The Active Set

The Active Set was formed after Matthew Stolarz departed his position as bassist for punk rock band The Briggs. Unsuccessful with his first attempt at putting a band together, he recorded the first Active Set EP at Aermotor Studios in Sunland, CA. Shortly thereafter guitarists Charlie Capen and Wayne Russell joined, as well as drummer Morgan Murphy, and the band began playing live. Later that year Capen left and was replaced by guitarist Francis Ramsden (Champion The Average). The following year Murphy left town and was replaced by Michael Castro. The band toured regionally, including trips to SXSW.

Over 2010/2011 three singles, "Let The Games Begin"[1] "It Multiplies"[2] and "Famous For Dying" [3] were released digitally (with accompanying videos) as the band continued playing regularly and tracking their first album. 11 was released in late 2011 on Chisel Pixel Records to favorable reviews, including the L.A. Times[4] and Buzzbands L.A.[5] The song "Better Brigade" was featured in Season 3 of Royal Pains on the USA Network.[6]

The band toured regionally in early 2012, including another trip to SXSW and several weeks in the East Coast/Midwest, opening for Neon Trees and Awolnation. In December 2012 alt-rock radio station KROQ launched the video for a charity-driven Christmas single by the band.[7]

In July 2013 the band played a fundraising concert at Vista Murrieta High School with Neon Trees that raised funds for various school programs.[8] The event was documented in the "Run" concert video. In August the band played the Sunset Strip Music Festival with other acts such as Linkin Park, Awolnation, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club and others and was named one of the "Top 5 Bands" at the festival by LA Music Blog.[9] After two regional tours in the fall guitarist Wayne Russell departed the band and bassist Alen Racedo joined.

The first new single "Shut 'Em Down" was released online in July 2014, and spent ten weeks in rotation on KROQ Locals Only. .[10]

The 7-song second album Lights was released January 22. Months later, Francis Ramsden departed the band to continue touring with Enrique Iglesias.[11]

In August 2015 the band supported Bloc Party on two sold-out club shows leading up to their appearance at FYF Fest in Los Angeles.[12]

The band spent much of 2016 mostly writing and playing select shows, including opening for Eve 6 on their 2016 tour.[13] They released their third EP Everything Changes on November 18 and played a headlining release show at the Satellite in Silverlake.

In 2017, the band took a hiatus from live shows to work on new music and explore other creative endeavors, but played the New Professor Records showcase at Echo Park Rising,[14] as well as some Sofar Sounds acoustic performances.

2018 was spent mostly writing songs for a new record, but on October 22, 2018 the band released a music video for Let's Go Out Tonight.[15]

In 2019 the band recorded the first third of their new record at Sunset Sound Recorders and La-Rocc-A-Fella Studios, opened for Mae and Matt Thiessen,[16] and also did a short run of shows supporting White Lies on the West Coast.[17]

In 2020, the band was forced to cancel all tour plans due to the Coronavirus lockdown, and on May 11 released Difficulties, the first single from their new album.

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