP Music Awards | Song of the Year — "Shake It" | Template:Won | |
| 2009 | MuchMusic Video Awards | Best International Video – Group | Template:Nominated | |
| 2009 | Kerrang! Music Awards | Best International Newcomer | Template:Nominated | |
| 2009 | Los Premios MTV | Best Ringtone — "Shake It" | Template:Nominated | |
| 2009 | MTV EMAs | Best Push Act | Template:Nominated | |
| 2010 | Kerrang! Magazine Readers' Awards | Worst Band | Template:Won | |
| 2014 | Kerrang! Music Awards | Best Comeback | Template:Nominated | |
| 2015 | Kerrang! Music Awards | Best Collaboration — "Getting Over You" with Ronnie Radke | Template:Won | |
| 2018 | Rocksound Awards | Most Heartbreaking Breakup of the Year | Template:Nominated |