Mike Thrasher Presents
The Hush Sound
The Last Royals & Sydney Wayser
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The Hush Sound (currently on an indefinite hiatus) is a pop quartet from Chicago, Illinois formed in 2004. Initially named “The Hush,” the band changed their name to “The Hush Sound” when Geffen Records objected that their name was too similar to rapper Hush. The band consists of Bob Morris on vocals and guitar, Mike Leblanc on bass and vocals, Darren Wilson on drums and vocals, and Greta Salpeter on vocals and piano. Original bassist Chris Faller left the band in October 2008 in order to pursue other musical interests and was replaced by Mike LeBlanc, who had toured with them previously on their “Dance Across the Country Tour”.
In 2005 the band released their first studio album So Sudden. Their second studio album, Like Vines, was released in 2006 on Fueled by Ramen. The Hush Sound was founded by Greta Salpeter and Bob Morris. The two met when Greta was in 7th grade and Bob was in 10th. In the eyes of many of their peers, Bob and Greta were deemed an “odd couple.” Bob had always been a player and performer of rock music, whereas Greta was a classical pianist.
By the end of March of 2005, The Hush Sound took their music into the studio to record their debut full-length album. The studio was the Gallery of Carpet located in Villa Park, IL run by owner Brian Zieske. They named it “So Sudden”—a reflection on how quickly things were moving for the band. They released their first album with no label support at the time, but nevertheless sold 300 CDs in two nights.
Five months later, the band began playing shows. They soon gained the attention of Fall Out Boy’s Pete Wentz. On the day they were streaming “So Sudden” on purevolume, Ryan Ross of Panic at the Disco discovered their page and passed it along to Pete Wentz. Wentz knew Bob from his previous work in Chicago-based band The Audition, and, after listening, he sent The Hush Sound an email saying that he was interested in signing them to his Decaydance Records label.