Better Off

Last updated
Better Off
Background information
Also known asFriends (2011–13)
OriginNashville, Tennessee
Genres
Years active2011–2016, 2018–present
Labels Blood & Ink, 6131, Equal Vision
MembersLuke Granered
Charles Miller
Past membersJon Dalman
Hunter Walls
Website bttroff.com

Better Off is an American rock band from Nashville, Tennessee, formed in 2011 under the name Friends. They changed their name in early 2013 to Better Off due to another group sharing the Friends name. They have released two albums, (I Think) I'm Leaving (2013) and Milk (2015), the latter of which charted on the Heatseekers Albums and Independent Albums charts. In March 2016, while on tour with Mayday Parade and The Maine, [1] it was announced that the group would be dropping off tour and "going silent for a while" following sexual assault and abuse allegations against the bands former touring bassist, David Hobbs. [2] During the bands hiatus and dissolvement of all relations with the former member, Better Off apologized to those involved with the situation [3] and continued to quietly create and release their single "Bad Habit" on April 25, 2018.

Contents

History

Friends and (I Think) I'm Leaving (2011–2014)

Better Off began as Friends, before changing its name due to another band called Friends. [4] While under the Friends moniker, the band's music was similar to that of Thirtyseven. [4] They released the EP Better Off Alone [4] on June 9, 2011 through Blood and Ink. [5] On February 10, 2013, the band changed their name to Better Off. [6]

On June 11, 2013, it was announced the band had signed to 6131. [7] On the same day, "The Price Is Never Right" was made available for streaming. [7] On August 14, "A Fool Walks into a Bar and Cries Wolf" was made available for streaming. [8] On August 28, "Keeping Watch" was made available for streaming. [9] (I Think) I'm Leaving was made available for streaming on September 15, [10] and was released through 6131 and Blood and Ink on September 24. [8] On October 24, a music video was released for "A Fool Walks into a Bar and Cries Wolf", directed by Andy Reale. [11] The video features the band playing inside a house, while people outside are cliff-jumping. [11] The band supported Rust Belt Lights and Carousel Kings in December. [12]

The band went on tour, supporting Major League in February and March 2014. [13] On October 2, it was announced the band had signed to Equal Vision. [14] Vocalist/guitarist Luke Granered exclaimed that it was "excit[ing] to be teaming up with Equal Vision". [14] On October 15, "Meth Head" was made available for streaming. [15] This song was a part of a 7" vinyl, [15] titled Meth Head, with "I Was Better 10 Years Ago" as the B-side. [16] "I Was Better 10 Years Ago" was made available for streaming on October 23. [16] Meth Head was released through Equal Vision on October 27. [16] The band supported New Found Glory on the Glamour Kills Tour in October and November. [17] On November 5, a music video was released for "Meth Head". [18]

Milk and hiatus (2015–2018)

On July 31, 2015, the band's second album, Milk, was announced for release and "Whatever I Don't Care" was made available for streaming. [19] In early August, the band toured with Basement, Whirr, and LVL UP. [20] On August 13, "Dresser Drawer" was made available for streaming. [21] On August 28, "This Day Will Never End" was made available for streaming. [22] In late August and September, the band toured with Bayside and The Early November. [23] Milk was released through Equal Vision on September 11. [19] The album was produced by Saves the Day's Arun Bali. [20] Granered described the album as "a landmark of maturation and solidarity" for the group. [20] He also said the group wished to create "something class-sounding [...] with big fuzzy guitars and interesting dynamics" within the songs. [24] It charted at number 11 on the Heatseekers Albums chart, and at number 46 on the Independent Albums chart. [25]

In October and November 2015, the band supported Pentimento. [26] On December 11, a music video was released for "Dresser Drawer". [27] In March and April 2016, the band was set to support Mayday Parade and The Maine on their tour of the U.S. [28] On March 11, it was announced they would be dropping off tour and "going silent for a while" following sexual assault allegations towards their touring bassist David Hobbs. [29]

Return and Reap What You Sow (2018–2021)

In 2018, the band released their first new music since 2015 in the singles "Bad Habit" and "Head Down". The band would later release their third full-length record Reap What You Sow on March 9, 2019, rekindling the band and setting a new course for their legacy.

In 2020, the band released the acoustic EP Redone, including reworked versions of hits such as "Meth Head" and "The Price is Never Right".

