Fivespeed

Last updated
Fivespeed
Origin Peoria, Arizona, United States
Genres punk rock, nu metal
Years active1997–2006, 2009–2011
Labels Sunset Alliance, Equal Vision Records, Virgin Records
MembersJared Woosley
Jesse LaCross
Brad Cole
Matt Turner
Shane Addington
Website Fivespeed's Official Website

Fivespeed was an American rock band, formed in Peoria, Arizona, United States, 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

History

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 the recording of their debut full-length. The band worked for five months with Larry Elyea at Mind's Eye Digital to record and produce that 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 significant 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 settle all of this debts and put Sunset Alliance back in the black. [2]

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 the band to conclude a recording 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] After releasing their second EP, Bella, on indie label Equal Vision Records, their major label debut with Virgin Records, Morning Over Midnight, was released on January 24, 2006 and quickly garnered more attention for the band with its single "The Mess." [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 lead-singer Jared Woosley's heroin addiction, Fivespeed fell apart and went into inactivity. [5]

Hiatus, Reunion, and Break-up

Each of the band's members pursued other projects during their initial hiatus. Jared Woosley joined Larry Elyea (who had produced and recorded Fivespeed's two albums) in Giantkiller, [5] [6] formed Paper Airplane with Matt Turner, [5] and had a solo project called Jet Black Holiday. [7] 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] [8]

In early 2009, the problems of Fivespeed's past (drugs, etc.) had dissipated and members reunited to start recording. One of their first "reunion" shows was to celebrate the ten-year anniversary of their former label, Sunset Alliance. [9] Fivespeed continued to rise in its success post-hiatus, and in 2010 the band was awarded Best Rock Band, as well as Best Alternative Band at the 2010 Arizona Ska Punk Awards. [10] They released their last record, The Way We War EP, in May 2011. [11] However, because there have not been any updates since mid-2011, the band appears to be once again on hiatus.

Jared Woosley now lends vocals to the band My Darling Murder, [12] while members Jesse LaCross and Matt Turner have joined the band Modern Day Infami. [13]

Discography

Albums

Release dateTitleLabelNotes
2001Self-Titled EP Sunset Alliance Also known as First of the Compact Cars.
2002Trade In Your Halo LP Sunset Alliance [14]
2005Bella EP Equal Vision Released exclusively online and at shows. [15]
2006 Morning Over Midnight LP Virgin Records
2011The Way We War EPself-released

Compilations

Song: What's Our Dilemma
Songs: Blood Over Wine; Kid; Fallen Through
Song: Blood Over Wine
Song: In the AM
Various prior releases
Songs: Crucial Three; Blackened Crisis (Original Extended Version); What's Our Dilemma (Halo Session); Yellow Illiterate (Halo Session)

Band members

Current line-up
Past members

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Equal Vision Records</span> American record label

Equal Vision Records is an independent record label based in Albany, New York. It was founded in the early 1990s by Ray Cappo, singer for the punk bands Youth of Today, Shelter, and Better Than a Thousand.

Seven Storey Mountain is an American rock group from Phoenix, Arizona. The group's music is heavily influenced by the early Washington, D.C. post-hardcore scene.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fervor Records</span>

Fervor Records is an American independent record label based in Phoenix, Arizona. The company was founded in 1989 and is now owned and operated by David Hilker and Jeff Freundlich. The label creates compilations of previously released and unreleased music, reissues original albums and singles, and releases music from heritage and contemporary artists across numerous genres. The catalog includes many Billboard charting songs as well as major label, Hall of Fame, and Grammy Award-winning artists. Fervor licenses music to television shows, films, advertising, and other media applications. The label releases limited physical product on CD, cassette, vinyl, and has products available on digital platforms worldwide.

The Mason Jar was a nightclub and music venue in Phoenix, Arizona. It featured rock music, alternative rock, punk rock, hip hop, and heavy metal in the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s. Many famous bands such as Nirvana, Rob Zombie, The Ramones, Joan Jett, Stone Temple Pilots, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Pearl Jam, Tool, The Black Crowes, Los Lobos, Meat Puppets, and many others took the stage during its heyday.

Bruce Connole is an American singer, songwriter, and guitarist. He was the lead singer for the Jetzons and several other bands based in the Southwest United States.

Sunset Alliance Records is an independent record label based in Mesa, Arizona. It is owned and operated by David Jensen.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Before Braille</span> Musical artist

Before Braille is an independent rock band from Mesa, Arizona known for its DIY work ethic and as a pioneer of Arizona's emo-core movement, or as they liked to call it, "480-area-core," during the early 2000s.

<i>The Rumor</i> (album) 2002 studio album by Before Braille

The Rumor is the first studio album recorded by indie rock band Before Braille. It was originally released on September 10, 2002 by Aezra Records and distributed by BMG. Ownership of the album has since passed to Sunset Alliance Records.

<i>Tired of Not Being Away from Here</i> 2005 studio album by Before Braille

Tired of Not Being Away from Here is the fifth studio album, and second LP, recorded by the indie rock band, Before Braille. It was released in 2005 in the United Kingdom by You and Whose Army? Records, and distributed in the United States by Sunset Alliance and Common Wall Media.

