Biography

Mixing elements of emo, punk, and even some metal into a decidedly indie rock package, Philadelphia's Up Up Down Down Left Right Left Right B A Start formed in the late '90s -- and yes, they deemed it a great idea to name themselves after the popular Konami video game cheat code adored by gamers everywhere, especially those trying to beat Nintendo's Contra. With a revolving cast of characters since its inception, the one constant of the band remained founder and vocalist/guitarist Steve Poponi. Several EPs were released early on before recording for the group's debut LP, And Nothing Is #1, began in late 2001. Sessions lasted through early 2002, and the album was subsequently issued in the fall of 2003 via OHEV Records and later re-released by Limekiln Records. On the band's debut, the players included Poponi, bassist Dave Damm, drummer/vocalist Scott Rumble, and guitarist Phil Apostol. Another EP, Perris, CA, appeared in the summer of 2005 on Limekiln, and it preceded a string of releases over the next few years, which included the Live in the Studio EP, the Internet EP, and Girls Names EP (the latter two were available for free download online). Four years following their first full-length, Up Up Down Down Left Right Left Right B A Start finally had enough of the EP game and released their second LP, the aptly titled Worst Band Name Ever, in June 2007. For it, Poponi was rounded out by guitarist David Downham, bassist Dave Damm, drummer Dave Dunn, and guitarist John Masino. Not ones to overindulge, the album clocked in at a brisk ten songs in 21 minutes and was noticeably mellower than previous work. The album would prove to be the group's last, as despite positive reviews, they decided to call it a day in mid-2008, playing their last live show that August. ~ Corey Apar, Rovi