Shortly after the New Jersey ska punk group Face First disbanded in 2002, singer/guitarist Tom "Chitty" Keiger, bassist Jarrett Selzer, trumpeter "Okie" Okamoto and drummer Tommie Clayton decided to reunite to play a poppier, more synthesized form of modern punk rock. Therefore, Okamoto switched from trumpet to keyboard, and Kenny Ryan, formerly of Hidden in Plain View, joined as a second guitarist. The name "Houston Calls", according to the band, is a combination of chapter titles from the Apollo 13 DVD. Other choices included "Zoltar Madness" (from Big), "Giant Green Insanity" (from The Toxic Avenger), and "Deeds in NY" (from Mr. Deeds).[1] While they began performing live in June 2003, they soon released their 4 Song Sampler, produced by Hidden in Plain View's Rob Freeman, to help spread the word. After only one national tour Clayton and the band parted ways and he later joined the band Spoiler NYC. Through mutual friends, Josh Grigsby was introduced to the band and became their drummer on May 15, 2004. Due to various national tours with bands such as Hidden in Plain View and Hellogoodbye, Houston Calls' fanbase grew steadily. The newly manned five-piece went into the studio with producer Jesse Cannon, to record their Sampler Volume 2 (2004). A few months after its release in August 2004 and a national tour sponsored by PureVolume and Absolutepunk.net, Houston Calls became the second band to sign with Rushmore Records, a subsidiary record label of Drive-Thru Records, who the band had been friends with ever since their formation. On August 2, 2005, the band's official debut album, A Collection of Short Stories, was released. Produced by Ed Rose, the CD contained eleven songs, three of which had previously been released on their two samplers. On November 25, 2006, Ryan announced he was leaving the band due to personal financial problems. No hard feelings were felt by the band members and Ryan is still a close friend with the band. His last show was played at the Hamilton St. Cafe in New Jersey on December 15, 2006. Jose Lopez temporarily filled in on guitar duties while the band finished up the writing for their second full length album. Lopez was announced a permanent member in February 2007. 2007 touring plans consist of a U.K. trip with hellogoodbye and Plain White T's and an Australian trip with MxPx and Hit the Lights. On August 10, 2007, Houston Calls posted the demo for the song "Modest Manifesto" on their MySpace page. As of April 1, 2008, the band has been in the studio recording their follow up to "A Collection of Short Stories".