Over It

Pushing the boundaries of rock through high-energy reinterpretations and drawing from alternative acts such as Jimmy Eat World and NOFX, Over It injects fresh vitality into the punk-pop sound. The group came together as a quartet in Alexandria, Virginia, during 1998 before shifting operations to California, with Peter Munters handling guitar and vocals alongside Nick Bailey on guitar, James Ulrich on drums, and Seth Watts on bass. Within months of formation the musicians tracked an initial demo that caught the ear of Negative Progression Records, resulting in the 1999 release of their six-song self-titled EP. After an intensive run of Midwest dates, the band returned to the studio to complete its debut full-length, The Ready Series, which surfaced in late 2000 and earned widespread praise that extended well beyond the local scene, prompting a coast-to-coast headline tour. Continued radio exposure and favorable press coverage then led the quartet to record the EP Hindsight 20/20, issued in 2001. Appearances on the Vans Warped Tour from 2002 through 2004 helped solidify a dedicated following, after which Over It delivered Silverstrand on Lobster Records in 2005; an acoustic split with Junction 18 had appeared two years earlier. In fall 2005 the band joined the MTV2 “Dew Circuit Breakout” competition backed by Mountain Dew, a showcase previously won by Yellowcard and Taking Back Sunday. Although Hellogoodbye ultimately prevailed, Over It secured a Virgin contract before the year closed. The resulting major-label debut, Step Outside Yourself, reached stores in late summer 2006 as the group’s most cohesive statement to date and featured the addition of former Don’t Look Down frontman Ryan Ogren on guitar and vocals.