August Burns Red

August Burns Red
August Burns Red in 2017
Background information
Origin Lancaster, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Genres Metalcore, melodic metalcore, Christian metal[1]
Years active 2003–present
Labels
Website www.augustburnsred.com
Members
Past members
  • Jon Hershey
  • Jordan Tuscan
  • Josh McManness

August Burns Red is an American metalcore band from Lancaster, Pennsylvania formed in 2003. The band's current lineup consists of vocalist Jake Luhrs, rhythm guitarist Brent Rambler, lead guitarist John Benjamin "JB" Brubaker, bassist and keyboardist Dustin Davidson, and drummer Matt Greiner. The band was nominated for a Grammy Award in 2016 for Best Metal Performance for the song "Identity" from its 2015 release Found in Far Away Places, and again in 2018 for "Invisible Enemy" from their most recent studio album Phantom Anthem (2017).

History

Formation and Thrill Seeker (2003–2006)

August Burns Red was founded in March 2003 when all the members were attending high school.[2] The original practice sessions of the band began in drummer, Matt Greiner's old egg house and basement on the Greiner family's farmland. After playing many local shows within Lancaster, they recorded their first EP, titled Looks Fragile After All with label CI Records in 2004.[3]

Vocalist Jon Hershey eventually quit the band during the same year, which led to Josh McManness taking on the position as lead singer.[4] After several months of playing with McManness, August Burns Red signed to Solid State Records in 2005.[5] Hershey would later go on to form post-rock band Bells.[6][7][8] August Burns Red released Thrill Seeker, their first full-length album, on November 8, 2005. In 2006, drummer Matt Greiner was endorsed by Truth Custom Drums following the release of the album.

Messengers (2006–2009)

McManness departed from the band in 2006, just after one tour. He was replaced with Columbia, SC resident Jake Luhrs. Bassist Jordan Tuscan also left the band in 2006 for similar reasons as McManness. He was replaced by bassist Dustin Davidson, a friend of the band. The band's second album, Messengers, was released on June 19, 2007. Marking the debut for Luhrs fronting the group, it became the band's breakthrough album, reaching number 81 on the Billboard 200.[9] The album has sold a total of 108,000 copies as of May 2011.

Vocalist Jake Luhrs joined the band in 2006 as the band's third and current lead vocalist

Throughout 2008, August Burns Red toured with several acts across North America and Europe to promote Messengers. From April to May they toured with As I Lay Dying and Misery Signals across the United States and Canada.[10] In September and October of that same year, they headlined a tour with A Skylit Drive, Sky Eats Airplane, Greeley Estates, and This or the Apocalypse in the United States.[11] The band also visited Europe for a month-long headlining tour in November, playing in Germany, Finland, Norway, Sweden, The United Kingdom, Republic Of Ireland, Northern Ireland, Italy, Belgium, The Netherlands, Czech Republic, Slovakia, and France.

After this series of tours, the band recorded two covers of popular songs. They recorded an instrumental version of the classic song, "Carol of the Bells" for the X Christmas compilation album, which was featured in trailers for the film, The Spirit, released Christmas Day 2008. They also recorded a cover of "...Baby One More Time" by pop singer Britney Spears for the Punk Goes Pop 2 compilation album, released in March 2009.

On February 24, 2009, the band released an EP, entitled Lost Messengers: The Outtakes. It contains material that is related or was decided not to be included in the final, mastered version of Messengers.[12] August Burns Reds' first trip to the Middle East took place on March 6, 2009 with the band playing at the Dubai Desert Rock Festival. The band's last tour before their next album release took place in the United States, where they toured with metalcore band All That Remains throughout April and May.[13]

Constellations (2009–2011)

To promote their upcoming album, August Burns Red released several new tracks and a music video during June 2009. The tracks Thirty and Seven, Existence, and Ocean of Apathy were all released on the 15th,[14] 21st, and 29th, respectively. A music video for the song Meddler was also released during this month.[15] On July 7, a week before the album's release, August Burns Red began streaming the full album on their Myspace profile for a limited time.[16] August Burns Red released their third full-length album, Constellations, on July 14, 2009. During the week of August 1, 2009, the album charted at spot 24 on the Billboard 200.[17] Another United States tour was organized with August Burns Red headlining and support from Blessthefall, Enter Shikari, All Shall Perish, and Iwrestledabearonce.[18] After this tour, the band joined a short tour in Australia with Architects in support of Australian band Parkway Drive.[19] August Burns Red toured alongside Underoath and Emery in November and December 2009 as well.[20]

