Controlling the Famous was a

Los Angeles, California Los Angeles, often referred to by its initials L.A., is the List of municipalities in California, most populous city in the U.S. state of California, and the commercial, Financial District, Los Angeles, financial, and Culture of Los Angeles, ...

-based

indie rock Indie rock is a Music subgenre, subgenre of rock music that originated in the United Kingdom, United States and New Zealand in the early to mid-1980s. Although the term was originally used to describe rock music released through independent reco ...

band formed in 2001. After signing with

The Militia Group The Militia Group is an independent record company based in Long Beach, California. History The Militia Group was founded in 1998 by Chad Pearson as a booking agency, booking for artists such as Slick Shoes, Craig's Brother, Dogwood, twothirtye ...

, the band recorded the album ''Automatic City'', which was released on May 16, 2006. The band split up in 2007.

History

The band was formed in 2001 by college students and neighbors Max Hellmann (guitar, vocals), Johnny Collins (guitar, vocals), and Brendan Hughes (bass guitar). After parting ways with their original drummer, Louis Laoudis, the band recruited drummer Mike Schneider in 2004.Apar, Corey
Controlling the Famous Biography
,

Allmusic AllMusic (previously known as All-Music Guide and AMG) is an American online database, online music database. It catalogs more than three million album entries and 30 million tracks, as well as information on Musical artist, musicians and Mus ...

. Retrieved March 25, 2019 Their first release was the EP''Maybe It Won't Kill You, But Probably It Might'' in 2002. A split EP with Operatic in 2003 was followed by another self-released EP, ''Two Birds vs. One Stone'', in 2005. The band then signed to The Militia Group in October 2005 and began working on their debut album, ''Automatic City'', with producer Alex Newport.Zemler, Emily (2006)
Controlling the Famous ''Automatic City''
, ''

Alternative Press Alternative press may refer to: Individual publications * ''Alternative Press'' (magazine), an American music magazine Alternative journalism * Alternative media ** Alternative media (U.S. political left) ** Alternative media (U.S. political r ...

'', June 1, 2006. Retrieved March 25, 2019 The album was released in May 2006. The album received generally positive reviews, with

writer Corey Apar giving it four stars, and calling it "a consistently enjoyable listen", with ''

'' writer Emily Zemler giving it the same score and describing it "as jagged and propulsive as any post-punk/hardcore album in recent memory".

PopMatters ''PopMatters'' is an international online magazine of cultural criticism that covers aspects of popular culture. ''PopMatters'' publishes reviews, interviews, and essays on cultural products and expressions in areas such as music, television, ...

writer Evan Sawdey gave the album five out of ten, calling it "a mixture of highs and lows". In October 2006 the band went on hiatus, and after briefly working together in early 2007, announced that they had split up in February. Members of Controlling the Famous have moved onto new bands in the Los Angeles area.

Drummer A drummer is a percussionist who creates music using drums. Most contemporary western music ensemble, bands that play Rock music, rock, Pop music, pop, jazz, or Contemporary R&B, R&B music include a drummer for purposes including timekeepi ...

Mike Schneider now produces music as Barstool Astronaut, and Max Hellmann played

guitar The guitar is a stringed musical instrument that is usually fretted (with Fretless guitar, some exceptions) and typically has six or Twelve-string guitar, twelve strings. It is usually held flat against the player's body and played by strumming ...

in the bands Handshakes and Hotel for Strangers, with members of the defunct bands Wintergreen and Sputnik Monroe."The Music, the Message", Handshakes
/ref>

Members

*Brendan Hughes (bass guitar) *Johnny Collins (vocals/guitar) *Max Hellmann (vocals/guitar) *Mike Schneider (drums)

Other members

*Louis Laoudis (drums) *Tony Ostrowski (keyboards)

Discography

* ''The Magnet EP'' (EP) 2002 * ''Maybe It Won't Kill You, But Probably It Might'' (EP) 2002 * ''We Are Bounty Hunters for Hire'' (EP) 2003 * ''Two Birds vs. One Stone'' (EP) 2005 * ''Automatic City'' (album) 2006

References

External links

Soundcrank Podcast Hosted by Controlling the FamousRare music video of Controlling the Famous playing at Scolari's Office.details on Handshakes featuring Max Hellmann (vocals/guitar).
{{DEFAULTSORT:Controlling The Famous Indie rock musical groups from California Musical groups from Los Angeles Musical groups established in 2001