- Close to Home (band)
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Close to Home Origin Cincinnati, Ohio, USA Genres Post-hardcore Years active 2005–present Labels Artery Recordings, Razor & Tie Associated acts We Came as Romans Website Close to Home - Artery Recordings Members Nick Stiens
Josh Wells
JJ Cooper
Travis Hartman
Derek FoustPast members Justin Wells
Brad AndressClose to Home is an American post-hardcore band from Cincinnati, Ohio, that was formed in 2005. They have released four EPs (3 mixed, 1 demo) and two full-length albums, Picture Perfect and their major label debut, Never Back Down, which was released on February 15, 2011.[1] Close to Home has toured across the United States with bands such as Silverstein, Emery, Dance Gavin Dance, I Set My Friends On Fire, Sky Eats Airplane, Ivoryline, In Fear and Faith and We Came as Romans.[2] On December 10, 2010, they signed with Artery Recordings.[3] Close to Home is commonly depicted as CTH.
Contents
History
Formation (2005–2006)
In 2005, brothers Josh and Justin Wells formed the band "Close to Home" with their friend, bassist Brad Andress in Cincinnati, Ohio. Prior to label involvement, or a record release, Close to Home was invited to perform three western United States dates (Montana, Denver, and Salt Lake City) on the Vans Warped Tour 2005. In 2006, while on their first non-festival tour, Brad Andress was diagnosed with cancer (in Seattle). While Brad Andress was hospitalized, Close to Home was again invited to perform three southern United States dates (Orlando, Miami, and Tampa) on the Vans Warped Tour 2006. In October, 2006, Brad Andress passed away.
Picture Perfect, One Chance, One Time, Legends Live On, Standby, and Let It Be Known (2006–2009)
After the death of bassist Brad Andress, Close to Home spent most of 2006 getting their members to today's lineup (except bassist Derek Foust): Nick Stiens (Vocals), Josh Wells (Guitar), JJ Cooper (Guitar), and Travis Hartman (Drums). "Legends Live On" EP was released via iTunes April 7, 2008 and was the last live show that bassist Brad Andress played before his death. According to guitarist Josh Wells "The remaining four tracks on the record are about Brad Andress and losing someone." Wells also stated that because of Andress' death, "Close to Home does not have a permanent bass musician", although in 2011 that would change with the addition of Derek Foust. In 2007, Close to Home won the United States, Ernie Ball "Battle of the Bands". This allowed Close to Home to play one night on the acclaimed Taste Of Chaos Tour. According to guitarist Josh Wells, they "played for 13,000 people, sharing the stage with The Used, 30 Seconds To Mars, Chiodos, Senses Fail, Saosin, Aiden, and Evaline, and were given prizes such as a drum set, bass rig, among items." In 2007, Close to Home became a three-peat performer on Vans Warped Tour, performing at Vans Warped Tours 2007 and 2008 in Cincinnati. "Standby" EP was released via iTunes on April 29, 2008. Shortly after, Close to Home embarked on the "V-Neck and Shaved Chest" Tour (June, 2008) with We Came as Romans.
Tour Activity (2009–2010)
Close to Home appeared on a mini-tour (September - October, 2009) with I Am Abomination.[4] Close to Home also embarked on the "Scream It Like You Mean It 2010" Tour (July - August, 2010) with Silverstein, Emery, Dance Gavin Dance, I Set My Friends On Fire, Sky Eats Airplane, Ivoryline, and We Came as Romans.[5] Andy Glass from We Came as Romans filled in on bass for the complete tour.
Never Back Down (2010–2011)
Excerpt from the band's MySpace blog:
"Never Back Down is our first label debut album! We spent all of 2010 creating this record and getting everything in place to release it! I just wanted to take a moment to tell you a little about the process of making this record and what the concept for it was. When we were first told we would be doing a full length we sat down and put a lot of thought in what direction we wanted to go with it, musically and lyrically. We have always tried our best to be real in everything we do and write what is real to us so the concept of the record formed there. We decided to make a record that would be an exact reflection of our lives, in a way that any one can appreciate. For those who have been supporting us for a long time you know about the struggles we have gone through personally and business wise in pursuit of what we love. It has never been an easy journey but we have always been relentless and 'DIY' in our efforts. The album title and artwork are fairly simple in what it portrays. Being the underdog and coming up against something massive in front of you. The content of the record it self is something we are all very proud of. Musically it is influenced by everything we have ever loved and we believe will take the listener on a journey. It shows the good and the bad of going after what you love and sacrificing everything. We tried to show that also musically as much as lyrically. Some songs are a lot more fun and tell the good side of our lives. The friendship, traveling, partying, creating memorable moments in life worth fighting for and just a love for the people and music it self. The other side to that is some of the heaviest music we have wrote yet and portrays the downsides and struggles. Always being gone and slipping away from understanding what it will ever be like to be 'normal' again. The strain it puts on friendships and all relationships in life. The people who want to pollute the music, talk shit, and infect it with impure intentions. We shot a music video to the song 'All We Know' which is a summary of what the record is about. The album name Never Back Down comes out of this song. We wanted the record to be something anyone who has ever pursued what they love in life, sacrificed or overcome great obstacles could appreciate. Can't wait for people to give it a listen from beginning to end! To hear it as one total work and give us feedback". - Close to Home
The album was often compared to A Day to Remember because of the similar vocal style and genre, combining elements of heavy post-hardcore and metalcore with pop punk, leading to a melodic hardcore sound.
