The Actual

by Corey Apar Ragged power pop-punk group the Actual comprised vocalist/guitarist Max Bernstein (the son of writer Nora Ephron and Watergate journalist Carl Bernstein), guitarist/vocalist Ben Flanagan, and brothers Jeremy and Aaron Bonsall (bass and drums, respectively). The guys played their first show together on Easter Sunday 2001, and the Los Angeles-based quartet thus began making a name for itself by booking gigs wherever people would have them (including one ill-advised performance at a biker bar). Former Stone Temple Pilots frontman Scott Weiland caught wind of their infectious tunes, and subsequently added them to the roster of his own Soft Drive Records (Sony BMG). The partnering was, obviously, beneficial to the Actual, and not only did Weiland sign on to co-produce their debut album, but he also brought the band along as openers for a bunch of arena dates of Velvet Revolver. The Actual eventually released their album In Stitches in May 2007, led by its first single, "This Is the Worst Day of My Life." The band then hit the road in support, including August dates on the 2007 Warped Tour.