Sumner

Active during the late 1970s and early 1980s on the Los Angeles and Hollywood rock circuit, Sumner offered a distinctive fusion of new wave and arena rock yet remained largely overlooked. The group took shape in L.A. in 1978 when vocalist and rhythm guitarist Sumner Mering—after whom the band was named—teamed with lead guitarist Larry Treadwell, bassist Robert Louis DiChiro, drummer Mark Sanders, and keyboardist Novi. Exposure from local performances secured a contract with Asylum/Elektra, which issued the self-titled debut album in 1980. Despite earning a measure of positive critical notice, the record failed to achieve commercial traction. Asylum/Elektra terminated the agreement, and Sumner disbanded in 1981, never completing a follow-up release.