FOSTER THE PEOPLE was formed in 2009 in Los Angeles, California, as “Foster & the People”. The name was changed due to people mishearing it as “Foster the People”, which stuck. The band consists of three members: Mark Foster (vocals, keyboards, guitar); Mark Pontius (drums/percussion); and Cubbie Fink (bass, vocals). Sean Cimino (guitar, keyboards, vocals) and Ison Innis (keyboard, piano, backing vocals) also tour with the band for their live shows. Zach Heiligman was a previous member of the band, and is now thought to participate in behind the scenes studio production.
Foster the People released a self-titled EP on January 18, 2011 as a digital download. The band’s debut album, Torches, was released on May 23, 2011 on the Startime/Columbia label. The single that preceded the album, “Pumped Up Kicks”, debuted at number 96 on the Billboard Hot 100 and peaked at number 3. The album has peaked on many international charts as well as the Billboard 200, Billboard Rock Albums, and Billboard Alternative Albums.
