Farewell to Freeway

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 embarked 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 released the title track as their first single, accompanied by their first video. With their second release on Year of the Sun, the band returned 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 acquired 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 was featured on their third Year of the Sun release. The band's third and final release on Year of the Sun was 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 was the defining release for the band which finally captured the sound and style they had been striving for. The band released 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" was later featured on The Best of Taste of Chaos Two., a 2007 tour compilation CD in Canada featuring song from the Taste of Chaos tours.

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 was only the 6th Canadian band to ever sign with the 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 led 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 came 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 led to one single, "Portrait", which received play 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 did 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, filled Adam's spot on bass, though he was 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.

Current

• Adam Lambert - bass, vocals (2002–2010), lead vocals (2006–present)
• Chris Lambert - clean vocals, guitar (2000–present)
• Drew Harwood - guitar (2004–present)

Touring

• Kyle Amos - bass (2010–present)
• Adam Linka - drums (2012–present)
• Joey Muha - drums (2011)

Former

• Richie Gregor - drums, backing vocals (2000–2009)
• Josh Hudman - bass (2000–2002)
• Bryan Nunn - guitar (2003–2005)
• Michele Walter - keyboards, backing vocals (2005–2010)
• Michael Farina - drums (2009–2011)

Releases

• You or Someone Like You EP - 2000 (independent)
• Shadybrook Sessions EP - 2001 (independent
• Between Yesterday and Today LP - 2003 (Year of the Sun)
• Weekdays Seldom Wake to Victory EP - 2004 (Year of the Sun)
• In These Wounds EP - 2006 (Year of the Sun)
• Definitions LP - 2008 (Victory Records)
• Only Time Will Tell - 2009 (Victory Records)
• Filthy Habits - 2011 (Victory Records)

Associated Acts

• Islands & Empires
• The Hot Karls
• The SICness
• Rich Gregor (solo)
• Trouble & Daughter
• Ben McKenzie & his Broken Bones

Contributions

• "Promises of the Gods" - Desperate Souls Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (2005)
• "In These Wounds" - The Best of Taste of Chaos Two (2007)