Finch (American band)

Finch
Finch performing in 2014
Background information
OriginTemecula, California, U.S.
Genres
Years active
  • 1999–2006
  • 2007–2010
  • 2012–2016
  • 2022–present
Labels
Members
  • Nate Barcalow
  • Alex Linares
  • Alex Pappas
  • Randy Strohmeyer
  • Kenny Finn
Past members
  • Daniel Wonacott
  • Derek Doherty
  • Marc Allen
  • Andrew Marcogliese
  • Daryl Binder
Websitefinch-music.com

Finch is an American rock band from Temecula, California. The band is best known for their single "What It Is to Burn" from the album of the same name (2002). Their second album, Say Hello to Sunshine (2005), peaked within the top 30 on the Billboard 200. Following setbacks within the group, they released the album Back to Oblivion (2014).

History

Early history (1999–2001)

Vocalist Nate Barcalow

Finch originally formed under the name Numb with Nate Barcalow on vocals, Alex Linares on guitar, Derek Doherty on bass and Alex Pappas on drums.[2] Guitarist Randy Strohmeyer was invited to join Finch after they witnessed him play with his band Evita Fresh.[3] Strohmeyer became friends with Drive-Thru Records owner Richard Reines following a fan letter he had sent in a few years prior.[2] Reines offered the group a chance to perform and subsequently signed the group.[3]

The group changed their name to Finch and released their first EP Falling into Place in 2001.

What It Is to Burn (2002–2004)

Pre-production for their debut album, What It Is to Burn, took place at DML Studios in Escondido, California in February and April 2001.[4][5] They began recording the album in June at Big Fish Studios in Encinitas, California with producer Mark Trombino.[5][4] After tracking guitars in July, recording subsequently continued through September.[6][7] Strohmeyer said it collectively took a year to write all of the material on the album.[8]

What It Is to Burn was released on March 12 as a joint release between MCA and Drive-Thru Records, followed by a release in the UK on June 2.[9][5][10] It was preceded by a promotional music video for "Letters to You" in January 2002, though the song was not released as a commercial single at the time. The album was predominantly described as emo and pop punk.[11][12][13][14] Daryl Palumbo of Glassjaw performs guest vocals on two tracks on the album: "Grey Matter" and "Project Mayhem".[5]

To promote the record, the group toured throughout 2002 and 2003. They began shortly after the album's release by touring with Moth.[7] They followed this up with an extensive tour schedule across the United States, the UK, and Japan. They toured with bands including Brand New, The Starting Line, New Found Glory, Something Corporate, From Autumn to Ashes, Coheed and Cambria, and Further Seems Forever, among others.[15][16][17][18][19][20][21]

Nearly a year following the initial release of the What It Is to Burn album, the group released the song of the same name as the first official single from the record in January 2003. The single became the band's biggest charting success, peaking at number 15 on the US Billboard Alternative Airplay chart in May 2003 and spending 16 weeks on the chart.[22] The song was followed up with an official single release of the track "Letters to You" in April 2003.

In May 2003, the band performed as a special guest at two shows of MTV's Campus Invasion tour.[23] In June, the band appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live!.[24] In July, the group appeared on Last Call with Carson Daly.[25] In August, the group performed at Furnace Fest and at the Reading and Leeds Festivals.[26][27]

Say Hello to Sunshine and Finch EP (2005–2010)

Finch released Say Hello to Sunshine on June 7, 2005. The first single from the album was "Bitemarks and Bloodstains".[28] The release of the album marked the departure of drummer Alex Pappas who was replaced by Marc Allen. The band was moved between three different record labels prior to the release of the album: Drive-Thru Records and MCA Records, which was then purchased by Geffen Records before its release.

