Metropolitan began as a collaboration between guitarists John Masters and Aidan Coughlan in late 1998, and they recorded and released their debut record, "Side Effects," in 1999. After undergoing several lineup changes since the group's incarnation, Metropolitan is now a solid trio. John, Shyam and Saadat played their first gig together in January of 2001, and since then have shared the stage with numerous groups, including the Dismemberment Plan, Bardo Pond, Tristeza, Gogogo Airheart, and Bis. The current Metropolitan lineup released their second full length album, "Down For You Is Up," in March of 2002. The album was recorded at Inner Ear Studios in Arlington VA and produced by Chad Clark (Dismemberment Plan, Fugazi, Beauty Pill).