Alesana (pronounced /ˈælɨs ˈænə/ Alice-Anna) is an American rock band from Raleigh, North Carolina. Formed in 2004, the group has released one EP and three studio albums. Currently signed to Epitaph Records, the band gained a wide audience after their debut, On Frail Wings of Vanity and Wax. With a musical style shifting between light and heavy sounds, their band name is derived from street named Aliceanna St., which is located in Baltimore where the group originated.Although the band's members first began playing together in Baltimore, Maryland, Alesana officially formed in October 2004 in Raleigh, North Carolina and was founded by Shawn Milke, Patrick Thompson, Dennis Lee, Steven Tomany and Daniel Magnuson. The name of the band is inspired from Aliceanna St., which Shawn Milke and Patrick Thompson lived on when playing in Baltimore, MD. Aliceanna St. is located in Fells Point, a neighborhood in Baltimore. Alesana was the first band to join Tragic Hero Records in 2005, and their 3 demo songs titled "Apology", "Beautiful in Blue" and "Goodbye, Goodnight for Good" were featured on the compilation All The Tragedy Money Can Buy. In May 2005 they released their debut EP, Try This With Your Eyes Closed. Alesana toured in the United States, including an appearance at the Cornerstone Festival. In the same year Daniel Magnuson was replaced by Will Anderson.
