Fourth Of July

The Fourth of July project a relaxed, family-centered vibe reminiscent of an Independence Day cookout in their native Lawrence, KS. Three brothers form the band's foundation: Brendan Hangauer handles lead vocals and guitar, Patrick Hangauer plays bass, and Kelly Hangauer covers keyboards plus trumpet. After gaining experience in assorted local groups, the siblings launched the Fourth of July in 2001—expanding Brendan's earlier solo effort—with a fourth brother taking on management duties. Through repeated hometown performances and self-recorded home demos, the group gradually locked in its complete roster, adding the brothers' high-school friend Steve Swyers on rhythm guitar, drummer Brian Costello, and keyboardist plus co-vocalist Adrianne Verhoeven, previously of the emo band the Anniversary. The act then joined the hometown indie imprint Range Life Records and issued its first full-length effort, Fourth of July on the Plains, during summer 2007.