Abandon (band)

Last updated

Abandon
Origin San Antonio, Texas, US
Genres
Years active2005–present
Labels ForeFront
Members
  • Justin Engler
  • Stevan Vela
  • Ben Vela
Past members
  • Dave Vela
  • Ryan Reavis
  • Bryan Fowler
  • Josh Engler
Website abandonrock.com

Abandon is an American Christian rock band from San Antonio, Texas. The group had five members: brothers Josh (lead vocals) and Justin Engler (guitar), cousins Stevan (guitar) and Dave Vela (drums), and Bryan Fowler (bass). [1]

Contents

Abandon signed with ForeFront Records in late 2007, and released the Abandon EP in July 2008. Their first single, "Providence", was released to radios in August. It reached No. 7 on R&R's Christian rock charts.

The group's name was inspired by the Bible verse: "And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me" (Matthew 10:38). [2]

History

The group of two brothers and two cousins, with friend Ryan Reavis (former bassist), [3] formed as an independent band in 2002. They began playing worship music at their church. [1] [4] In 2005, they began to play local concerts and released their first album, Ambush. It was produced by the band with Tavis Wilson. [4] Soon after the release of their second album, Who You Are (produced by Kevin Bruchert), Reavis chose to leave the band. Not long afterwards, Bruchert introduced the band to Bryan Fowler after they played at his church. Soon after, Fowler joined the band.

They signed a deal with ForeFront Records in the fall of 2007. [2] The record label's A & R Recording manager, Chris York, discovered the band by hearing them play at a club next door (where York was in a restaurant with his wife). He claims:

"I was having dinner at a Mexican restaurant with my wife, and she started to get frustrated with me because she could tell I wasn't paying full attention to our conversation. This was because I could hear a band playing live at the club next door, and it sounded really, really good. I got in touch with the band later, and after we got to know each other, we knew it was a fit and started working together!" [1]

Abandon's initial ForeFront release, the Abandon EP (produced by Chris Stevens), was released on July 22, 2008. It contains five tracks that were released on their forthcoming studio album. [5] Alternative rock song "Providence" and "All Because of You", which has more of a contemporary Christian music style, were both released as radio singles on August 1, 2008. [1] "Providence" reached No. 7 on R&R's Christian rock chart by October 24, 2008. [6]

Abandon released its second album, Control, on April 19, 2011. [7] The band's single, "Live it Out", was featured on the Food Network for the promotion of Food Network Challenge . It was also played during the 2011 ESPY Awards on ESPN, and used in Seven Network's highlights for the 2012 Australian Open.

Lead vocalist, Josh Engler, decided to stop touring with the band in 2012. [8] [9] His brother, Justin, decided to move from guitar to vocals in order to fill the role. [10] Dave (drums) and Bryan (bass) also decided to stop touring with Abandon that year. This left only Justin and Stevan. They decided to keep working on new music. They recruited Ben Vela, Stevan's brother, to play drums. [10]

In April 2013, Abandon successfully funded their new album via a Kickstarter campaign. [11] In early June 2014, it was announced that Kevin Max would be stepping down as lead singer of Audio Adrenaline. Abandon's former lead vocalist, Josh Engler, filled the position. [9]

Later in 2014, the band released three new singles which included: "It Was Love", "Forever" (on a compilation album of various artists), Reverence: an Offering, and "While We're Living" (on Jesusfreakhideout.com). Abandon's third album, Love Prevails, was released on November 4, 2014. It was made available for purchase in the iTunes Store.

Musical style

Abandon's music, and lead singer's voice, have often been compared to The Killers. [12]

Members

Current members

Former members

Discography

Studio albums

Extended plays

Singles

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Audio Adrenaline</span> Christian rock band

Audio Adrenaline was an American Christian rock band that formed in 1986 at Kentucky Christian University in Grayson, Kentucky. The band gained recognition during the 1990s and received two Grammy Awards and multiple Dove Awards. Audio Adrenaline were regular performers at the annual Creation Festival, Spirit West Coast festival, Agape Music Festival, and Alive Festival. In 2007, the group disbanded due to lead singer Mark Stuart's spasmodic dysphonia. During this time, they released eight studio albums.