The band released their first live CD/DVD, Home, on September 28, 2010.[21] The group co-headlined an Alternative Press tour throughout November.[22] On February 23, 2010, Constellations was nominated for the Dove Award for "Best Rock Album".[23]

August Burns Red toured Australia and New Zealand in December 2010 on the No Sleep Til Festival. The band played alongside Parkway Drive, A Day to Remember, NOFX, Dropkick Murphys, Suicide Silence, Megadeth, Descendents, Gwar and many others.

Leveler and Sleddin' Hill (2011–2013)

August Burns Red in April 2011

On July 27, 2010, Brubaker stated that the band would be taking time off tour to write their next record,[24] On February 12, 2011, the band announced via their official Facebook page that they had completely finished writing their new record and that they would be entering the studio on Valentine's Day.[25] In March 2011, the band announced that the record was finished, and that it was (at that point) time for mixing.[25] On April 5, 2011, August Burns Red revealed the name of the record as Leveler.[26] On May 16, 2011, the band released the song "Empire" as a preview before its release. They also later premiered three other songs: "Internal Cannon", "Divisions", and "Poor Millionaire", on May 31, June 6, and June 14, respectively.

ABR performing live in 2011

Leveler was released on June 21, 2011 in two forms; standard and deluxe. The deluxe version of Leveler contains four extra songs, including an acoustic version of the song "Internal Cannon". The album sold particularly well compared to their other releases, with 29,000 of its opening first week-copies being sold in the United States alone. These sales had the record land at position 11 on The Billboard 200 chart.[27] After the release, August Burns Red took part on the main stage of the 2011 Vans Warped Tour.[28]

August Burns Red headlined their own Leveler tour on the first quarter of 2012 with Silverstein, Texas in July, I the Breather and Letlive as support acts.

In 2012, August Burns Red embarked on a European tour with The Devil Wears Prada and Veil of Maya, and an American tour with Of Mice & Men and The Color Morale.

August Burns Red released their first Holiday album, entitled August Burns Red Presents: Sleddin' Hill on October 9, 2012.[29]

On February 8, 2013 the band was officially announced as part of Warped Tour 2013 alongside Bring Me the Horizon, NeverShoutNever, Black Veil Brides, 3OH!3, Crizzly and Bowling for Soup.[30]

Rescue & Restore (2013–2014)

On February 12, 2013 the band announced that they would be back in the studio the next week to commence recording on their new album. Carson Slovak (Century) and Grant McFarland (former This or the Apocalypse drummer) again oversaw the production of the album.

Guitarist JB Brubaker stated that the group intended to:

"...push the boundaries of our genre more than we ever have before. We set out to write a record where every song stands out from the last. There is a lot of ground covered here and a ton of meat to this album. It’s full of odd metered rhythms and breakdowns, unexpected twists and turns, and some of our most technical riffing to date. Each of us have parts that make our heads spin and we have had to practice like crazy to get some of this stuff together. I know we always say this, but this will be our most ambitious album yet."[31]

August Burns Red in Budapest on June 14, 2016

On May 5, they announced that the album, Rescue & Restore was set to release June 25, 2013.[32] The album debuted at No. 9 on the Billboard 200.[33] This is the highest that they have reached on the chart. On August 30, they announced that they would release a documentary DVD titled Foreign & Familiar before the end of the year.[34]

Lyrically, the release delved into topics such as depression, grief at the death of a loved one, and social tolerance. It also featured influences from progressive metal and thrash metal as well as more mellow, melodic rock music. Adam Gray of the band Texas in July appears as a guest musician.[35]

Signing to Fearless Records and Found in Far Away Places (2014–2016)

On August 5, 2014, it was announced the band had signed to Fearless Records[36] and Found in Far Away Places would be available for pre-order on April 13, 2015 along with their new single "The Wake".[37]

The band embarked on the Frozen Flame Tour from January 22 to March 8, 2015 along with Miss May I, Northlane, Fit for a King and ERRA, for 39 shows in Canada and the United States, sponsored by Rockstar Energy.[38]

On December 7, 2015 August Burns Red was nominated for a Grammy Award in the Best Metal Performance Category for their song "Identity".[39][40]

