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Fair to Midland

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Fair to Midland

Fair to Midland is an American art rock and progressive metal band formed in 1998. They are currently signed to Serj Tankian's Serjical Strike label. According to the band's official website, their name comes from "...an old Texan play on the term 'fair to middling'." The band produced two self-released albums and one album and an EP under Serjical Strike. They are currently working on their untitled fourth studio album.

History

Beginnings and Independent Releases

Fair to Midland was formed in 1998 by friends Andrew Darroh Sudderth and Cliff Campbell. After their independent debut album in late 2001, The Carbon Copy Silver Lining, original drummer Jason Pintler left the band and former percussionist Brett Stowers took over the drums. For their second album, inter.funda.stifle, Matt Langley joined the band. He had previously played keyboards on The Carbon Copy Silver Lining. In 2004, they released their second album, inter.funda.stifle. inter.funda.stifle was later re-released through their online merchandise store in 2009.

Serjical Strike

The album and the shows promoting it attracted the attention of Serj Tankian, and Fair to Midland were signed to his Serjical Strike label in 2006. The Drawn and Quartered EP was soon released on the label, featuring interviews with the band, songs from inter.funda.stifle and live recordings. Fables From a Mayfly: What I Tell You Three Times Is True, Fair to Midland's major label debut, was released in June 2007. The band chose to re-record many of the songs from inter.funda.stifle which they felt could benefit from the bigger production values art-rock mega producer David Bottrill brought to the table.

Live at Coachella 2007 the band performed a live improvisational version of their song "The Walls of Jericho" featuring the guest vocals of Serj Tankian. Through the first half of 2008, Fair to Midland has toured the USA with 10 years, and Europe with Serj Tankian. They performed alongside acts such as Rage Against The Machine, Queens of the Stone Age, Smashing Pumpkins, and Muse and at sister festivals Rock am Ring and Rock im Park, two notable concert events, in both 2007 and 2008.

Fair to Midland were the winners of the Dallas Observer Music Award in the Best Metal category for both 2007 and 2008.

Fourth Studio Album

In August 2008, Fair to Midland began writing their fourth studio album. In October, drummer Brett Stowers stated on the band’s official forum that the band had so far written about 4-6 songs that were in "various states of completion". He also wrote that the band wanted to take their time and release the record when it’s done.[1] On November 15, the band’s Myspace page was updated with pictures of the band in studio. As written in the blog post: "The sound so far seems to be going in a little bit darker and more cynical direction, probably a result of 2 years of roughing it on the road, but it's not without some cool tongue-in-cheek moments as well".[2]

During a special show that took place in Dallas on January 3rd 2009, Fair To Midland premiered 3 new songs live, the titles being "Rikki-Tikki-Tavi", "Musical Chairs" and the unreleased Fables b-side "Pour the Coal To 'er". As written in an article in the Dallas Observer, the songs were enthusiastically received by the crowd. "Rikki-Tikki-Tavi" has, by the band's vocalist Darroh Sudderth, been described as "a death metal band doing its best 'Yellow Submarine'".

In April the band played a small U.S. tour, playing some of the material from their as yet untitled fourth studio album before they entered the studio. The band recently premiered yet another new song live - "A Loophole in Limbo". Most recently, another song title has been revealed entitled "Bright Bulbs". The band is currently working in studio, recording potential song selections to be featured on their fourth full-length album. According to the band's Twitter, as of May 29th, 2009, they have completed pre-production on "Rikki Tikki Tavi," "Musical Chairs," and "Pour the Coal to 'er.". Alex Gerst has been stated to work with the band on the new record.

As of 15th of August 2009 Fair to Midland has debuted 7 new songs live, the three latest titles being "Uh-Oh", "A Thirsty Fish" and "Bright Bulbs and Sharp Tools".

Band Members

Current members

Former members

  • Nathin Seals — bass (1998–2005)
  • Jason Pintler — drums (1998–2003)

Discography

Studio albums

EPs

Singles

Year Title Chart positions Album
US Hot 100 US Modern Rock US Mainstream Rock US Pop 100 UK Singles Chart Germany
2007 "Dance of the Manatee" - - 19 - - - Fables from a Mayfly: What I Tell You Three Times Is True
2007 "Tall Tales Taste Like Sour Grapes" - - 38 - - -

Awards and Nominations

Year Award Category Result
2007 Dallas Observer Best Metal category Won
2008 Dallas Observer Best Metal category Won

References

  1. ^ http://www.ftmband.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=2540&start=25
  2. ^ http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=2550398&blogID=449022821
  3. ^ http://www.dallasobserver.com/2009-01-08/music/fair-to-midland-s-still-getting-defined


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