Honestly
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Honestly

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The best kept secret in music

Press


"Atlanta Rock Scene"

Thank the Rock Gods for local bands that are exceptionally musically talented. Local Atlanta bands that fit this description are few and far between, but after sifting though countless Atlanta bands, I think we have found our favorite.
The Cotton Club rocked May 21st to the awesome sound of Honestly, one of Atlanta’s best five-piece powerhouses of rock and pop. The guys took the stage to cheering fans & friends who showed them the greatest compliment any band can have… singing every word to every song. Lead vocalist Justin Land expressed how much it means to them to have their fans sing along with them. He said they put a lot of work and effort into the songs they write and truly believe in what they put into words and music. A nice surprise was Honestly’s cover of “Where the Streets Have No Name” by our Irish friends, U2. You would have seriously thought that Bono was in town himself.
Honestly is a band whose strong vocals and smooth harmonies compliment the guitar-driven rock songs that make up their set list. They have the talent and radio friendly sound to join bands rocking the airwaves today. It is just a matter of time.
If you missed Honestly upfront and personal at the Cotton Club then you owe it to yourself to catch their next show. They will be opening up for Blondie at the August 20th On The Bricks concert in Centennial Olympic Park.
- Ashley Williamson


"Rhapsody/Listen.com"

Honestly’s debut is a smooth blend of crunchy, emotionally threadbare pop songs and glistening production. Sounding like a brainier Matchbox Twenty or a more melodic Third Eye Blind, the band alternates effortlessly between confessional ballads and more anthemic sing-alongs. Check out the track “I Don’t Know”. - Rhapsody


"Alternative Addiction"

If ever there was a band that deserved the attention of a major record label, its Honestly. Their debut album "Have A Nice Life" could rival many of the albums you see at your local record store today. The undeniable ability to write a hook filled song is apparent from beginning to end of this fantastic CD. Filled with melodic guitars and perfectly complimenting vocals, Honestly brings it all together. Equally impressive is the maturity and variety that this young band shows. From the upbeat "I Don't Know" to the slower paced but equally as impressive "Away From You" and "9 'til Midnight" this band covers both ends of the spectrum, and does it very nicely. Perhaps most impressive on the record is the song "This Perfect Thing" that takes an unforgettable drum beat and mellow guitars and sets a perfect stage for lyrics of love lost, again showing incredible depth for such a young band. All in all, Honestly's debut album is one of the most promising albums from an unsigned band I have heard in a very long time...honestly! - Chad Durkee


"Charleston Post and Courier"

'HONESTLY' IN TOUCH WITH THEIR EMOTIONS
12.09.04

By Michael Lovett
Special to The Post and Courier


If your girlfriend goes out to see Honestly on Friday night at Banana Joe's, chances are she'll come home with a crush, thinking you're an insensitive jerk. (You are, by the way.)

Lucky for you, the band's emotive lead singer, Justin Land is happily married. Still, the rest of the band (Joe Thibodeau, drums; Matt Melton, guitar/vocals; Matt Dasher, bass; Rob Attaway, guitar/piano/vocals) may pull a heartstring or two.

Five best buddies from Atlanta, Honestly is the Southern-fried answer to such insanely popular romance rock bands as Matchbox 20, Third Eye Blind and Jimmy Eat World.

With their hearts on their sleeves and electric guitars around their necks, these young rockers are quickly wooing impressionable teen audiences everywhere with the group's passionate lyrics, bright guitar textures and tight arrangements.

After less than nine months in existence, Honestly worked with producers Daniel Mendez (Lit, Eve 6, Dakona, Lucky 7) and Dwight Baker (Podunk, The Box Gods) to cut "Have A Nice Life," an impressively mature debut album filled with radio-friendly romance rock.

Songs such as "Strange Way," a hip testimonial on discovering true love, and "I Don't Know," a mildly obsessive plea to an unresponsive lover, strike like Cupid's arrows into the volatile adolescent heart.

Honestly's instant connection with the good-looking high school crowd has already landed the band's music on the soundtracks to Fox's "The North Shore" and MTV's "Road Rules," and the Disney-produced Lindsay Lohan flick, "Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen."

