The Los Angeles-based, self-described psychedelic pop band Maple Mars consists of members Rick Hromadka (guitarist, singer/songwriter) and drummer Mike Fletcher. The roots of Maple Mars began in New Haven, CT, in 1993 when Hromadka decided to write songs based on such classic power pop outfits as Big Star, Cheap Trick, Jellyfish, and the Beatles. Shortly thereafter, Hromadka relocated to L.A. and formed the Visionaries -- releasing the album Every Other Saturday the same year on the Wrecking Ball label, and won such accolades as one of the "Top Local Releases for 1993" by BAM magazine. Hromadka began writing songs for such movies and TV shows as Breaker High, Sweet Valley High, and Power Rangers. Eventually the Visionaries morphed into a new group, Double Knaught Spies, issuing The Shoephone Conspiracy in the summer of 1999. A year later, Hromadka decided to leave the group and strike out on his own, hooking up with Fletcher and forming Maple Mars. They made their live debut at the International Pop Overthrow Festival and released their debut recording, Welcome to Maple Mars, in July of 2001. ~ Greg Prato