Stars in Stereo was an American alternative rock band formed in Los Angeles, California in 2011, fronted by American singer, songwriter, and guitarist Rebecca "BECCA" Emily Hollcraft. The band also featured guitarist Jordan McGraw, drummer Drew Langan, rhythm guitarist Ryan "Frogs" McCormack, and bassist Justin Siegel until 2013, when Frogs replaced Justin Siegel on bass, who left to pursue other interests. The band came together after McGraw, McCormack, Langan, and Justin Siegel’s band, City State, broke up. The group released their eponymous debut album, Stars in Stereo, on April 9, 2013, and their subsequent album, Leave Your Mark, on June 17, 2014 through their own indie record label, Hundred Handed Inc.
History
Formation
Jordan McGraw described the formation of Stars in Stereo in detail in an interview with Rock Revolt Magazine. In the same interview, Becca replies with her side of the story.
'' Stars in Stereo '' EP (2011-2012)
Almost immediately after Becca was selected to be the front woman of Stars in Stereo, the band began work on their first album. "Every Last Thing" was the first song the band wrote together, which would become the band's first official single and music video. The songs "The Broken", "Violence", and "Red Eyed Romance" soon followed, which were released on the Stars in Stereo EP on October 2, 2012. "The Broken" was chosen as the band's second official single, which also would later feature in a music video. The band toured for the remainder of 2012 after releasing their eponymous EP, opening for acts such as Foxy Shazam, Maniac, Blue October, Empires, The Used, Dead Sara, and P.O.D.
'' Stars in Stereo '' album (2013)
Stars in Stereo kicked off their 2013 tour opening for acts Flyleaf and Drowning Pool during February and March with material from their upcoming album and a few covers, including Aerosmith's "Dream On" and Nine Inch Nails' "Closer". The band's eponymous debut album Stars in Stereo was released April 9 and featured six new songs and a few bonus songs, including an alternate version of the single "Every Last Thing" and an online link to the song "Night by Night" under the CD. The song "Half Life" was also recorded, but released separate from the album. Between April and May, the band also opened for acts Halestorm, Bullet for My Valentine, and Young Guns supporting their new album. For the rest of the 2013 year, Stars in Stereo toured with acts Anberlin, Campfire OK, P.O.D., Flyleaf, Bullet for My Valentine, Throw the Fight, Black Veil Brides, Halestorm, and Redlight King.
The album Leave Your Mark was recorded during Q1 of 2014 and released on June 17, including eleven new songs and featuring the singles "Leave Your Mark" and "Fair-weathered Friend". The song "Leave Your Mark" dealt with the topic of erotic gratification and received its own music video, considered to be NSFW by many. The band spent the second half of 2014 touring with a number of various acts, including Young Guns, You Me at Six, and Alien Ant Farm.
Stars in Stereo have been most often described as an alternative rock band. In an interview, Jordan McGraw claimed that the band had an array of really different influences, including U2, Foo Fighters, Daft Punk, and Blink-182. In the same interview, Becca also said she took influences from 30 Seconds to Mars and 80s bands. The band's first studio album mostly uses sounds of alternative rock blended with elements of pop music and electronic influences. Their follow-up album displays a heavier, hard rock influence.