Self-Titled (since 2021)

On August 6, 2021, the band released the single "No Drama", followed by "Unreal" on August 27. The band announced their self-titled full-length record to be released on September 24, the day before their performance at Furnace Fest on September 25.

Style and influences

Better Off have been described as alternative rock [16] and indie rock, [7] influenced by Weezer, Foo Fighters, and Jimmy Eat World. [30] They have been compared to bands such as Daisyhead and Balance and Composure. [31] (I Think) I'm Leaving has been described as alternative rock, [11] emo, [11] [32] pop punk, [33] pop rock, [33] and power pop. [11] Milk has been described as emo, [34] grunge, [33] pop punk, [35] post-hardcore [33] and rock. [33] Brian Leak of Alternative Press called the album a mixture of Citizen's Youth (2013) and Brand New's Your Favorite Weapon (2001). [36] Mike Damante of Chron compared the album to Jimmy Eat World's Futures (2004) and Invented (2010) albums. [34] Damante noted that album "could've been a genre-defining record, if it came out 10 years ago." [34]

Accolades

(I Think) I'm Leaving was included on Rock Sound 's "50 Best Albums of 2013" list at number 44. [32] Milk was ranked at number 17 on AbsolutePunk's top albums of 2015 list. [37]

Discography

Studio albums
TitleAlbum details
(I Think) I'm Leaving
Milk
Reap What You Sow
Better Off
  • Released: September 24, 2021
  • Label: Parting Gift Records
  • Format: LP, DL
Extended plays
TitleAlbum details
Better Off Alone [nb 1]
  • Released: June 9, 2011 [5]
  • Label: Blood and Ink
  • Format: CS, DL
Redone
  • Released: September 18, 2020
  • Label: Self-released
  • Format: DL
Singles
List of singles, showing year released and album name
TitleYearAlbum
"Meth Head" [16] 2014Non-album single
"Whatever, I Don't Care" [38] 2015Milk
"Dresser Drawer" [39]
"This Day Will Never End" [40]
"Bad Habit"2018-2019Reap What You Sow
"Head Down"
"No Drama"2021Self-Titled
"Unreal"
Music videos
List of music videos, showing year released and director
TitleYearDirector
"A Fool Walks into a Bar and Cries Wolf"2013Andy Reale [11]
"Meth Head" [18] 2014
"Dresser Drawer" [27] 2015
"Bad Habit"2018
"No Drama"2021Matthew DeLisi

Band members

Current members
Former members

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Senses Fail</span> American rock band

Senses Fail is an American rock band formed in Ridgewood, New Jersey, in 2001. Founded by vocalist Buddy Nielsen, drummer Dan Trapp, guitarists Garrett Zablocki and Dave Miller, and bassist James Gill ; the band has seen many lineup changes, with Nielsen being the only consistent member.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mayday Parade</span> American rock band

Mayday Parade is an American rock band from Tallahassee, Florida. Formed in 2005, the band was a result of a merger between two local Tallahassee bands, Kid Named Chicago and Defining Moment. Their debut EP Tales Told by Dead Friends, was released in 2006, and sold over 50,000 copies without any label support. In July 2007, Mayday Parade released their debut album A Lesson in Romantics. Having been signed to Fearless Records since 2006, the band also signed onto a major label with Atlantic Records in 2009. Their second studio album, Anywhere but Here was released in October 2009 and their third album, entitled Mayday Parade, was released in October 2011. Mayday Parade's fourth album, titled Monsters in the Closet, was released in October 2013. Their fifth album, titled Black Lines, was released October 2015. In April 2018, the band signed to Rise Records and released their sixth studio album Sunnyland on June 15, 2018. Their seventh studio album, What It Means to Fall Apart, was released on November 19, 2021.

<i>A Lesson in Romantics</i> 2007 studio album by Mayday Parade

A Lesson in Romantics is the debut studio album by American rock band Mayday Parade. The band resulted from a merger of two separate bands, Kid Named Chicago and Defining Moment. The band released an EP, Tales Told by Dead Friends, in June 2006, which they sold to people by following the 2006 edition of Warped Tour and offering copies; it eventually sold 10,000 copies. The band signed to Fearless Records in August. A Lesson in Romantics was recorded in early 2007 with producers Zack Odom and Kenneth Mount. Vocalist/guitarist Jason Lancaster left the band in March 2007 citing a lack of writing credit on the band's releases. Prior to the release of A Lesson in Romantics, "Black Cat", "When I Get Home, You're So Dead", and "Jamie All Over" were made available for streaming. After the album's release, the band participated in the 2007 edition of Warped Tour.

