Phases (band)
{{Short description|Band from Los Angeles}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2017}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Phases
| image = PHASES_2015.jpg
| landscape = yes
| origin = Los Angeles, California, United States
| alias = JJAMZ {{small|(2009–2015)}}
| genre = {{Flat list|
}}
| years_active = 2009–present
| label = Warner Bros., Dangerbird
| associated_acts = {{Flat list|
}}
| website = {{URL|http://phasesmusic.com/}}
| current_members = Z Berg
Michael Runion
Alex Greenwald
Jason Boesel
| past_members = James Valentine
}}
Phases (formerly known as JJAMZ and pronounced juh-jamz){{cite web|last=Costello|first=Carly|title=Introducing… JJAMZ|url=http://www.artistdirect.com/nad/news/article/0,,10036676,00.html|publisher=Carly Costello|accessdate=July 15, 2012}} is an American indie pop band from Los Angeles, California{{cite magazine|title=JJAMZ 'Never Enough'|date=April 3, 2012 |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/videos/jjamz-never-enough-20120403|magazine=Rolling Stone|accessdate=July 16, 2012}} composed of Jason Boesel (Rilo Kiley / Bright Eyes/Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band), Alex Greenwald (Phantom Planet / Blackblack), Michael Runion, and Z Berg (The Like).
Background
JJAMZ was started at karaoke night at Guys in Hollywood.{{cite web|last=Wasser|first=Alexi|title=JJAMZ' First Kiss|date=January 27, 2009 |url=http://www.interviewmagazine.com/music/jjamz-first-kiss#_|accessdate=July 16, 2012}} The band name is an acronym using the first letter of each member's name. The group was a means of escape from each member's respective bands at a time when things seemed hectic for each member. "JJAMZ started at an interesting time in all of our lives. We all needed some kind of escape from relationships or our other bands. It was a tumultuous time, and the lyrics just came out. It was like word vomit. I can't remember," said Z Berg,{{cite web|last=Wasser|first=Alexi|title=JJAMZ' First Kiss|date=January 27, 2009 |url=http://www.interviewmagazine.com/music/jjamz-first-kiss#_|accessdate=September 24, 2012}} lead vocalist for the Like, in one of their first interviews as a band.
The band played their first concert at the Echo Plex on January 27, 2009, and went on to release their debut album, Suicide Pact, on July 10, 2012.{{Citation needed|date=December 2012}} The album's songs were featured in the television shows: "Get What You Want" in Awkward,{{cite web|title=Awkward – The Other Shoe|url=https://www.tunefind.com/show/awkward/season-2/12092|work=Tunefind|accessdate=September 2, 2018}} "Heartbeat" in Pretty Little Liars{{cite web|title=Pretty Little Liars – Burn This|url=https://www.tunefind.com/show/pretty-little-liars/season-6/28862|work=Tunefind|accessdate=August 26, 2018}} and "Cleverly Disgusted" in 90210.{{cite web|title=90210 – Up in Smoke|url=https://www.tunefind.com/show/90210/season-4/9462|work=Tunefind|accessdate=September 2, 2018}} To support this release, the band opened for The Hush Sound during a brief tour in October 2012.{{Citation needed|date=December 2012}}
Following James Valentine's departure from the band, the name of the band was changed to Phases. In early 2015, the band signed with Warner Bros. Records and on May 12, 2015, released their first new music under their new name. "I'm in Love with My Life", "Betty Blue", and "Cooler" were all released on the same day, with a music video directed by Ethan Tobman for "I'm in Love with My Life" released simultaneously. "I'm in Love with My Life" was featured in The Sims 4: Perfect Patio Stuff's official launch trailer{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=veo2qww_HSA |title=The Sims 4: Perfect Patio Stuff: Official Trailer |publisher=YouTube |date=June 16, 2015 |accessdate=September 1, 2016}} as well as the television shows Orange Is the New Black{{cite web|url=https://www.tunefind.com/show/orange-is-the-new-black/season-4/31543|title=Orange is the New Black – It Sounded Nicer in My Head|work=Tunefind|accessdate=September 15, 2018}} and Faking It.{{cite web|url=https://www.tunefind.com/show/faking-it-2014/season-3/30061|title=Faking It – Let's Hear It for the Oy|work=Tunefind|accessdate=September 15, 2018}}
The band reunited for a performance under the JJAMZ lineup for the Z Berg & Friends Christmas Prom on December 4, 2021.
Discography
Singles
- "I'm In Love with My Life" (2015) [#35 Alternative Songs, #4 Dance Club Songs]
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{commons category}}
- {{Official website}}
- {{YouTube|channel=UCOTqjY2m-YJjtudHk_JM7hw}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Indie pop groups from Los Angeles