ism is an East Coast-based

alternative rock Alternative rock (also known as alternative music, alt-rock or simply alternative) is a category of rock music that evolved from the independent music underground of the 1970s. Alternative rock acts achieved mainstream success in the 1990s w ...

quartet founded in New York City in 2004. It combines elements of melodic rock,

electronic Electronic may refer to: *Electronics, the science of how to control electric energy in semiconductors * ''Electronics'' (magazine), a defunct American trade journal *Electronic storage, the storage of data using an electronic device *Electronic c ...

trip hop Trip hop is a musical genre that has been described as a psychedelic music, psychedelic fusion of hip hop music, hip hop and electronica with slow tempos and an atmospheric sound. The style emerged as a more experimental music, experimental var ...

, and industrial music.

History

The group came together when singer/guitarist Andre Mistier wanted to take a break from directing plays around New York City by starting a band that merged rock and electronic music. He hooked up with Yale acquaintance guitarist/vocalist Gerard Toriello, who then brought on childhood friend and drummer Michael Higgins. Taking their name from the concept of not wanting to be limited by one "ism" but rather explore – and ultimately gain understanding for – all that the world has to offer, ism were completed by the final addition of bassist Leigh Battle, who had been previously playing in another band with Higgins. ism began performing together regularly around mid-2004, playing at live venues and festivals including the ConneXion International Music Festival in

Jacksonville, Florida Jacksonville ( ) is the most populous city proper in the U.S. state of Florida, located on the Atlantic coast of North Florida, northeastern Florida. It is the county seat of Duval County, Florida, Duval County, with which the City of Jacksonv ...

in 2005. They released their first single, "Breathe", in late 2005 and soon afterwards released their first album, ''Monkey Underneath'' in early 2006 on STM Records. With the popular singles "Breathe" and "Beside the Sun" featured on college radio, ism continued to tour nationwide throughout 2006. Two years later they returned with ''Urgency'', an album produced by Joe Blaney, who had previously worked with

The Clash The Clash were an English Rock music, rock band formed in London in 1976. Billed as "The Only Band That Matters", they are considered one of the most influential acts in the original wave of British punk rock, with their music fusing elements ...

Beastie Boys The Beastie Boys were an American Hip-hop, hip hop and Rap rock, rap rock group formed in New York City in 1979. They were composed of Ad-Rock, Adam "Ad-Rock" Horovitz (vocals, guitar), Adam Yauch, Adam "MCA" Yauch (vocals, bass), and Mike D, ...

and

Tom Waits Thomas Alan Waits (born December 7, 1949) is an American musician, composer, songwriter, and actor. His lyrics often focus on society's underworld and are delivered in his trademark deep, gravelly voice. He began in the American folk music, fo ...

. Keyboardist

Bernie Worrell George Bernard Worrell, Jr. (April 19, 1944 – June 24, 2016) was an American Keyboard instrument, keyboardist and record producer best known as a founding member of the Parliament-Funkadelic collective. In later years, he also worked with ...

made a guest appearance. Greg Evans, who joined the band post-recording of ''Urgency'', left in September 2008 and was replaced by drummer Felipe Torres, in time for the band to head out on a U.S. tour in support of the recently reunited band

Mest Mest is an American Rock music, rock band originally formed by lead vocalist and guitarist Tony Lovato, bassist Matt Lovato, drummer Nick Gigler, and guitarist Jeremiah Rangel. They broke up in 2006 after eleven years, but temporarily reformed ...

Members

Current members

* Andre Mistier- vocals, guitar (2004–present) * Gerard Toriello – Lead guitar, backing vocals (2004–present) * Leigh Battle – Bass, backing vocals (2004–present) * Felipe Torres – drums, (2008–present)

Former members

* Greg Evans – drums, (2007–2008) * Miguel Balbi- drums, (2005–2006) * Michael Higgins – drums, (2004–2005)

Discography

Studio albums

* ''Monkey Underneath'' (STM Records) 2006 (Distributor: BDG / RED Distribution) * ''Urgency'' (STM Records) 2008 (Distributor: BDG / RED Distribution)

Music videos

*"Goodbye" ''(Directed by Pav Hatoupi)'' (200
watch video
*"Breathe" ''(Directed by Pav Hatoupi)'' (200
watch video
*"Sacred Cows" ''(Directed by Pav Hatoupi)'' (2008
watch video

Press

*FHM says "Urgency sounds like the bastard love child of the Killers and Nine Inch Nails with driving rhythm, heavy synthesized guitars and vocals that sound nearly identical to Brandon Flowers's "Somebody Told Me"." *The Aquarian gave URGENCY an A+ *ISM recorded a session for UGO LIVE at Sweetfire studios –

Festival/tour appearances

* ConneXion International Music Festival (

Jacksonville, FL Jacksonville ( ) is the most populous city proper in the U.S. state of Florida, located on the Atlantic coast of North Florida, northeastern Florida. It is the county seat of Duval County, Florida, Duval County, with which the City of Jacksonv ...

) – 2005

Radio Singles

Current singles: * "Sacred Cows"

Previous singles

* "Breathe" **# 1 Most Added Top 40 Main Chart (NMW,12/2/05) **# 3 Top Add – CMJ Radio 200 Add **# 5 Top 40 Main Chart (NMW 01/13/06) **# 49 cmJ Radio 200 (CMJ Issue 946 – 01/30/06) ** Commercial ADDS: 52+ (12/12/05) ** College ADDS: 152+ (12/09/05) **# 3 Top Add – CMJ Radio 200 Add **# 5 Top 40 Main Chart (NMW 01/13/06) **# 56 CMJ Radio 200 (CMJ Issue 945 – 01/23/06) * "Beside the Sun" 04/25/06 ADD DATE: Alternative Format * "Goodbye" 03/27/06 ADD DATE: CHR/POP Format

References

External links

Official website

Ism interview with Audio Addiction Magazine
{{Authority control Musical groups established in 2004 Musical groups from New York City Alternative rock groups from New York (state)