photo: Vincent Dean

Listen to "Lost and Found" from the Alta May 7"

Alta May's electrifying 2001 debut, We As In Us, catapulted the Seattle trio onto the international rock scene, drawing worthy comparisons to Queens of the Stone Age and Bleach-era Nirvana. Blending sheer sonic rock power with melodic songcraft and masterful musicianship, Alta May soon brought it to the stage, captivating audiences with their engaging high-energy live shows. West Coast forays and a European tour followed, as they shared stages with bands like the Catheters, Hot Hot Heat, Verbena, Jucifer, the Walkmen, the Thermals, Mclusky, Russel Simins, Mudhoney, and Valis. They capped a near-perfect 18 months of rock mayhem with an appearance at the South by Southwest festival in 2003.

Legendary Sub Pop producer Jack Endino, and Jon Ervie of Jupiter Studios (the Briefs, the Presidents of the USA, Mark Lanegan) recorded and produced Alta May's critically acclaimed sophomore effort, Dark Days. A successful west coast tour with Mudhoney followed, while plans for another European tour were scuttled following the departure of bassist Marcus Pina.

Founding members Erik Roper and Garrett Shavlik soon found Pina's replacement in Justin Hallstrom and recorded their first seven-inch record, featuring the songs "Local Flesh" and "Lost and Found." This also was the first release for Flotation Records. But the love between Alta May didn't stop there - the band went on to release a CD on Flotation titled Take What You've Found Here, which, unfortunately, turned out to be their swan song.

www.altamay.com