The Treatment

Longwood

Whitebread

Cinemark Records

"White Bread" is the first national release from Longwood on Cinemark Records. The album is composed of a few songs from a previous album as well as a few new ones, so it's a good look at Longwood past and present.
"White Bread" is pop punk. When you first put it in you get your basic catchy tune composed entirely of power chords with "Daddy's Little Girl." Keep listening! As the album progresses things just get better and better. The lead vocals of Matt Collins give it an edge that most bands of the genre lack. He's rough and powerful at times putting a emotional force behind the music that will pull you right in when you least expect. By the time you get to "Consider It Done," you'll be screaming right along with him.
I usually judge music like this by how fast it makes me drive when I have it playing in my car. With each song on White Bread my foot gets heavier. Longwood is a fun power trio with a lot of energy, and just like anything else along those lines, it gets better the louder you turn it up. The fine print in the bottom corner of the album cover claims that it "Contains 143% More Rock Than Regular Crackers." You're not going to find that. The figure is probably closer to 5% but that's more than you can say about the average pop punk band. If you like to listen to music just for the fun of it, then check out "White Bread."

Key Song: "I'll Be Gone"

Reviewed by: Reviewed by: Jared Brown
- www.1340Mag.com

When I started writing this column about three years ago, there were often weeks when I struggled for material. This was especially true during the summer or over semester breaks. Perhaps there was less going on, or perhaps I just wasn't as in touch with the scene. Maybe it was a combination of both.

Whatever the case, it rarely happens anymore. These days, there's always something going on, even on weeknights.

Don't believe me? Surf on over to http://www.gainesvillebands.com/ and check out the Shows page.

So now, dear readers, my dilemma isn't trying to figure out what to write about, but in finding the space to squeeze it all in here. So why, then, am I wasting that precious space telling you all this? Good question. Let's press on.

Saturday night, Longwood will perform at Eddie C's. Probably the last time I saw this band play was at last year's Gator Growl celebration at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. The band was tight and, unquestionably, a crowd pleaser.

Longwood specializes in hook-laden, radio-friendly power pop and is the kind of band that seems like it ought to be playing stadiums. Wait - does anybody ever do that anymore? Regardless, the point is Longwood's music has that anthemic, Rock Superbowl feel to it.

The group was formed by three Apopka High School students - Matt Collins, Jon Ruhff and Will Marshall.

After graduation in 1997, the three splintered off into different directions. Collins came to Gainesville to attend the University of Florida, Ruhff headed to Florida State University and Marshall remained in Apopka. Somehow, the band survived. Two years later, they all ended up in Hogtown.

In the ensuing couple of years, Longwood has established itself as a popular act, has performed all over the state and has been a consistent favorite in Rock 104's Locals Only series. The trio's 2001 CD, "An American Classic," features 10 solid original cuts. Longwood also just released a DVD, "Longwood's Power Pops," which includes the "I'll Be Gone" video, a documentary about the band, "Behind the Wood," a new unreleased track recorded Live at Gator Growl 2002 and more. - Gainesville Sun

2004 Windrift Music Songwriting Competition Winners
Added to 49 radio stations in 8 weeks, charting in top 25 on several
Top 20 most played on XM Radio Unsigned
Chosen for ESPN Winter X-Games DVD soundtrack
University of Florida Gator Growl performance
National Distribution through  FYE stores
2 clothing endorsements
2 musical equipment endorsements
2004 Florida Music Festival Showcase
Starrs Showcase winners
Universal/MCA Records Showcase
STOP! Children’s Cancer benefit CD recording
Featured on Song and Film.com
2004 Music Law Conference Showcase
Articles and reviews in Orlando Sentinel, Gainesville Sun, and culturedose.net
- www.longwoodband.com