Clearly, you have the internet. You wouldn't be able to read this bio if you didn't. Clearly, I have the internet also because I wouldn't have been able to complete this site without it. It is safe to say that most people have the internet or at least access to the internet. And that means so does the Starting Line. Without it, they wouldn't have even begun...

           They're humble beginnings began back in 1998 when guitarist Matt Watts saw a kid's AOL profile and was instantly impressed by his interests. He e-mailed him right away saying that he and a few friends were looking for a singer for their band. He didn't expect what he got. Ken was shocked but very anxious to accept the oppurtunity so he told Matt that he was "like 15", meaning he was only 14. So maybe the picture wasn't ideal, having 19 year old and 18 year old guitarists, a 17 year old drummer and a 14 year old singer/bass player initially called Sunday Drive. But, they must have done something right because before they knew it, We The People Records was calling.

            After writing a few songs together and recording them, they put them up on mp3.com. A little later on down the road, We The People stumbled upon them and were very impressed and signed them in the summer of 2000. A few folks at the small Southern California record company knew people who worked at Drive-Thru records and hooked them up. It was like a dream come true.

             Tons of hard work later, The Starting Line released they're debut EP on Drive-Thru, With Hopes of Starting Over on July 17, 2001. It was greatly anticipated and did well on the local scene and grew steadily on the national scene soon after Drive-Thru put out a compilation CD featuring two Starting Line songs, "Break Up Day" and "Leaving". Before they even had a chance to enjoy their success, TSL was touring with New Found Glory in Europe.

"We were really greatful that New Found brought us out. That was our first exposure to Europe. I mean we kinda had a little buzz out there, but, we only had an EP out, and I don't think Drive Thru had the distribution in the UK. So, it really helped us out that New Found had a following there and took us out and got to show the kids what kind of stuff we had. It was such a good oppurtunity and we can't wait to go back." , Ken told americanpunk.net

          But nothing had prepared them for the exposure they would get when they released the full-length, Say It Like You Mean It on Drive-Thru on July 16th, 2002. They had already been traveling with the Warped Tour for the decent half of the summer so when news came to them two weeks after the release of their CD that they were number one on the new artist charts, the shock was indescribable. Ken had said only a year before that "I would definitely love to play a show and have two or three hundred kids show up and know my songs." And here they were now playing for crowds that were larger than life, not even being able to see where the people ended and the ground began again.

            Recently, The Starting Line are basking in the success of their amazing new CD and have just finished their stint on the Warped Tour. There are rumors of touring with Good Charlotte and Taking Back Sunday, but not confirmation as of yet. Also, a tour with Reel Big Fish is looking good in about 3 or 4 weeks. So, watch out for them in your area.

              We all have the privelege of the internet today but do we take it for granted? The Starting Line didn't and look where they are now. They're beginnings may not be the hippest thing on the planet but they have made it nonetheless and have an interesting history behind them. With their awesome guitar riffs and inspiring lyrics, The Starting Line is certainly on its way towards the big time.

"No. No. We didn't even think it. We had hopes. But, never in a million years did we think we would come as far as we came." -Kenny Vasoli