The Killer and the Star

Ostensibly a solo project of Scooter Ward, frontman for Jacksonville post-grunge wailers Cold, the Killer and the Star take a more orchestral, more melodic approach to alternative rock than Ward's original band. Ward's vocals, often playfully tweaked by Auto-Tune, gently soar over intricate compositions that bask in piano power pop with goth hooks. Ward first envisioned his new project as the Witch in 2006, and after finally settling on the Killer and the Star for a moniker, he recruited a touring band that included percussionist Rocky Gray (formerly of Evanescence) and bassist Michael Harris of Idiot Pilot. Their eponymous debut (produced by Ross Robinson, who also helmed the boards on Cold's first album) was released in July of 2009.