Colossal

Formed toward the end of 2001, the indie rock group Colossal mixed rock, post-punk, jazz, and pop into its sound. The Elgin, IL-based quintet, whose music stayed intricate yet avoided heaviness or complexity, started performing live in spring 2002, after which Asian Man put out the debut EP Brave the Elements in January 2003. Once the initial touring cycle ended, the band turned to writing material for its first album. In early 2004, founding bassist Jeff Feucht stepped away to focus on teaching, prompting Eli Caterer of Smoking Popes to come aboard and complete the recording with drummer Rob Kellenberger of Slapstick and Tuesday, singer-guitarist Patrick Ford, and trumpeter-guitarist-singer Jason Flaks. Welcome the Problems appeared in September 2004, at which point Neil Hennessy of the Lawrence Arms became an official member after having already filled the role of second drummer on every tour since the group’s earliest outings. Chris Perrin, formerly of Seedy Sea Controversy and the Heavens, then took Caterer’s spot ahead of a short East Coast run. In early 2005, Ford, Kellenberger, and Flaks assisted Asian Man Records founder Mike Park with his second solo effort, North Hangook Falling. Colossal resumed live activity that same year, sharing bills with the Alkaline Trio and Mike Park; Flaks exited that autumn, and Eli Caterer rejoined, now handling guitar. When Smoking Popes reunited in December 2005, both Caterer and Kellenberger shifted their focus away from Colossal, while Hennessy and the Lawrence Arms issued a fresh album and toured at the start of 2006. As a result, Colossal entered hiatus.