High school bands are usually pastimes, something kids do to while away weekends at a friend's garage or basement. Hey Monday, though, would probably beg to differ. With its high school roots and current mainstream popularity, it's one band that has made the transition from classrooms to concerts, from teenage efforts to a defined, mature sound.

Hey Monday: Young And Fresh

"We have a variety of styles, but they're all pretty much fast and upbeat."

High school bands are usually pastimes, something kids do to while away weekends at a friend's garage or basement. Hey Monday, though, would probably beg to differ. With its high school roots and current mainstream popularity, it's one band that has made the transition from classrooms to concerts, from teenage efforts to a defined, mature sound.

Hey Monday's Early Days

Originally beginning as a band called Blake, the group was formed by vocalist Cassadee Pope and her friend and guitarist Mike Gentile. The two met in high school and got pretty far with their music, as far as almost getting their act signed to a label. Internal conflicts, however, kept them from going further.

Neither Pope nor Gentile were daunted by this setback, however, and they reformed soon after. With the addition of drummer Elliot James, rhythm guitarist Alex Lipshaw and bass guitarist Jersey Moriarty, they reemerged as Hey Monday and quickly gained attention from record labels. Although Columbia Records soon picked them up, extra interest came when Alex Wilhelm of CrazedHits.com gave them online coverage.

The group's official explanation for their name comes from a contradiction that the group seems to appreciate. Most people aren't excited about Mondays, Pope says, but the day can also represent a new beginning.

Hey Monday's Heyday

Hold On Tight, the group's debut album, came out in 2008, under Columbia Records and Fall Out Boy's Pete Wentz's personal imprint Decaydance. A series of appearances in other media like the TV movie Degrassi: The Next Generation only helped further the new group's reputation. Should've Tried Harder, a song from Hold On Tight, was also featured in the Major League Baseball 2k9 video game.

In 2009, however, Pope announced via her Twitter page that drummer James had chosen to left the band, and was officially out as of October that year. A replacement, Patrick McKenzie, had already been selected to take the drummer's set for the group's Glamour Kills tour, but a permanent drummer is yet to be announced.

Touring has been a major priority for the group. Ever since their official debut in 2008, the group has been billed in no less than a dozen major tours, all on top of their individual concerts. Despite the busy schedule on the road, however, Hey Monday is reportedly working on their second studio album, due out around mid-2010.

Did You Know That