The Active Set

The Active Set is an indie/alternative rock band from Los Angeles, California formed in 2007. The band consists of Matthew Stolarz (lead vocals, guitar), Gabriel Grinta (drums), Alen Racedo (bass), Jason Friday (guitar) and Tim Chichetti (guitar).

The Active Set
The Active Set live at the Fonda Theatre in 2019 (photo by Michelle Shiers)
Background information
OriginLos Angeles, California, United States
Genres
Years active2007–present
Associated actsThe Briggs Matthew Stolarz
Websitewww.theactiveset.com
MembersMatthew Stolarz
Gabriel Grinta
Alen Racedo
Jason Friday
Tim Chichetti

History

The Active Set was formed after Matthew Stolarz departed his position as bassist for punk rock band The Briggs. Unsuccessful with his first attempt at putting a band together, he recorded the first Active Set EP at Aermotor Studios in Sunland, CA. Shortly thereafter guitarists Charlie Capen and Wayne Russell joined, as well as drummer Morgan Murphy, and the band began playing live. Later that year Capen left and was replaced by guitarist Francis Ramsden (Champion The Average). The following year Murphy left town and was replaced by Michael Castro. The band toured regionally, including trips to SXSW.

Over 2010/2011 three singles, "Let The Games Begin"[1] "It Multiplies"[2] and "Famous For Dying" [3] were released digitally (with accompanying videos) as the band continued playing regularly and tracking their first album. 11 was released in late 2011 on Chisel Pixel Records to favorable reviews, including the L.A. Times[4] and Buzzbands L.A.[5] The song "Better Brigade" was featured in Season 3 of Royal Pains on the USA Network.[6]

The band toured regionally in early 2012, including another trip to SXSW and several weeks in the East Coast/Midwest, opening for Neon Trees and Awolnation. In December 2012 alt-rock radio station KROQ launched the video for a charity-driven Christmas single by the band.[7]

In July 2013 the band played a fundraising concert at Vista Murrieta High School with Neon Trees that raised funds for various school programs.[8] The event was documented in the "Run" concert video. In August the band played the Sunset Strip Music Festival with other acts such as Linkin Park, Awolnation, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club and others and was named one of the "Top 5 Bands" at the festival by LA Music Blog.[9] After two regional tours in the fall guitarist Wayne Russell departed the band and bassist Alen Racedo joined.

The first new single "Shut 'Em Down" was released online in July 2014, and spent ten weeks in rotation on KROQ Locals Only. .[10]

The 7-song second album Lights was released January 22. Months later, Francis Ramsden departed the band to continue touring with Enrique Iglesias.[11]

In August 2015 the band supported Bloc Party on two sold-out club shows leading up to their appearance at FYF Fest in Los Angeles.[12]

The band spent much of 2016 mostly writing and playing select shows, including opening for Eve 6 on their 2016 tour.[13] They released their third EP Everything Changes on November 18 and played a headlining release show at the Satellite in Silverlake.

In 2017, the band took a hiatus from live shows to work on new music and explore other creative endeavors, but played the New Professor Records showcase at Echo Park Rising,[14] as well as some Sofar Sounds acoustic performances.

2018 was spent mostly writing songs for a new record, but on October 22, 2018 the band released a music video for Let's Go Out Tonight.[15]

In 2019 the band recorded the first third of their new record at Sunset Sound Recorders and La-Rocc-A-Fella Studios, opened for Mae and Matt Thiessen,[16] and also did a short run of shows supporting White Lies on the West Coast.[17]

In 2020, the band was forced to cancel all tour plans due to the Coronavirus lockdown, and on May 11 released Difficulties, the first single from their new album.

Discography

Studio albums
Year Album
2015 Lights
2011 11

EPs
Year EP
2016 Everything Changes
2008 The Active Set

Singles
Year Single
2020 Difficulties
2016 Say Goodbye
2016 Let's Go Out Tonight
2014 Shut 'Em Down
2012 Making Out (Is the Best Part of Christmas)
2011 Famous For Dying
2011 It Multiplies
2010 Let The Games Begin

Music Videos
Year Video
2018 Let's Go Out Tonight
2014 Shut 'Em Down
2013 Run (at Vista Murrieta High School)
2012 Making Out (is the Best Part of Christmas)
2011 Famous For Dying
2011 It Multiplies
2010 Let The Games Begin

References
  1. "MUSIC FAN'S MIC//: The Active Set: Let The Games Begin". Musicfansmic.net. May 24, 2010. Retrieved July 9, 2014.
  2. "The Active Set releases new song "It Multiplies"". Under the Gun Review. January 31, 2011. Retrieved July 9, 2014.
  3. Hallam, Scott (October 22, 2011). "The Active Set Has Some Zombie Fun with Famous for Dying Video". Dread Central. Retrieved July 9, 2014.
  4. http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/music_blog/2011/11/la-unheard-the-active-set.html
  5. Seraphina Lotkhamnga (November 11, 2011). "Ears Wide Open: The Active Set". Buzzbands.la. Retrieved July 9, 2014.
  6. "ROYAL PAINS SONG LIST: SEASON THREE". usanetwork.com.
  7. "The Active Set Release New Video For "Making Out (Is The Best Part Of Christmas)" « The World Famous KROQ". Kroq.cbslocal.com. December 10, 2012. Retrieved July 9, 2014.
  8. Franko, Vanessa (June 7, 2013). "MURRIETA: The Active Set to open for Neon Trees". The Press Enterprise. The Press Enterprise.
  9. "TOP 5 LA BANDS AT SUNSET STRIP MUSIC FESTIVAL 2013". http://lamusicblog.com/. External link in |website= (help)
  10. "Stream: The Active Set, 'Shut 'Em Down'". Buzzbands LA.
  11. Ramsden, Francis (June 1, 2015). "Enrique Iglesias Recovering After Fingers Sliced At Concert". The Telegraph. The Telegraph.
  12. "BLOC PARTY AND THE ACTIVE SET RATTLE THE GLASS HOUSE WITH INDIE ROCK SHEEN". Grimy Goods.
  13. "Eve 6 - Tickets - Velvet Jones - Santa Barbara, CA - September 7th, 2016". Velvet Jones. Retrieved July 27, 2017.
  14. "Echo Park Rising 2017: Here are your set times for this weekend". Buzzbands LA.
  15. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Ony9AMzQ1U. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  16. "Mae with Matthew Thiessen (of Relient K) and The Active Set in Los Angeles". Eventful.
  17. "White Lies, The Active Set". August Hall site.
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