theSTART is an American alternative rock band from Los Angeles, California, formed in 1998. It begins with Aimee Echo and Jamie Miller, who start the group in the autumn of that year, drawing on interests in old-school new wave, dance-punk, and dark pop.

Line-up and members

The current line-up includes Aimee Echo, Jamie Miller, Lance Webber and Chelsea Davis. Early members include bassist Jeff Jaeger, drummer Scott Ellis, and guitarist Mike Smith. Scott Ellis also plays with Mellowdrone and She Wants Revenge.

Recordings and label history

The band records its debut album, Shakedown!, with Mike Smith still in the group, and it is issued on The Label, a sub-label of Geffen Records. After touring and the closure of that label, and after Scott Ellis leaves, the band releases The 1234 EP independently. Following a summer tour supporting Scarling., the group raises enough money to issue the theSTART EP on Smallstone Records. After touring with AFI, it signs to Nitro Records.

With Erick Sanger and Billy Brimblecom, Jr. in the line-up, the band records Initiation. The earlier theSTART EP is later re-released on Nitro Records as Death Via Satellite. On the day Initiation is released, Brimblecom announces his departure.

Later activity

The band tours with artists including The Offspring, Auf Der Maur and Garbage, using a series of fill-in drummers. Sanger leaves in 2006, after which the rhythm section becomes Lance Webber and Chelsea Davis. The band then parts ways with Nitro Records and signs to Metropolis Records later that year, releasing Ciao, Baby in 2007.