let me tell you about one of my most favroite bands that are so underrated it is crazy.
[quote]
[B]Fair to Midland[/B] is an [URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States"]American[/URL] [URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Progressive_metal"]progressive metal[/URL] band formed in 1998. They are currently signed to [URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serj_Tankian"]Serj Tankian[/URL]'s [URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serjical_Strike_Records"]Serjical Strike[/URL] label. According to the band's official website, their name comes from [I]"...an old Texan play on the term 'fair to middling'."[/I] The band produced two self-released albums and one album and an EP under Serjical Strike. They are currently working on their untitled fourth studio album.
[B]History[/B]
[B]Beginnings and Independent Releases[/B]
Fair to Midland was formed in 1998 by friends [URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darroh_Sudderth"]Andrew Darroh Sudderth[/URL] and Cliff Campbell. After their independent debut album in late 2001, [I][URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Carbon_Copy_Silver_Lining"]The Carbon Copy Silver Lining[/URL][/I], original drummer Jason Pintler left the band and former percussionist Brett Stowers took over the drums. For their second album, [I][URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inter.funda.stifle"]inter.funda.stifle[/URL][/I], Matt Langley joined the band. He had previously played keyboards on [I]The Carbon Copy Silver Lining[/I]. In 2004, they released their second album, [I]inter.funda.stifle[/I]. [I]inter.funda.stifle[/I] was later re-released through their online merchandise store in 2009.
[B]Serjical Strike[/B]
The album and the shows promoting it attracted the attention of [URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serj_Tankian"]Serj Tankian[/URL], and Fair to Midland were signed to his [URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serjical_Strike"]Serjical Strike[/URL] label in 2006. [I][URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Drawn_and_Quartered_EP"]The Drawn and Quartered EP[/URL][/I] was soon released on the label, featuring interviews with the band, songs from [I][URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inter.funda.stifle"]inter.funda.stifle[/URL][/I] and live recordings. [I][URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fables_From_a_Mayfly:_What_I_Tell_You_Three_Times_Is_True"]Fables From a Mayfly: What I Tell You Three Times Is True[/URL][/I], Fair to Midland's major label debut, was released in June 2007. The band chose to re-record many of the songs from [I]inter.funda.stifle[/I] which they felt could benefit from the bigger production values art-rock mega producer [URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Bottrill"]David Bottrill[/URL] brought to the table.
Live at [URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2007_Coachella_Valley_Music_and_Arts_Festival"]Coachella 2007[/URL] the band performed a live improvisational version of their song "[URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inter.funda.stifle"]The Walls of Jericho[/URL]" featuring the guest vocals of [URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serj_Tankian"]Serj Tankian[/URL]. Through the first half of 2008, Fair to Midland has toured the [URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_of_America"]USA[/URL] with [URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/10_years"]10 years[/URL], and Europe with [URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serj_Tankian"]Serj Tankian[/URL]. They performed alongside acts such as [URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rage_Against_The_Machine"]Rage Against The Machine[/URL], [URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queens_of_the_Stone_Age"]Queens of the Stone Age[/URL], [URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smashing_Pumpkins"]Smashing Pumpkins[/URL], and [URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muse_%28band%29"]Muse[/URL] and at sister festivals [URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rock_am_Ring"]Rock am Ring[/URL] and [URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rock_im_Park"]Rock im Park[/URL], two notable concert events, in both 2007 and 2008.
Fair to Midland were the winners of the [I][URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dallas_Observer"]Dallas Observer[/URL][/I] Music Award in the Best Metal category for both 2007 and 2008.
[B]
Fourth Studio Album[/B]
In August 2008, Fair to Midland began writing their fourth studio album. In October, drummer Brett Stowers stated on the band’s official forum that the band had so far written about 4-6 songs that were in "various states of completion". He also wrote that the band wanted to take their time and release the record when it’s done.[URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fair_to_Midland#cite_note-0"][1][/URL] On November 15, the band’s Myspace page was updated with pictures of the band in studio. As written in the blog post: "The sound so far seems to be going in a little bit darker and more cynical direction, probably a result of 2 years of roughing it on the road, but it's not without some cool tongue-in-cheek moments as well".[URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fair_to_Midland#cite_note-1"][2][/URL]
During a special show that took place in Dallas on January 3rd 2009, Fair To Midland premiered 3 new songs live, the titles being "Rikki-Tikki-Tavi", "Musical Chairs" and the unreleased [URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fables_from_a_Mayfly:_What_I_Tell_You_Three_Times_Is_True"]Fables[/URL] [URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B-side"]b-side[/URL] "Pour the Coal To 'er". As written in an article in the Dallas Observer, the songs were enthusiastically received by the crowd. "Rikki-Tikki-Tavi" has, by the band's vocalist [URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darroh_Sudderth"]Darroh Sudderth[/URL], been described as "a death metal band doing its best 'Yellow Submarine'".
