Conshafter

Conshafter's unapologetically nerdy indie rock has garnered the band a sheath of press clippings comparing the Virginia-based duo to Weezer (Rivers Cuomo is apparently a fan himself, since he's playing a guitar that sports a Conshafter sticker in the video for Weezer's single "Dope Nose"), although the smart and smart-alecky punk-pop of acts like the Mr. T Experience and even the brainy, sardonic power pop of Fountains of Wayne also come to mind. Conshafter was formed in 2000 by two students at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, singer Chris Konstantinos and guitarist Dave Cykert, who first met on the school's crew team; the nascent band took its unusual name from the surname of a fellow team member, just because it made them laugh. The duo formed their own label, Dork Epiphany Records (named after their initial demo EP), and recorded their debut album, 2001's Your Day Job, with a variety of friends helping on bass and drums. Following a post-graduation relocation from Chapel Hill to Richmond, VA, Conshafter acquired a permanent rhythm section in bassist Rob Teague and drummer Craig Nelson and released their second album, 2004's Fear the Underdog. Conshafter's third album, 2007's A Slow Drive Off a High Dive, featured yet another new rhythm section, bassist Sarah McCalla and drummer Travis Wilson. ~ Stewart Mason, All Music Guide