Man Overboard

Emo-pop outfit Man Overboard, based in New Jersey, upholds the tradition of melodic, high-energy bands from the Garden State that blended hardcore edges, among them Lifetime and Midtown. Childhood friends Nik Bruzzese on vocals and bass and Wayne Wildrick on guitar launched the project in 2008. The two began composing material at Bruzzese’s studio before recruiting Zac Eiestenstein for vocals and guitar plus Justin Mondschein on drums to lay down the debut EP Hung Up on Nothing. After signing with Run for Cover the next year, the group delivered a follow-up EP called Dahlia. Man Overboard maintained a brisk pace throughout 2010 by issuing the acoustic EP Noise from Upstairs, their first studio album Real Talk, and a self-released live set. That same year brought personnel shifts when Wildrick stepped away for personal reasons, Justin Collier covered guitar temporarily, and Mike Hrycenko joined on drums, yet the band strengthened its position by moving to the Rise Records roster. Wildrick returned in spring 2011, allowing the quartet to record its self-titled second album and join New Found Glory on the Pop Punk’s Not Dead tour that fall. The September release of Man Overboard reached the Billboard 200, Top Hard Rock Albums, and Top Independent Albums charts. Joe Talarico took over drumming duties from Mondschein ahead of the third album, Heart Attack, which arrived in 2013.