Greensboro, North Carolina-based alternative rock and Athenaeum was formed by eighth graders Nic Brown (drums) and Mark Kano (vocals, guitar) in 1990. After recording demos in 1994 with friends Alex McKinney (bass) and Grey Brewster (guitar), they recorded and released their self-titled debut, an eight song EP, in 1995. Because of the green-colored sleeve, this release is often referred to as the Green Album. Signing to Atlantic Records, the band released their full-length debut album Radiance in 1998. The album included the singles “What Did I Know” and “Flat Tire”, which was a surprise hit in the Philippines. Nic Brown left the band in 2001 and was replaced by Jeremy Vogt (Tonic/The Connells). Grey Brewster left shortly after, replaced by vocalist and guitarist Mike Garrigan (Collapsis). Athenaeum released their self-titled second album on September 18, 2001, but the release was overshadowed by the events of 9/11 just a week before. The band left Atlantic Records and continued to tour. They released a compilation of rarities entitled Hourglass in 2002. The band’s final release was entitled Family Tree (2003). They split up the following year with all members pursuing other musical projects.
