If one was to make a musical time capsule of this year – a collection of sounds and lyrics reflecting the energy of our moment – it might be a good idea to drop in a copy of Metro Station’s eponymous debut record.  Sure, the band is young but Metro Station’s brazenly catchy dance hooks and yearning lyrics perfectly capture what it feels like to be a teenager in today’s culture. Just listen to their hit single “Shake It” and their new song “Seventeen Forever.”

This is a band that was weaned on and made by the Internet, whose dedicated legion of online fans made them MySpace stars in a matter of weeks.  They caught the early attention of Alternative Press (earning a spot as one of the magazine’s “22 Best Underground Bands”), along with URB and Teen Vogue magazines, months before they signed to a label.  Metro Station is a band that, despite their youth, have made their way from greasy mall jobs to recording with Motion City Soundtrack in the same year.  They are truly a product of their times and their generation, and they are ready to take advantage of it.  

Composed of Trace Cyrus on vocals and guitar (who is also the half-brother of “Hannah Montana” star Miley Cyrus), Mason Musso on vocals and guitar, Blake Healy on keyboards and synth and Anthony Improgo on percussion—who is actually Pinoy.

“We were on MySpace three months before we hit the charts” says Trace.  “And when that happened, we were like, oh my god, this could really happen for us.  Before that it had all seemed unreal.”

The band did not go out looking for shows, but early on, they scored some major appearances.  First, they performed a show at The Echo, where a little-known musician by the name of Beck just happened to be opening for them.  “It was a secret show for him that sold out,” says Trace.  “We showed up and there was Beck.  He used our equipment to play and we went on right after.  We had only played ten shows at that point, but it was one of our best nights yet.”

Metro Station signed to Sony BMG in late 2006 (after an intern discovered them on MySpace) and recorded their album in New York City.  Warped Tour veterans Motion City Soundtrack produced two tracks, off their debut album, and the band worked on the remaining tracks with celebrated producers Sam Hollander and Dave Katz (Gym Class Heroes, Boys Like Girls).  

Metro Station self-titled debut is now out in CDs at leading record stores under Sony BMG Music Entertainment.