The City Drive

Leaving his native Ontario with dreams of sunny skies, palm trees, and being in a rock band, vocalist/guitarist/pianist Danny Smith set off to Los Angeles in 2002, stopping in Memphis along the way to record some early demos with Lisa Loeb. Upon making it to California, Smith met up with another L.A. transplant, Long Island-born bassist/vocalist Scott Waldman, who had relocated to the area in 2003 following his graduation from the University of Michigan. The final piece of the puzzle was California drummer Marc Precilla, who had previously honed his skills in various rock and punk bands. The City Drive — meaning "the push behind the hustle of the city" — was born. Playing sunny indie rock with elements of Weezer, the All-American Rejects, and Green Day appearing sporadically, the fresh-faced trio performed at the opening night of 2004's South by Southwest festival before inking a deal with We the People Records that December. With producer Chris Fudurich (Jimmy Eat World, RX Bandits) at the controls, the guys recorded their label debut in summer 2005. Always Moving Never Stopping was issued the following June, and the rest of 2006 was spent on the road in support. The City Drive also had tracks appear in movies like American Pie: Band Camp and Yours, Mine & Ours.