Permanent Me

Permanent Me emerged as a pop-punk quartet hailing from the small Long Island suburb of Bellmore, NY. Its lineup featured singer-guitarist Brian Kapler alongside guitarist Joseph Guccione, bassist Justin Morrell, and drummer Mike Fleischmann; the musicians first assembled in high school under the moniker "Yes, Virginia." Their active cultivation of an online audience drew both junior-high listeners via MySpace and key industry supporters, among them Sum 41 frontman (and Mr. Avril Lavigne) Deryck Whibley plus Panic! at the Disco producer Matt Squire, which prompted a swift deal with the independent imprint I Surrender Records. A subsequent rebranding to Permanent Me, prompted in part by the Dresden Dolls naming their second album Yes, Virginia..., paved the way for the May 2006 release of their debut EP, Dear Virginia. That same power-pop opener, "Allison," reappeared on the January 2007 full-length After the Room Clears, issued through Stolen Transmission Records.