Upon leaving emocore act
Further Seems Forever in 2004, frontman
Jason Gleason -- who had also previously spent time in the hardcore ranks of
Affinity -- relocated from Florida to New Jersey to join up with his longtime friend
Bella, formerly of
Element 101. They worked construction by day together in a crew that also included another
Element vet,
Salvatore Ciaravino. With a rotating cast of friends, the three soon began jamming at night, drawing from a melting pot of influences like
Sunny Day Real Estate,
the Smashing Pumpkins,
Beck,
ELO, and
Elbow. These jams eventually turned into actual songs, and the indie rock of
ActionReaction was born. Though all three shared singing duties,
Gleason handled main vocals and guitar, while
Ciaravino played bass and
Bella managed keyboards. A handful of local shows were played before the band was able to create its own record deal through the Equal Vision subsidiary of Hope Division Records. An eponymous EP appeared in February 2006, which was only available online or on their subsequent national tour with
Armor for Sleep.
ActionReaction next hit the studio to record their full-length debut. Further evolving the band's funk-tinged rock sound,
3 Is the Magic Number was issued that August. About a month's worth of dates with
Koufax and
the Forecast surrounded the record's release. ~ Corey Apar, All Music Guide
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