The Union Underground is an American nu metal band based out of San Antonio, Texas. Original band members included Bryan Scott, Patrick Kennison, John Moyer and Josh Memolo. They released one major label album, ...An Education in Rebellion, in 2000 which featured the hit single "Turn Me On 'Mr. Deadman'".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">House of Heroes</span> American alternative rock band

House of Heroes is an American alternative rock band from Columbus, Ohio. They have released six albums: What You Want Is Now (2003), House of Heroes (2005), The End Is Not the End (2008), Suburba (2010), Cold Hard Want (2012), and Colors (2016). The band also released the album Ten Months (2001) under their original name, No Tagbacks, which had more of a punk sound than their releases as House of Heroes. They also re-released their self-titled record under the name of Say No More (2006). The band was last composed of Tim Skipper, Colin Rigsby, A.J. Babcock, Jared Rigsby, and Eric Newcomer.

PAX217 is an American Christian rock band from Orange County, California. The band's music gained popularity in the Christian rock scene in the early 2000s. PAX217's lineup consists of David Tosti on vocals, Jesse Craig on guitar, Josh Auer on bass, Joey Marchiano on drums, Chris "Tito" Duran on keyboards, and Bobby "Bobbito the Chef" Duran on turntables. Former members include Ethan Luck on guitar, Dan Sessum on guitar, and David Tosti's younger brother Aaron "Skwid" Tosti, who later played in Hawk Nelson, on drums. The band began in 1994 and broke up in 2005, but reunited in 2010.

Robbie Seay Band is a Christian contemporary band located in Houston, Texas. The band has led worship and performed all over the country for many years. Many of the songs on RSB's albums are inspired by events and people through the years within their church and community.

The Glorious Unseen is a Christian rock/contemporary worship band from Nashville, Tennessee. Before signing with BEC Recordings, lead vocalist Ben Crist wrote and played many of the band's songs in his home church, The Anchor Fellowship. The band released their first album, Tonight the Stars Speak, in 2007. Crist got his start in the music industry by performing in the worship band at the Atlanta Vineyard.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Decyfer Down</span> American rock band

Decyfer Down is an American Christian rock band formed in 1999 and based in Morehead City, North Carolina, United States. Until 2002 – the year that Christopher Clonts joined the band – they went by the moniker Allysonhymn. Decyfer Down is well known in Christian music, but the band is also known for their mainstream success, having toured with bands like Puddle of Mudd and Breaking Benjamin.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Addison Road (band)</span> American Christian pop/rock band

Addison Road was a Christian alternative pop/rock band from Dallas, Texas. The band was signed to INO Records in 2007 and released its self-titled debut album, Addison Road, on March 18, 2008. Its songs "All That Matters" and "Sticking With You" were the ninth and fifteenth most-played songs on R&R magazine's Christian CHR chart for 2008. On August 1, 2012, the band announced that after 10 years it would complete its time as a band. Lead singer Jenny Simmons is pursuing a solo career.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Children 18:3</span> Christian punk-rock band from Minnesota

Children 18:3 is an American Christian punk band from Morris, Minnesota. Formed in 1999, the band consists of homeschooled siblings David (vocals/guitar), Lee Marie (vocals/bass), and Seth Hostetter (drums). Since signing to Tooth & Nail Records in 2007, the band has released four albums, Children 18:3 (2008), Rain's a Comin' (2010), On the Run (2012), and Come In (2015).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Remedy Drive</span> American alternative rock band

Remedy Drive is an American alternative rock band founded in 1998 in Lincoln, Nebraska. They are now based in Nashville. The band consists of lead vocalist and guitarist David Zach, bassist Corey Horn, and drummer Timmy Jones. They have recorded ten studio albums, one independent live album, and two EPs. The band was founded as a quartet consisting of the four Zach brothers. Three of the four brothers left the band in late 2010.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Dangerous Summer (band)</span> Rock band from Ellicott City, Maryland

The Dangerous Summer is an American rock band from Ellicott City, Maryland, United States. The band's name is taken from the book of the same name by Ernest Hemingway. The band has stated influences from Third Eye Blind, Bright Eyes, U2, Phil Collins, Explosions in the Sky, Jimmy Eat World, and Andrew McMahon. Over the years the band has sold over 60,000 albums and over 300,000 singles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hope for the Dying</span> American Christian metal band

Hope for the Dying also known as HFTD is an American Christian metal band from Jonesboro, Illinois, United States. The band formed in 2006 and released their first album in April 2008, the album was later repackaged and released with Strike First Records on November 25, 2008.