In April the band played a small U.S. tour, playing some of the material from their as yet untitled fourth studio album before they entered the studio. The band recently premiered yet another new song live - "A Loophole in Limbo". Most recently, another song title has been revealed entitled "Bright Bulbs and Sharp Tools". The band is currently working in studio, recording potential song selections to be featured on their fourth full-length album. According to the band's Twitter, as of May 29th, 2009, they have completed pre-production on "Rikki Tikki Tavi," "Musical Chairs," and "Pour the Coal to 'er.". Alex Gerst has been stated to work with the band on the new record.
As of 15th of August 2009 Fair to Midland has debuted 7 new songs live, the three latest titles being "Uh-Oh", "A Thirsty Fish" and "Bright Bulbs and Sharp Tools".
In October 2009, Fair to Midland embarked on a nation wide tour, along with The House Harkonnen. The band released a teaser trailer for the tour, called "FYEO" (standing for "For Your Eyes Only") that includes a short clip of a studio demo of "Rikki Tikki Tavi".[URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fair_to_Midland#cite_note-2"][3][/URL]
In October 2009, Minnesota Rock [URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radio_station"]radio station[/URL] [URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KXXR"]93X[/URL] played a demo version of "Musical Chairs" on their Cage Match. The band won five nights in a row. Almost immediately following the premier of the song, an unknown party leaked four unauthorized recordings. The recordings are "Musical Chairs" "Rikki Tikki Tavi" "A Loophole in Limbo" and "Bright Bulbs and Sharp Tools".
During the latest fall tour the band members reportedly stated that the band is going back to studio to record four more demo songs before starting the final recording of the album, which should end in April. In this stage Cliff Campbell confirmed that they have around 14 or 15 songs "musically done but most of them still have rough edges and no titles yet."
On December 14th, 2009 the band once again entered the studio to record new material. During their performance on December 26th at the Granada theater in [URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dallas,_Texas"]Dallas, Texas[/URL], they premiered a new song titled "Coppertank."
On January 9th, 2010, the band was in an accident, forcing them to cancel their show at the [URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Clubhouse_Music_Venue&action=edit&redlink=1"]Clubhouse Music Venue[/URL] in [URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tempe,_Arizona"]Tempe, Arizona[/URL]. Bassist Jon Dicken was admitted to the hospital as a precaution, but shortly released with no major harm. The members of the band were unharmed, but the crash, which included their van and trailer being flipped, left much of their gear destroyed.[URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fair_to_Midland#cite_note-3"][4][/URL] Four days later the band released a short video involving post-accident footage, entitled "FWIW" (standing for "For What It's Worth") which includes a short clip of a studio demo of "A Loophole in Limbo".[URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fair_to_Midland#cite_note-4"][5][/URL]
Throughout March and April 2010, Fair to Midland will be playing shows on a nation wide tour, along with the Australian band [URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karnivool"]Karnivool[/URL]. The band released a teaser trailer for the tour, called "WAEF" (standing for "When All Else Fails") that includes a short demo clip of the song "Bright Bulbs and Sharp Tools".[URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fair_to_Midland#cite_note-5"][6][/URL]
After another national tour with Flyleaf, which ends in mid-June, it has been announced that the band will wrap up the writing process for their fourth studio effort. The final recording process will most probably begin "in or around September", yielding an early 2011 release.[/quote]there music
Dance of the Manatee
[media][URL]http://youtube.com/watch?v=wjW-j2PAv-I[/URL][/media]
The Walls of Jericho
[media][URL]http://youtube.com/watch?v=9UEp-z6L5gE[/URL][/media]
Kyla Cries Cologne (Live)
[media][URL]http://youtube.com/watch?v=rRYLXSlNsro[/URL][/media]
Vice/Versa
[U][media][/U][URL]http://youtube.com/watch?v=G5uk1kLphEA[/URL][/media]
they have more songs that are equally awesome but cannot find them on you tube, i seriously urge you to purchase there album fables from a mayfly, when of the best purchases i have every made there is no other band like these.
I made a thread about this a while ago and it died, sadly. Fair to Midland is an awesome band and I am still working on getting the "Carbon Copy Silver Lining" songs.
yeah, i would love to see them live, they have so much energy its a pity Darroh doesn't climb much stuff any more lol
I just listened to the Rikki Tikki Tavi demo. Good shit.
[video=youtube;D97pMJ6lccM]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D97pMJ6lccM&feature=channel_video_title[/video]
A well deserved fucking bump, these guys are fucking awesome and I think more people should actually give them a chance.
[editline]10th November 2011[/editline]
I mean come on:
[video=youtube;hyBzAxBLASA]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hyBzAxBLASA&feature=related[/video]
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