Across Five Aprils to Return to Pensacola for the 20 Years UN-SCENE Show
As the buzz spreads like wildfire about an upcoming reunion show commemorating 20 years, there's one band on the lineup that's sure to ignite a sense of nostalgia among the seasoned emos of the Gulf Coast music scene. If you were frequenting shows in the area between 2003 and 2008, the mention of Across Five Aprils on the flyer is bound to stir up memories.
In the heart of Chattanooga, Tennessee, a storm was brewing in the early 2000s. This tempest didn't rage in the skies but rather on the stages and in the souls of the five members of Across Five Aprils. Born from the ashes of their own personal struggles and the fervent desire to express themselves, this band carved a path through the tumultuous landscape of post-hardcore and metalcore music, leaving an indelible mark on the scene.
Imagine a journey where each note is a step forward, each lyric a whispered confession, and each breakdown a thunderous roar of defiance against the odds. This was and is the essence of Across Five Aprils. The band embarked on their own emotional battleground armed with guitars, drums, and raw, unfiltered passion.
Join us as we delve into the legacy of Across Five Aprils, educate you on their greatness, and get you hyped for their triumphant return to the stage in Pensacola.
Formation and Early Years (2001-2003):
Across Five Aprils emerged in 2001. Steve Taylor (vocals), Jason Fields (guitar/vocals), Zak Towe (guitar), Jason Barry (bass), and Drew Miller (drums) came together with a shared vision: to create music that spoke to the depths of the human experience. Drawing inspiration from their own lives and the emotional resonance of literature, they chose the name Across Five Aprils as a reflection of their journey through the seasons of life.
As the band was in its starting phase they would soon be approached by Indianola Records. They would hit the studio in 2002 and unleash their debut album, A Tragedy in Progress, in 2003. The album garnered attention for its blend of aggressive post-hardcore and melodic sensibilities, earning the band a devoted following. With tracks like Pawn Shop Promises and Blue Eyed Suicide, they wove a tapestry of anguish and redemption, drawing listeners into a world where vulnerability was strength and catharsis was found in every chord progression.
The band would hit the road and play Furnace Fest 2003 and Bunny Fest 2004 with artists like Underoath, My Chemical Romance, Through the Eyes of the Dead, Every Time I Die, Finch, Taking Back Sunday, From First To Last, Norma Jean, Haste the day, Atreyu, and It Dies Today.
Across Five Aprils - Blue Eyed Suicide music video
But it wasn't just about the music; it was about the connection forged between the band and their audience. Each live performance was an electrifying experience, with sweat-soaked bodies and voices raised in unison, as if exorcising their demons together in a cacophony of sound.
Touring and Growth (2004-2007)
As Across Five Aprils continued to evolve, so did their sound. They would soon see the departure of their vocalist Steve Taylor after releasing an EP Living In The Moment in the fall of 2004. Steve Taylor would also go back to focusing on his management company and real estate career and the band would discover and recruit Florida panhandle native Brandon Mullins who would from this moment on become the vocalist and front man of Across Five Aprils, even to this day.
With their momentum building, Across Five Aprils hit the road, crisscrossing the country and delivering electrifying performances to fans hungry for their raw, emotive sound. They shared stages with prominent acts of the era from the west coast to the east coast in the US, Canada, and an international UK tour sharing the stage for weeks with back to back shows with friends in
Calico System, The Burning Season, Glory of This, Secret Lives of the Freemasons, The Acacia Strain, Chasing Victory, Scars of Tomorrow, War of Ages, Grace Gale, and Five Minute Ride solidifying their reputation as a force to be reckoned with in the live setting. As they honed their craft on tour, they began to explore new sonic territories, incorporating elements of post-rock and alternative metal into their evolving sound.
In 2006, Across Five Aprils unleashed their sophomore album, Collapse, signaling a new chapter in their artistic journey. Building upon the foundation laid by their debut and EP, the album showcased a more refined approach to songwriting and a deeper exploration of themes such as loss, redemption, and the passage of time. Tracks like Tallahassee's For Hookers and Let's Whisper resonated with audiences, solidifying the band's status as torchbearers of emotional hardcore.
