East Coast-based alternative rock quartet ism combine elements of melodic rock, electronica, trip-hop, and industrial to make their own Radiohead-meets-Nine Inch Nails sound. The group came together when singer/guitarist Andre Mistier wanted to take a break from directing plays around New York City by starting a band that merged rock and electronic music. He hooked up with Yale acquaintance guitarist/vocalist Gerard Toriello, who then brought on childhood friend and drummer Michael Higgins. Taking their name from the concept of not wanting to be limited by one "ism" but rather explore -- and ultimately gain understanding for -- all that the world has to offer, ism were completed by the final addition of bassist Leigh Battle, who had been previously playing in another band with Higgins. The chemistry between the four was instant, and ism began performing together regularly around mid-2004, releasing Monkey Underneath in early 2006 on STM Records. It was an album whose music the bandmembers hoped listeners would feel more than think about, loosely based around universal themes such as finding positives in a negative world and the importance of dreams. With the popular singles "Breathe" and "Beside the Sun" featured on college radio, ism continued to tour nationwide throughout 2006.