<i>Daybreak</i> (Saves the Day album) 2011 studio album by Saves the Day

Daybreak is the seventh studio album by the American rock band Saves the Day. This album is the band's first without long-time guitarist David Soloway since 1998, and their first with guitarist Arun Bali and bass guitarist Rodrigo Palma. The album also features Spencer Peterson on drums for the first time, before leaving the band prior to the album's release.

<i>Cycles</i> (Cartel album) 2009 studio album by Cartel

Cycles is the third full-length studio album by American rock band Cartel, released through Wind-up Records on October 20, 2009.

<i>Smile Kid</i> 2009 studio album by We the Kings

Smile Kid is the second studio album by American rock band We the Kings, released through S-Curve Records on December 8, 2009. The album title comes from a lyric in the song "The Story of Your Life".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Man Overboard (band)</span> American pop punk band

Man Overboard is an American pop punk band from Mt. Laurel and Williamstown, New Jersey that began in 2008. Since then, they had released two EPs, an acoustic EP, a split with Boston pop punk band Transit, a compilation and four full-length albums. Taking influence from such pop punk acts as Blink-182, Saves the Day, and Taking Back Sunday, Man Overboard played a brand of upbeat and poppy pop punk with the emotion of 90s emo acts such as The Promise Ring. The band was signed to Rise Records. They are well known for their motto within the pop punk scene to "Defend Pop Punk". On January 28, 2016, they announced a hiatus on their official website; the hiatus ended on August 2, 2018, when the band announced a 10-year anniversary tour.

<i>Mayday Parade</i> (album) 2011 studio album by Mayday Parade

Mayday Parade is the third studio album by American rock band Mayday Parade. It was released by Fearless on October 4, 2011.

<i>Collide with the Sky</i> 2012 studio album by Pierce the Veil

Collide with the Sky is the third studio album by American post-hardcore band Pierce the Veil, released on July 17, 2012, by Fearless Records. The album spawned the hit songs "King for a Day", "A Match into Water", "Bulls in the Bronx" and "Hell Above", all of which remain staples of the group's discography.

<i>What You Dont See</i> 2013 studio album by The Story So Far

What You Don't See is the second studio album by American pop punk band The Story So Far.

<i>Heart Attack</i> (Man Overboard album) 2013 studio album by Man Overboard

Heart Attack is the third studio album by American rock band Man Overboard.

<i>Monsters in the Closet</i> (Mayday Parade album) 2013 studio album by Mayday Parade

Monsters in the Closet is the fourth studio album by American rock band Mayday Parade. Recorded between March and June 2013, the album was produced by Zack Odom and Kenneth Mount. It was released in October 2013 by Fearless and sold 30,000 copies in its first week.

<i>Oh, Common Life</i> 2014 studio album by Fireworks

Oh, Common Life is the third studio album by American rock band Fireworks. After the release of their previous album, Gospel (2011), the band went on hiatus. During this hiatus the band wrote and demoed new material. In the summer of 2013 the band returned to the studio, with Brian McTernan producing. The band's next album was announced in January 2014 and was released a couple of months later through Triple Crown. Prior to the album's release, "Glowing Crosses" and "Flies on Tape" were made available for streaming. Music videos were released for "Glowing Crosses", "Bed Sores", and "...Run, Brother, Run...", in March, August and October, respectively.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">State Champs</span> American pop-punk band

State Champs is an American pop-punk band from Albany, New York, formed in 2010. They are currently signed to Pure Noise Records and have released three EPs and four full-length albums. Their 2013 debut album The Finer Things debuted at number 2 on the Billboard Heatseekers Albums chart. They released an acoustic EP titled The Acoustic Things in October 2014 and their second studio album Around the World and Back one year later, in October 2015. In May 2017, they released a deluxe version of the album. Their third album, Living Proof, was released in 2018. In May 2022, the band released their fourth studio album, Kings of the New Age.

