Music
Press
“Powerful shoegazing? Yeah, we’re shocked, too. Whether consciously or not, this young sextet deliver an effort that reflects bravery in both a musical and very personal way. Building on the shoegazer foundation of stalwarts like Elliott and Hum a dnd blending in the more active flair of Muse and the Receiving End Of Sirens, the group paint a moody and beautiful canvas of engaging atmospheric rock. The vocals soar over a dynamic mixture of softer piano melodies and angsty guitar and drum licks.” (4.5/5 Stars, by Kevin Wade, Alternative Press Magazine, issue# 233, December 2007) - Kevin Wade, Alternative Press Magazine
“Far-Less packs a punch of power, sensitivity, desperation, and hope into each track on this disc, it does nothing less than make you feel (and dance).” (by Kim Noonan, FMQB.com) - Kim Noonan, FMQB.com
“Without doubt, ‘A Toast To Bad Taste’ is an album that you won’t forget…the variety of styles and memorable chorusing on the record are, truly, in good taste.” (by Andrew Martin, EmotionalPunk.com) - Andrew Martin, EmotionalPunk.com
“Far-Less strides past their prior accomplishments and establish themselves as a legitimate force with A Toast To Bad Taste.” (by Nathan Doyle, HM Magazine, issue# 128, Nov/Dec 2007) - Nathan Doyle, HM Magazine
“The songwriting takes a big step forward from their earlier material and there’s a timeless, Far-like slant to it. There’s a more pronounced Glassjaw/Lost Prophets edge to their sound this time around, and the band exercises a lot of restraint in not smoothing out every inch of their sound to squeeze in an extra hook.” (by Jordan Baker, Pastepunk.com) - Jordan Baker, Pastepunk.com
“…an album full of huge rock songs that typically range from surprisingly grandiose (‘Devil Without A Clue’) to down-right addicting (‘A Toast To Bad Taste’) to supremely melodic (‘Forever And A Day’). The band is at its best when mixing together all of these traits as seen in songs like ‘Gentlemen (Go To Sleep),’ ‘Surprise Funeral (For The Charmed),’ and ‘So Glad’ all of which contain melodic buildups that culminate in a barrage of epic-sounding instrumentation.” (Corey Schmidt, Pastepunk) - Corey Schmidt, Pastepunk
“For those who are currently enamored with Muse, or tiring of their well-worn Ride or My Bloody Valentine records, Far-Less is worth your attention.” (Rich Quinlan, Jersey Beat) - Rich Quinlan, Jersey Beat
“…there’s a gem to [be] found in every song, with several featuring segue-tracks which create both hype and anticipation for what is yet to dissipate through your speakers. The song structures are beautifully coordinated and compelling, reminding us that sometimes in the search for more, we need nothing other than Far-Less.” (Mitch Beddoe, Synthesis Magazine)
- Mitch Beddoe, Synthesis Magazine
“The album as a whole is sophisticatedly arranged (interludes, intro, ‘As Performed By…’) and Far-Less cater to the extra care and embellishments given by exemplifying what it means to be a heroically solid rock band. Songs like ‘It’s Not Me, It’s You’ and ‘Surprise Funeral (For the Charmed)’ are unexpectedly stunning, displaying Brandon Welch’s extraordinary vocal execution, Todd Turner’s watertight backing, and spiraling yet epically-drawn guitar orchestration.” (by Scott Irvine, Absolute Punk) - Scott Irvine, Absolute Punk
“Gleaning some of their artful pop-rock hooks from some seminal ‘90s hit-makers like Soundgarden and Smashing Pumpkins, Far-Less crafts a fantastic album that is full-steam-ahead.” (Editor’s Pick at Smother) - Editor’s Pick at Smother
Discography
Emerge (2001) - Self-Released
Apossibility (2002) - Self-Released
Broken Hearts Unite (2003) - Silent Uproar Records
Turn to the Bright EP (2004) - Tooth and Nail Records
Everyone Is Out to Get Us (2006) - Tooth and Nail Records
A Toast to Bad Taste (2007) - Tooth and Nail Records
Photos
Bio
The rock music landscape is littered with pre-fabricated poseurs putting on their silliest clothes and making their stupidest faces with a complete
lack of genuine emotion. Imagine a band without gimmicks, made up of regular people writing and performing honest music. Sound crazy?
Then you havent heard Far-Less.
Determined to shake up the unimaginative pseudo-aesthetics of their indie and pop peers, Far-Less have crafted a sophomore album that single-
handedly destroys the notion of the sophomore slump in one swift move. Produced by Mike Green (Paramore, The Matches), A Toast to
Bad Taste (out October 23 on Tooth & Nail Records) boasts a complex sense of confidence, like a deftly inspired blend of Muse, Dredg, Brand
New and the most ethereal of shoe-gazer pop, with some Foo Fighters thrown in for good measure.
Despite a handful of setbacks, a remote locale, and the increasing mediocrity of the indie rock scene, Far-Less has triumphed against the odds
with A Toast To Bad Taste, and the rock world is hereby put on notice.
Sounding unashamedly modern while retaining a foot in the 90s heyday of Smashing Pumpkins and Soundgarden, Far-Less have fully come
into their own from their humble Virginia beginnings.
Virginia has everything to do with who I am as a musician and a person, Far-Less singer Brandon Welch says thoughtfully. Lots of quiet time
with beautiful scenery. You tend to make lifelong friends in a place like this, which is awesome. Music seemed to be my only way to get out of
here. As long as I can remember, I wanted to play music.
And beyond that, Welch and his band mates - Jordan Powers (guitar/vocals), Mark Karsten (guitar), Joseph Powers (bass), Elizabeth Pina
(keyboards), and Todd Turner (drums) - set out to make music that is relevant, honest and powerful. And they have succeeded. The best part
about music is when it makes you feel something, when it moves you, says Welch.
It was with that in mind that Welch wrote the first song for the new Far-Less album, a track called So Glad, which gave him the idea for the
records title, A Toast to Bad Taste. Its an album about the things that bring us down. The things in our society that hold us back and the
people in our lives that show no respect or love for us, or anyone. Its the most personal piece of art I have ever been involved with, he explains.
A few people have told me this record brought them to tears, which is the most beautiful thing anyone could say to me, because there were
a lot of tears involved in the writing of this album. My best friend left the band. My girl left me. It might seem trivial, but those things happened
so close together, right as we started writing for this album.
Strangely, So Glad wasnt intended to be on the album at first. It was a song Welch wrote to make himself feel better, nothing more, nothing
less. The band loved the song and insisted they make use of it. As they continued writing, it served as a roadmap for all of the dynamic places
where the album would end up. Like Elvis Costello or The Clash, Far-Less can write a straight-forward radio jam (Its Not Me, Its You) without
sounding corny, and immediately about face and offer up something layered and intricately pleasing. Surprise Funeral will go down as
one of the best songs this year from one of the years best albums.
Far-Less is on a mission to become your favorite band, but on their own terms, and their terms alone. I would hope that at the end of our
career people would say that we made music that moved them, Welch says, adding: And that we made music that jammed. Only two albums
in, its safe to stake both claims already.
Far-Less, ladies and gentlemen, your new favorite band.
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