Rug

Rug is an indie and alternative rock band from Isla Vista. The group forms in 2000, when Shane Hagan and Jon Messeroff meet and later start writing music together. Bassist Hogan Birney joins after offering to play one show, then stays in the band. Drummer Matt completes the line-up after Rug finds him during an all-night YouTube session; he learns nine songs in a week and travels with three other band members on a four-hour trip to a show in Tallahassee.

The band’s sound is associated with indie rock, alternative rock, post-rock and crunk. Rug continues as a four-piece centred on Hagan, Messeroff, Birney and Matt. The group is also linked with playing live and writing music together, and it has a booking contact at rugtheband@gmail.com.