Man Alive

In 1999 the pop-punk trio Man Alive formed in Jerusalem, Israel, and endured years of obstacles before landing their first label release in 2005. Jamie Hilsden handled vocals and guitar, David Shkedi played guitar, and Jon Shkedi covered bass and vocals. The group spent several years grinding through Israel’s underground circuit, steadily climbing on determination alone while cultivating a loyal following and issuing their earliest demos in 2000. Although several labels expressed interest, the band’s location made them a difficult prospect for U.S. indie imprints that had otherwise responded positively to the material. Refusing to relent, Man Alive pressed forward and broke into the international market with two self-released full-length albums plus extensive tours through Japan, Europe, and North America. Bolstered by a growing worldwide audience and a fresh batch of songs, the trio enlisted producer Ed Rose—known for his work with the Get Up Kids and Motion City Soundtrack—in 2004. The resulting record, Open Surgery, finally reached the listeners they had long anticipated; its dynamic arrangements and raw energy, paired with Rose’s forthright production, earned strong critical notice upon its 2005 release and drew fans from around the globe. The band maintained a rigorous touring schedule thereafter, placing particular emphasis on North American markets.