Concrete Castles is an American rock band from Erie, Pennsylvania.

Concrete Castles
Concrete Castles playing live in 2022
Concrete Castles playing live in 2022
Background information
OriginErie, Pennsylvania
GenresAlternative rock, pop rock, indie pop, indie rock, pop punk
Years active2021–present
LabelsEqual Vision, Velocity
Members
  • Matthew Yost
  • Audra Miller
  • Sam Gilman

History

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In 2009, five elementary aged friends from Erie, Pennsylvania, formed M4 (Mini Men Making Music), under the tutorage of guitar teacher Ryan Krysiak. After going through several lead vocalists who quit the band for different reasons, Audra Miller joined in 2013 and has been their lead singer since.[1] In December 2015, the band changed their name to First to Eleven.[2] In 2016, they played at the Vans Warped Tour.[3] In 2017 and 2018 most of the original five members left the band for college, with only Matthew Yost remaining as a founding member. Sam Gilman and Krysiak (who had acted as the band’s manager for their entire career) joined as replacements.

The band gained international coverage by uploading rock covers of pop and rock songs every week.[4] In January 2021, First to Eleven’s YouTube channel reached one million subscribers.[5] In May 2023, they had released more than 350 videos.[4]

In February 2021, Miller, Yost, and Gilman announced they had signed with Velocity Records, as well as Equal Vision Records, to launch an original band named Concrete Castles (while simultaneously still releasing weekly covers as First to Eleven). The band released their first single, “Just a Friend”, in March.[6][7][8] They played their first show on June 5, 2021, at the Atlantic City Beer & Music Festival.[9] Their debut album, "Wish I Missed U", was released on September 17, 2021, with names such as Blake Harnage producing.[10][11][12] That same month, they embarked on a tour with Against The Current.[13] They continued to tour throughout 2022, playing with many different acts including Oxymorrons and Set It Off.[14] The second Concrete Castles album, “Brand New Me”, was released on August 25, 2023.[15]

Members

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  • Audra Miller – Vocals
  • Matthew Yost – Guitar
  • Sam Gilman – Drums

Discography

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Albums

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  • “Wish I Missed U” (September 17, 2021)
  • ”Brand New Me” (August 25, 2023)
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  • "Sedated" by Bear Grillz and Stryer (July 2021)[16]
  • "Stronger" by Stryer (April 2023)[17]

References

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  1. ^ Beardsley-Petit, Karen. "M4 -- teens make music, headlines". GoErie.com. Retrieved 27 July 2021.
  2. ^ Yarborough, Chuck (14 February 2016). "First to Eleven claims back-to-back Tri-C High School Rock Off (photos)". cleveland.com. Retrieved 27 July 2021.
  3. ^ Carfer, Grant. "The Women of Warped Tour". sacurrent.com. Archived from the original on 27 July 2021. Retrieved 27 July 2021.
  4. ^ a b Dupont-Besnard, Marcus (2023-05-01). "First to Eleven, Cole Rolland : 5 chaînes YouTube pour les fans de covers rock". Numerama (in French). Retrieved 2023-05-02.
  5. ^ Geisler, Jennie. "From teen rockers to YouTube stars: Erie's First to Eleven at 1 million fans and growing". GoErie.com. Retrieved 27 July 2021.
  6. ^ Lieber, Sarah Jae. "Concrete Castles Signs to Equal Vision Records". broadwayworld.com. Retrieved 27 July 2021.
  7. ^ Raymer, Scott (14 May 2021). "Concrete Castles is Ready to Soar". concertcrap.com. Retrieved 27 July 2021.
  8. ^ Darus, Alex (8 April 2021). "10 HIGHLY ANTICIPATED DEBUT ALBUMS WE WISH WE COULD HEAR RIGHT NOW". altpress.com. Retrieved 27 July 2021.
  9. ^ Russo, John (4 June 2021). "Atlantic City Beer & Music Festival kicks off with wet Friday night". pressofatlanticcity.com. Retrieved 27 July 2021.
  10. ^ Quiles, Alyssa (April 2021). "40 New Artists You Need to Hear in April". altpress.com. Retrieved 28 July 2021.
  11. ^ "Concrete Castles To Release "Wish I Missed U"". New Jersey Stage. Wine Time Media, LLC. 7 August 2021. Retrieved 17 September 2021.
  12. ^ Stokes, Otis (24 September 2021). "New Music Friday: Ultraviolet Communication, Walk The Moon, Lucinda Moore, Majid Jordan, Cassadee Pope, Concrete Castles, Lola Young". www.latfusa.com. LATF USA. Retrieved 12 October 2021.
  13. ^ Chavez, Conny (14 September 2021). "Against the Current at the Roxy Theater on September 20th". mxdwn.com. Retrieved 17 September 2021.
  14. ^ "Set It Off Announce 2022 Headline Tour Dates". Broadway World. Wisdom Digital Media. Retrieved 23 October 2022.
  15. ^ Major, Michael. "Concrete Castles Announce Sophomore Album 'Brand New Me'". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2023-08-25.
  16. ^ Salafia, Zach (21 July 2021). "Bear Grillz, Stryer meet on Rude Service for 'Sedated' featuring Concrete Castles". Dancing Astronaut. Retrieved 28 July 2021.
  17. ^ Salafia, Zach (2023-04-20). "Stryer reunites with Concrete Castles for newest Rude Service delivery, 'Stronger'". Dancing Astronaut. Retrieved 2023-12-20.