A Static Lullaby

by Corey Apar

Post-hardcore/alternative rock outfit A Static Lullaby came together after a casual high school jam session led its members to quit their existing bands and come together as one. Formed in 2001 in Orange County, CA, the group began with singer Joe Brown, bassist Phil Pirrone, drummer Brett Dinovo, and guitarists Dan Arnold and Nathan Lindeman. Their first show was a mere two weeks after forming, and it started a buzz about the guys that they continued to build upon throughout the local circuit. They soon recorded and self-released the Withered EP, and in the summer of 2002 were signed to Ferret Records.

After recording with Steve Evetts (Snapcase, Hatebreed) in the producer's chair, A Static Lullaby released ...And Don't Forget to Breathe in March 2003. The album laid the foundation for the band's music, yet hinted at a creativity not yet completely tapped. Over a year of straight touring followed, which led to strained relations within the band, eventually causing Dinovo to quit and return to school. A Static Lullaby soon signed to Columbia and began work on their follow-up album. Faso Latido appeared in April 2005 with Lou Giordano (Sunny Day Real Estate, Taking Back Sunday) producing and friend Sammy Siegler (Youth of Today, Gorilla Biscuits) filling in on drums.

With the album complete and the search about to begin for a permanent drummer, Dinovo approached his old bandmates at a show and wound up rejoining the group in mid-2005. That same year also found A Static Lullaby with a spot on the popular Taste of Chaos tour alongside the Used and Killswitch Engage. January 2006 left the band in an uncertain state after the departure of Pirrone, Dinovo, and Lindeman over musical differences and the band's own exit from Columbia. But they were soon embraced by California indie Fearless Records, and by March, Brown and Arnold were again part of a full band with the addition of guitarist John Death, bassist Dane Poppin, and drummer Jarrod Alexander to A Static Lullaby's lineup. Working again with producer Evetts, the refreshed quintet issued a self-titled album on Fearless that October and headed out on tour alongside I Am Ghost.