Formed in Knoxville, Tennessee in 2005, the Royal Bangs feature former high-school friends singer/multi-instrumentalist Ryan Schaefer and drummer Chris Rusk as well as guitarist Sam Stratton. The band posted its music online and eventually caught the ear of the Black Keys' Patrick Carney, who signed them to his Audio Eagle Records label and released their debut, We Breed Champions, in 2008. The band's sophomore effort, Let It Beep, followed in 2009. A year later, the band signed to Glassnote Records. In 2011, the Royal Bangs released their third studio album, Flux Outside, which featured production from former Sparklehorse member Scott Minor and mixing from longtime Flaming Lips producer Dave Fridmann. The Royal Bangs returned in 2013 with the Carney-produced Brass. ~ Matt Collar