Volcano, I'm Still Excited!!

Possibly drawing its name from the Tom Hanks film Joe Versus the Volcano, the Brooklyn trio Volcano, I'm Still Excited!! formed around the health setbacks of frontman Mark Duplass. After landing a demo agreement with Mercury Records in 1998, the guitarist and songwriter relocated from Austin to New York City, only to learn he had tendinitis that would worsen with continued guitar playing. Turning to academics, Duplass enrolled at City College of New York for music studies, where he found he could handle the organ pain-free and began composing on that instrument instead. By late 2002 he was laboriously cutting home demos, which he forwarded to Austin acquaintance Byron Westbrook; Westbrook and his friend John Thomas Robinette III then concluded the three should launch a band. Reuniting in Austin, they tracked the debut EP Carbon Copy with Westbrook on guitar, Robinette on drums, Duplass on organ, and all sharing vocals. During subsequent touring they connected with Polyvinyl Records, signing to the label in 2003. Westbrook exited shortly afterward, bringing in Craig Montoro—who had previously collaborated with labelmates Mates of State—on guitar. Now based in Brooklyn, the trio returned to Austin to lay down their self-titled debut album, issued by Polyvinyl in February 2004.