Speaking with Preview from the Byron, Ga., roadside where their touring vehicle had come to an abrupt and unexpected halt, Honestly's Land and Thibodeau showed just how far their friendships will go.

Preview: Your music tends to hit home with the teenage set. In your opinion, how have you made that connection?

Thibodeau: (Joking) Well, I mean it doesn't hurt that our bassist and lead guitarist are cute. For me, I think it's that we are who we are onstage and offstage. Teenagers are looking for something real - whether they know it or not - and they can see through the fake stuff pretty quick. That's what connects us. Anybody who talks to us or sees our show, whether they like the music or not, they can see the passion we put into it.

Preview: One of the most striking aspects of "Have a Nice Life" is its near- flawless production. How did the songs change after you brought them into the studio?

Land: The biggest thing that the producers worked with us on was the lyrics.

They had us rethink how we wanted to put them together, which was really cool, because lyrics are a big priority for us. A lot of bands will find a good melody and then just want to roll through the songwriting process and just go with whatever comes to mind. We spend a lot of time on the lyrics because we really want to say something, you know?

I can remember at one point, the producer said to me, "You know, I know what you're trying to say, but the parts just don't take me there.

If you want to take the listener to the place you want to go, you might try to fit this verse to the chorus." It's kind of neat to get an outside person's view - a view that you respect ó to get some criticism and take their advice. They really gave our songs the royal treatment, and we're better songwriters for it.

Preview: I hear you mowed Johnny Cash's lawn in high school?

Land: Dude, I did! I lived in Branson, Mo., home of live music and about a zillion country theaters. I was a bag boy at the supermarket. You name 'em, and if they're old school, I probably bagged their groceries: Andy Williams, Tony Orlando, Bobby Vinton, Wayne Newton.

One day, my dad said, "We're mowing this dude's yard." So we go to the outskirts of Branson to this guy's house who turns out to be Johnny Cash.

I can remember mowing the grass and looking through his windows, seeing all this antique furniture in the living room and an acoustic guitar in the corner. For once in my life I wanted to be a thief.

Honestly plays at 9 p.m. Friday at Banana Joe's (275 King St.). For more information, visit www.honestlyband.com.



- Michael Lovett


"Music Industry News Network"

....Honestly is a band that must have taken its name from the way they write music - there is no other new band out there now who have such honest songs and convey such raw emotion through their instruments. One reviewer described them as being "brainier than Matchbox 20 or more melodic than Third Eye Blind." The radio-ready pop-rock songs of Honestly are vulnerable anthems, searching for answers with poignant lyrics as they pull at heartstrings and tickle at tear ducts. You won't want to miss being able to say you saw this band before they hit it big - they're already better than most bands on the radio now....
- 8.17.04


"Melodic.net"

A new band that you’ll have to watch out for, because here is a tremendous show in melodies, harmonies and refrains. All spiced with very nice production by Daniel Mendez (Lit, Eve 6 and more) and Dwight Alan Baker. It’s pure modern rock with flirts of midwest rock a la Big Tent Revival. Lead vocalist Justin Land (formerly of Mary’s Eyes) has a terrific voice somewhere around Ed Roland of Collective Soul and Johnny Rzeznik of the Goo Goo Dolls, and those bands are two influences worth mentioning. Other bands that I hear traces of are Counting Crows (on Honestly’s softer moments) and Matchbox 20. As I said, the guys are doing it very well and I’m quite sure we will see a proper release soon, because this is far too good to be unsigned. Until then, I suggest that all you readers out there take a little check at their homepage and be “first on the ball” so to speak. Songs worth mentioning are the opening rocker “In A Strange Way”, the softer “Nine Til’ Midnight”, and “All We Are”. But the whole album is well worth your attention, and this band is a diamond in the making. - Par Winberg


"South of Mainstream"

