If you were anywhere near a MySpace page or a Hot Topic between 2007 and 2009, you heard "Shake It." It was inescapable. That neon-soaked, synth-pop anthem didn't just climb the charts; it defined an era of tight jeans and side-swept bangs. At the center of that whirlwind was Metro Station Trace Cyrus, a figure who seemed to bridge the gap between Disney royalty and the edgy underground of the Los Angeles music scene.
But then, things got messy.
One minute they were touring with the Jonas Brothers and selling out arenas, and the next, the band was imploding in a very public, very confusing way. People often ask what happened to Metro Station and specifically what Trace Cyrus is up to now. Honestly, it’s a story of ego, exhaustion, and the brutal reality of trying to maintain a creative partnership when you're barely out of your teens.
The Rapid Rise of Trace Cyrus and Metro Station
Metro Station didn't form in a garage. They formed on the set of Hannah Montana. It sounds like a PR stunt, but it was actually a bit more organic. Trace's sister, Miley, was the star, and Mason Musso’s brother, Mitchel, played Oliver Oken. Trace and Mason met, realized they both had a thing for electronic-tinged rock, and started writing.
By the time they released their self-titled debut album in 2007, they were a phenomenon. Trace Cyrus brought a specific energy to the group—he was taller, heavily tattooed, and had a raw aesthetic that contrasted with Mason’s smoother, pop-leaning vocals. That friction is exactly what made the music work. "Shake It" went Top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100. It went double platinum. For a second there, it looked like they were going to be the biggest band in the world.
Success came fast. Maybe too fast. When you're 19 years old and you're suddenly the face of a subculture, the pressure is immense. Trace wasn't just a musician; he was a Cyrus. That name carries weight. It carries expectations. He was trying to carve out an identity that was separate from the "Achy Breaky Heart" legacy, and for a while, Metro Station was his vehicle for that independence.
Why the Band Fell Apart
In 2010, the wheels fell off.
The breakup of the original lineup wasn't some quiet, mutual decision. It was loud. There were reports of "creative differences," which is usually code for "we can't stand being in the same room anymore." Trace has been pretty candid over the years about the fact that he and Mason just weren't seeing eye to eye. When you're living on a tour bus for months at a time, small annoyances become massive grudges.
They were young.
They were tired.
The magic was gone.
Trace went off to start a solo project called Ashland HIGH. It was a different vibe—more infused with hip-hop and electronic beats. While it had a dedicated following, it never reached the heights of the Metro Station peak. It’s hard to capture lightning in a bottle twice, especially when the landscape of music was shifting away from the "neon pop-punk" sound toward the EDM explosion of the early 2010s.
The 2014 Reunion and the Final Split
Fans lost their minds in 2014 when Trace and Mason announced they were back together. They released an EP called Gold and followed it up with a full-length album, Savior, in 2015. It felt like a redemption arc. They played the Vans Warped Tour, which was a full-circle moment for a band that had always straddled the line between mainstream pop and the alternative scene.
However, the industry had changed. The nostalgia was there, but the momentum was harder to sustain. By 2017, they announced another breakup. This one felt more permanent. Trace has spent the years since then focusing on his own path, both in music and in his personal life. He's been open about his struggles with mental health and the reality of growing up in the spotlight.
What Trace Cyrus Is Doing Today
If you follow Trace on social media now, you see a very different person than the guy in the "Shake It" video. He's incredibly focused on fitness and health. He often posts about his physical transformation, using his platform to encourage others to take control of their lives. It’s a far cry from the late nights and party atmosphere of the mid-2000s music scene.
He still makes music. It's his passion. But he does it on his own terms now. He isn't chasing a radio hit or trying to appease a major label. He’s released several solo tracks that lean into a more mature, darker pop sound. He also runs a clothing line called From Back Then, which taps into that alternative aesthetic he's championed since day one.
Interestingly, Trace has also stayed very protective of his family. Despite the tabloid fodder that follows the Cyrus clan, he’s often the one standing up for his siblings. He’s managed to navigate the weirdness of being a "celebrity sibling" while maintaining a very distinct, individual brand. He’s not "Miley’s brother" to his fans; he’s the guy who fronted one of the most iconic bands of the MySpace era.
The Legacy of Metro Station Trace Cyrus
It’s easy to dismiss Metro Station as a "one-hit wonder," but that’s a lazy take. They influenced a specific aesthetic that is currently seeing a massive revival. "Indie sleaze" and "2014 tumblr-core" are trending again, and you can hear the DNA of Metro Station in a lot of the hyper-pop and alt-pop coming out today.
Trace was a pioneer of that "tattoos-and-synths" look that became the blueprint for the next decade of alternative artists. He proved that you could be a pop star and still look like you belonged in a dive bar in Silver Lake.
Actionable Steps for Fans and New Listeners
If you're looking to dive back into the world of Trace Cyrus and his musical journey, don't just stop at the hits. There is a lot more depth to the catalog than people realize.
- Listen to "Kelsey": This is arguably one of the best songs Metro Station ever wrote. It’s more melodic and emotionally resonant than "Shake It" and shows the potential the band had.
- Check out "Savior": The 2015 album is often overlooked. It has a more polished, aggressive sound that reflects how the duo had grown during their time apart.
- Follow Trace's Solo Work: Look up his recent singles like "Summer" or "Bones." They give you a clear picture of where his head is at creatively in the 2020s.
- Support Independent Artists: Trace operates largely as an independent entity now. Buying merch or streaming music directly supports the ability of artists to keep creating without corporate interference.
The story of Metro Station Trace Cyrus isn't a tragedy of a "has-been." It's a case study in how to survive the meat grinder of the music industry and come out the other side with your identity intact. He didn't fade away; he just changed the game he was playing. Whether he ever steps back onto a stage with Mason Musso again remains to be seen, but the impact of what they built during that chaotic, neon-lit window of time isn't going anywhere.