Fivespeed
| Fivespeed | |
|---|---|
| Fivespeed during their Sunset Alliance years. Fivespeed during their Sunset Alliance years. |
|
| Background information | |
| Origin | Peoria, Arizona, United States |
| Genres | punk rock, nu metal |
| Years active | 1997-present |
| Labels | Sunset Alliance, Equal Vision Records, Virgin Records |
| Website | Fivespeed's Official Website |
Fivespeed was an American rock band, formed in Peoria, Arizona in 1997, and later based in Phoenix, Arizona. While in the beginning, Fivespeed's style was greatly influenced by the punk and hard-core movements,[1] its later efforts could be described as a mixture of nu metal and mainstream rock.
Contents |
[edit] History
[edit] The Early Years
Fivespeed released their self-titled debut EP, which also became known as First of The Compact Cars, on what was then a brand new independent record label called Sunset Alliance Records, on May 22, 2001.
Their label soon changed ownership, but that was all to Fivespeed's benefit, since the new owner, Dave Jensen, was one of their biggest fans. [1] Jensen believed greatly in the band, and gambled big on their success, even mortgaging his house to help pay for recording of their debut full-length. The band worked for five months with Larry Elyea at Mind's Eye Digital to record and produce their album, which would be called Trade in Your Halo.[1] On September 10, 2002, Sunset Alliance released Trade in Your Halo to much success. This record helped the group gain more exposure, allowing them to play side stage on the 2002 Vans Warped Tour with fellow Arizona natives Jimmy Eat World, among others. In addition, when the record earned Fivespeed a major label deal with Virgin Records, David Jensen's gamble paid off as Virgin helped him pay off all of this debts and put Sunset Alliance back in the black.[2]
[edit] Post-Sunset Alliance
The positive press that Fivespeed was able to attract thanks to Trade in Your Halo drew the attention of major labels and led it to conclude a contract with Virgin Records. This event brought new opportunities for the band as they suddenly had the money to tour more frequently and to record a new album. [3]
Their second EP, Bella, was released by Equal Vision Records on August 2, 2005.
Fivespeed then signed a recording contract with Virgin Records where they gained attention for the single "The Mess" from the album Morning Over Midnight released January 24, 2006.[4]
Unfortunately, even with all of the positivity that flowed from the major successes of 2006, that also ended up being a major year of crisis for the group. While touring that year, the band had $60,000 worth of gear stolen from them.[5] In what might foreshadow events that were yet to come, Virgin was reticent to aid them in fully replacing any of that gear.[5] Then, Virgin Records dropped Fivespeed from its line-up later that year while they were in the middle of a tour. [6] According to lead-singer Jared Woosley, the main reason that they lost that relationship was a change in the label's management. [6]
Pressured by their money woes and by the fact that lead-singer Jared Woosley had become addicted to heroin, Fivespeed fell apart and went into inactivity. [5]
[edit] Hiatus and Reunion
Each of the band's members, however, would later pursue other projects during the hiatus. Jared Woosley joined Larry Elyea (who had produced and recorded Fivespeed's two albums) in Giantkiller,[6][5] Woosley also formed Paper Airplane with Matt Turner, [5] Matt Turner and Shane Addington went back to their project The Desperate Hours,[5] and Brad Cole and Chad Martin joined David Jensen (formerly of Before Braille) to play in Art for Starters.[5][7]
In early 2009, members of Fivespeed reunited to start recording again. It appears that they currently have plans to release a new record in May 2012.
[edit] Discography
[edit] Albums
| Release date | Title | Label | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Self-Titled EP | Sunset Alliance | Also known as First of the Compact Cars. |
| 2002 | Trade In Your Halo LP | Sunset Alliance[8] | |
| 2005 | Bella EP | Equal Vision | Released exclusively online and at shows. [9] |
| 2006 | Morning Over Midnight LP | Virgin Records | |
| 2012 | The Way We War EP | ? | Anticipated release date: May 7, 2012 |
[edit] Compilations
- The Emo Diaries Chapter 4: An Ocean of Doubt (Deep Elm Records 1999)
-
- Song: What's Our Dilemma
- Triplesplit Series, Vol. 1: Fivespeed/Before Braille/Andherson (Sunset Alliance 2001)
-
- Songs: Blood Over Wine, Kid, Fallen Through
- Not One Light Red: A Modified Document (Sunset Alliance 2001)
-
- Song: Blood Over Wine
- Not One Light Red: A Desert Extended Compilation (Sunset Alliance 2002)
-
- Song: In the AM
- Sunset Alliance Discography 1999-2001 (Sunset Alliance 2011)
- Sunset Alliance Discography 2002-2004 (Sunset Alliance 2011)
- Sunset Alliance Discography 2005-2011 (Sunset Alliance 2011)
[edit] Band members
- Current line-up
- Jared Woosley – Vocals (1997–Present)
- Jesse LaCross – Guitar (1997–Present)
- Brad Cole - Guitar (1997–Present)
- Shane Addington - Drums (2004–Present)
- Matt Turner - Bass (2005–Present)
- Past members
- Rob Anderson - Bass (1997–2005)[5]
- Chad Kinney - Drums (1997–2001)[10]
- Chad Martin - Drums (2001–2004)[11]
[edit] References
- ^ a b c Garcia, Gilbert. Speed Kills, The Phoenix New Times, Jan. 17, 2002 retrieved 01-09-12
- ^ Dominic, Serene. Blind Ambition The Phoenix New Times, Oct. 3, 2002 retrieved 02-17-12
- ^ Ide, Chelsea. Fivespeed Rejoins the Field The Phoenix New Times, Dec. 23, 2004 retrieved 02-17-12
- ^ Ruhlmann, William. "Fivespeed biography at Starpulse" June, 2009.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Wilson, Kelly. Peoria's Fivespeed Is Back After a Storm of Drugs, Fighting, and Label Woes, The Phoenix New Times, Aug. 13, 2009.
- ^ a b c Dominic, Serene. "Giant Killer: A David Versus Goliath Rematch with the Majors? The Phoenix New Times, Oct. 16, 2008" retrieved 02-16-12
- ^ Dominic, Serene. "Art for Starters Is a Startup Operation That's Barely Gotten Started The Phoenix New Times, April 9, 2009" retrieved 02-16-12
- ^ "Adequacy.net Review of "Trade In Your Halo""
- ^ "Adequacy.net Review of Bella"
- ^ "Fivespeed Bio on Rockdetector.com"
- ^ O'Connonr, Christopher Producing Tension, The Phoenix New Times, June 12, 2003 retrieved 02-17-12