With the release of Collapse the band would hit the road full-time in 2007 with bands like Phoenix Mourning, The Banner, Phantom Communique, and Bela Kiss. They did several European tours with bands like Pale Horse, Parachutes, Shai Hulud and hit up music festivals like Dirt Fest 2007 sharing the stage with Four Letter Lie, I See Stars, La Dispute, Four Year Strong, and Between The Buried And Me and would be picked up by Victory Records hitting the studio once again but now with producer Matt Goldman from Glow in the Dark Studios to record a darker and heavier album.
Across Five Aprils - Let's Whisper music video
Legacy and Beyond (2008-Present):
Released in 2008, Life Underwater marked another evolution in Across Five Aprils' sound. This album delved deeper into themes of introspection, perseverance, and the human experience. Tracks such as Snape Kills Dumbledore, In Photographs, and The Darkest Road showcased the band's ability to craft emotionally resonant songs that resonated with listeners on a personal level.
Across Five Aprils - In Photographs music video
With the release of their new album they would tour internationally and play shows with Kittie, Dope, A Plea For Purging, Anew Revolution, Evergreen Terrace, Chiodos, The Color Morale, Vanna, Burden of a Day, and more.
But like all great storms, Across Five Aprils eventually dissipated in 2008 after more lineup changes, leaving behind a legacy that continues to reverberate through the annals of post-hardcore and metalcore history. Though their time together was finite, the impact they made in this period of time was infinite, inspiring countless bands and fans alike to embrace their inner turmoil and transform it into something beautiful.
On October 14, 2010, the original members of Across Five Aprils announced plans for two reunion shows in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and Marietta, Georgia. Instead of using their original band name, they opted to perform under the moniker A Tragedy in Progress, paying homage to their debut album and respecting subsequent band members. They released a four-song EP titled Going Down with the Ship on January 25, 2011, through their original label Indianola Records that included guest vocals from Brandon Mullins. This EP included a re-recorded version of Around the World in a Radio Flyer, titled simply Radio Flyer, from their debut album.
A Tragedy In Progress - The Loudest Silence music video
On September 9, 2011, A Tragedy in Progress revealed their intention to enter the studio in December 2011 to record a new album slated for early 2012 release under Indianola Records. They confirmed on September 15, 2011, that the album would be recorded at Echelon Studios with producer Joseph McQueen that would also have guest vocals from Brandon Mullins. Guitarist Jason Fields expressed that the upcoming album would delve deeper both lyrically and musically. On May 11, 2012, they released the first single from the album, The Human Condition, for free streaming. The album, titled Mechanical Weather, was scheduled for release on August 28, 2012, via Indianola Records.
Across Five Aprils would announce a one-off reunion show in Pensacola, Florida, on March 31, 2012 with local bands This Day Will Tell, Scream Out Loud, Losing Cadence, and Captions. Unlike the 2010 shows performed under the moniker A Tragedy in Progress, this reunion featured the lineup from the band's second album, Collapse, rather than the original lineup. The members included Drew Miller and Zak Towe from A Tragedy in Progress, along with Brandon Mullins, Jarrod Smith, and Josh Dycus. In 2021, Across Five Aprils reunited once again to perform at that year's Furnace Fest. This would continue on with two shows in 2022 and Furnace Fest 2023 with their current lineup Brandon Mullins, Drew Miller, Jason Barry, Jason fields, and Zak Towe.
So, as we look back on the journey of Across Five Aprils, let us remember not just the music, but the emotions it stirred within us. For in the echoes of their songs, we find a reflection of our own struggles, our own triumphs, and our own unyielding spirit in the face of whatever storms may come our way. Across Five Aprils' legacy has continued living on, a testament to the power of music to heal, to inspire, and to unite us all in our shared humanity.
Make sure you grab your tickets for this event. This is a moment in time you do not want to miss.
Band Links:
Across Five Aprils - Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, Official Website