Ism (band)

The group came together when singer/guitarist Andre Mistier wanted to take a break from directing plays around New York City by starting a band that merged rock and electronic music. He hooked up with Yale acquaintance guitarist/vocalist Gerard Toriello, who then brought on childhood friend and drummer Michael Higgins. Taking their name from the concept of not wanting to be limited by one "ism" but rather explore – and ultimately gain understanding for – all that the world has to offer, ism were completed by the final addition of bassist Leigh Battle, who had been previously playing in another band with Higgins.

ism began performing together regularly around mid-2004, playing at live venues and festivals including the ConneXion International Music Festival in Jacksonville, Florida in 2005. They released their first single, "Breathe", in late 2005 and soon afterwards released their first album, Monkey Underneath in early 2006 on STM Records. With the popular singles "Breathe" and "Beside the Sun" featured on college radio, ism continued to tour nationwide throughout 2006. Two years later they returned with Urgency, an album produced by Joe Blaney, who had previously worked with The Clash, Beastie Boys and Tom Waits. Keyboardist Bernie Worrell made a guest appearance.{{cite web|title=Allmusic Bio|url={{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p765631|pure_url=yes}} }}

Greg Evans, who joined the band post-recording of Urgency, left in September 2008 and was replaced by drummer{{cite web|title=(watch his TO THE STAGE interview)|url=http://www.tothestage.com/MediaDetail.PAGE?MediaId=845|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130204155920/http://www.tothestage.com/MediaDetail.PAGE?MediaId=845|url-status=dead|archive-date=2013-02-04}} Felipe Torres, in time for the band to head out on a U.S. tour in support of the recently reunited band Mest.

• Andre Mistier- vocals, guitar (2004–present)
• Gerard Toriello – Lead guitar, backing vocals (2004–present)
• Leigh Battle – Bass, backing vocals (2004–present)
• Felipe Torres – drums, (2008–present)

• Greg Evans – drums, (2007–2008)
• Miguel Balbi- drums, (2005–2006)
• Michael Higgins – drums, (2004–2005)

{{cite magazine|title=Billboard Magazine Discography| magazine=Billboard |url=http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/discography/index.jsp?pid=720586&aid=1155003}}{{dead link|date=July 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}

• Monkey Underneath (STM Records) 2006 (Distributor: BDG / RED Distribution){{cite web|title=College Radio charting |url=http://www.planetarygroup.com/01radio_college_history.html |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080408144842/http://planetarygroup.com/01radio_college_history.html |archivedate=2008-04-08 }}
• Urgency (STM Records) 2008 (Distributor: BDG / RED Distribution)

• "Goodbye" (Directed by Pav Hatoupi) (2006)[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=po7dP7oWFCg watch video]
• "Breathe" (Directed by Pav Hatoupi) (2006)[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNPnSycn6xI watch video]
• "Sacred Cows" (Directed by Pav Hatoupi) (2008) [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x1EFAXT2CvA watch video]

• FHM says "Urgency sounds like the bastard love child of the Killers and Nine Inch Nails with driving rhythm, heavy synthesized guitars and vocals that sound nearly identical to Brandon Flowers's "Somebody Told Me"."{{cite web|title=FHM online|url=http://www.fhmonline.com/Site/Content/Article.aspx?ID=35952|access-date=2008-10-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080818001336/http://www.fhmonline.com/site/content/article.aspx?ID=35952|archive-date=2008-08-18|url-status=dead}}
• The Aquarian gave URGENCY an A+{{cite web|title=Imeem, press posts |url= http://www.imeem.com/ismmusic/blogs/category/Mzso-edN }}
• ISM recorded a session for UGO LIVE at Sweetfire studios –{{cite web|title=Sweetfire Studios News Section|url=http://www.sweetfirestudios.com/|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110128172808/http://sweetfirestudios.com/|archivedate=2011-01-28}}

• ConneXion International Music Festival (Jacksonville, FL) – 2005

Current singles:

• "Sacred Cows"{{cite web|title=FMQB – see Already Out Section |url=http://www.fmqb.com/article.asp?id=16770 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120620161540/http://www.fmqb.com/Article.asp?id=16770 |archivedate=2012-06-20 }}

• "Breathe"
• # 1 Most Added Top 40 Main Chart (NMW,12/2/05)
• # 3 Top Add – CMJ Radio 200 Add
• # 5 Top 40 Main Chart (NMW 01/13/06)
• # 49 cmJ Radio 200 (CMJ Issue 946 – 01/30/06)
• Commercial ADDS: 52+ (12/12/05)
• College ADDS: 152+ (12/09/05)
• # 3 Top Add – CMJ Radio 200 Add
• # 5 Top 40 Main Chart (NMW 01/13/06)
• # 56 CMJ Radio 200 (CMJ Issue 945 – 01/23/06)
• "Beside the Sun" 04/25/06 ADD DATE: Alternative Format
• "Goodbye" 03/27/06 ADD DATE: CHR/POP Format

{{Reflist|30em}}

• [http://www.ismmusic.com Official website]
• [http://audioaddictionmag.com/Isminterview.aspx Ism interview with Audio Addiction Magazine]{{dead link|date=April 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

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Category:Musical groups established in 2004

Category:Musical groups from New York City

Category:Alternative rock groups from New York (state)