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Initially gaining fame as lead guitarist/singer for emo powerhouse Taking Back Sunday before striking out on his own as the Color Fred, Fred Mascherino was born on July 27, 1975, and grew up in Coatesville, PA, a part of metro Philadelphia. He went on to earn a degree in jazz performance from nearby Temple University, and in addition to his formal education, Mascherino found some of his earliest musical inspiration from punk groups like Dag Nasty, the Descendents, and Jawbreaker. Getting involved in the local Philly scene, he played guitar and sang for the punk band Brody from 1992-1999, a time during which he also became good friends with a guy from the group Clockwise named Ed Reyes. Brody released one 7" and one full-length album in their time together, and following their demise, Mascherino founded the emo-leaning indie rock outfit Breaking Pangea alongside Will Noon and Clint Stelfox. The first Breaking Pangea show occurred in January 2000, and after three releases on two record l...