The Rocketboys, having spent the first years of their career in the unassuming town of Abilene, created an anthemic, ambient sound that matched the expansive landscape in which they lived.
Comprised of five guys who met in college, The Rocketboys formed in late 2005 and, over the next three years, somehow found time to record and release two E.P.s and two live DVDs, embark on multiple national and regional tours, and amass a substantial fan base in their home state of Texas, all while finishing their degrees.
Residing now in Austin, The Rocketboys continue to improve their signature sound, described by The Austin American-Statesman as showing “a mastery of mood and subtlety” and complimenting singer Brandon Kinder’s soaring melodies with “clear, ringing guitars and full-bodied keyboard arrangements, hard-driving drum lines and well-practiced transitions between calm and controlled chaos."
Their newest effort, and debut full-length album, 20,000 Ghosts, was engineered by Louie Lino (Nada Surf, Matt Pond PA). Describing the new album, guitarist Daniel Wheeler said, “20,000 Ghosts displays a new range of diversity and maturity in our music, while maintaining the pop-sensibility that fans have come to love. We try to find the balance between a light, drum-driven brand of indie rock and darker, more atmospheric sounds coupled with lyrics and melodies you can’t get out of your head.”
20,000 Ghosts was released in late September and The Rocketboys will be touring North America in October.
Press
"When it comes to song writing, the line between 'earnest' and 'overly-earnest' could not be any finer, or risky. In their latest album 20,000 Ghosts, The Rocketboys always stay just on the right side of said line, creating rich anthems that are as infectious as they are sincere."
-PASTE MAGAZINE
"The Rocketboys have a sound as expansive as the open road and lyrics deep as a Southwest sunrise. Lofty melodies encircle broad indie rock compositions on The Rocketboys' debut album, 20,000 Ghosts."
-CHICAGOIST
"The band's got some legs to stand on -- Impressive harmonies and melodies, and, overall, quite the pleasing, heartfelt indie rock sound."
-DALLAS OBSERVER
"[20,00 Ghosts] is fresh with rich textures, like the lead guitar on “Rare Triumphs of Love and Fortune” or the underlying drumbeats of “I Saw a Stone.” With his alto range, approaching falsetto at times, singer Brandon Kinder creates an ethereal, almost spiritual, tone."
-TEXAS MUSIC MAGAZINE
"...tight, epic, densely layered sound..."
- MEMPHIS COMMERCIAL APPEAL
"Building gray-hued swells of chorused guitar and minor-key piano processionals, the Rocketboys may have a sound as wide as the West Texas skies, but they’re decidedly overcast with clouds
that perpetually threaten rain."
-THE ONION, AUSTIN
"The Rocketboys' sound is rife with shimmering ambience, reverberating piano, pinging guitars and lead singer Brandon Kinder's smooth yet soaring vocals, bringing a sound resembling other
bittersweet and earnest acts such as Keane."
-THE OKLAHOMA GAZETTE
"The Rocketboys showed a mastery of mood and subtlety. Amplifying a sound made familiar to Texas music fans by bands such as Cue and Explosions in the Sky, the six-member group adorns singer Brandon Kinder's soaring melodies with clear, ringing guitars and full-bodied keyboard arrangements, hard-driving drumlines and well-practiced transitions between calm and controlled chaos."
Dudes, sooo much fun hangin out last night at the house. Our whole house has been listening to the album all day. Needless to say, we are in love. I can't believe I missed the pancake party.
i miss you guys and want to have everyone of your guys babies, hope you remember me, by the way check out my new project www.myspace.com/theholidayindy hopefully one day we can rock the stage again together much love, animal
Randomly stumbled upon you guys on Live from Austin while channel surfing. AMAZING. I was totally blow away. Have fun in OKC, I used to live there. You gotta try The Wedge pizza. I never found anything as good in Chicago and I lived there my whole life!
I'm SUPER pumped about seeing you guys on Thursday in Houston. Glad you're finally coming down here. Plan on picking up 20K Ghosts and bringing my girlfran.
Im so proud you you guys. Mitch used to talk about his band in Lifetime Wellness. We all used to gather on the lawns of ACU and jam out together as one. Good times and you guys SERIOUSLY Deserve it!!!!