Innerpartysystem

Innerpartysystem are an electronic rock group from Mohnton, Pennsylvania, United States, formed in 2006 and active since then. Their sound combines alternative rock, electronic, indie rock and pop, and they are also associated with electronic rock, synth-rock, electro-rock, electronica and electro.

Formation and early development

The project grows out of songwriting that begins in 2002, when Jared Piccone and Patrick Nissley attend school together in Reading, Pennsylvania, and start writing songs inspired by electronic music and hardcore punk. As the group develops around 2006, Piccone and Nissley bring in Kris Barman, a former high school friend who has moved to Florida, and Jesse Cronan, an acquaintance. The band works as a four-piece, living together and building a basic studio and lighting setup for their own use. The name Innerpartysystem replaces an earlier name, The Takeover, and comes from George Orwell’s 1984, reflecting the band’s interest in ideas about celebrity culture and social hierarchy.

Line-up

The group includes Patrick Nissley, Jared Piccone and Jesse Cronan, with Wuki also listed as a member. In the period described in the bio, Nissley handles vocals and programming, Kris Barman plays guitar, synths and programming, Piccone plays drums, and Jesse Cronan contributes sampling, synths and vocals. Jesse Cronan leaves the group in March 2010.

Recordings and releases

Innerpartysystem signs to Stolen Transmission in 2007. Their early release Download begins as a home-recorded demo intended for online sharing rather than a conventional launch. Some tracks from it are later licensed to video games including Madden 09, FIFA and Burnout. Their self-titled debut album, Innerpartysystem, is released on Island Records in 2008. For that record, the band works with several producers and mixers, including Alan Moulder, Stuart Price, Mark “Spike” Stent, Joel Hamilton and Mark Needham.

They self-release the EP American Trash and later release Never Be Content on Red Bull Records in 2011. The band also describes a “phase 2.0” approach centred on a series of digital releases.

Live work and remixes

After the debut album, Innerpartysystem tour extensively and share stages with acts including Nine Inch Nails, P.O.S. and Linkin Park. They also play sold-out headline shows in the US and UK and appear at Lollapalooza, Vans Warped Tour, Projekt Revolution in Europe, SXSW, Give It A Name in Europe and Soundwave in Australia. In addition to their own releases, they work as remixers and DJs, producing remixes for The Killers, Katy Perry, Thirty Seconds To Mars, 3OH!3, Ladyhawk, Keane and The Presets among others.

Hiatus

In August 2011, the band announces an indefinite hiatus.