A Cursive Memory

Ambitious at a young age, the Southern California-based outfit A Cursive Memory had already managed to secure MTV airplay when most bands their age were stuck trying to come up with an original name. The pop/rock group -- which combined piano leads, rousing choruses, '80s-influenced keyboards, and sunny melodies -- took influence from a wide range of sources, including bands like the Killers, the All-American Rejects, and the Beach Boys. A Cursive Memory signed with Vagrant Records before issuing their full-length debut, Changes, in 2008. The band ultimately self-released the Matt Mahaffey-produced follow-up, Let Love In, in 2010, before disbanding in 2012.