Curriculum

Curriculum (also formerly known as The Found, The Weekenders, and Blackened Gold Chariot) was an American alternative pop band. The band consisted of Gregory Preston Olivier, Phillip Mandelbaum, Wyatt van Cleef, and Dana Breckenridge. Having been friends since childhood, the band formed in 2006 under a management deal with Olivier's four uncles who are all well-renowned and highly popular country singers and also with the help of their parents. Under their management deal contract, the band was obligated to record country, pop, and country pop songs, which were not the genres the band wanted to pursue at the time. Desiring creative control over their music and careers, the band secretly formed as an alternative pop group and under many versions of themselves and different names.

In 2009, the band released their first two singles as Blackened Gold Chariot, and also attempted to release an album under that name as well that year. Though all members wrote, produced, and sung on the two singles and the unreleased album, Blackened Gold Chariot was marketed and presented as a duo from Brazil; members Olivier and van Cleef became the duo representatives of the group and masqueraded themselves as Brazilian brothers Joao and Paulinho respectively, who "comprised" the group. When Blackened Gold Chariot failed, the band then became The Weekenders and produced most of Beastette's debut album Wildfire.

In 2011, the band became The Found and released their debut album Models of Symbolism. By September 2011, the band's management deal with Olivier's four country singer uncles had been terminated by Olivier's uncles and the band ceased being The Found. Under The Found, Models of Symbolism reached #3 in the UK and spawned two top ten hits there as well. The band then became Curriculum, pretending that they were an entirely new group.

The band managed to convince the public, media, and their fanbase that The Found, Blackened Gold Chariot, and The Weekenders were entirely different and separate groups from each other and never publicly revealed themselves as being any one of these bands during their career as Curriculum, though some fans and plenty of conspiracy theorists noticed striking similarities between The Found and Curriculum.

As Curriculum, the band experienced their most successful period of their careers, released three studio albums, one EP, and one greatest hits collection, which all became commercially successful in the UK and internationally. The band's first two studio albums reached #1 in the UK, while their third studio album, released as a double disc set in the UK with their greatest hits collection, also reached #1 in the UK as well. The band also managed to have two #1 singles in the UK as well.

In 2016, upon the controversial release of their third album and greatest hits set, the band announced their breakup and after the album was released, revealed their true and past identities to their fans, media, and public while also apologizing for withholding the truth from them.

2006-2011: Formation and early career
By the time they were born, families of the members of Curriculum had been friends with each other for generations. Olivier and Mandelbaum lived next door to each other in the same wealthy New York City neighborhood. The families would often take holiday trips together depending on the season; in the summer, they would go to San Francisco and in the winter, they would go to Switzerland. The future members of Curriculum would often be playmates on these holiday trips.

All of the members of Curriculum have similar backgrounds. They all come from "extremely" wealthy families (and are essentially heirs), were academically successful in school, are approximately the same age, and also had numerous issues and problems with their families. Despite knowing each other since they were infants, the band members did not consider each other as best friends until they were teenagers, after van Cleef and Breckenridge moved to New York City. Prior to that, van Cleef spent his childhood in San Francisco and Breckenridge "lived all over" the world. The band members finally became friends after bonding over their issues with their families and, mostly, their love of music, geography, culture, and education. The band also attended the same prestigious high school together as well and were considered "popular" by their classmates.

The members' musical talents were each recognized by their parents who decided to team up together and form them into a boy band pop group. Their parents, who had ties in the music industry, hired well-known writers and producers to work with the boys in the studio, even without them being signed to a record label. The members' hated the songs that were given to them and when they left for college, decided to take control of their own musical direction without the knowledge of their parents who would only finance but not supervise the "boy band project" as the band would eventually call it.

All of the band members graduated in the top five percentile of their high school class (Olivier was the valedictorian; Mandelbaum was salutatorian) and later attended Columbia University. As they were all beginning college, they decided to take their pursuit with music seriously. After they released two independent EPs, the band began writing songs for their debut album, which they originally planned to be an independent release.

