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The Shys

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The Shys
OriginLos Angeles, California
GenresAlternative rock, indie rock, garage rock
Years active2004–2010
LabelsSire/Warner Bros. Records (2005–2007)
Aeronaut Records (2004, 2008)
MembersKyle Krone
Chris Wulff
Riley Stephenson
Past membersMike Walker
Alex Kweskin
Tony Cupito

The Shys were a five piece indie rock band from Southern California. Their line-up consisted of Kyle Krone, Chris Wulff, Riley Stephenson, and Ryan Hansen. Their debut CD, Astoria, was released on Sire Records on July 11, 2006. Their most popular song is "Call in the Calvary".

History

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Formation and EP

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Kyle Krone and Alex Kweskin knew each other for a long time. In high school, they met Chris Wulff, who played guitar. They played in different high school bands and semi-professional gigs. The trio then decided to form their own band.[1] Originally, they were called "The Gun Shys".[2] In 2004, they opened for The Killers in Las Vegas, and released a six-song EP on Intravenous Records.[1] They became a four-piece band with the addition of Mike Walker.[3] Later on, they were joined by Riley Stephenson and Tony Cupito.[4]

Astoria

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In 2006, The Shys performed at that year's South by Southwest Music Festival, where the Rolling Stone called them "Best Alternative to Jet".[5] They also performed at that year's Street Scene, a musical festival in San Diego.[6] Later that year, they released their debut album Astoria, which featured the singles "Call in the Calvary" and "Waiting on the Sun".[7] The album was met with critical acclaim and a growing, loyal fanbase.[4] However, the album also received negative feedback, with reviews calling it "predictable, unimaginative and lacking originality."[2][7][8] "Call in the Calvary" was featured in HBO’s Entourage that year.[3]

2nd EP and 2nd album

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In 2008, The Shys released a 3-song EP, She's Already Gone.[9] The Shys' album You'll Never Understand This Band the Way That I Do was released on July 22, 2008, on local Echo Park indie label Aeronaut Records. The band announced that it recorded for two days in familiar territory in Los Angeles at Station House Recording Studio (Hollywood Sound) where the band made its past three albums. To finish the record, the band retreated to Palm Desert, California, and used a mobile recording studio borrowed from friends Delta Spirit. NPR described the new album as "gritty rock that is accessible, and thriving on explosive dynamics."[9]

Disbandment

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In 2009, The Shys played at that year's SXSW festival.[10] Around April or May of that year, Krone decided to make his own music.[11] They permanently separated, and there are no plans for future performances as a band or a reunion. All members say they are still good friends, and some still perform and write music with each other regularly.[12]  

Band members

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Final line-up

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  • Kyle Krone (vocals, guitar)[1]
  • Chris Wulff (bass)[1]
  • Riley Stephenson (keyboards)[4]

Former members

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  • Mike Walker (drums, percussion)
  • Alex Kweskin (drums, electric piano)[1]
  • Tony Cupito (drums)[4]

Post-Shys

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In 2011, Krone released three singles.[11] He then released his own album For Those Who Think Young.[12] He then formed another band, Casual Vice before moving away to Costa Rica, which split up that band.[13]

Wulff and Cupito worked alongside acclaimed producer Matt Squire on a project they called "The Get Back Sons". Wulff also did his own project, Collection, alongside Ben Adams. Stephenson is currently working in the financial analyst business with his father, but still plays keys whenever he gets together with his former bandmates. Kweskin toured Europe alongside Robert Francis, and also became an entrepreneur with a hotdog business.[12] Cupito would then join another band, Beware of Darkness.[14]

"Call in the Calvary" continues to be the band's most popular song.[12] The song was used in the 2008 film Prom Night, and most recently, Season 1 of Reacher.[15][16]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e Garrett, Jon (June 29, 2005). "PopMatters Now Hear This! | The Gun Shys". Archived from the original on June 30, 2005. Retrieved 2024-02-29.
  2. ^ a b "The Shys: Astoria, PopMatters". PopMatters. 2006-09-01. Retrieved 2024-02-29.
  3. ^ a b "Spotlight: The Shys". SPIN. July 17, 2006. Retrieved February 29, 2024.
  4. ^ a b c d Kindred, Don (August 1, 2007). "Local Band Gives It Back at The Fiesta | Celebrating Life in San Clemente". www.sanclementejournal.com. Retrieved 2024-02-29.
  5. ^ Lash, Jolie; Bliss, Karen (2006-03-20). "South by Southwest Turns Twenty". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2024-02-29.
  6. ^ KRAGEN, PAM (2006-05-24). "Kanye West, Tool to headline Street Scene". San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved 2024-02-29.
  7. ^ a b "The Shys "Astoria" not saving rock 'n' roll". The Lantern. 2006-08-14. Retrieved 2024-02-29.
  8. ^ Grischow, Chad (2006-09-27). "The Shys - Astoria". IGN. Retrieved 2024-02-29.
  9. ^ a b McKay, Conor (July 10, 2008). "The Shys: 'The Hangman'". NPR. Retrieved February 29, 2024.
  10. ^ "The Shys Playing at SXSW 2009 Music Festival". Filthy Lucre. 2009-02-27. Retrieved 2024-02-29.
  11. ^ a b Ritter, Max (2011-06-08). "Introducing: Kyle Krone". Beats Per Minute. Retrieved 2024-02-29.
  12. ^ a b c d "SONIC OC: Find Out What Local Rockers 'The Shys' Have Been up to". San Clemente, CA Patch. 2011-06-23. Retrieved 2024-02-29.
  13. ^ "Interview: HOOGENBOOM". The Big Takeover. February 15, 2023. Retrieved 2024-02-29.
  14. ^ Luerssen, John D. (December 24, 2013). "Beware of Darkness Sink Hooks Into 'All Who Remain' – Rolling Stone". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 2018-12-15. Retrieved 2024-02-29.
  15. ^ "The Shys | Tunefind". Tunefind. Retrieved February 29, 2024.
  16. ^ Collington, Faefyx (2022-02-04). "Every Song In Reacher Season 1". ScreenRant. Retrieved 2024-02-29.
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