On February 19, 2006, the group announced that they would be going on an "indefinite hiatus".[29] Finch reformed in late 2007 and performed at a few American West Coast shows.[30][31] On July 22, 2008, the band released a four-song EP titled Finch.[32][33] The EP is the band's first record that was released independently of a record label. Finch spent most of 2008 touring in support of the release, including a summer headlining tour with Scary Kids Scaring Kids, Foxy Shazam and Tickle Me Pink.[34][35]

Finch announced in October 2008 that they had begun work on their third studio album.[36] In May 2009, Finch released a demo for the song "Hail to the Fire" on their Myspace page.[37]

On December 17, 2010, after an extended period of inactivity and infrequent updates, Finch announced that they had broken up. They explained that each member had broadened his "musical pallet [sic]," which made it difficult for the band to collaborate on new music.[38] On the same day, Finch released a digital single titled Epilogue that featured "Hail to the Fire" and "World of Violence", which were to appear on their third album.[citation needed]

In 2012, Nate Barcalow formed a new band called Earthbound Ghost.[39]

Back to Oblivion and Steel, Wood and Whiskey (2012–2016)

In October 2012, Finch announced they would reunite and perform the What It Is to Burn album in its entirety for one night on February 1, 2013, in California, in celebration of the 10th anniversary of the release of the album.[40] Initially planned to be a single show, it was followed by announcement of a second California date after the first one sold out along with a UK date.[41] The lineup for the reunion shows included Alex Pappas, who left Finch in 2004 before the release of Say Hello to Sunshine, and Daniel Wonacott, who joined the band during their previous reunion.[42]

Finch continued to add individual What It Is to Burn anniversary dates until it became several North American tours, beginning with a March tour featuring The Almost and The World Is a Beautiful Place & I Am No Longer Afraid to Die and ending with an October tour with Dance Gavin Dance.[43][44][45][46] Footage from the band's initial reunion show in California was recorded and released as a live CD/DVD titled What It Is to Burn X Live on January 7, 2014, through Tragic Hero Records.[47] While touring, the band debuted the track "Back to Oblivion".[45][48]

In March 2014, Finch announced they would join Warped Tour and release a new album through Razor & Tie later in the year.[49][50] On September 30, Finch released their third studio album Back to Oblivion which was produced by Brian Virtue. Finch toured North America in the fall of 2014 with Maps & Atlases.[51][52][53]

On November 13, 2015, Finch released the album Steel, Wood and Whiskey for free on their website. This acoustic album features newly recorded renditions of songs from their back catalog.

Finch began working on a fourth studio album in mid-2015. However, due to difficulties within the band, it was not completed. According to a statement by the rest of the band, Barcalow drew distant, missed recording sessions, and stopped communicating altogether by January 2016.[54] In October 2016, Barcalow privately announced on Instagram that Finch had broken up and posted nine new demo songs to his personal YouTube account.[54] The following day, the other members of Finch posted a statement claiming that Barcalow "quit again, for the third time in the bands [sic] history". This was followed by the release of two new demos to Finch's official YouTube account: "Monuments" and "These Buildings are Burning".[54]

In early 2016, Linares, Pappas, Wonacott formed a new band with Buddy Nielsen of Senses Fail called Speak the Truth... Even If Your Voice Shakes.[55] Barcalow went on to form the electronic duo outfit Private Lives.[56]

What It Is to Burn 20th anniversary tour (2022–present)

On October 11, 2022, the band announced that they would be reforming to play at the When We Were Young Festival in October 2023.[57] In January 2023, they announced the What It Is to Burn 20th anniversary tour, which began in Chicago on May 5, 2023.[58]