2011-2013: Syllabus
In late summer 2011, the band uploaded a video of themselves singing a song called "All I Need (All I Don't)", originally done by girl group Girls Aloud. The video showed the band, with their faces blurred, throwing colorful paint on the wall while Olivier sings to the side facing the camera (again his face is blurred). According to Olivier, the band only did the video "just for fun" and was not meant to be taken seriously, but the video became viral hit in the United States, eventually garnering millions of views. The band eventually was prompted to release the song on iTunes where they considered it their first ever promotional/"buzz" single, saying that their actual debut single was coming soon. The promotional release of "All I Need (All I Don't)" reached #63 in the United States on the Billboard Hot 100, their first charting entry.

In 2011, the band announced that they were pursuing a professional music career and a record deal in the US and UK. After announcing that their debut single would be "So Mainstream", in November 2011, they signed with Blacklight Records. That same month, the band released "So Mainstream" in the UK and US; the single would eventually reach #3 on the UK Singles Chart, becoming their first charting single in the UK. Soon after, they released their second promotional single titled "Innocent; Convicted", which peaked at #13 on the UK Downloads Chart. "So Mainstream" also became a big international hit for the band.

In February 2012, the band released their debut album Syllabus. The album garnered generally positive reviews and would become commercially successful. The album debuted at #1 on the UK Albums Chart and was certified Silver in its first week of sales, after selling over 103,000 copies. To date, the album has sold more than one million copies and has been certified Diamond by the Urapopstar Recording Association Phonographic Society (URAPS), under the old certifaction. The album would also see some degree of commercial success in international markets as well. In the US, Syllabus has been certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and sold more than one million copies in the United States.

Three more singles were released from Syllabus throughout 2012. "At A Party" was released as the second single while "Teamwork" was released as the third. Each single, for their commercial release, each had a featured artist on it; "At A Party" featured American pop singer Blonde Ambition for the single version while "Teamwork" featured pop singing sensation Kleo, who replaced the "uncredited female vocals" (later revealed to be Stephanie Kesh) on the album version of the track. Both singles also peaked at #3 in the UK and were international successes as well. The fourth and final official single from the album, the Icelandic-themed "Honeymoon Anthem" charted at #9 in the UK and was another international success for the band. In late 2013, "Guess WHO", an album track from Syllabus, was released as a digital only charity single with all proceeds going to charity related to AIDS research and awareness. In 2015, the track "That's What They Always Say" was released as a digital single and reached #5 on the UK Digital Chart.

2013-2015: "All Pink Everything", Sophomore, and Flunking Out/Remedial
Between late spring/early summer 2012 to autumn 2013, the band worked on their sophomore album which they decided to aptly title Sophomore. The title to Sophomore was announced in December 2012 and was initially planned on being released in January or February 2013. However, the album's release was set and later postponed numerous times, along with a series of singles, EPs, and other material that were cancelled due to a variety of issues concerning the band including their waning and struggling management, Olivier's surprising cocaine and medication addiction that sent him to rehab, and members van Cleef and Mandelbaum pursuing solo careers. The band also faced rumors that they were breaking up which they adamantly denied.

In October 2013, nine months after they released their previous official single "Honeymoon Anthem" in January, the band released "All Pink Everything", which was supposed to be the lead single from a free mixtape they wanted to release titled The Chess Club; however, The Chess Club was withheld by Blacklight Records who has decided to release it commercially as the band's third album though the entire project has since been cancelled. "All Pink Everything", which was originally supposed to be Mandelbaum's follow-up to his debut single "Your Love's A Drug" for his solo career but was re-recorded by the band, received negative reviews, but thanks in part due to a promotional campaign that centered around breast cancer awareness and the color pink (they released it in October which is Breast Cancer Awareness Month), the single proved to be commercially successful and peak at #2 in the UK, becoming the band's biggest hit to date, staying there for two weeks. "All Pink Everything" also became a surprise international hit for the group.

