Young the Giant

Formation (2004–2009)[edit]

The Jakes formed in 2004 in Irvine, California.^[1] Consisting of Jacob Tilley, Addam Farmer, Kevin Massoudi, Ehson Hashemian, and Sameer Gadhia, the band's name was an acronym of the members' first names.^[2][3] After several personnel changes, the group's lineup by 2008 included Gadhia, Tilley, Hashemian, Eric Cannata, Francois Comtois, and Jason Burger. Initial coordination of musical contributions was difficult because the members all attended different schools. With two members still in high school and the others each attending different colleges, the Jakes recorded an EP, Shake My Hand, with producer Ian Kirkpatrick. Band members then individually decided whether or not to put their schooling on hold to focus on music. Burger left the band to pursue an education at Manhattan School of Music in New York City, and Comtois took over as the drummer. Shortly thereafter, longtime friend and collaborator Payam Doostzadeh (Persian: پیام دوستزده) joined as bassist.^[4] In 2009, the band played four shows at the South by Southwest music festival in Austin, Texas.^[5] The band's song "Garands At Normandie" was played during an episode of MTV's The Real World: Brooklyn, and "Paid the Piper" was featured on A&E's The Beast.^[5] Another song, "Cough Syrup", received airplay on the Los Angeles radio station KROQ.^[6] Shortly before signing to Roadrunner Records in August, keyboardist Ehson Hashemian left the band.^[7][8] In December 2009, the band announced they had changed their name to Young the Giant.^[7]