<i>Further Sky</i> Extended play by Basement

Further Sky is an EP by English rock band Basement. The band went on hiatus in July 2012, prior to the release of their second album Colourmeinkindness in October 2012. They began practicing again around Christmas 2013, composing the song "Jet". Whilst guitarist Alex Henery was in the United States, the rest of the band wrote another song, "Summer's Colour". In late January 2014, they announced the end of their musical hiatus. Along with a cover of the Suede song "Animal Nitrate", the group recorded the aforementioned original songs in early 2014. Recording was done in secret at Livingston Studio 1 in London, with producer Dan Goudie.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Knuckle Puck</span> American rock band

Knuckle Puck is an American rock band, formed in 2010 in the suburbs of Chicago, Illinois. The group released several EPs, one of which, While I Stay Secluded (2014), peaked at number 5 on the Heatseekers Albums chart. The band released a split EP with the UK band Neck Deep. The group signed to Rise in 2014 and released its debut album, Copacetic, through the label in 2015.

<i>Hyperview</i> (album) 2015 studio album by Title Fight

Hyperview is the third and most recent studio album by American rock band Title Fight. The album was released on February 3, 2015 through ANTI- Records and was produced by Will Yip at Studio 4 Recording. This marks the third time Title Fight has worked with Yip, following Floral Green (2012) and Spring Songs EP (2013). It was mastered by Emily Lazar and Richard Morales at The Lodge, in New York.

<i>American Candy</i> 2015 studio album by The Maine

American Candy is the fifth studio album by American rock band The Maine, released on March 31, 2015, through 8123 Records. The album debuted at number 37 on the Billboard 200. The album sold 15,000 copies in its first week.

<i>Peripheral Vision</i> (album) 2015 studio album by Turnover

Peripheral Vision is the second studio album by American rock band Turnover. Produced by Will Yip, the album was released on May 4, 2015 through Run for Cover Records. Following the release of their debut album Magnolia (2013), Turnover parted ways with original guitarist Kyle Kojan, replacing him with Eric Soucy. For Peripheral Vision, Turnover returned to producer Will Yip, who shares songwriting credits on the entire album. It was recorded at his studio, Studio 4, in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania.

<i>Black Lines</i> 2015 studio album by Mayday Parade

Black Lines is the fifth studio album by American rock band Mayday Parade. Recording was done between March and May 2015 with producer Mike Sapone in New York. "Keep in Mind, Transmogrification Is a New Technology" was released as a single in July. "Letting Go" was released as a single in October with the album, released through Fearless, following shortly after. The album charted at number 21 in the United States. This is the last album the band released on Fearless Records.

