The White Noise
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 2010 in Dallas, Texas, United States |
| Founder | David Southern, Alex Summers |
| Headquarters | Los Angeles , United States |
Area served | United States |
| Products | Punk rock music, albums, EPs, singles |
Number of employees | 5 (final lineup) |
The White Noise was a punk rock group originating from Dallas, Texas, later relocating to Los Angeles, California. Established in 2010 under the name Set the Sun by guitarist and vocalist David Southern along with drummer Alex Summers, the band produced two EPs and multiple singles during their time in Dallas. By 2013, Southern remained as the only founding member and brought in vocalist Shawn Walker and guitarist Josh "KJ" Strock. This ensemble moved to Los Angeles, adopted the name The White Noise, and went on to release three EPs as well as their 2017 full-length album, AM/PM.
2009–2014: Origins, Set the Sun and Desolate
In 2010, David Southern and Alex Summers, both 17 years old, founded Set The Sun in Dallas, Texas.[1] Soon after, they expanded the lineup by adding Nate Anderson, Arturo Pina, Dakota Price, and Brandon Daniels.[2] The group recorded their first EP titled Set the Sun in early 2011 and followed it with a second EP, Desolate, later that same year.[1]
In early 2012, Set The Sun released two singles within days: "Armagetiton," which maintained their metalcore sound, and "Mishaps," an acoustic track highlighting Southern’s clean vocal style.[1] On August 15, 2012, they unveiled another single called "Father Said".[3]
By 2013, all original members except Southern had exited the band. He reassembled the group with Shawn Walker on vocals, Josh "KJ" Strock on guitar, Kendrick Nicholson on bass, and Landon Jett on drums to work towards their first full-length album.[4] Singles released during this phase included "The Prince" (July 2013), "Expectations" (December 2013), and "The Ghost of John Stokedton" (February 2014).[5] Additionally, Southern contributed vocals to post-hardcore band Coronet’s debut EP.[6]
Later in 2014, Nicholson and Jett departed; they were replaced by Bailey Crego and Tommy West. Growing discontent with their metalcore origins—citing its limited reach despite local success—the band moved to Los Angeles. There, they rebranded as The White Noise and embraced a fresh musical approach.[7]
2015–2018: Move to Los Angeles, Aren't You Glad? and AM/PM
At the start of 2015, the group adopted the name The White Noise and secured a deal with Fearless Records. They released the single "Bloom" on August 13. This was followed by "Red Eye Lids" on October 21. On January 30, 2016, they revealed plans for the EP Aren't You Glad, which launched on February 26 alongside the third single "Picture Day." Between April and May 2016, they supported Enter Shikari on a U.S. tour featuring Hands Like Houses. On May 11, 2017, they announced their debut album with lead single "Bite Marks." The follow-up single "All the Best Songs are Dead" came out on June 2 before the album AM/PM was released on June 23, 2017. In 2018, they toured alongside Anti-Flag, Stray from the Path, and Sharptooth. The band declared December 15, 2018 as their final performance date.
Musical style
The White Noise's music falls under the umbrella of punk rock, with a distinct fusion of post-hardcore, melodic hardcore, and hardcore punk influences. Their sound was further shaped by industrial and ambient tones, resulting in genres such as industrial punk and ambient hardcore being attributed to their work. Their signature style featured detuned guitar riffs, elements from noise music, and a combination of screamed and melodic vocal delivery. This approach was often described as a synthesis of hardcore punk's raw energy with subtle metalcore characteristics. Before adopting the name The White Noise, the band performed as Set the Sun, focusing on metalcore.
The band drew inspiration from acts like Rancid, Nine Inch Nails, Underoath, Brand New, Give up the Ghost, Converge, AFI, Jawbreaker, and the Used.
Members
- Final lineup
- David Southern – clean vocals (2009–2018), rhythm guitar (2009–2016), keyboard (2013–2018), bass guitar (2016–2018)
- Shawn Walker – unclean vocals (2013–2018), clean vocals (2017–2018), bass guitar (2012)
- Josh "KJ" Strock – lead guitar, keyboard (2013–2018)
- Bailey Crego – bass guitar (2014–2016), backing vocals (2014–2018), rhythm guitar (2016–2018)
- Tommy West – drums (2014–2018)
Former members
- Nate Anderson – unclean vocals (2010–2013)
- Arturo Pina – lead guitar (2010–2013)
- Dakota Price – bass guitar, clean vocals (2010–2012)
- Kendrick Nicholson – bass guitar, backing vocals (2013–2014)
- Alex Summers – drums (2009–2013)
- Landon Jett – drums (2013–2014)
- Brandon Daniels – keyboard (2010–2013)
As The White Noise
- Albums
| Title | Album details |
|---|---|
| AM/PM |
|
- EPs
| Title | Album details |
|---|---|
| Aren't You Glad? |
|
- Singles
| Title | Details |
|---|---|
| Bloom |
|
| Red Eye Lids |
|
| Picture Day |
|
| Bite Marks |
|
| The Best Songs are Dead |
|
As Set the Sun
- EPs
| Title | Album details |
|---|---|
| Set the Sun |
|
| Desolate |
|
- Singles
| Title | Details |
|---|---|
| No Knives For Nathan |
|
| Armagetiton |
|
| Mishaps |
|
| Father Said |
|
| The Prince |
|
| The Temptress |
|
| Expectations |
|
| The Ghost of John Stokedton |
|
Music Videos
| Title | Year |
|---|---|
| "Armagetiton" | 2012 |
| "Expectations" | 2013 |
| "The Ghost of John Stokedton" | 2014 |
| "Bloom" | 2015 |
| "Red Eye Lids" | |
| "Picture Day" | 2016 |
| "Cosmopolitician" (Live Video) | |
| "Bite Marks" | 2017 |
| "The Best Songs are Dead" | |
| "I Lost my Mind (In California)" |
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