These high school mates -- Dave, Dennis, Mike, and Will -- didn't form a band until 1998 even though each had played in various groups since their early teens. The Realistics combined their love for 1950s pop music to obscure punk rock, and eventually this stylish four-piece won over promoters at Brownies and the Mercury Lounge for regular gigs. In late 2000, the Realistics were approached by Tiswas Records owner Nick Marc. Marc wanted the Realistics to record some material and the polished product was Real People Are Overrated. Dates with the late Joe Strummer, Phantom Planet, the Mooney Suzuki, and Black Rebel Motorcycle Club soon followed as well as a spot at South by Southwest in 2002. In 2003, the Realistics issued the Go Ahead EP. ~ MacKenzie Wilson