Driven Far Off

The latest on the indie, alternative, and rock music scene including news, music, contest, interviews, and more. Best described as your favorite place to find new bands.

Houston Calls Break Up

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Houston Calls have broken up.

After about 6 years, hundreds of shows, a bunch of great tours in 3 continents outside of our own, Houston Calls is calling it a day. Suffice it to say, we didn’t come to this decision lightly, and it’s one that pains us, even though it’s what we’ve decided is best for us. The continued instability surrounding our band’s various situations (finances, finding new members, touring, etc.) has overshadowed what our band has always prioritized: making some alright music and having a great time with our friends – the ones in our van and the ones we meet on the road. To elaborate a little, it’s tough packing up your entire life and leaving friends and family for months at a time. It’s unstable, it’s uncertain, and it’s pretty darn unhealthy. It’s also, as we’re all looking a little to our own futures, unsustainable at this level. The economic realities of living hand to mouth at our ages gets to be a little daunting. And seeing very few open doors for us as a band, we decided that it’s best for us to move on.

That being said, it was also a blast. We’ve met people that we can be proud to call friends, and some people that can only be described as classic characters. We’ve gotten to release two full length CDs that we are still infinitely proud of; We’ve met thousands of warm, gracious, and very kind fans – to many of whom we’ve been ungracious house guests. Words fail here – we can’t thank you all strongly or sincerely enough.

Houston Calls has two more shows left. First, we’re incredibly excited to be able to play Farewell’s CD Release Show at Greene Street, in Greensboro, NC on August 22nd. They’re some of our best friends, and we couldn’t think of a better band to open for. Secondly, we will be having a final hometown show at School of Rock on August 29th. As all this news is still pretty fresh, more details to be decided and will follow. Thanks for all your continued support over the years.

Love,
Houston Calls
Tom – [email protected]
Josh
Okie – [email protected]

P.S. – One request: don’t turn this into a hatefest on Drive-Thru. There’s enough negativity burning against a label that took a chance on us way back when and gave us the opportunity to get to where we got.

Tom Leaves A Day To Remember

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Tom has left A Day To Remember.

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT

Everyone,
To some of you this may come as a complete shock, and to others it will be nothing more than old news. However, we felt that what we’re about to tell you shouldn’t be left unsaid.

Anyone who came out to see A Day To Remember on our last European tour, or the majority of our tour with The Devil Wears Prada probably noticed that something was different.

Tom wasn’t with us on our tour in Europe due to a broken wrist, and then was unable to complete the The Devil Wears Prada tour because it hadn’t completely healed. Our Friend Kevin Skaff filled in on both tours for us while Tom was healing up at home.

Here’s the real juice…before Tom’s injuries forced him to leave the Prada tour, it was known that Tom was looking to settle down, focus on his recording studio, get married, and prepare to start a family sometime soon. When it was decided that Tom was leaving the tour due to his injuries, we also discussed his passion to continue being in the band.

He told us he no longer had the drive to tour anymore. We all knew that he was genuinely over it, and we all collectively decided that it was best for him to just not be with us anymore. We flew Kevin back out a day later to fill in for the remainder of the tour.

At the end of the tour we all discussed what we were going to do about a new guitarist, and decided that Kevin was the man. He’s an amazing guitarist, an incredible singer, and fits perfectly into what we’re trying to do. His personality meshes so well with the rest of the band. We’ve become best friends with him in the short time he’s been with us, and everyone that’s seen him with us knows that our set doesn’t suffer due to the change.

I know it’s going to be hard for everyone to believe that Tom just left the band and that all of us were supportive about it.. Hell, I don’t believe other bands that say the same exact thing. This was genuinely a mutual move for Tom and A Day To Remember. There is no point in rumors starting due to this formal announcement, because there is no truth to anything other than Tom was done touring and we were ok with that.

