Split Habit
Encyclopedia
Split Habit was a power pop
band founded in Lemont, Illinois
in 1997.
, Broken Strings, Broken Sticks and Broken Hearts which was shortly thereafter incorporated into the bands first full-length CD Rockstar 101. The CD helped Split Habit land a booking contract with J. Francis Associates.
The band began touring the midwest and received strong review for their unique approach to pop, but the booking relationship expired after three months. The bands popularity in Illinois and neighboring states continued to grow as Split Habit shared the stage with Stroke 9, Sum 41
and Showoff. The band release another four song EP entitled E to the P and became a headlining act at the premier all ages venue in Chicago
"Metro".
Unable to land a recording contract, Split Habit, continued to tour the midwest releasing Biting My Lip, a five song EP that garnered a great deal of attention locally and airplay on Q101. During their promotion they played the first of five consecutive years on Warped Tour
.
Biting My Lip was the swan song
for guitarist Johnny Smoke. Heavily reliant on the harmonies produced between Brown and Smoke, the remaining members exhaustively searched for a replacement. Frankie Cacciato joined the band in late 2002.
In early 2003, Split Habit headed to legendary Smart Studios
with producer Sean O'Keefe (Fall Out Boy
, Motion City Soundtrack
) to record Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is, their second full length album. The album landed them a record contract with small Chicago label Double Zero Records. While the album benefited from Double Zero's promotion and radio push, the inability of the label to secure an agent for the band eventually led to the band's release from the label.
In 2004, Split Habit won the Ernie Ball Warped Tour Battle of the bands and headed to Los Angeles
for a sold out showcase at LA's key club. The band had had recent successes licensing their music and were featured on Smallville
, Laguna Beach, Supernatural
and many other programs.
In July 2006, Split Habit played their last show at Chicago's Warped Tour
at the First Midwest Amphitheater in Tinley Park. It was a sweet ending to almost ten years of touring and recording.
Power pop
Power pop is a popular musical genre that draws its inspiration from 1960s British and American pop and rock music. It typically incorporates a combination of musical devices such as strong melodies, crisp vocal harmonies, economical arrangements, and prominent guitar riffs. Instrumental solos are...
band founded in Lemont, Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
in 1997.
Overview
The original line-up consisted of Travis Brown (lead vocals/bass), Johnny Smoke (guitar, cool sounding name, backing vocals) and Chris Michaels (drums). The band recorded a four song demo and began playing small all ages and 21 and up venues around Illinois. Split Habit released an EPExtended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
, Broken Strings, Broken Sticks and Broken Hearts which was shortly thereafter incorporated into the bands first full-length CD Rockstar 101. The CD helped Split Habit land a booking contract with J. Francis Associates.
The band began touring the midwest and received strong review for their unique approach to pop, but the booking relationship expired after three months. The bands popularity in Illinois and neighboring states continued to grow as Split Habit shared the stage with Stroke 9, Sum 41
Sum 41
Sum 41 is a Canadian rock band from Ajax, Ontario. The band was formed in 1996 and currently consists of members Deryck Whibley , Tom Thacker , Jason McCaslin and Steve Jocz .In 1999, the band signed an international record deal with Island Records...
and Showoff. The band release another four song EP entitled E to the P and became a headlining act at the premier all ages venue in Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
"Metro".
Unable to land a recording contract, Split Habit, continued to tour the midwest releasing Biting My Lip, a five song EP that garnered a great deal of attention locally and airplay on Q101. During their promotion they played the first of five consecutive years on Warped Tour
Warped Tour
The Warped Tour is a touring music and extreme sports festival. The tour is held in venues such as parking lots or fields upon which the stages and other structures are erected. The BMX/skateboarding shoe manufacturer Vans, among others, has sponsored the tour every year since 1995, and it is...
.
Biting My Lip was the swan song
Swan song
"Swan song" is a metaphorical phrase for a final gesture, effort, or performance given just before death or retirement. The phrase refers to an ancient belief that the Mute Swan is completely silent during its lifetime until the moment just before death, when it sings one beautiful song...
for guitarist Johnny Smoke. Heavily reliant on the harmonies produced between Brown and Smoke, the remaining members exhaustively searched for a replacement. Frankie Cacciato joined the band in late 2002.
In early 2003, Split Habit headed to legendary Smart Studios
Smart Studios
Smart Studios was a recording studio located at 1254 E Washington Ave in Madison, Wisconsin. It was set up in 1983 by Butch Vig and Steve Marker to produce local bands....
with producer Sean O'Keefe (Fall Out Boy
Fall Out Boy
Fall Out Boy is an American rock band from Wilmette, Illinois, formed in 2001. The band consists of vocalist, guitarist and composer Patrick Stump, bassist and lyricist Pete Wentz, guitarist Joe Trohman, and drummer Andy Hurley. The band released five studio albums from 2003–2008...
, Motion City Soundtrack
Motion City Soundtrack
Motion City Soundtrack is an American rock band from Minneapolis, Minnesota, formed in 1997. The band consists of founding members Justin Pierre and Joshua Cain , along with keyboardist and moog synthesist Jesse Johnson, bassist and backing vocalist Matthew Taylor, and drummer, percussionist and...
) to record Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is, their second full length album. The album landed them a record contract with small Chicago label Double Zero Records. While the album benefited from Double Zero's promotion and radio push, the inability of the label to secure an agent for the band eventually led to the band's release from the label.
In 2004, Split Habit won the Ernie Ball Warped Tour Battle of the bands and headed to Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
for a sold out showcase at LA's key club. The band had had recent successes licensing their music and were featured on Smallville
Smallville
Smallville is the hometown of Superman in comic books published by DC Comics. While growing up in Smallville, the young Clark Kent attended Smallville High with best friends Lana Lang, Chloe Sullivan and Pete Ross...
, Laguna Beach, Supernatural
Supernatural
The supernatural or is that which is not subject to the laws of nature, or more figuratively, that which is said to exist above and beyond nature...
and many other programs.
In July 2006, Split Habit played their last show at Chicago's Warped Tour
Warped Tour
The Warped Tour is a touring music and extreme sports festival. The tour is held in venues such as parking lots or fields upon which the stages and other structures are erected. The BMX/skateboarding shoe manufacturer Vans, among others, has sponsored the tour every year since 1995, and it is...
at the First Midwest Amphitheater in Tinley Park. It was a sweet ending to almost ten years of touring and recording.
Former
- Travis Brown- Bass and VOX
- Frankie Cacciato - guitar and backing vocals
- Chris Michaels - drums
Discography
- Broken Strings, Broken Sticks and Broken Hearts - EP - 1997 (?)
- Rockstar 101 - LP - 1998 (?)
- E to the P - EP - 1999 (?)
- Biting My Lip - EP - 2001 (?)
- Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is - LP - 2003
- Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is - LP, Japan - 2004 (?)