Guster is an alternative rock band that formed in Boston during the early 1990s. Through self-promotion and word of mouth, Guster built up a rabid underground fan base that spread from the Boston area to the rest of the United States while they were an independent band. Soon, the buzz landed them a major label contract, and Guster continued touring constantly, further increasing their popularity. They continue to be popular among college students and frequently tour campuses across the country.
The group's fifth studio album, Ganging Up on the Sun, was released in 2006.
Guster Biography and Studio Discography
Ryan Miller (guitar, vocals), Adam Gardner (guitar, vocals), and Brian Rosenworcel (percussion) met in 1992 at Tufts University in Medford/Somerville, Massachusetts, USA. They played around the Boston area while attending college.
Originally the band went by the name of Gus, but adopted the Guster moniker after realizing that several other touring bands were going by the previous name. In 1994 they hired producer Mike Denneen for their debut album, Parachute, which released the following year in 1995. They got praise for it from The Boston Globe, when they named Parachute the Best Local Debut Album of the year. The same year guster also appeared on the compilation album, Aware Compilation, Vol. 3 with their song Windowhttp://www.answers.com/topic/aware-compilation-vol-3.
Within a few years from their beginnings, Guster became one of the most popular local bands in the Boston area. Earning them The Best Live Act at the Boston Music Awards in 1997. Soon after releasing their second album, Goldfly, in March 1997, Guster started touring at a frenzy pace playing at sold out small clubs across the country.
In 1998, Guster signed the first contract under an agreement between Sire Records Group and Hybrid Recordings. This led to them re-releasing their Goldfly album in April under these major labels. The following year (1999) they followed up their album Goldfly, with Lost and Gone Forever. Guster was hailed by many as one of the greatest independent successes of the 1990s, achieving a reputation as one of the most reputable unpromoted bands of the decade.
Producer Roger Moutenot (Joseph Arthur, Sleater-Kinney, Yo La Tengo) helped Guster in the studio for their fourth album that they had been working on; unfortunately, one of their main record labels, Sire collapsed which delayed the release. Guster looked around for another label before signing with Reprise's Palm Pictures in early 2003. Their new album, Keep It Together appeared in June, 2003. Following their latest release the band toured the United States several times over the next year.
In 2004, they released to the public a DVD/CD combo; named Guster on Ice: Live from Portland, Maine. Two years later Guster polished off their fifth album, Ganging Up on the Sun, a 12 song album which solidified Joe Pisapia as a permanent member of the group. The album released in June, 2006. This was the most succesful of their albums charting #25 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums, and it won Album of the Year at the Boston Music Awards in 2006.
Guster is currently working on a now untitled studio album, which is predicted to release in the Fall of 2010.
Studio Albums:
- 1995: Parachute
- 1997: Goldfly
- 1999: Lost and Gone Forever
- 2003: Keep It Together
- 2006: Ganging Up on the Sun
- 2010: "Currently unnamed Album"
Live albums:
References
Fast Facts
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Origin
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Years Active
1991-present
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Members
Ryan Miller, Adam Gardner, Brian Rosenworcel, Joe Pisapia
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Record Label
Columbia Records
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Fact:
Members met and began playing gigs while attending Tufts University
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Fact:
Guitarist/vocalist Gardner co-founded Reverb, a group which urges musicians to promote environmentally-friendly touring