Band members

Timeline

Discography

Main article: Finch discography

References

  1. ^ Seida, Linda. "Finch - Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved March 5, 2010.
  2. ^ a b Seida, Linda. "Finch | Biography & History". AllMusic. All Media Network, LLC. Retrieved February 23, 2018.
  3. ^ a b "Bio". Finch. Archived from the original on August 13, 2001. Retrieved May 16, 2018.
  4. ^ a b "Finch - home". Finch. Archived from the original on May 16, 2001. Retrieved May 16, 2018.
  5. ^ a b c d What It Is to Burn (Booklet). Finch. MCA/Drive-Thru Records. 2002. 113 039-2/DTR #28.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  6. ^ "Journal". Finch. Archived from the original on August 13, 2001. Retrieved May 17, 2018.
  7. ^ a b "Band profile: Finch". Drowned in Sound. Silentway. Archived from the original on May 5, 2003. Retrieved May 17, 2018.
  8. ^ MTV Staff News (July 9, 2003). "For The Record: Quick News On Avril Lavigne, Coldplay, 3 Doors Down, Christina Aguilera, Weezer, Hanson & More". MTV. Viacom. Archived from the original on May 15, 2018. Retrieved May 19, 2018.
  9. ^ Rahman, Zarek (June 27, 2002). "Finch - Interview". Kludge. Archived from the original on August 10, 2002. Retrieved May 17, 2018.
  10. ^ "Updates". Finch. Archived from the original on November 2, 2001. Retrieved May 16, 2018.
  11. ^ "AllMusic review". Retrieved November 22, 2010.
  12. ^ "Live". Salt Lake City Weekly. John Saltas. Archived from the original on May 17, 2018. Retrieved May 17, 2018.
  13. ^ Jiwani, Shezhaad (June 7, 2005). "CD Releases: Coldplay, The White Stripes, Black Eyed Peas, Hugh Dillon Redemption Choir, Finch And More!!!". Chart Attack. Channel Zero. Archived from the original on May 11, 2006. Retrieved May 18, 2018.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  14. ^ "Finch: Emotion Is Their Middle Name". Chart Attack. Channel Zero. August 11, 2004. Archived from the original on December 8, 2005. Retrieved May 16, 2018.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  15. ^ Heisel, Scott (August 13, 2002). "New Found Glory/Something Corporate/Finch/Further Seems Forever tour". Punknews.org. Aubin Paul. Archived from the original on February 12, 2017. Retrieved February 11, 2017.
  16. ^ Heisel, Scott (April 9, 2002). "Iodine Fest: rock out with your socks out". Punknews.org. Aubin Paul. Archived from the original on May 17, 2018. Retrieved May 16, 2018.
  17. ^ "Tour Dates Cancelled". Finch. March 20, 2002. Archived from the original on July 19, 2002. Retrieved May 18, 2018.
  18. ^ D'Angelo, Joe (January 30, 2002). "Warped Tour '02 To Feature Bad Religion, NOFX, New Found Glory, More". MTV. Viacom. Archived from the original on April 15, 2015. Retrieved February 11, 2017.
  19. ^ "Finch in the UK!". Finch. July 7, 2002. Archived from the original on December 4, 2002. Retrieved May 16, 2018.
  20. ^ "Fall Tour Dates!". Finch. July 30, 2002. Archived from the original on December 4, 2002. Retrieved May 16, 2018.
  21. ^ "UK Openers!". Finch. October 30, 2002. Archived from the original on December 4, 2002. Retrieved May 17, 2018.
  22. ^ "Alternative Airplay". Billboard. May 2, 2003. Retrieved May 15, 2023.
  23. ^ Moss, Corey (April 9, 2003). "Fabolous, Talib Kweli, The Used Coming To A Campus Near You". MTV. Viacom. Archived from the original on November 8, 2017. Retrieved November 7, 2017.
  24. ^ Heisel, Scott (June 2, 2003). "Bands on TV - week of 6/2/03". Punknews.org. Aubin Paul. Archived from the original on May 17, 2018. Retrieved May 16, 2018.
  25. ^ Paul, Aubin (July 7, 2003). "Bands on TV - Week of July 7th, 2003". Punknews.org. Aubin Paul. Archived from the original on February 18, 2018. Retrieved February 17, 2018.
  26. ^ "Finch At Reading And Leeds!!". Finch. July 1, 2003. Archived from the original on July 16, 2003. Retrieved May 17, 2018.
  27. ^ MTV News Staff (July 31, 2003). "For The Record: Quick News On Sean Paul, Metallica, Mary J. Blige, Bjork, Deftones, Travis Barker & More". MTV. Viacom. Archived from the original on May 15, 2018. Retrieved May 17, 2018.
  28. ^ http://www.sharpeningbeneath.com/?page_id=13 Archived September 29, 2007, at the Wayback Machine Finch interview
