The Trillions are a self-described “shred pop” band from Richmond, Virginia. Formed after the dissolution of Prabir & the Substitutes in 2009, the group paired three members from that power pop band -- bassist Robbie King, guitarist Chris Smith, and guitarist/vocalist Charlie Glenn -- with local drummer Joe Ferguson, who’d previously kept time for the Awesome Few. Together, the four cobbled together a new sound that paid tribute to past and present, retaining the vocal harmonies that had characterized the Substitutes' sound while adding some heavier elements influenced by indie rock, punk, and even 8-bit. The Trillions also took a page from the classical songbooks of Gustav Holtz and Ludwig van Beethoven by dividing some of the band’s chords into single-note harmonies on each instrument. By March 2010, the Trillions had started playing shows in Richmond and other East Coast cities. Glenn also logged some time as a touring guitarist/keyboardist for Thao with the Get Down Stay Down, who -- along with groups like Best Coast, Girl Talk, and J Roddy Walston & the Business -- occasionally employed the Trillions as an opening act. Later that year, the band self-released an EP, Flux, and began working on a full-length debut, which appeared in 2012. ~ Andrew Leahey