Messengers 10th Anniversary Tour and Phantom Anthem (2016–present)

On November 21, 2016, a teaser for the Messengers 10th Anniversary Tour in Europe and the United States was uploaded to the band's Facebook page. The tour started on the January 4, 2017 with supporting artists, Protest the Hero, In Hearts Wake and '68. On July 26, 2017, August Burns Red announced their new album, Phantom Anthem, released on October 6, 2017.[41] The first single from the album, "Invisible Enemy", premiered on the SiriusXM Liquid Metal show the same day as the album announcement. On November 28, 2017, it was further announced that band had been nominated for another Grammy Award in "Best Metal Performance" for "Invisible Enemy".[42]

Style and image

Musical style and influences

August Burns Red is generally credited as a metalcore band,[43][44][45][46] and has also been said to share progressive metal elements.[45][47] The band is also identified as a melodic metalcore band.[48] August Burns Red songs frequently feature highly melodic guitar riffs, technical or odd time signatures and breakdowns, with a variety of influences including Meshuggah, Symphony in Peril, Pelican and The Dillinger Escape Plan,[49] as well as Between the Buried and Me, Misery Signals and Hopesfall.[2] Unlike other melodic metalcore vocalists, Jake Luhrs generally does not mix clean vocals with his screams, though he does include spoken word parts on occasion. For example, their track "Spirit Breaker" features Luhrs reading a letter. However that changed when the band released Phantom Anthem, which featured Luhrs' clean vocals for the first time on the song "Coordinates".

While the group has stated that they don't mind being classified as metalcore, Brubaker has grown a distaste for many of the genre's bands: "I feel like anyone who can pick up and play a guitar and learn to play a metalcore riff and any drummer who can learn to play a thrash beat over a breakdown is doing it. It's almost become very formulaic, and metal to me was never a formulaic genre."[46] Musically, the group has incorporated instrumentals such as the cello and the violin while also featuring song elements such as classical music inspired interludes, pushing the boundaries of what is considered 'metalcore'.[35]

Band name

August Burns Red members have been asked about the origin of their band name on many occasions and have given numerous different stories.[43] The most popular story behind the name is an incident involving Jon Hershey, the band's original vocalist, when he dated a woman named August who burned his dog Redd alive in his dog house.[50]

However, it was later revealed in a radio interview that this meaning (along with others) was simply a comical story created by the members and that there is no actual meaning behind the band name. Drummer Matt Greiner stated in the interview that "we just came up with the name to come up with a name."[51]

Christianity

August Burns Red is a Christian band.[4] JB Brubaker mentioned in an interview with online magazine Shout!, that "Christianity is a religion, not a style of music" and he would "rather just let the music speak for itself.", and that he would rather let Christianity shine through the band's lyrics.[52] Brent Rambler commented on the fact that "It is important to us that people know that we are indeed Christians... without having us stand up there and ram it down people's throats."[53]

JB Brubaker responded to a 2015 interview question about the band's reaction to being labeled as a Christian metal band by explaining that the presence of Christianity varies in each of the members' lives, but then says, "We decided years ago that we were not going to be an 'evangelical band.' We're not onstage to bring people to God, that's not our purpose up there. Our number one purpose in ABR is to entertain."[54] In a 2014 interview, Jake Luhrs responded to a similar question by saying, "No, we are not a Christian band because, in my eyes, and I'm a believer in Jesus Christ...that doesn't mean because all of us are Christians we are now a Christian band."[55]

Since the members of the band are Christian, their beliefs are sometimes reflected in their writing and lyrics. However, these lyrics aren't meant to be religious but rather, positive and in songs such as "Fault Line", for the band's fans. Brent Rambler said in a 2016 interview, "We don't preach from stage, and we made the active choice that this band is about music, and being a positive influence. Since a lot of people correlate Christianity for positivity, that label has stuck with us."[56] Recently some of the members have stated in interviews that not all of the band are Christian.[57] They have said that they now just hope to spread positive messages in their music and lyrics, whether they are perceived as spreading a Christian message or not.[58]