<i>Triplesplit Series, Vol. 1</i> 2000 studio album by Before Braille, Fivespeed, Andherson

Triplesplit Series, Vol. 1 was one of Sunset Alliance's first releases, and remains one of its best selling records. It features Andherson, Before Braille, and Fivespeed, each of whom would make an appearance on the popular Emo Diaries series on Deep Elm Records. This record comes at an interesting time for each of the bands, as Fivespeed had just opened for Jimmy Eat World at the release of Bleed American, Before Braille was preparing to enter the studio to start recording its full-length album, and Andherson had a "homecoming" of sorts in the Phoenix metro-area with this release, after having relocated to Berkeley, California.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rajiv Patel</span> Musical artist

Rajiv Patel is a musician and virtuoso solo-guitarist from Mesa, Arizona.

Tickertape Parade was a band from Arizona that gained quick success on the indie scene.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Loyal Wife</span> American indie rock band

Loyal Wife is a band from Mesa, Arizona. It is former Before Braille frontman David Jensen's latest project.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Art for Starters</span> American indie rock band

Art for Starters is a band from Mesa, Arizona. It is essentially former Before Braille frontman David Jensen's solo project.

Half Visconte was an indie rock band from Tempe, Arizona, fronted by Scott Tennent and Rich Minardi. Tennent was owner and operator of the now-defunct label, This Argonaut Records, and the former manager of the Phoenix indie/art rock-music venue Modified Arts. At that time Mike Wright, original drummer, also owned The Argo which was a warehouse venue designed to support touring bands by the collection of donations and support of volunteer work offered by the local underground music community.

<i>Not One Light Red: A Modified Document</i> 2000 studio album by Various Artists

Not One Light Red: A Modified Document is a compilation album created by Scott Tennent and David Jensen to serve 3 essential missions. Its first mission was to create a record that would showcase and introduce local Phoenix bands to the rest of the United States. Second, it was supposed to serve to help promote the local Phoenix music and art venue, The Modified. Finally, it was to serve as a springboard for a national independent record label based in the Phoenix area along the same lines as Kill Rock Stars in Olympia, Washington and Dischord Records in Washington, D.C.

Stereotyperider is an American post-hardcore/punk band from Phoenix, Arizona, United States.

<i>Kill the Messenger, Keep the Message</i> 2009 studio album by Before Braille

Kill the Messenger, Keep the Message is the sixth studio album, and third LP, recorded by the indie rock band, Before Braille. It was released in 2009 by Sunset Alliance.

<i>Faux Light</i> 2012 studio album by Loyal Wife

Faux Light is the first studio album recorded by the indie rock band Loyal Wife. It was released on April 3, 2012 by Sunset Alliance Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mr. Fantastical</span> American rock musician

Mr. Fantastical, a.k.a. Harvey B. Fantastical, is the alter-ego of Jason Corman, former guitar player for Arizona rock band Jesus Chrysler Supercar, butcher, and solo-artist.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Garcia, Gilbert. Speed Kills, The Phoenix New Times, Jan. 17, 2002 retrieved 01-09-12
  2. ↑ Dominic, Serene. Blind Ambition The Phoenix New Times, Oct. 3, 2002 Archived 2014-01-06 at the Wayback Machine retrieved 02-17-12
  3. ↑ Ide, Chelsea. Fivespeed Rejoins the Field The Phoenix New Times, Dec. 23, 2004 retrieved 02-17-12
  4. ↑ Ruhlmann, William. "Fivespeed biography at Starpulse Archived 2007-11-18 at the Wayback Machine " June, 2009.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Wilson, Kelly. Peoria's Fivespeed Is Back After a Storm of Drugs, Fighting, and Label Woes, The Phoenix New Times, Aug. 13, 2009.
  6. 1 2 3 Dominic, Serene. "Giant Killer: A David Versus Goliath Rematch with the Majors? The Phoenix New Times, Oct. 16, 2008" retrieved 02-16-12
  7. ↑ Jet Black Holiday Official Myspace retrieved 18-03-2013
  8. ↑ Dominic, Serene. "Art for Starters Is a Startup Operation That's Barely Gotten Started The Phoenix New Times, April 9, 2009, retrieved 16-02-2012
  9. ↑ Music Snobs Anonymous Blog Post, Dec. 14, 2009 retrieved 02-17-12
  10. ↑ "skapunkawards". Badstainrecords.com.
  11. ↑ Facebook posting, Apr. 13, 2011 retrieved 30-04-2012
  12. ↑ My Darling Murder Facebook retrieved 2012-05-29
  13. ↑ "Modern Day Infami". Facebook.com.
  14. ↑ "Adequacy.net Review of "Trade In Your Halo""
  15. ↑ "Adequacy.net Review of Bella"
  16. ↑ "Fivespeed Bio on Rockdetector.com"
  17. ↑ O'Connonr, Christopher Producing Tension, The Phoenix New Times, June 12, 2003 retrieved 02-17-12
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.