On February 25, 2011, "All We Know" was released as the first official single from Never Back Down, along with a music video.[6]
Close to Home appeared on the Downtown Battle Mountain Tour (March - April 2011) supporting Dance Gavin Dance, IWrestledABearOnce and In Fear and Faith in support of Never Back Down. According to a Facebook post by the band on June 6, 2011, bassist Derek Foust was officially named a full member of Close to Home. He is the first bassist enlisted in this position since the passing of Brad Andress. Close to Home performed on the Arkaik + MerchNow + Artery "Summer Partery" Tour (July - August 2011) in support of In Fear and Faith and Vanna.
New Album (2011–present)
According to Close to Home guitarist, Josh Wells, the band entered the studio shortly after the Arkaik + MerchNow + Artery "Summer Partery" Tour to record the follow-up to Never Back Down. Close to Home provided support on the Merchnow.com + Arkaik Clothing "I'm Alive" Tour (September - October, 2011) with We Came as Romans and additional support from Miss May I, Of Mice & Men, and Texas in July.[7] Close to Home and We Came as Romans also played the Kent, Ohio Festival at The Outpost with Worth The Wait and Ionia on October 15, 2011. Close to Home is scheduled to play two Christmas shows, one on December 17, 2011 at Penny Road Pub in Barrington, Illinois, as direct support for The Color Morale, and December 22, 2011 at the Madison Theater in Covington, Kentucky. It will mark the first hometown show for the band in seven months. According to lead vocalist Nick Stiens, Close to Home will re-enter the recording studio in November, 2011. Confirmed by the band via Facebook, Close to Home will also be recording from January until early March, 2012 with engineer and producer Andrew Wade (A Day to Remember, The Word Alive).
Guest appearances
Josh Wells confirmed his appearance as a vocalist on the tracks "Mis//Understanding" and "Understanding What We've Grown To Be" by We Came as Romans. These tracks appear on the album Understanding What We've Grown to Be, released September 13, 2011 via Equal Vision Records.
Musical style and influences
The band's sound is often described as combination of heavy post-hardcore and metalcore music with light pop punk and punk rock, often leading their genre to be called "melodic hardcore" in the vein of Four Year Strong, though the band has never confirmed this as their musical style.
Band members
- Current members
- Nick Stiens - lead vocals (2007–present)
- Josh Wells - guitar (2005–present)
- JJ Cooper - guitar (2007–present)
- Derek Foust - bass (2011–present)
- Travis Hartman - drums, percussion (2007–present)
- Former members
- Justin Wells - drums, percussion (2005–2007)
- Brad Andress - bass (2005–2006)
- Touring members
- Andy Glass - bass (2010)
Discography
- LPs
- Picture Perfect (2006)
- Never Back Down (2011)
- EPs
- One Chance, One Time EP (Self-released, 2006)
- Standby EP (Self-released, April, 2008)
- Let It Be Known EP (Self-released, October, 2009)
- Demos
- Legends Live On EP (Self-released, April, 2008)
- Singles
- "You Struck a Nerve (I Struck A Match)" (2009)
- "All We Know" (2011)
References
- ^ "Artery Recordings - Website". arteryrecordings.com. http://www.arteryrecordings.com/. Retrieved 2011-01-11.
- ^ "Scream It Like You Mean It - Website". ScreamItLikeYouMeanIt.com. http://www.screamitlikeyoumeanit.com/. Retrieved 2011-01-07.
- ^ "Artery Recordings - Website". arteryrecordings.com. http://www.arteryrecordings.com/. Retrieved 2011-01-11.
- ^ "LambGoat - Website". lambgoat.com. http://www.lambgoat.com/news/view.aspx?id=13184/. Retrieved 2011-06-02.
- ^ "Scream It Like You Mean It - Website". ScreamItLikeYouMeanIt.com. http://www.screamitlikeyoumeanit.com/. Retrieved 2011-01-07.
- ^ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5xGwzIH91Vk
- ^ [1]"WeCameAsRomans.com". http://www.takeoverstudio.com/%20target=. http://wecameasromans.com/. Retrieved 2011-07-15.
External links
Categories:- American emo musical groups
- American metalcore musical groups
- American post-hardcore musical groups
- American punk rock groups
- Heavy metal musical groups from Ohio
- Musical groups established in 2005
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