Van Atta High

Originating from New Jersey, Van Atta High operates as a five-piece outfit devoted to high-energy rock with pronounced emo leanings. Steve Kellner on vocals, Socrates Moutsakis on guitar, and Santino LoConte on drums formed the group as a trio during 2006 and issued the debut EP We Are the Captivated that same year. Steve Jasko on guitar and Clark Starace on bass came aboard soon afterward. Subsequent personnel shifts saw Moutsakis and LoConte exit, with Justin Maikisch taking over guitar duties and Glenn Petnel assuming the drum chair. Recognition earned on the New Jersey club scene led to invitations for the Vans Warped and Taste of Chaos tours in 2007. Before the year ended, the band put out its follow-up EP Run Like Hell, which produced a noticeable surge in MySpace visits.