Brick + Mortar

Hailing from Asbury Park, New Jersey, Brick + Mortar coalesced around the longstanding partnership of Brandon Asraf on bass guitar and vocals with John Tacon on drums, electronic samples, and vocals. Their punishing mix of punk-infused drum'n'bass and hook-driven electro-rock first took shape as an improvisational drum'n'bass endeavor before the pair introduced electronic samples and moved toward conventional pop frameworks. Recognition followed quickly, and by 2010 the duo had established itself among the region's most compelling live acts, often likened to Imagine Dragons, Sleigh Bells, and Jimmy Eat World. Their debut EP, Bangs, appeared in 2013 on Island/Def Jam/Photo Finish, with the major-label album Social Studies arriving the following year.