I have to admit that as much as I like "indie" music, with its discordant notes, often plaintive or angry vocals and interesting rhythms, there's absolutely nothing wrong with liking a more radio-friendly offering. I found a great listen when I popped "Have A Nice Life" into my player while working the other day. It was easy to let it play behind me while I tapped away at the keyboard and fiddle with both mouse and Wacom tablet. But I was also able to listen to it when I put my mind to it, which led me to my "4" rating.
This isn't just background music like much of the radio-friendly genre. These Atlanta natives add that bit of extra something-something. Lead vocalist Justin Land has a voice that reminds me quite a bit of the lead singer of Vertical Horizon (another favorite radio-friendly band of mine). His vocals are engaging and accessible in a boy next door kind of way. Friendly, earnest, loyal, never asking too much of himself or his listener.
The band behind him, Joe Thibodeau, Rob Attaway and Matt Dashner, play catchy pop and sweetly tender ballads that highlight the vocals. The music is reminiscent of VH, Third Eye Blind and an old Atlanta favorite of mine, Uncle Green - which later became the radio-friendly Three Lb. Thrill.
If you're looking for poppy rock that doesn't ask too much of you, with well-written lyrics that don't stretch too far, this is a great disc to choose.
- Compgeekgirl


Discography

Ghosts of a Brilliant Past - 2005
-"Answer" (Single)

Have A Nice Life - 2003
-"I Don't Know" (Single)
-"Strange Way" (Single)
-"Always Alone" (Single)

Photos

Feeling a bit camera shy

Bio

It isn’t very often that an independent band creates nationwide anticipation while seeking only to represent something genuine through their music.

“[People] are looking for something real - whether they know it or not - and they can see through the fake stuff pretty quick,” says Honestly’s drummer Joe Thibodeau. “That's what connects us. Anybody who talks to us or sees our show, whether they like the music or not, they can see the passion we put into it.”

Passion is exactly what defines Honestly. While many bands are waiting to be discovered, Honestly is simply doing what they love – making music. Without the aid of a record label, they are demanding national attention with their relentless touring, increasing radio exposure, and electrifying live show. Their diligence has resulted in widespread critical acclaim, culminating in being named national Unsigned Band of the Year in 2004 by Alternative Addiction and a Buzz Band by Hits Daily Double Magazine.

On the verge of releasing their highly anticipated sophomore album, "Ghosts of a Brilliant Past", Honestly continues to add to the compelling national buzz their touring has created.

Since the September 2003 release of their debut LP “Have A Nice Life”, Honestly has performed over 200 shows and sold nearly 5000 albums. Their music has appeared on television shows on Fox, UPN, MTV, ABC Family, Lifetime, and ESPN, and their song “Strange Way” was featured in the 2003 Disney movie “Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen.” Honestly was the only independent band in the nation to debut in the top ten on the sales chart of digital music provider Rhapsody/Listen.com, and “Strange Way” made an impressive showing in its first week on XM Satellite Radio, garnering the third most spins of any unsigned record in the country.

Here is what people are saying about “Have A Nice Life”…

”....Honestly is a band that must have taken its name from the way they write music - there is no other new band out there now who have such honest songs and convey such raw emotion through their instruments. The radio-ready pop-rock songs of Honestly are vulnerable anthems, searching for answers with poignant lyrics as they pull at heartstrings and tickle at tear ducts. You won't want to miss being able to say you saw this band before they hit it big - they're already better than most bands on the radio now....” (Music Industry News Network)

“Honestly has a hot modern rock sound with massively harmonious vocals and production that is way stronger than one would normally expect from most indie releases. This is a young (both literally and existence-wiseÑthey just formed in the spring of 2003) band, but they already show great depth and maturity: huge signs that they have staying power. This is a rock band that can from track to track show their capacity to rock out with the best of them, or be tenderly mellow. I receive dozens of CDs every week and have come to the point were sometimes I hope new releases are slow in coming, but with Honestly, I'm chomping at the bit to hear more.” (CultureDose.net)

“If ever there was a band that deserved the attention of a major record label, its Honestly. Their debut album "Have A Nice Life" could rival many of the albums you see at your local record store today. The undeniable ability to write a hook filled song is apparent from beginning to end of this fantastic CD. Filled with melodic guitars and perfectly complimenting vocals, Honestly brings it all together. Perhaps what has always impressed us the most about Honestly is the matured sound they have being such a young band. Their ability to write both up beat rock songs and heartfelt ballads both with the intensity and perfection that many bands would take years to achieve. If there's one band that deserves more than any other to make it big in 2005, its Honestly.” (Alternative Addiction)

With the undiminishing success that "Have A Nice Life" has generated, Honestly promises to be an emerging artist worth watching in the months to come.