The Advantage

The Advantage took their name from a Nintendo controller while carving out a distinctive strain of rock built around covers of beloved NES tracks. Spencer Seim first conceived the project in 1999 after witnessing a duo play video-game songs at a Nevada City, CA talent show; the drummer joined on the spot. Once the original pair relocated to Milwaukee, Seim recruited fellow high-school students and Generic members Carson McWhirter, Ben Milner, and Nick Rogers to handle bass and guitars. Under the 5 Rue Christine imprint—an affiliate of Kill Rock Stars—the band issued its self-titled debut in 2004. Two years afterward, with Robby Moncrieff stepping in for Rogers on guitar, the group delivered its sophomore effort, Elf Titled.