Metro Station

In Hollywood, California, Metro Station's emo-pop sound took shape through a web of family ties. Co-frontman Trace Cyrus, stepson of country star Billy Ray Cyrus, benefited from his half sister Miley Cyrus's established platform; she had starred as the lead in Disney's Hannah Montana before pursuing her own recording career. Singer Mason Musso likewise had a sibling connection to the show, with his younger brother cast as Oliver Oken, and the two older musicians were introduced at their mothers' insistence. Keyboardist Blake Healy soon joined, allowing the trio to cut the teenage anthem "Seventeen Forever," which quickly gained traction on MySpace.com. Online buzz then drew Anthony Improgo aboard as drummer, and the completed lineup began performing around the L.A. area.

MySpace remained central when a Red Ink intern found the group on the platform's music pages, resulting in a late-2006 deal—the same year Metro Station formed. The quartet traveled to New York City to track its self-titled debut, which arrived in September 2007 and included production from Motion City Soundtrack's Josh Cain and Justin Pierre on leadoff single "Kelsey." Early sales stayed modest until the double-platinum hit "Shake It" reversed the band's trajectory. Momentum faded by the close of 2009, when the group contracted to a duo, and Metro Station formally disbanded in March 2010.