Formed in Brooklyn, New York in 2010 -- after Joe Galarraga (vocals), Amar Lal (guitar), Carlos Salguero, Jr. (bass), and Brendan Finn (drums) met while studying a technology course at New York University -- Big Ups originally started out as a witty punk outfit, but after realizing that particular sound wasn't for them, the bandmembers headed in a harsher, more serious direction. Their first release came just a year after forming -- in the shape of the 7" single Wake Up on ECB&B -- and with live dates under their belts, Big Ups started earning comparisons to the Descendents, Fugazi, and Moss Icon. Although never really entertaining the idea of releasing a full-length album, Big Ups were approached by Dead Labour Records about releasing one, and with songs already written, the band entered the studio for three days with Charles DeChants in January 2013. A split single with Flagland was issued just a month later -- once again on ECB&B -- and after nearly a year their debut album, Eighteen Hours of Static, finally saw the light of day in January 2014. The band's sophomore studio outing, Before a Million Universes, followed in early 2016, tackling themes dealing with the individual against society. Released in 2018, Big Ups' third outing, Two Parts Together, began to incorporate the studio as an additional tool in the band's paintbox, adding elements like field recordings, harmonium, strings, and instrumental interludes. ~ Rich Wilson