Members

Timeline

Discography

References

  1. ↑ Jones, Kim. "Top 8 Christian Metal Bands". About.com. Retrieved January 29, 2016.
  2. 1 2 Garcia, Manuel (May 9, 2007). "August Burns Red Interview". DrivenFarOff.com. Retrieved June 19, 2008.
  3. ↑ "Allmusic Discography". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved October 14, 2010.
  4. 1 2 "August Burns Red Bio". ChristianMusic.com. Retrieved October 18, 2011.
  5. ↑ Brandon. "August Burns Red Interview with Matt Greiner". Enoch Magazine. Retrieved October 18, 2011.
  6. ↑ "Q&A Interview: Brent Rambler of August Burns Red". Red River Noise. Retrieved February 23, 2017.
  7. ↑ "Ever wonder what happened to ABR's original singer Jon Hershey". Facebook. Retrieved April 21, 2012.
  8. ↑ "Bells Facebook Page". Facebook. Retrieved April 21, 2012.
  9. ↑
  10. ↑ "Misery Signals Announce Tour With As I Lay Dying". MetalUnderground.com. February 20, 2008. Retrieved June 19, 2008.
  11. ↑ jason (September 29, 2008). "Tour dates". The Gauntlet.
  12. ↑ "New EP". Sputnikmusic.com. February 28, 2009. Retrieved April 21, 2012.
  13. ↑ "Tour dates". Lambgoat. March 27, 2009. All That Remains' previously announced April/May tour dates will now include August Burns Red.
  14. ↑ Casey (June 4, 2009). "Photos From the August Burns Red Video Shoot". Solid State Records. Archived from the original on July 14, 2009. Retrieved June 6, 2009. Their album "Constellations" is available in stores and online July 14! They will be posting the first song off the album June 15!
  15. ↑ Casey (June 4, 2009). "Photos From the August Burns Red Video Shoot". Solid State Records. Archived from the original on July 14, 2009. Retrieved June 6, 2009. Their album "Constellations" is available in stores and online July 14! They will be posting the first song off the album June 15!
  16. ↑ "News announcement". Metal Underground. July 7, 2009. The band has decided to post their entire album for streaming on their MySpace page.
  17. ↑ "Constellation chart information". Billboard. Archived from the original on October 15, 2010.
  18. ↑ "Tour announcement". Blabbermouth. Roadrunner Records. October 24, 2010. AUGUST BURNS RED will undertake a U.S. headlining U.S. tour from July 10 to August 8. Joining the band on the 24-city trek are BLESSTHEFALL, ENTER SHIKARI (July 10–27), ALL SHALL PERISH (July 28 – August 8) and IWRESTELEDABEARONCE.
  19. ↑ aubin (May 14, 2009). "Tour announcement". Punknews. In support of the disc, the band will be headlining some Australian dates with support from August Burns Red and Architects [UK].
  20. ↑ Mimic, Ryan (November 21, 2009). "Tour date announcement". Ryan's Rock Show. Underoath, August Burns Red, and Emery will be hitting the road together starting tomorrow.
  21. ↑ "Release announcement". Blabbermouth. Roadrunner Records. July 12, 2010. August Burns Red filmed its June 4 concert ... for a forthcoming CD/DVD, "Home", to be released on September 28 through longtime label home Solid State Records.
  22. ↑ Sciarretto, Amy (August 30, 2010). "Tour announcement". Noiscreep. AOL Music. The mag is sponsoring their second annual fall tour, which boasts Bring Me the Horizon and August Burns Red as the co-headliners.
  23. ↑ Jones, Kim. "41st Annual Dove Awards 2010 - Album of the Year Nominees". About.com. Archived from the original on December 17, 2011. Retrieved December 1, 2011.
  24. ↑ "August Burns Red: JB Brubaker Interview 2010". YouTube. Retrieved April 21, 2012.
  25. 1 2 "Niet compatibele browser". Facebook. April 17, 2012. Retrieved April 21, 2012.
  26. ↑ "August Burns Red". August Burns Red. Retrieved April 21, 2012.
  27. ↑ "Leveler peaked No. 11 on Billboard 200 charts on its 1st week".
  28. ↑ "Vans Warped Tour 2011". Archived from the original on July 3, 2011. Retrieved June 27, 2011.
