Hellogoodbye is a power pop band, formed in Huntington Beach, California in 2001. They are signed to Drive-Thru Records and currently have an EP and a DVD out. They are renowned for their DIY ethic, their shrill outfits and having a particularly close relationship with their fans. The band recently achieved fame due to their appearences on MTV's The Real World: Austin and winning MTV2's Dew Circuit Breakout.

History

The band Hellogoodbye was initiated in 2001 as a recording project by Huntington Beach high school student Forrest Kline. Kline started recording synthesized power pop songs on his computer, with the aid of fellow student Jesse Kurvink. They originally did not intend to have the songs serve other purposes than entertaining their friends, let alone form a full time touring band. Yet, as more and more of their songs appeared on MP3.com, Hellogoodbye's fanbase grew. According to Kline, the band name was inspired by, of course, the Beatles song "Hello Goodbye", as well as a line from the TV series Saved by the Bell and the general transience of opportunities.

Starting in 2002, without even having a release out, Hellogoodbye played local concerts in front of crowds of hundreds. For live shows, vocalist/guitarist Kline and keyboard player Kurvink were accompanied on drums by either Parker Case, who would later form the now defunct JamisonParker, or Aaron Flora. Flora and bassist Marcus Cole soon joined them permanently, completing the band's line-up. ^[1]

Though California indie label Drive-Thru Records signed Hellogoodbye in January 2004, everything the band does is still entirely DIY, ranging from recordings and album artwork to posters and merch designs. Shortly after their signing, Kline and Kurvink recorded the band's debut EP, Hellogoodbye, which spawned a music video to the song "Call n' Return". In March 2004, drummer Flora left the band and was replaced by then 16-year-old high school dropout Chris Profeta.

The EP was finally released on August 17 2004, which was supported by various US tours. During one of them, the "Sounds of Change Tour" with An Angle, Socratic and Steel Train, Hellogoodbye flipped and totalled their van and trailor after Kurvink dozed off behind the wheel while driving through Pennsylvania on October 22 2004. All of the band members made it out without a scratch. ^[2]

While participating in 2005's South by Southwest, a music festival for mainly unsigned artists in Austin, Texas, the band appeared on several episodes of MTV's The Real World: Austin. The cast of the TV series produced a video documentary about two bands on the festival's line-up (the other one being Halifax), including interviews and live footage. The appearance certainly gave a boost to the band's popularity.

On November 22 2005, Hellogoodbye released a home DVD titled OMG HGB DVD ROTFL. It featured two hours of concert and touring footage, as well as music videos to the five songs off their debut EP. In December 2005, the band won MTV2's Dew Circuit Breakout, competing as Los Angeles' representative against New York City and Chicago finalists Pete Miser and Tub Ring. The prize included $10,000 cash, a brand new set of Gibson equipment and an opening slot on an upcoming major US tour.

Hellogoodbye are currently working on their full-length debut, due out in 2006 on Drive-Thru Records.

Members

• Forrest Kline – vocals, guitar
• Jesse Kurvink – keyboard
• Marcus Cole – bass
• Chris Profeta – drums

Former members

• Aaron Flora – drums

Discography

EPs

• Hellogoodbye (2004)

DVDs

• OMG HGB DVD ROTFL (2005)

Non-album tracks

• "Winter Wonderland" – released on Happy Holidays from Drive-Thru Records (2004)
• "Weird Science" – released on Dead Band's Party: A Tribute to Oingo Boingo (2005)

References