Stateside (band)
| Company type | Independent |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 2014 in Brisbane, Australia |
| Defunct | 2020 |
| Headquarters | Brisbane , Australia |
| Products | Rock music, Extended plays |
Stateside was a rock group originating from Brisbane, Australia, established in 2014. The ensemble featured guitarist Ethan Laenen, drummer Hamish Maguire, bassist Jackson Lehane, and lead singer Erin Reus. Over their career, they independently issued three EPs: Burning Bridges (2015), Naïve (2017), and Havøc (2020). However, they dissolved in 2020 without having produced a full-length studio album.
Formation and Burning Bridges era (2014–2016)
On 17 March 2014, Stateside was founded in Brisbane by a group of high school friends: vocalist Erin Reus, lead guitarist Ethan Laenen, rhythm guitarist Brendan Heidke, bassist Denzil Bowen, and drummer Hamish Maguire. During their initial year, they focused on crafting demos that culminated in their first EP, Burning Bridges, which was launched on their one-year anniversary in 2015. That same year, the band reached the finals of the Brisbane Battle of the Bands competition and gained recognition by opening for notable acts such as The Wonder Years, As It Is, Cute Is What We Aim For, Knuckle Puck, and With Confidence. To support the EP, they undertook three national tours alongside other Australian bands.
Lineup change and development of Naïve (2016–2018)
In 2016, Stateside began refining their musical style with producer Troy Brady, formerly of The Amity Affliction. Early that year, founding bassist Denzil Bowen departed to concentrate on his university studies. After spending a year creating new material, they released the single "The Way We Were" in March 2017; its accompanying video achieved over one million views, significantly raising their profile. Shortly before the release of their Naïve EP in May 2017—which peaked at No. 9 on the Alternative iTunes Charts and No. 28 overall—Jackson Lehane joined as the new bassist. The EP received favorable critiques for its exploration of toxic relationships and emotional subjects.
Throughout 2017 and 2018, Stateside toured extensively as support for bands including Against the Current and Stepson. In February 2018, they launched the single "Neon" with a music video ahead of their inaugural national headline Naïve Tour, which featured support from Stuck Out. Later that year, they opened for Simple Plan during the Australian segment of their 15th Anniversary tour and supported Belle Haven alongside Casey. Additionally, they performed at Brisbane’s BIGSOUND conference among nearly 140 participating acts.
In December 2018, Stateside joined Neck Deep on their Australian tour and served as local support at Brisbane’s first Good Things festival. Their rigorous touring schedule and promotional efforts solidified their status as a prominent emerging Australian band highlighted by Hysteria Mag as an act to watch.
Havøc release and band dissolution (2019–2020)
In April 2019, Stateside appeared at the inaugural UsFest event benefiting Girls Rock! Sydney—a festival initiated by RedHook vocalist and Music Feeds journalist Emmy Mack. Later that year, they were the primary support act during With Confidence's Australian tour. In December, frontwoman Erin Reus performed "Jet Lag" alongside Simple Plan at Good Things 2019 and the band opened one of two Simple Plan Brisbane sideshows.
March 2020 saw Stateside supporting Japanese rock group One Ok Rock and American band Set It Off during the Australian leg of the Eye of the Storm world tour. In August, they announced their final EP titled Havøc, releasing its lead single "Low" on August 12. Following the EP’s release in September, the band disbanded due to members growing apart and choosing to pursue separate life paths.
Musical style
Lead vocalist Erin Reus has acknowledged Bring Me the Horizon and PVRIS as significant inspirations, particularly influencing their 2017 EP Naïve. She characterized the creation of this EP as a means of emotional resolution, delving into intimate subjects related to love. Critics have drawn parallels between her vocal delivery and that of Jenna McDougall from Tonight Alive as well as Halsey.
Members
- Current lineup
- Erin Reus – lead vocals
- Ethan Laenen – lead and rhythm guitar
- Jackson Lehane – bass guitar
- Hamish Maguire – drums
- Past members
- Denzil Bowen – bass guitar
- Brendan Heidke – rhythm guitar
Extended plays
| Title | Release details | Highest chart positions |
|---|---|---|
| AUS | ||
| Burning Bridges |
|
– |
| Naïve |
|
–[upper-alpha 1] |
| Havøc |
|
– |
Singles
| Track title | Year released | Associated EP |
|---|---|---|
| "Jealousy" | 2015 | Burning Bridges |
| "The Way We Were" | 2017 | Naïve |
| "Neon" | 2018 | |
| "Low" | 2020 | Havøc |
Music videos
| Year | Song title | Video director |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | "The Way We Were" | James Unwin |
| 2018 | "Neon" | Nick Hargans |
| 2020 | "Low" | Kez Ellis-Jones |
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