The Graduate

by Stewart Mason Not to be confused with the early-'80s ska-influenced new wave outfit of the same name that later morphed into Tears for Fears, the Graduate are an emo band from Springfield, IL. Formed in late 2005 out of the remains of a pair of local bands (Best of Winter and Jack), the Graduate consist of lead singer Corey Warning, guitarists Max Sauer and Matt Kennedy, bassist Jared Wuestenberg, and drummer Tim Moore. Inspired by the likes of Coldplay and Death Cab for Cutie, the Graduate developed quickly, signing with the Icon label and releasing their debut EP, Horror Show, in the spring of 2006. By the end of the year, the band's online presence and heavy touring had garnered them enough buzz to land on the front cover of the CMJ New Music Report. The Graduate's full-length debut, Anhedonia, followed in April 2007.