In late December 2013, the band released "Like A Narcissist" as the lead single from Sophomore. Premiering in November 2013, the song talked about the "perils" of personally dealing with someone who has narcissistic personality disorder and how they can wreak havoc on people's lives. The song was praised by critics, fans, and the general public as one of their best singles of their career. "Like A Narcissist" became a massive commercial success. Though it debuted at #4 in the UK Singles Chart, it rose to #3 the following week, and then, in its third week, rose and peaked at #2. It is the best-selling single to not reach #1 and is one of the best selling singles ever, selling over one million copies copies in the UK. Their biggest hit to date, the single is still charting on the UK Singles Chart and has been certified Diamond by the URAPS.

Sophomore was released in January 2014, two weeks after "Like A Narcissist". Sophomore received highly positive reviews due to the its lyrical content and production. The album proved to be commercially successful as it debuted at #1 on the UK Albums Chart, becoming their second album to top the chart. Sophomore sold more than 97,000 copies in its first week. In late January 2014, the band won their first Grammy Award for Best Rock Performance for their single "Honeymoon Anthem". In February 2014, Sophomore returned to #1 on the UK Albums Chart in its third week of sales. The album also reached the top two in most countries it was released in. Sophomore has sold over two million copies in the UK; initially certified Diamond once but then downgraded to Platinum, due to new sales certification criteria, the album has been re-certified Diamond by the URAPS.

In March 2014, Curriculum released the track "On The Run" as a digital single; the track reached #3 on the UK Digital Chart.

In late May 2014, the band released "I Can Pay Your Rent" as the second single from Sophomore. The single version features popular American superstar Syd Wolfe. The single became the band's third consecutive single to reach #2 on the UK Singles Chart and also broke records for Wolfe as well (she became the first artist to occupy the top two positions on the UK Singles Chart in one week; her duet with popular singer Kleo was #1).

The band released their third single "To Move On" in June 2014. The same week, the band released their first major label EP Flunking Out. Despite the fact that both releases received subpar promotion from the band, they were well-received critically and commercially. "To Move On" has since peaked at #8 on the UK Singles Chart, though it debuted at #11 and almost interrupted the band's top ten streak. Flunking Out performed beyond expectations, peaking at #5 and being certified Gold by the URAPS. The EP was re-released as Remedial in October 2014.

The band's fourth single will be "Masculine" which will replace "Vice City 1986", which was initially being promoted as the band's initial fourth single. Though the promotional campaign around "Masculine" was controversial, due in part to Mandelbaum having a massive falling out with the band, the single became the band's biggest surprise hit. It debuted and peaked at #1 on the UK Singles Chart, becoming the band's first UK number one single. It also reached #1 on the airplay charts and #2 on the digital charts.

"Vice City 1986" was released in January 2015 as the album's fifth and final offical single. It peaked at #1 on the UK Singles Chart, becoming the band's second single to do so. It also became the band's first number one single on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States.

Another track called "Hold Me Forever In Your Arms" was sent to radio as a promotional single and as the overall seventh and final release from the album.

2015 to present: Break-up, reformation, final singles and pending disbandment
In Spring 2015, the band announced that they would be releasing a special edition version of Sophomore and would go on a free mini-tour where they went all around the city of San Francisco, California and sang at noticeable tourist attractions of the city. The band announced that shortly after the tour, they would be amicably breaking up.

The band stated that the reason for the disbandment was because they wanted to explore their own solo careers and had nothing to do with the rising internal conflicts, mainly those between Mandelbaum and the rest of the band.

In Summer 2015, all four band members were spotted around in London at certain music-oriented places including various recording studios. Five months after they had announced they had broken up, the band publicly confirmed that they had actually gotten back together two weeks after they had announced their disbandment and began working on their third studio album.

The band released a digital single titled "We'll Illuminate You" which created controversy regarding the band's attempt to premiere it on the popular streaming service Bloc. Leading to a fallout between Bloc and the band's label, Blacklight, it was considered a scandal and received heavy media attention.

