Warped Tour '08: The 411 on Four Year Strong, Against Me!, Every Avenue, The A.K.A.sBack again with more info on some of your favorite Warped Tour 2008 bands to help you not look like a loserface. This installment gives you the information on Four Year Strong, Against Me!, Every Avenue and The A.K.A.s.
Four Year Strong ![]() Only three-fifths of the current lineup were original members of FYS back in 2001 (Dan O'Connor, Alan Day and Jackson "Jake" Massucco). The trio attended Doherty Memorial High School together in Worchester, Massachusetts, after which the band's original bassist, Ardie Petsas, split. Fortunately, FYS then met current bassist Joe Weiss, who filled the gap. The band originally didn't include keyboards or synthesizers, but began to incorporate those instruments into its music. Four Year Strong, after cycling through many keyboard and synthesizer players, eventually settled on current keyboardist Josh Lyford in late 2006. What to remember: They recently signed to Decaydance, in February ... so they're fresh and brand new.
Against Me!
Against Me! were originally Tom Gabel's acoustic solo project, occasionally performing with backup bassists and drummers. Gabel cut a demo tape called Against Me! and nicknamed Tom's First Demo that circulated online. Gabel filled up the band and cut a demo record called Vivida Vis! While only 500 were made, file-sharing popularized the demo. Even though fans frequently request "Sh-- Stroll" from it, Against Me! hardly ever fulfill their requests. In 2001, Tom and Kevin Mahon (on drums) released their first full-length, Reinventing Axl Rose, which had five new tracks and six re-recorded songs from the Against! Me EP and Crime as Forgiven By. Rose also saw the additions of electric guitars and a full band. After Rose, the full lineup consisted of Tom Gabel, Warren Oakes, James Bowman and Andrew Seward ... and has remained the same ever since. In 2003, the band released As the Eternal Cowboy, and the record spawned a tour documentary DVD, "We're Never Going Home." 2005's Searching for a Former Clarity got the band recognition on Fuse TV and an appearance on "Late Night With Conan O'Brien." After that, in December 2005, Against Me! signed with Sire Records and went to work with Butch Vig, who produced Nirvana's Nevermind. In 2006, the band released its first live album, Americans Abroad!!! Against Me!!! Live in London!!!, and then went to work on 2007's New Wave. What to remember: Kevin Mahon is no longer in Against Me! The only original member is Tom Gabel.
Every Avenue ![]() Every Avenue were formed in Marysville, Michigan, in 2003. They released two EPs in 2004 and 2006 before signing to Fearless Records, and then released an EP in 2007. What to remember: The band formed in Marysville, Michigan ... not Marysville, Washington.
The A.K.A.s (Are Everywhere)
The A.K.A.s were born when Mike Ski's band, Brother's Keeper, disbanded. Ski met two guys in New York and then searched for a drummer, recruiting a former bandmate from Brother's Keeper. Nina Aron then went into the studio, where the group was writing. Aron played keyboards on the record and became a permanent member of the band. In early 2004, Aron parted ways with the band, and Chris Bazan replaced her. Another lineup shift arose and Bazan was moved to guitar. Josie Outlaw took over on keys, with Justin Perry on bass and Chachi Darin on drums. What to remember: No, the drummer is not from the TV show "Happy Days."
Thank you for reading this. Remember to use this so Lo doesn't come out and call you a loserface. Bye!
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