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Straylight Run
Straylight Run John, Shaun, Will
Background information
Origin	Baldwin, Long Island, New York
Genres	Alternative rock Indie rock
Years active	2003–2010 (indefinite hiatus)[1]
Labels	Universal/Republic Victory
Associated acts	Taking Back Sunday Breaking Pangaea Destry
Website	Official website
Members
John Nolan Shaun Cooper Will Noon
Former members
Michelle DaRosa

Straylight Run is an indie rock band based in Baldwin, New York. They are currently unsigned after being dropped from Universal Republic Records East. Their latest releases are the EPs About Time and Un Mas Dos, preceded by the full-length album entitled The Needles The Space. As of February 16, 2010, the band has announced an indefinite hiatus, though John has mentioned that the live CD that was in the works will still be released, and the members may continue working together in the future.

Biography

When he was still a member of Taking Back Sunday, John Nolan wrote several songs that he didn't feel would go well with the band. After their departure, John and Shaun Cooper recorded several demos with Taking Back Sunday drummer Mark O'Connell. The band began to take its present form when drummer Will Noon was invited to join after his former band, Breaking Pangaea, broke up. Breaking Pangaea's former lead singer was Fred Mascherino, who later took Nolan's place in Taking Back Sunday. Shortly thereafter, John's sister, Michelle DaRosa, joined Straylight Run. ^[2]

The band gained popularity after posting six demo songs for free download on their official site. By September of that year, they were playing to sold-out crowds in various cities in the Northeastern United States. With one of their songs, "Hands in the sky" (Big shot) in the second to last episode of the second season of the FX show "Sons of Anarchy".

The band's name was taken from the final section of William Gibson's cyberpunk science-fiction novel Neuromancer.

Straylight Run (2004)

Due to John's and Shaun's involvement in their previous band, they were bound by contract to release an album under Victory Records. They began to record their first album in April 2004 and released their self-titled debut album Straylight Run on October 12, 2004 after a one-month postponement. The album sold over 11,000 copies in the first week, and made the Billboard Top 100 Albums list. In late 2005, the band toured with Simple Plan.

Prepare to Be Wrong EP (2005)

On October 4, 2005 the band released their second record in the form of the Prepare to Be Wrong EP. The CD comprised two old demos ("A Slow Descent" from the bands original demo, and "It Never Gets Easier" a demo from the sessions for their first CD Straylight Run, although it was then known as "Costello"), a cover of Bob Dylan's "With God On Our Side" and 3 new songs. The CD ended their contract with Victory Records. Plans for a live DVD were in the works but were shelved.

The Needles the Space (2007)

On June 19, 2007 the band released their second album, The Needles the Space, under Universal Records.

On December 8, 2007 the band was dropped from Universal Records.

The band toured in support of Bayside in February and early March, 2008. The band toured in support of The Used on the inaugural Get a Life Tour from March 31 through May 11, 2008.^[3]

On June 3, 2008 Michelle DaRosa announced that she would be leaving Straylight Run to pursue a solo career. In her MySpace message, she left the door open to rejoining the band at some future time. In late 2008, DaRosa formed the band Destry which also features Sam Means of the indie rock group The Format, as well as Shaun Cooper from Straylight Run.

Un Mas Dos EP-Indefinite Hiatus (2008)

On June 10, 2008 the band entered the studio for pre-production on their next CD, an EP entitled Un Mas Dos. While the band made the three songs available on the EP available in streaming format through MySpace and other means, and began selling digital download cards at its tour beginning September 9, 2008, on September 16, 2008 the band released the album in a digital format. A vinyl format is also available.

After two tours in late 2008, the band is playing the Soundwave Festivals in Australia in February and March 2009, as well as two shows with Minus the Bear. The band then plans to do further recording, towards another EP.

In February 2010, Straylight Run announced they were going on an indefinite hiatus due to financial complications. John Nolan stated that he would continue his solo act, and was not against the idea of returning to Straylight Run. Shaun Cooper wrote a blog saying that he was retiring from touring, thanking Straylight Run and also thanking Taking Back Sunday and saying he is really proud of the work and success they have accomplished.^[4]

Discography

Albums

The band in concert

• Straylight Run (2004)
• The Needles the Space (2007)

EPs

• Prepare to Be Wrong (October 4, 2005)
• 3 Track EP (2007)
• Un Mas Dos (September 16, 2008)^[5]
• About Time (May 20, 2009)^[6]

Demos

Demo (2003)

1. "It’s Everybody’s Fault But Mine"
2. "Existentialism on Prom Night"
3. "A Slow Descent"
4. "It’s For The Best"
5. "Mistakes We Knew We Were Making"
6. "The Tension and the Terror"

Singles

• 2004 "Existentialism on Prom Night"
• 2005 "Hands in the Sky (Big Shot)"
• 2007 "Soon We'll Be Living in the Future"
• 2007 "Still Alone"

Videography

• 2004 "Existentialism on Prom Night"
• 2005 "Hands in the Sky (Big Shot)"
• 2007 "Buttoned Down" (video only; no single; included on enhanced CD of The Needles the Space)
• 2007 "Soon We'll Be Living in the Future"
• 2007 "How Do I Fix My Head" (video only; no single; included on enhanced CD of The Needles the Space)
• 2007 "The Miracle That Never Came" (video only; no single; released on YouTube)
• 2009 "Wait and Watch" (video only; no single; released on Youtube)

The track "Hands In The Sky" was featured in season two of the show Sons of Anarchy.

References

External links

• Official website
• Victory Records artist page