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All Music Guide:
Not to be confused with the Los Angeles-based '80s techno-pop/new wave trio Berlin, the Berlin Project is an alternative pop-rock band that has been around the Pittsburgh, PA, scene since 1995. That year, the band was founded by lead guitarist John Garrighan, who was only 14 at the time -- and along the way, the Berlin Project has had its share of lineup changes and reinvented itself more than once. At first, Garrighan's outfit was a bratty ska-punk band along the lines of Reel Big Fish and the Mighty Mighty Bosstones; that was the approach they went with on their debut album, Running for the Border (released on Sour Records), and their second album, Culture Clash, both of which came out in the late '90s. But Garrighan and his colleagues reinvented themselves on their next release, The Transition Radio EP, which was recorded in 1999 and 2000 and came out on Try Again Records. They still sounded bratty, and the punk influence remained -- only this time, the Berlin Project favored an emo/punk-pop approach comparable to blink-182, Green Day, the Sloppy Meateaters, or Sunny Day Real Estate. On that EP, the participants included founder Garrighan on lead guitar and background vocals, Brian Camp on rhythm guitar, Brad Evanovich on bass and background vocals, Aaron Mediate on keyboards, and Nick Revak on drums as well as some fellow Pennsylvanians who were listed as "additional musicians," including Steve Sobloslai (lead vocals, rhythm guitar) and Jeremiah Momper (rhythm guitar). And three years later, the band reinvented itself once again -- this time with a new lineup and a more mature, polished style of alternative pop-rock. Recorded in 2003 (the year after the Berlin Project toured North America as part of the Warped Tour) and released by Orange Peal that September, The Things We Say found Garrighan, Mediate, and Revak teaming up with new lead singer Jon Belan and new bassist Chuck Rocka -- and unlike the Berlin Project's previous vocalists, Belan didn't sound bratty. Belan (who also contributes rhythm guitar) was perfect for the more thoughtful, sensitive direction that Garrighan (who had reached 22) wanted for his band in 2003. More touring ensued in support of the record. However, after a decade together, the Berlin Project decided to call it quits in fall 2005, playing their last show at their hometown's Mr. Smalls Theater that October. Belan later went on to play with Pittsburgh peers Punchline.
Wikipedia:
The Berlin Project was an American rock band from just outside of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; with influences from the punk, and ska (early years) music scenes that was active from 1995-2005. The band took its name from a computer program.
In those ten years the band managed to tour North America many times over with popular acts like The Matches, Steel Train, Punchline, The Sloppy Meateaters, The Unsung Zeros, The Juliana Theory, Midtown, River City High, Catch 22 and Clearview Kills. The band also was a featured act on numerous of the side stages during the 2002 and 2003 Van's Warped Tour, being featured on the Ernie Ball, Kevin Says, and Punkrocks.net stages in numerous cities throughout the East Coast and Midwest United States. The Berlin Project was also a part of numerous Radio Festivals and the like such as 2000's X-Fest in Pittsburgh with The Stone Temple Pilots and Everclear, and 2002's Skate and Surf Festival in Asbury Park, New Jersey with The Descendents, Finch and more.
In 2004 The Berlin Project finished a two back to back North American tours as co headliners with Art Punkers, The Matches and then as main support for fellow American Rock act Steel Train in time to return home to Pittsburgh for 2004's X-Fest held at The Post Gazzette Pavilion where they shared the stage with The Offspring, Switchfoot and long time companions both at home and on tour Punchline. Somewhere in here as well The Berlin Project found time to headline the farewell show to the band's home venue in Pittsburgh, Club Laga. This performance was joined by main support acts River City High and Clearview Kills, complete with ceiling mounted cannons shooting ticker tape over the crowd as the band performed the final song to be played at the venue. This stretch of touring and performances in 2004 would be the band's final major activity. By 2005, the band broke up, releasing a mini-collection of his best songs which was called 10 Years From Berlin Project.
The Berlin Project released two albums on US indie label Orange Peal records. The band's final full length, The Things We Say was released to some success on Trident Style Recordings in Japan. To date, the bands most notable recording was an independent release. 1997's cover version of Snoop Dogg's Gin and Juice went on to find massive success with the original spread of Napster and file sharing.
Members of The Berlin Project went on to play in Punchline (Fueled By Ramen / Modern Short Stories), Craig's Brother (Takeover/Tooth and Nail), and Gene The Werewolf.
In August 2009 the band temporarily reformed with John Garrighan, Chuck Rocha, Paul Menotiades (Punchline, The Composure), Cory Muro (The Composure) to perform four concerts in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Maryland. Some of these shows were headlining dates with support from The Composure and some were in support of also regrouped The Ataris.
There are no plans of the band ever reuniting in its traditional form, as founding member John Garrighan died in January 2011.
Albums
Running For the Border : 1998
The first official release from The Berlin Project with small circulation on Sour Records. Due to a ska/punk cover of Snoop Dog's Gin and Juice the album was never picked up by a major label, nor had heavy circulation. Today used copies can found carrying a high price on large used music resellers due to the popularity of the track on napster after its release.