There are no bad feelings. Actually, we all just went to Tom’s wedding last week. It was awesome, and we could all tell how excited he is. We’re stoked for him, and he’s stoked for us. The band is tighter then we’ve ever been. Tom is still going to be a big part in the writing process, and will remain so as long as we are a band. The music and sound won’t change, just the person playing it.

We all hope that as fans of the band you can respect Tom and the rest of our decision. I spent almost 6 years in a band with Tom, so I assure you that seeing him go wasn’t easy or the way I envisioned things from the start. We just hope that you all will be able to accept this change and move forward with A Day To Remember.

Tom wanted to make sure this was added. “I am still very close with everyone in the band. I am so excited for what the guys are going to do with Kevin. He is a great musician and I wouldn’t have had it any other way. I’m excited on what material we all can create when it comes time to write a new record.”

Everyone should do two things. Find Tom on myspace and wish him luck on his new life (www.myspace.com/tomdenneymusic). And secondly, send Kevin a message welcoming him to A Day To Remember (www.myspace.com/omgitskevin).
We love you all. Thanks for understanding and being supportive. We can’t wait to see you all on this European tour, and Warped!
Josh, Jeremy, Alex, Neil, Tom and Kevin

Jack’s Mannequin Need Your Help!

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Pop powerhouse Jack’s Mannequin are enlisting the help of their fans to create the video for their next single, “Swim”. “Swim” is the second track off of 2008’s The Glass Passenger.

What do they need from you? Jack’s Mannequin are asking fans for original artwork inspired by the song to incorporate into the video. The fan-created artwork should feature the word “swim” in some form and “illustrate, in any way chosen, the meaning behind the word (hope, perseverance, courage, determination and strength).” The work can be expressed in an abstract or representational form, but the band asks that the artwork not contain any imagery of actual “swimming”, and for it not to be too detailed. The video will show people holding the song-inspired artwork to the camera.

The deadline to submit artwork is May 29th at midnight.

“Swim” is scheduled to begin filming next month. Further information, such as requirements and a release form, can be found on the band’s website.

Brand New/Moneen Tour Dates

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Dine Alone Records have announced that Brand New and Canada’s melodic hardcore group Moneen will be doing a brief tour this June in the UK.

Dates:

June 20th, 2009 Toronto, ON Downsview Park
June 22nd, 2009 London, GBR Barfly
June 23rd, 2009 Manchester, GBR Academy
June 24th, 2009 Glasgow, GBR Barrowlands
June 25th, 2009 York, GBR Fibbers
June 26th, 2009 Birmingham, GBR Academy
June 27th, 2009 London, GBR Forum

All Time Low Tour

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All Time Low will be going on a short little tour in summer with We The Kings, Cartel, and Days Difference.

7/9 – Richmond, VA – The National
7/10 – Philadelphia, PA – Electric Factory
7/11 – Towson, MD – Towson Center @ Towson University
7/12 – Poughkeepsie, NY – The Chance
7/13 – Wantagh, NY – Bay Stage @ Jones Beach
7/15 – Toronto, ONT – Kool Haus
7/16 – Cleveland, OH – House of Blues
7/17 – Pittsburgh, PA – Riverplex Ampitheatre
7/18 – Allentown, PA – Crocodile Rock Cafe
7/19 – 8/23 – Warped Tour

Underneath The Gun Break Up

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Underneath The Gun have broken up. A press release regarding the break up can be seen below.

Ferret Music artists, Underneath The Gun have announced the unfortunate dissolution of the band. Due to growing health concerns from singer Harrison DeGrote, which prevents him from touring, the band have been forced to part ways.

Underneath the Gun will be dropping off of the Artery Metal Tour and will play their last show on May 24th at The Glasshouse on the second day of the Spring Breakdown Festival in Pomona, CA. In member-related news, drummer Isaac Bueno will be filling in for Impending Doom on the Artery Metal Tour and the other members (Trevor Vickers [guitar], Kyle Sims [bass]) may pop up in the line-ups of other bands shortly.