by Katherine Fulton
Originating as a side project for members of Chiodos, punk-pop/emo group Cinematic Sunrise were founded by Craig Owens (vocals) and Bradley Bell (keyboards) as an outlet for a brighter, more cheerful sound that wouldn't fit with the musical idiom of their other group. Owens initially recruited friends from his native Michigan to participate in the group, including guitarist Bryan Beeler, but a number of lineup changes left Beeler as the only remaining member of the original Detroit-area contingent. Cinematic Sunrise were eventually rounded out by Marcus Vankirk (bass) and Dave Shapiro (drums), and the group released its first EP, A Coloring Storybook and Long Playing Record, in 2008.