When you hear a new band for the first time, it's only natural to try to place it in context with the familiar. Upon first listen, Springfield, IL's The Graduate may drum up images of print hoodies and guyliner, but the truth is, this humble five-piece is simply a bold rock band experimenting with a myriad of sounds that move them. Given this, allow yourself to be introduced to The Graduate.

Formed in 2005 from the ashes of several other bands, The Graduate is a collaboration between long-time friends Tim Moore, Corey Warning, Matt Kennedy, Max Sauer and Jared Wuestenberg. The band gained momentum quickly on the Midwest ‘indie-circuit' due to the memorable songs, interactive live show and friendly disposition of its members, eventually landing on the cover of CMJ in late 2006. The Graduate has been featured several times the Myspace music homepage over the past year, and has been a winner on MTVu's "The Freshmen".

Best described as solid, mature pop-rock showered with sincerity and honesty, the band's debut full-length, Anhedonia, produced by Brian McTernan (Circa Survive, Senses Fail, and Thrice), is laced with bold rhythms interspersed with flourishing progressions and macabre beats that support the delicate beauty of the band's shimmering guitars.

The Graduate tours incessantly, and firmly believes in earning fan loyalty through good old-fashioned touring. They've traveled the country through and through, playing over 200 shows in the past year, most recently with the likes of Jack's Mannequin and Simple Plan. The festival circuit has also opened their arms to the Illinois natives with stints on Lollapalooza, Bamboozle, and the Warped Tour, as well as Germany's Rock am See (with Nine Inch Nails headlining).