Farewell to Freeway

Farewell to Freeway
Also known as F2F, Farewell to Freeway
Origin Guelph, Ontario, Canada
Genres Metalcore, Melodic Hardcore
Years active 2000-Present
Labels Victory Records
Website www.myspace.com/farewelltofreeway
Members Chris Lambert (guitars, vocals)
Drew Harwood (guitars)
Adam Lambert (vocals)
Past members Richie Gregor (drums, backup vocals)
Michele Walter (Keyboards, backup vocals)

Farewell to Freeway is a Canadian Metalcore band from Guelph, Ontario currently signed to Victory Records.

History

Early Days (2000-2003)

Initially formed as a punk trio going by the name Freeway in Guelph in 2000, the band consisted of Chris Lambert on guitar and vocals with bassist Josh Hudman and drummer Richie Gregor. The band released a 5-song EP, You or Someone Like You in 2000 with limited pressing. The band released its second EP, Shadybrook Sessions in 2001, with a notably more alternative feel than the first album while still keeping a punk vibe. The album was produced by Scott Komer in Oakville, Ontario at Parkhill Project studios (Boysnightout, Pettit Project). In 2002, shortly after the release of Shadybrook Sessions, Hudson left the band and was replaced by Adam Lambert, brother of Chris. The trio were forced to change their name due to conflict with a rap artist with the same moniker, and at this time "Farewell to Freeway" was officially born.[1]

Year of the Sun Records (2003-2007)

With the success of Shadybrook Sessions, the band signed to local label Year of the Sun before releasing their first full-length album, Between Yesterday and Today.[2] The album was produced by Justin Koop (Silverstein, Grade, Jersey) at The Music Gym in Burlington, Ontario. Chris and Richie provided vocals for the album, with Chris providing all the screaming. With the new album released, the band brought on second guitarist Bryan Nunn to fill out their sound. With their first full-length disc and a fourth member, the band would embark on their first Canadian tour in support of the album. The band released their first EP as a quartet, Weekdays Seldom Wake to Victory, on June 15, 2004[3] recorded in the home studio of Simon Vanderzand. The release offered a notably heavier sound for the band, with the transition to Adam screaming and a noted increase in the presence of screaming. The band would release the title track as their first single, accompanied by their first video. With their second release on Year of the Sun, the band would return to touring, including a cross-Canada journey with Ottawa locals Driving July. In early 2005, Nunn was forced out of the band due to personal and musical differences. Later in 2005, band merch girl/roadie, Michele Walter joined the band, providing keyboards - a move to help fill out the band's sound. After the split of tour mates, Driving July, the band would acquire former Driving July guitarist Drew Harwood to fill the hole aka guitarist position. The song "Promises of the Gods" was recorded between EPs and featured on the soundtrack for the independent film Desperate Souls.[4] The release was accompanied by a video and would be featured on their third Year of the Sun release. The band's third and final release on Year of the Sun would come on April 11, 2006 with the release of In These Wounds[5] produced by Mike Borkosky at the Vault in Toronto, Ontario. The album offered a noted maturity in the band's sound, bringing a cleaner more directed approach to their craft and would be the defining release for the band which finally captured the sound and style they had been striving for. The band would release one single with accompanying video for title track, "In These Wounds". This being the last release on Year of the Sun Records it was toured heavily and garnered the band more and more attention and headlining shows/tours. The band's song "In these Wounds" would later be featured on the Taste of Chaos compilation CD in Canada.

Victory Records (2007-Present)

In 2007 the band was still touring heavily for the In These Wounds EP when they were featured in Alternative Press magazine as one of the "Unsigned Bands of the Month". They were soon after contacted by Victory Records based out of Chicago, Illinois.[6] The band was asked to come showcase for the staff and owner and received great reviews and were asked to sign with the Label. Farewell to Freeway would be only the 6th Canadian band to ever sign with the reputable label since its inception.[7] After signing with Victory Records, Farewell to Freeway released their debut album Definitions on Feb 19, 2008, produced by Eric Arena (A Day to Remember, He is Legend) at ZING studios in Westfield, Massachusetts.[8] The album would lead to two singles, "Sound Minds" and "The Desperate Age". Sound Minds received rotation on MTV in the US and Much Music in Canada. Keyboardist Michele Walter was later featured in Revolver magazine's "Hottest Chicks in Metal" Issue.[9] The sophomore album on Victory would come on April 14, 2009[10] with the release of Only Time Will Tell, produced by Paul Leavitt (Darkest Hour, The Bled, Senses Fail) at Valencia Recording Studio, in Baltimore, Maryland.[11] The album would lead to one single, "Portrait", which would again receive rotation on MTV and Much Music. 2009-2010 saw some frequent changes with the band's line-up, as Gregor elected to leave the band in October 2009 to pursue other interests and take a break from touring. Gregor was replaced soon after by Michael Farina. The band would not miss a beat, continuing to tour for the majority of the two years between releases. During recording of their third Victory album, the band announced that Michele had also left the band shortly before entering the studio to pursue meaningful employment, but that there was actually no need to replace her. On January 18, 2011, the band released their third album on Victory Records, Filthy Habits, produced again by Eric Arena (A Day to Remember) with assistant engineers ~J. Wildes, Jay Deluca, and Joe Mahoney, recorded at Eagle Rock Studios in Pittsfield, Vermont.[12] This marked the first release from the band as a quartet since 2004's Weekdays Seldom Wake to Victory, and the first without founding drummer, Richie Gregor, leaving Chris Lambert as the sole founding member remaining in the band and further compromising the sound. The release was accompanied by the release of their first single, "Liquor? I Don't Even Know 'Er". Though recorded with Adam playing bass, the album also saw the shift of Adam away from bass, focusing solely on vocals live. Kyle Amos, Gregor's cousin, would fill Adam's spot on bass, though he is not listed as an official member of the band. With Filthy Habits, Farewell to Freeway went for more of a raw stripped down approach creating a faster, riff heavy, and aggressive album. Shortly after the release, drummer Michael Farina parted ways with the band and was replaced with touring drummer Adam Linka, but continues to appear in music videos, photo shoots, and sometimes plays fill-in shows with band.

Band Members

Current

Touring

Former

Discography

Releases

Associated Acts

Contributions

References

  1. ↑ "Farewell to Freeway". Retrieved 19 March 2011.
  2. ↑ Benn, Chris. "Between Yesterday and Today". Retrieved 19 March 2011.
  3. ↑ Benn, Chris. "Weekdays Seldom Wake to Victory". Retrieved 19 March 2011.
  4. ↑ Benn, Chris. "Desperate Souls: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack". Retrieved 19 March 2011.
  5. ↑ Benn, Chris. "In These Wounds". Retrieved 19 March 2011.
  6. ↑ "Farewell To Freeway sign to Victory Records". Retrieved 19 March 2011.
  7. ↑ "Victory Artists: The Best of Taste of Chaos Two.". Retrieved 9 September 2013.
  8. ↑ "Farewell to Freeway - Definitions CD". Retrieved 19 March 2011.
  9. ↑ "THE HOTTEST CHICKS IN METAL—FAREWELL TO FREEWAY'S MICHELE WALTER: THE OUTTAKES". Retrieved 19 March 2011.
  10. ↑ "Farewell To Freeway - Only Time Will Tell CD". Retrieved 19 March 2011.
  11. ↑ "Discography". Retrieved 19 March 2011.
  12. ↑ "Farewell To Freeway - Filthy Habits CD". Retrieved 19 March 2011.

External links

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