References

Footnotes
  1. ↑ Released under the name Friends.
Citations
  1. ↑ "Mayday Parade Announces "The American Lines Tour" with The Maine • Digital Tour Bus". Digital Tour Bus. 2016-02-04. Retrieved 2021-04-02.
  2. ↑ Sound, Stitched (2016-03-12). "Better Off Drop Off Tour Following Sexual Allegations". Stitched Sound. Retrieved 2021-04-02.
  3. ↑ "Album Review: Better Off - 'Reap What You Sow' // Killyourstereo.com". Killyourstereo.com. Retrieved 2021-04-02.
  4. 1 2 3 Houston, Rob (October 12, 2013). "Better Off - '(I Think) I'm Leaving'". HM Magazine. Retrieved October 21, 2015.
  5. 1 2 Blood and Ink Records. "Better Off Alone | Blood and Ink Records". Blood and Ink Records. Retrieved October 21, 2015.
  6. ↑ Better Off (February 10, 2013). "Friends is now called Better Off". Better Off. Archived from the original on October 21, 2015. Retrieved October 21, 2015.
  7. 1 2 3 Kraus, Brian (June 11, 2013). "Better Off sign to 6131 Records, stream lead single "The Price Is Never Right"". Alternative Press. Retrieved October 23, 2015.
  8. 1 2 3 Beringer, Drew (August 14, 2013). "ABSOLUTExclusive: Better Off Song Premiere". AbsolutePunk. Retrieved October 20, 2015.
  9. ↑ Beringer, Drew (August 28, 2013). "Stream New Better Off Song "Keeping Watch"". AbsolutePunk. Retrieved October 20, 2015.
  10. ↑ Stagg, David (September 15, 2013). "Better Off releasing new tracks for stream". HM Magazine. Retrieved October 21, 2015.
  11. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Martins, Chris (October 24, 2013). "Better Off Would Rather Be Cliff-Jumping in 'A Fool Walks Into a Bar and Cries Wolf' Video". Spin. Retrieved October 21, 2015.
  12. ↑ Stagg, David (November 15, 2013). "Better Off and Strengthen What Remains start respective tours". HM Magazine. Retrieved October 21, 2015.
  13. ↑ Kraus, Brian (December 19, 2013). "Major League announce winter tour with Have Mercy, Seaway and Better Off". Alternative Press. Retrieved October 23, 2015.
  14. 1 2 Sharp, Tyler (October 2, 2014). "Better Off sign to Equal Vision Records; announce seven-inch, 'Meth Head'". Alternative Press. Retrieved October 23, 2015.
  15. 1 2 Tate, Jason (October 15, 2014). "Better Off Stream "Meth Head"". AbsolutePunk. Retrieved October 20, 2015.
  16. 1 2 3 4 5 "Better Off, "I Was Better 10 Years Ago" song premiere". Alternative Press. October 23, 2014. Retrieved October 20, 2015.
  17. ↑ Crane, Matt (August 5, 2014). "New Found Glory release "Selfless" video; announce tour with We Are The In Crowd, Fireworks, more". Alternative Press. Retrieved October 20, 2015.
  18. 1 2 Ilvonen, Keagan (November 5, 2014). "Better Off Share "Meth Head" Music Video". AbsolutePunk. Retrieved October 20, 2015.
  19. 1 2 3 Nassiff, Thomas (July 31, 2015). "Good News: Better Off to Release 'Milk' in September, Stream "Whatever, I Don't Care"". AbsolutePunk. Retrieved October 20, 2015.
  20. 1 2 3 Kraus, Brian (August 3, 2015). "Better Off announce new album 'Milk' on Equal Vision—stream "Whatever, I Don't Care"". Alternative Press. Retrieved October 23, 2015.
  21. ↑ Tate, Jason (August 13, 2015). "Better Off Stream "Dresser Drawer"". AbsolutePunk. Retrieved October 20, 2015.
  22. ↑ Tate, Jason (August 28, 2015). "Better Off Stream "This Day Will Never End"". AbsolutePunk. Retrieved October 20, 2015.
  23. ↑ Caruso, Drew (June 25, 2015). "Bayside, The Early November, Better Off announce tour". Alternative Press. Retrieved October 23, 2015.
  24. ↑ Bird, ed. 2015 (205), p. 28
  25. ↑ "Milk - Better Off | Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved October 20, 2015.
  26. ↑ Beringer, Drew (August 28, 2015). "Pentimento Announce "I, No Longer"; Fall Tour with Better Off". AbsolutePunk. Retrieved October 20, 2015.
  27. 1 2 Tate, Jason (December 11, 2015). "Better Off Post "Dresser Drawer" Video". AbsolutePunk. Retrieved December 12, 2015.
  28. ↑ Sharp, Tyler (December 16, 2015). "Mayday Parade, the Maine announce co-headlining tour". Alternative Press. Retrieved December 17, 2015.
  29. ↑ Ralph, Caitlyn (March 11, 2016). "Better Off drop off tour following allegations". Alternative Press. Retrieved March 11, 2016.
  30. ↑ Rayfield, Nicholas (August 13, 2015). "SoundCheck: Better Off's intimate and inspiring new single 'Dresser Drawer'". USA Today. Retrieved October 23, 2015.
  31. ↑ RENALDO69 (September 4, 2015). "Better Off - Milk". Punknews.org. Retrieved January 8, 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  32. 1 2 Patashnik, ed. 2014, p. 17
  33. 1 2 3 4 5 Djamoos, Zac. "Better Off - Milk - Album Review". AbsolutePunk. Retrieved October 21, 2015.
  34. 1 2 3 Damante, Mike (September 11, 2015). "New record roundup: Motion City Soundtrack, the Wonder Years, Better Off". Chron. Retrieved October 21, 2015.
  35. ↑ Djamoos, Zac (December 3, 2015). "Zac Djamoos - Article". AbsolutePunk. Retrieved January 7, 2016.
  36. ↑ Leak, Brian (August 28, 2015). "Better Off stream third 'Milk' single, "This Day Will Never End"". Alternative Press. Retrieved October 23, 2015.
  37. ↑ LaGambina, Aj (December 2, 2015). "AP.net Staff List - Article". AbsolutePunk. Retrieved January 7, 2016.
  38. ↑ "Whatever, I Don't Care (2015) | Better Off". 7digital. Retrieved February 22, 2016.
  39. ↑ "Dresser Drawer (2015) | Better Off". 7digital. Retrieved February 22, 2016.
  40. ↑ "This Day Will Never End (2015) | Better Off". 7digital. Retrieved February 22, 2016.
Sources
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.