  29. ^ "chorus.fm". chorus.fm. Retrieved January 18, 2018.
  30. ^ White, Adam (October 25, 2007). "Finch back together for a show this November". Punknews.org. Retrieved August 7, 2014.
  31. ^ Harris, Chris (December 5, 2007). "Kris Kross, Crazy Town, EMF, Extreme And More Unmemorable Reunions, In Our Year-End Top 10s". MTV. Viacom Media Networks. Archived from the original on June 1, 2014. Retrieved August 7, 2014.
  32. ^ White, Adam (July 19, 2008). "Media: Finch: "Daylight" / "From Hell"". Punknews.org. Retrieved December 17, 2010.
  33. ^ Conoley, Ben (July 30, 2008). "Finch delays new self-released EP". Punknews.org. Retrieved December 17, 2010.
  34. ^ Paul, Aubin (May 20, 2008). "Tours: Scary Kids Scaring Kids / Finch / Foxy Shazam / Tickle Me Pink". Punknews.org. Retrieved December 17, 2010.
  35. ^ Paul, Aubin (December 28, 2007). "Tours: Finch (Reunion)". Punknews.org. Retrieved December 17, 2010.
  36. ^ Tate, Jason (October 2, 2008). "Finch Writing for Full Length". AbsolutePunk.net. Retrieved December 17, 2010.
  37. ^ "Finch post, 'Hail To The Fire'". Alternative Press. May 30, 2009. Retrieved December 17, 2010.
  38. ^ Kraus, Brian (December 17, 2010). "Finch break up". Alternative Press. Retrieved December 17, 2010.
  39. ^ Kraus, Brian (September 9, 2012). "Earthbound Ghost (ex-Finch vocalist) release two new songs". Alternative Press. Retrieved August 7, 2014.
  40. ^ Colwell, Matthew (October 19, 2012). "Exclusive: Finch reunite to commemorate 10th anniversary of 'What It Is To Burn'". Alternative Press. Retrieved August 7, 2014.
  41. ^ Kraus, Brian (November 3, 2012). "Finch add second Pomona, CA show and UK date". Alternative Press. Retrieved August 7, 2014.
  42. ^ Vallejo, Carolyn (March 2013). "Ten Years On: Finch". Alter the Press. Spin Media. Retrieved August 7, 2014.
  43. ^ Paul, Aubin (July 16, 2013). "Tours: Finch / Dance Gavin Dance ('What It Is To Burn')". Punknews.org. Retrieved August 7, 2014.
  44. ^ Kraus, Brian (July 13, 2013). "Finch announce final leg of 'What It Is To Burn' X tour". Alternative Press. Retrieved August 7, 2014.
  45. ^ a b Richman, Jesse (January 31, 2014). "'There's less ego, less drama'– 'What It Is To Burn X' and the future of Finch". Alternative Press. Retrieved August 7, 2014.
  46. ^ Paul, Aubin (February 18, 2013). "Tours: Finch / The Almost / The World Is A Beautiful Place". Punknews.org. Retrieved August 7, 2014.
  47. ^ Kraus, Brian (October 17, 2013). "Finch's Randy Strohmeyer returning to 'What It Is To Burn' tour, live CD/DVD forthcoming". Alternative Press. Retrieved August 7, 2014.
  48. ^ Paul, Aubin (December 16, 2013). "Finch not breaking up, debut new song live". Punknews.org. Retrieved August 7, 2014.
  49. ^ Crane, Matt (March 20, 2014). "Finch will release a new album this year". Alternative Press. Retrieved August 7, 2014.
  50. ^ Crane, Matt (May 1, 2014). "Finch sign to Razor & Tie; to release new single next month". Alternative Press. Retrieved August 7, 2014.
  51. ^ Kraus, Brian (August 4, 2014). "Finch release teaser for comeback album". Alternative Press. Retrieved August 7, 2014.
  52. ^ Crane, Matt (August 11, 2014). "Finch, 'Two Guns to the Temple' song premiere". Alternative Press. Retrieved August 11, 2014.
  53. ^ Kraus, Brian (September 22, 2014). "Helen Earth Band added to Finch's fall tour, stream their new single". Alternative Press. Retrieved September 24, 2014.
  54. ^ a b c Ralph, Caitlyn (October 19, 2016). "Finch disband for the third time, listen to demos from scrapped album". Alternative Press. Retrieved October 22, 2016.
  55. ^ Al-Sharif, Rabab (October 19, 2016). "Speak The Truth release first music, and it really 'sounds like 2002'". Alternative Press. Retrieved October 22, 2016.
  56. ^ "NEWS: Private Lives (ex-Finch) announce debut album, 'No Future'!". Archived from the original on January 19, 2018. Retrieved January 18, 2018.
  57. ^ "When We Were Young festival announces 2023 lineup". WETM - MyTwinTiers.com. October 11, 2022. Retrieved August 8, 2023.
  58. ^ "NEWS: FINCH ANNOUNCE "WHAT IT IS TO BURN" 20TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR". Retrieved January 30, 2023.