Reality TV programming is a phenomenon that appears to have taken over our TV screens with persistent aggressiveness. It is not only where people’s lives are being displayed for all to see, but also where they are changed for the better (and the worse). “Change for the better” was definitely the case for Edmonton pop-rock group STEREOS. These guys achieved stardom from MuchMusic’s reality show Disband  that saw STEREOS go from being a band known only amongst their few followers in their hometown of Edmonton, to being the first group to get signed to a major label (while simultaneously being broadcasted for all to see)! Now with a number one single on iTunes and a video for “Summer Girl” on constant rotation on MuchMusic, it appears as though there is no stopping this group! These guys play probably the catchiest tunes we have heard in a while and each member appears to (along with their sleeve of tattoos and plethora of piercings) not fit the typical mold of “pop star”. We sat with all of them to find out exactly how they see themselves now that fame has literally come knocking at their door!

iheartthemusic: This is a very exciting time for you guys!

Daniel: Yeah, it has been crazy!

iheartthemusic: How did the whole reality show appearance come into play for you?

Daniel: We actually didn’t send a video or anything like that! Greg Nori found us on MySpace and so we ended up sending him demos forever. It was kind of up in the air if we were going to work with him or not because we would send the demos and were always waiting for him to reply. Then, out of nowhere, he called and said that there was this new show that he wanted to get us on and that it would be perfect for us.

iheartthemusic: That’s awesome! It just kind of took of from there?

All: Yeah!

iheartthemusic: Reality shows often get judged for being contrived or “staged”. Was that at all true with your experience on “Disband”?

Rob: We didn’t know anything ahead of time.

Pat: Looking at the show, it looks like we are so happy and we definitely didn’t know about the Universal deal ahead of time.

iheartthemusic: So how long have you guys been a band?

Rob: In June it was two years.

iheartthemusic: Only two years! That’s incredible.  Is your fan base in Edmonton already huge?

Daniel: Since we started, it literally has just grown.

iheartthemusic:  The video for your single “Summer Girl” has achieved number one status on MuchMusic, so I am sure many girls would like to know what the criteria is to be a summer girl?

Pat: In the context of the song it is about a summer fling and the best time of year.

Rob: We like summer and we like girls so it just makes sense.

iheartthemusic: You are also working on your debut album at the moment; how is that going?

Daniel: Yeah, we are working with Gavin Brown on the album.

iheartthemusic: That’s awesome! Looking forward to the final product. With regards to signing to Universal, have you always seen yourself going the major route?

Rob: Honestly we’ve said since day one that we wanted to go straight to a major label and it turned out exactly the way we planned it to.

iheartthemusic: With a lot of bands there seems to be that fear that once you go major you end up giving up a lot of creative control. In your experience so far have you found that at all?

Rob: No, that’s just a myth that people who don’t get signed make up.

iheartthemusic: In a short period of time it seems like you guys have accomplished so much: signing to Universal, having the number one single and video in the country. So I want to know what is left for you guys to accomplish?

Rob: Honestly the sky is the limit! Up and up and up and never maxing out- always heading up.

Aaron: Number one!

All: Yeah, number one!

iheartthemusic: And then take over the US maybe?

Aaron: Take over the world!

Rob: That is definitely the plan.