Inspired by post-punk, dream pop, and a touch of electronica, the San Francisco-via-New York quintet
Film School began as the brainchild of vocalist/guitarist
Krayg Burton, who began recording under the
Film School name in the late '90s. After releasing the I'm Not Working 7" on Metoo! Records,
Burton joined forces with a rotating cast of musicians to make 2001's full-length
A Brilliant Career, including members of
Fuck and
Elephone as well as
Pavement and
Preston School of Industry's
Scott Kannberg. Also involved in the sessions were keyboardist
Jason Ruck and guitarist/vocalist
Nyles Lannon (also of the electronic group
Technicolor and his side project n.lannon), who both became permanent members of the band. For the tour supporting
A Brilliant Career,
Film School recruited
Lannon's fellow
Technicolor bass player
Justin LaBo and drummer
Ben Montesano. This lineup recorded 2003's
Alwaysnever EP for
Kannberg's boutique label Amazing Grease; by the time the band hit the road again in 2004,
Montesano was replaced by Donny Newenhouse on drums. After touring the U.K. that fall and appearing at South by Southwest early in 2005,
Film School signed to Beggar's Banquet and began recording. The
On & On EP arrived that fall and heralded the release of their self-titled album in winter 2006.
Hideout, their third album, arrived in 2007. ~ Heather Phares, All Music Guide