A hook-driven alt-rock unit from Los Angeles, California, Half the Animal's infectious blend of groove-laden, radio-ready pop and lush stadium grandeur invokes names like Imagine Dragons, Walk the Moon, and Maroon 5. Founded by vocalist Chase Johnson and drummer Nick Gross, both of whom were featured characters on MTV's Laguna Beach, the band eventually morphed into a four-piece with the arrivals of bassist Evan Smith (Silversun Pickups, Chromeo) and guitarist Dan Graham. In July 2016, the now fully operational Half the Animal premiered their debut single, the arena-sized "Babylon." The track appeared on their debut EP, Shapes, which arrived later that September. The band earned support from several sources, including radio station KROQ, which featured the band on their celebrated Locals Only program. In 2017, the quartet released "bad bad love," a groove-heavy song blending Maroon 5 with Big Data.