Brighten

Brighten is an indie rock band from Chico, California, consisting of Justin Richards (guitar, lead vocals), Alex Draper (bass, backing vocals), and Jimmy Richards (drums, percussion). The band have recently toured with This Providence, Cute Is What We Aim For, Eisley, and All Time Low. In 2007, their debut album, King vs. Queen, was released on Carbon Copy Media, without the band's full knowledge.

Although Brighten has been playing together for nine years, they only formed a band in 2004. In high school, they went by the name Sincerely Me, though after high school, due to minor conflict, they changed their name to Brighten.
They independently released their debut EP, Ready When You Are, on November 9, 2005. The EP was extremely well-received by critics, and has since sold out.
In 2006, Victory Records sued Carbon Copy Media, and in the resulting turn of events Brighten's debut album, King vs. Queen, could not be released. After selling a 9-track version independently at their concerts, Brighten discovered in March 2007 that the album had in fact been released.

Brighten have played with many other bands such as; Hawthorne Heights. From First to Last, Taking Back Sunday, Number One Gun, The Junior Varsity, Lydia, Waking Ashland, Eisley, and This Holiday Life.
Brighten is represented by Tim Kirch and Tanner Radcliffe at Sound The Music Management.

In 2008 the bands drummer Jimmy raised enough money to travel to Africa and minister African children. On July 8th, he formally resigned on the Brighten myspace. A month later, Brighten announced that Ben Spear (ex Parade The Day) and Austin Gibbs would play with Alex and Justin on the upcoming tour.

In 2009 Justin helped record an album with the band A Rocket to the Moon. A Rocket to the Moon announced that Justin would be the band's official guitarist. Justin is going to play in both bands. Brighten is scheduled to record a new album summer of 2009.

They have finished recording a new album in March 2011 and it has yet to be released.