Hellogoodbye is a pop band, formed in Huntington Beach, California in 2001. They were signed to Drive-Thru Records where they released an EP, CD, and a DVD. Their first full-length album entitled Zombies! Aliens! Vampires! Dinosaurs! was released in August 2006. They are renowned for their DIY ethic, their shrill outfits and having a particularly close relationship with their fans. The band achieved fame due to their appearances on MTV's The Real World: Austin and winning MTV2's Dew Circuit Breakout.

History

The band Hellogoodbye was initiated in 2001 as a recording project by Huntington Beach High School student Forrest Kline. With the aid of fellow student Jesse Kurvink, Kline started recording synthesized power pop songs on his computer, which originally only served the purpose of entertaining their friends. However, as more and more of their songs appeared on MP3.com, Hellogoodbye's fanbase grew. According to Kline, the band name was inspired by,a line from the TV series Saved by the Bell and the general transience of opportunities.

In 2002, without even having a release out, Hellogoodbye began playing local concerts in front of crowds of hundreds. For live shows, vocalist/guitarist Kline and keyboardist Kurvink were accompanied on drums by either Parker Case, who would later form the now defunct JamisonParker, or Aaron Flora. Flora and bassist Marcus Cole soon joined them permanently, completing the band's line-up. [1]

Though California indie label Drive-Thru Records signed Hellogoodbye in January 2004, everything the band does is still entirely done by themselves, ranging from recordings and album artwork to posters and merchandise designs. Shortly after their signing, Kline and Kurvink recorded the band's debut EP, Hellogoodbye, which spawned a music video to the song "Call n' Return." The video featured Kline and Flora playing a comedic game of tennis against Cole and Kurvink, with Forrest and Aaron coming out on top. In March 2004, drummer Flora left the band and was replaced by then 16-year-old high school dropout Chris Profeta.

The EP was finally released on August 17, 2004, which was supported by various US tours. During one of them, the "Sounds of Change Tour" with An Angle, Socratic and Steel Train, hellogoodbye flipped and totaled their van and trailer after Cole dozed off behind the wheel while driving through Pennsylvania on October 22, 2004. All of the band members made it out without a scratch. [2]

While participating in 2005's South by Southwest, a music festival for mainly unsigned artists in Austin, Texas, the band appeared on several episodes of MTV's The Real World: Austin. The cast of the TV series produced a video documentary about two bands on the festival's line-up (the other one being Halifax), including interviews and live footage. The appearance certainly gave a boost to the band's popularity.

On November 22, 2005, Hellogoodbye released a home DVD titled OMG HGB DVD ROTFL. The DVD title was originally a place holder until they thought of a real title, but the band just stuck with the title itself. It featured two hours of concert and touring footage, as well as music videos to the five songs off their debut EP. In December 2005, the band won MTV2's Dew Circuit Breakout, competing as Los Angeles' representative against New York City and Chicago finalists Pete Miser and Tub Ring. The prize included $10,000 cash, a brand new set of Gibson equipment and an opening slot on an upcoming major US tour.

Hellogoodbye's full-length debut entitled Zombies! Aliens! Vampires! Dinosaurs! was released on August 8th, 2006 and was the highest debut of a Drive Thru Records CD ever in the Billboard 100.

Marcus Cole, (bass) left the band and now Forrest's friend, Travis Head plays bass

They released their second full-length album in 2010 titled Would It Kill You?