City Lights (band)


City Lights was an American pop punk band from Columbus, Ohio, formed in 2008. They released two EPs and two studio albums during their six-year tenure; the latest being The Way Things Should Be, released on December 10, 2013 via InVogue Records. The band signed to InVogue in May 2011. The band announced their dissolution on February 13, 2014. One year later on February 13, 2015, they released a third EP titled Acoustic EP 2. They announced that they had no intention of getting back together but if schedules permitted they would still take part in shows and put out music.

History

Formation and ''Rock Like a Party Star'' EP (2008–2010)

City Lights formed in early 2008 in Columbus, Ohio. Lead vocalist Oshie Bichar and drummer Sean Smith had grown up playing in bands together. The original lineup was Oshie Bichar, Sean Smith, Joey Kasouf, Hartley Lewis, and Zac Goble. Lewis left the band after he was accepted to New York University, and Jack Snyder would take his place on guitar. In 2009, the band parted ways with Zac Goble on bass and Chase Clymer joined the band soon afterwards. The band was just five kids listening to the same music, and this shared interest sparked friendships that led to what the band is today. Brooks Betts of Mayday Parade managed and aided the band's rise from the local circuit to a touring band, however Brooks stepped down due to his own band commitments. The band began to work with Thomas Gutches of The Artery Foundation. Their debut EP Rock Like A Party Star was self-released on April 14, 2008, which has sold over 5,000 copies to date without label or management promotion. It was recorded with Bobby Leonard at Paper Tiger Studios in Columbus, OH. On June 15, 2010, the band's cover of Third Eye Blind's "I’ll Never Let You Go" was featured on Alter The Press' 'Rockin’ Romance 2' compilation. Following this release, guitarist Jack Snyder departed and Jeremy Smith joined the band a few months before they were signed to InVogue Records.

''In It to Win It'' and ''Acoustic EP'' (2011–2012)

In 2011, Nick Moore was contacted by bassist Chase Clymer seeking interest in putting out the band's next EP. Shortly after, Moore and the band agreed to a full-length LP deal and were offered a contract within 24 hours. On November 9, 2011 the band released their first full length In It to Win It via InVogue. The band recorded In It To Win It in only 10 days with Nick Ingram at Capital House Records in Galena, OH. The album art was a joint effort between Clymer's photography and Shawn Khemsurov's graphical presentation. Prior Though She Wrote guitarist Kamron Bradbury joined the band in 2011 to replace Joey Kasouf. Turnist Brandon McMaster fill in for Jeremy Smith on two tours in 2012, with Smith always staying in the line-up. This would finally round out the band to its current line-up. The band co-headlined the Jupiter Clothing sponsored "Tour Up! From The Floor Up!" Tour with Freshmen 15. In It To Win It was InVogue's first release to land on any Billboard chart, having debuted at number 29 on Alternative New Artist and 117 on Top New Artist. The band announced in mid-2012 that they had "only signed with InVogue Records to release a single album, and that was In It To Win It; still on great terms with Nick Moore and the rest of the InVogue Records family." City Lights released their Acoustic EP on December 18, 2012 via InVogue; which comprised five acoustic tracks from their full-length debut, In It To Win It.

''The Way Things Should Be'' (Late 2012–2013)