<i>Searchlights</i> (album) 2009 studio album by Abandon

Searchlights is the first full-length album by Christian rock band Abandon. The album was released on August 25, 2009 through ForeFront Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Letter Black</span> American Christian rock band

The Letter Black, formerly known as Breaking the Silence, is an American Christian rock band that was formed in 2006 in Uniontown, Pennsylvania. The band consists of lead vocalist Sarah Anthony; her husband, lead guitarist and vocalist Mark Anthony; bassist Matt Beal and drummer William Fowler and rhythm guitarist Brandon Jordan.

<i>The Transition EP</i> 2010 EP by Philmont

The Transition EP is the follow-up to Christian rock band Philmont's full-length Attention, and their first release since parting ways with Forefront Records. Philmont released the EP independently on October 19, 2010. It is available via digital outlets such as iTunes, at Philmont concerts, and through Philmont's online merchandise store.

<i>Peace, Love & Light</i> 2013 EP by The Choir

Peace, Love & Light is the 15th studio release, second EP, and first digital-only album by alternative rock band the Choir, released on November 27, 2013. This is also the band's first Christmas-themed release. As a "stretch goal" in the Choir's Kickstarter campaign for their 2014 album Shadow Weaver, this EP was provided exclusively to funders who pledged $60 or more.

A Bullet for Pretty Boy was an American metalcore band from Longview, Texas. Formed in 2006, the band independently released the EP Beauty in the Eyes of the Beholder (2008) before signing to Razor & Tie and Artery Recordings, where they released the studio albums Revision:Revise (2010) and Symbiosis (2012). The group went on hiatus in 2015; vocalist Danon Saylor subsequently joined with members of For Today and Silent Planet to form the supergroup Nothing Left.

The Great Commission is an American Christian hardcore band from Riverside, California. The band started making music in 2007. Their original membership included Justin Singh, Angela Razo, D.J. Burr, Derek C, Matt B, & Chris Ryan with members Christian, Nelson, Rodney and Solomon joining in as members left. The band released an independently made extended play, The Great Commission, in 2008. They signed to Strike First Records, where they released, And Every Knee Shall Bow, a studio album, in 2009. Their subsequent studio album, Heavy Worship, was released by Ain't No Grave Records, in 2011. Firework, an extended play, was released by Ain't No Grave Recordings, in 2012 and lastly in 2013, the group self-released their follow up full length Cast The First Stone.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mono Inc.</span> German gothic rock band

Mono Inc. is a German Gothic Rock, Gothic Metal and Industrial band from Hamburg, founded in 2000.

<i>The Elements</i> (TobyMac album) 2018 studio album by TobyMac

The Elements is the eighth studio album by American recording artist TobyMac released on October 12, 2018, on ForeFront Records. It is his fifth album to top the Billboard Christian Albums chart. The album's lead single, "I Just Need U.", peaked at No. 1 on the Hot Christian Songs chart.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Abandon Signs To ForeFront Records". Jesus Freak Hideout (Overture Media). July 31, 2008. Retrieved October 23, 2008.
  2. 1 2 "Abandon Biography". MusicFaith.com. Archived from the original on November 22, 2008. Retrieved October 23, 2008.
  3. ↑ "Abandon" (PDF). fuselage.org. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 26, 2011. Retrieved September 30, 2009.
  4. 1 2 Paul Portell (July 12, 2005). "Abandon, "Ambush" Review". Jesus Freak Hideout. Archived from the original on October 14, 2008. Retrieved October 23, 2008.
  5. ↑ Timothy Estabrooks (October 14, 2008). "Abandon, "Abandon EP" Review". Jesus Freak Hideout. Archived from the original on October 14, 2008. Retrieved October 23, 2008.
  6. ↑ "Christian Rock National Airplay". R&R . October 24, 2008. Archived from the original on October 14, 2008. Retrieved October 23, 2008.
  7. ↑ "Abandon Releases CONTROL". WeSpreadtheWord.net. Retrieved March 27, 2011.
  8. ↑ "Top 10 Bands Who Changed Lead Singers". New Release Today.
  9. 1 2 "Audio Adrenaline Announces New Lead Vocalist". All Access. June 4, 2014.
  10. 1 2 Cardinal, Ed (November 11, 2014). "Love Prevails Over Abandon's Struggles". Crosswalk.
  11. ↑ "Abandon: New Album - Kickstarter". Kickstarter. Retrieved July 26, 2013.
  12. ↑ Andrea Dawn Goforth. "Abandon - Abandon EP". Christianity Today . Archived from the original on October 19, 2008. Retrieved October 23, 2008.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.