In Autumn 2015, the band revealed a song titled "White Satins", which is considered as "sequel" to the band's digital hit "Marigold Mornings". The band also released a digital single titled "We'll Illuminate You", which became the band's first ever instrumental track. It peaked at #3 on the UK Digital Chart.

In October 2015, the band revealed two versions of their new single titled "What If I Did Not See You Again?"; it will be the lead single from the band's third studio album Juniors and Seniors. With both versions charting as one, as they were allowed to do so under chart rules, "What If I Did Not See You Again?" debuted and peaked at #3 on the UK Singles Chart.

In March 2016, the band released a digital single titled "Imperalist". In May 2016, the band upgraded the song to an official release and with a new mix. The single was released 30 May 2016 and reached #5 on the UK Singles Chart and #97 on the US Billboard Hot 100. It also reached the top five in Australia.

The band will release a EP titled "Marigolds" or "Marigolden" which will promote their previous digital only tracks "Marigold Mornings" and "White Satin" as official singles. The band confirmed that the EP, when it is released, will be their final release as a band.

Departure of Phillip Mandelbaum
Phillip Mandelbaum left the group officially on March 23, 2016, after having been a member since 2006. Speculation of Mandelbaum's departure lead to some believing it was because of rising internal conflicts between Mandelbaum and the rest of the band. Mandelbaum posted an Instagram post in which he stated that he was relieved to be free from "toxic and evil people", leading some to believe that he was referring to his now former bandmates. The Instagram post lead to his former bandmates and country pop singer Karli Wopp (cousin of Dana Breckenridge, one of Mandelbaum's former bandmates) to retaliate with their own posts on social media.

The group announced that despite Mandelbaum's departure, his vocals would not replaced on the band's upcoming third album, providing that Mandelbaum had finished recording the band's third album before his departure. Mandelbaum's vocals can be heard on the band's single "Imperialist" which is the band's first single after his departure.

Television
In summer 2014, the band premiered a show titled Curriculum: On The Record. The six-part reality mini-series primarily detailed the band's recording of their album Sophomore and its aftermath after it started becoming a commercial success. The show drew in high viewership in the UK and internationally.

Curriculum: On The Record was released to Netflix in the Autumn 2014 and on DVD in Spring 2015.

Promotion of "Masculine"
The promotion of the band's first number one single "Masculine" was marred by a massive falling out that Mandelbaum had with the rest of the band. Though the final conflict that lead to the falling out was a result of an altercation over Mandelbaum reportedly having his Syd Wolfe albums stolen by van Cleef and his brother, Mandelbaum stated that the band "never ever respected" him for the years they had been associated with each other. van Cleef, however, stated that Mandelbaum never liked the song and got angry because they replaced "Masculine" with "Vice City 1986" (which was a fan favorite and incited negative feedback once it was cancelled in favor of "Masculine").

After the altercation of the supposed stolen Syd Wolfe albums, Mandelbaum suddenly left for Asia to promote his debut solo album Wonderful is Everything. The rest of the band promoted "Masculine" as a trio. The single artwork for the single only shows three soldiers marching to battle with some speculating that it was a "dig" at Mandelbaum for not promoting "Masculine" with them.

One week before the single's release, the band's label, Blacklight Records, negotiated a reconciliation of sorts between Mandelbaum and the rest of the band.

"Masculine" later reached number one in the UK and also became an international hit as well.

Band members

 * Gregory Preston Olivier
 * Wyatt van Cleef
 * Dana Breckenridge

Former band members
 * Phillip Mandelbaum

Solo careers
All of the members have branched out of the group to pursue solo side careers.

Discography
Main article: Curriculum discography

Albums

 * 2012: Syllabus
 * 2014: Sophomore
 * 2014: Flunking Out / Remedial (EP)
 * 2016: Upperclassmen at the Graduation

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