The band began writing and recording for their second full-length album in the fall of 2012. The band launched a Kickstarter campaign to fund a record with Brian McTernan. They met their goal and began recording in the winter of 2012. The band went on to play "The Road To Unsilent Night 2012" supporting Lions Lions and Carousel Kings. The band's single "Leaving Here" was released via iTunes on March 5, 2013. This song was produced by Brian McTernan of Salad Days Studio in Baltimore, Maryland. The band provided support to Chunk! No, Captain Chunk! on the “Pardon My French” tour with other support from For All Those Sleeping and Upon This Dawning. Due to Chunk! No, Captain Chunk! being added to the A Day To Remember tour; Veara, Handguns and State Champs were added to revised dates. City Lights provided direct support to Beartooth on the "Best Friends 4 Lyfe Tour" throughout northern North America and a solo Canadian date. Throughout August 2013, the band also played sporadic shows throughout the northeast. City Lights provided support to A Loss For Words and Hand Guns on their co-headlining "The Lost Boys Tour" with additional support from Major League, Stickup Kid, The Sheds, and Light Years. On October 17, 2013 the band announced that they will be releasing their second record entitled The Way Things Should Be on December 10, 2013 through InVogue. The first single and pre-orders were scheduled to be launched officially on October 31, 2013; however iTunes released their pre-order with instant download of the single "Promises" on October 29, 2013. On October 30, 2013, on the band released a lyric video for "Promises" via YouTube. On November 5, 2013, Third Eye Guitars announced their endorsement of City Lights; and on November 10, 2013, the band announced that their cd release show for The Way Things Should Be would take place on December 10, 2013 at Skully's Music Diner in Columbus, Ohio with support from Dear Christie, Push Ahead, Here Comes Quincy, Everyone Leaves, Carev Dvor, and Movehome. On November 12, 2013, the band released their second single entitled "Jeremy's Song," featuring Matty Arsenault of A Loss For Words. On November 20, 2013, the band announced their scheduled date to begin filming a music video for an undisclosed track on November 27, 2013 at Skate Naked in Columbus, Ohio. On November 27, 2013, the band released the newest single track entitled "Truth Is" via YouTube. The band streamed The Way Things Should Be via YouTube at midnight on December 5, 2013. On December 5, 2013, the band released The Way Things Should Be live stream; and on December 8, 2013, the band released the music video for "See You At The Top," both via YouTube. On December 9, 2013 the band released The Way Things Should Be to all Kickstarter campaign supporters; and was featured on Idobi Radio's online takeover, streaming the new album at 6 p.m. EST on Idobi.com. The Way Things Should Be was released on December 10, 2013 as scheduled. On December 19, 2013 The Way Things Should Be reached #23 on the Billboard Heatseekers chart. City Lights closed out the year by playing "Snowed In 2013" with Real Friends, Light Years, and Citizen. According to Beartooth's Facebook page, Kamron Bradbury was named an official member in January 2014 and is no longer a part of City Lights.

Tour Activity, Break-Up, & Acoustic EP (2014-2015)

City Lights opened up the year headlining a tour with support from So Many Ways; which included a January 15, 2014 show including Violent Kind, Northbound, Vice On Victory, and We As Thieves at The Thompson House in Newport, Kentucky. The band was scheduled to partake in an untitled festival at the 89 North Music Venue in Patchogue, New York, providing support to Stick To Your Guns and Terror; as well as provide support to A Loss For Words on "The Kids Can't Lose 5th Anniversary Tour" with additional support from Veara, PVRIS, and The Moms. On February 13, 2014, the band announced that they would be breaking up. The official statement by the band as posted on their official website: "We are going to keep this short and sweet. We have decided to call it quits because we’ve all come to a time in our lives when we’re ready to take on new opportunities. For some of us, that involves continuing to play music, and for others it involves working behind the scenes in the industry. We firmly believe that we can contribute to not only our own musical growth, but to the growth of our music scene in general by taking on these new opportunities, and continuing without City Lights. We are thankful for everyone who has helped our band in any way, and we wouldn’t trade the last 6 years for anything. It was an amazing ride, and we really did have the time of our lives. Assuming our schedules allow it, we will be planning and announcing some final shows at a later date.". On January 19, 2015, vocalist Oshie Bichar announced via Twitter that he would be releasing a new acoustic EP under the band's name featuring tracks from their 2013 Sophomore album The Way Things Should Be. On February 13, 2015, Acoustic EP 2 was released. The band returned as a group on April 18 to perform a headlining set at the "Ace of Cups" venue in their hometown of Columbus, Ohio. On the 1st of June, the band's social media lit up with new artwork and a brand new single titled "Not Scared". Fans were quick to jump on the idea of a revival, however the band stated upon the release of the new track that they were still not getting back together. The band later released a new line of merchandise to follow the release of the new single.

Members

Current

;Studio albums
;EPs
;Singles

Guest appearances

Guitarist Kamron Bradbury performed guitar duties with Beartooth on their winter 2013 tour, providing support to August Burns Red, Blessthefall, and Defeater. Bradbury would eventually join Beartooth in 2014.