  29. ↑ "August Burns Red turns Christmas metal this year". The Northern Light. December 3, 2012. Archived from the original on April 13, 2014.
  30. ↑ "Alternative Press | News | Bring Me The Horizon, Never Shout Never, Black Veil Brides, more announced for Warped Tour 2013". Altpress.com. Retrieved February 9, 2013.
  31. ↑ "August Burns Red recording new album". February 16, 2013. Retrieved May 8, 2013.
  32. ↑ "August Burns Red Headed To The Studio Next Week | Theprp.com – Metal, Hardcore And Rock News, Reviews And More". Theprp.com. February 17, 2013. Retrieved May 8, 2013.
  33. ↑ "August Burns Red". billboard.com. Retrieved April 7, 2015.
  34. ↑ "AUGUST BURNS RED To Release 'Foreign & Familiar' DVD".
  35. 1 2 "August Burns Red, 'Rescue & Restore' track by track - Alternative Press". Alternative Press. Retrieved June 5, 2015.
  36. ↑ "Timeline Photos - August Burns Red - Facebook". facebook.com. Retrieved April 7, 2015.
  37. ↑ "August Burns Red - Facebook". facebook.com. Retrieved April 9, 2015.
  38. ↑ "THE FROZEN FLAME TOUR, August Burns Red, Miss May I, Northlane, Fit For A King & ERRA - Tickets - The Nile Theater - Mesa, AZ - February 22nd, 2015". Ticketfly. Retrieved July 1, 2016.
  39. ↑ "- GRAMMY.com". The GRAMMYs.
  40. ↑ "2016 Grammy Awards: Complete list of nominees". LA Times. December 7, 2015. Retrieved December 7, 2015.
  41. ↑ "August Burns Red Confirm New Album Title, First Single Set To Debut". Theprp.com. July 26, 2017. Retrieved July 27, 2017.
  42. ↑ Lynch, Joe. "Grammys 2018: See the Complete List of Nominees". Billboard. Retrieved December 4, 2017.
  43. 1 2 Deming, Mark. "August Burns Red | AllMusic". Allmusic. Retrieved October 18, 2011.
  44. ↑ "Alternative Press | Bands | August Burns Red". Alternative Press. Retrieved October 18, 2011.
  45. 1 2 McKenna, David. "Review: August Burns Red – Leveler". Revolver. Archived from the original on May 6, 2013. Retrieved October 18, 2011.
  46. 1 2 Graff, Gary (2011). Metalocalypse Now!!! Mayhem Fest 2011. Revolver. pp. 42–43. 1527-408X.
  47. ↑ Fryberger, Scott. "X Christmas Review". Jesus Freak Hideout. Retrieved January 10, 2008.
  48. ↑ "August Burns Red Burns Red Presents Sleddin' Holiday Album". Bradley Zorgdrager. October 9, 2012.
  49. ↑ Solum, Maggie. "August Burns Red Interview". Fourteeng. Archived from the original on April 10, 2010. Retrieved October 18, 2011.
  50. ↑ "August Burns Red Interview - May 9th, 2007". Driven Far Off. May 15, 2007. Retrieved April 21, 2012.
  51. ↑ McEnroe, Colin. "Colin McEnroe Show: The Hardcore Side Of Christian Rock". yourpublicmedia.org. Colin McEnroe Show. Retrieved February 1, 2012.
  52. ↑ "Interview @ SHOUT! Music Webzine". A-pathetic.net. January 27, 2012. Archived from the original on December 16, 2010. Retrieved April 21, 2012.
  53. ↑ "August Burns Red, "Thrill Seeker" Review". JesusFreakHideout.com. August 29, 2005. Archived from the original on July 4, 2008. Retrieved June 13, 2008.
  54. ↑ "August Burns Red on New Album, New Label and Getting Older". thenewfury.com. The New Fury. Retrieved July 17, 2017.
  55. ↑ "August Burns Red Vocalist Says They're 'Not a Ministry' Christian Band Who's 'Soul Purpose' is to Preach; Lets Music Speak Truth". BreatheCast. BreatheCast. Retrieved July 17, 2017.
  56. ↑ "Band Interview: August Burns Red". Damnation Magazine. Damnation Magazine. Retrieved July 17, 2017.
  57. ↑ "Interview: JB Brubaker of August Burns Red". killyourstereo.com. killyourstereo.com. Retrieved November 26, 2017.
  58. ↑ "August Burns Red: "We don't want to alienate anybody, it's not right"". Punktastic. Punktastic. Retrieved November 26, 2017.
  59. ↑ ASCAP Sleddin' Hill Work ID: 884560449 ISWC: T9129008317
  60. ↑ Gray, Adam. "Adam Gray announcement". Instagram. Retrieved September 14, 2016.
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