Springfield, IL

Not to be confused with the similarly named new wave outfit that morphed into Tears for Fears during the early '80s, the Graduate are an anthemic emo-pop band from Springfield, IL. Formed in late 2005 out of the remains of two local acts (Best of Winter and Jack), the group consists of lead singer Corey Warning, guitarists Max Sauer and Matt Kennedy, bassist Jared Wuestenberg, and drummer Tim Moore. Inspired by the likes of Coldplay and Death Cab for Cutie, the guys developed their sound quickly, signing with the Icon label and releasing their debut EP, Horror Show, in the spring of 2006. By the end of the year, the band's online presence and heavy touring had garnered enough buzz to land the Graduate on the front cover of CMJ New Music Report. The Graduate's full-length debut, Anhedonia, followed in April 2007, with Only Every Time appearing three years later. ~ Stewart Mason