Missouri-based alternative metal band, Ghost in the Machine (GITM), was founded by guitarists Bryan Kay and Dan Schram, bassist Billy Dearing, drummer TJ White, and vocalist Jeff Blumer in the fall of 2004. During the band's formative years, they climbed rapidly up the local ranks and played every high profile stage and venue in Mid-Missouri as they developed their own unique sound and emotionally-charged live show.
Like many bands, lineup changes plagued them for many of their early years. After releasing their 2005 self-titled EP, drummer TJ White was replaced by Letter by Hour drummer, Chris Loeffler. The band spent the next few years writing new music and developing a rock-solid fan base all across the Midwest. Shortly before the release of their long-awaited 2010 full length album, "Equip to Cope," bassist Billy Dearing was replaced by Farewell to a Legend bassist, Ethan Mueller. Just months after the release of "Equip to Cope" both Mueller and vocalist, Jeff Blumer, mutually left the band to pursue school and family interests. The remaining members (Kay, Schram, and Loeffler), relentlessly forged ahead for the next year writing and recording, never breaking the band's long-time routine of weekly rehearsals. They saw the circumstances as an opportunity to take their music to new places, refine themselves as musicians, and have fun jamming with new talent.
The new lineup was finally complete in the fall of 2011 with the addition of bassist Jonathan Hagood and vocalist Evan Thomas, who were both members of St. Louis band Key to My Spaceship. The band hit the ground running, opening for national acts, performing across the midwest, and even winning 105.7 The Point's Battle for Pointfest in May of 2012, which found them opening for Incubus, Chevelle, Cypress Hill, and P.O.D. at the acclaimed St. Louis summer festival.
Now with a powerful new sound and a couple of fresh faces, GITM is more focused and driven than ever before. Maintaining their status as a must-see live act, they have directed their efforts toward the growing St. Louis music scene, with intentions to keep stretching further and further outward. The band recently finished recording their highly-anticipated new EP "Earth Island" which is slated to release in November of 2012.
