Driven Far Off

The latest on the indie, alternative, and rock music scene including news, music, contest, interviews, and more. Best described as your favorite place to find new bands.

Race The Sun Reunite

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Race The Sun has officially reunited! The band will play their first show back on June 6th in Richmond Virginia. The band has posted a couple of new demos on their MySpace page. You can read a message from the band below.

Hey guys,

You all have probably been wondering what has been turning between the gears in our crazy heads these days. Asking us questions like “are you guys getting back together?” or “is this reunion show a one time thing?” We even got interrogated with the suspicions that we were secretly recording some new songs. Well with this all being said, you can’t say that we ever lied to you (because, when you asked, we just ignored you). Maybe a few mix signals here and there but hey we got to have fun with the suspense somewhere.

To put all the rumors to rest, we are in fact reuniting, not for just one more show, but indeed for many many more shows to come. We also have two brand new songs that we have been demoing up on the brand new myspace, as you already seen so far and soon to be launching a brand new RTS merch store so you can get some gear. We only provide the best. There’s so much to tell you guys, but all of that will come with time. All you need to know so far is that we’re back, we’re refreshed, and we’re still young as you remember us a year and half ago. So tell your friends, tell your family, tell your principals that your good ol’ Virginia boys are ready to do it all over again!

love,

Race The Sun

Race The Sun’s Last Show, Unreleased Songs

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Race The Sun will play their last show on December 1st at Alley Katz in their hometown of Richmond, VA. The band has also made their “Unreleased” ten song demo available for purchase on their MySpace page. The songs are only .79 cents each and the track listing is below.

Track Listing
1. Casted Shadow (Contents of A Dead Man’s Pocket EP)
2. She Said He Wore Steel (Contents of A Dead Man’s Pocket EP)
3. Aquisces
4. Behind Weighted Keys
5. Napoleon
6. This Could Be Our Deathbed
7. Before You Leave (Summer 06)
8. The Ceiling Fan Serenade (Fall 06)
9. My Sweet Revenge (Fall 06)
10. Hearse On Parade (Summer 06

Race The Sun Set Out On Last Tour Ever

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Race The Sun will be calling it a day after their final tour in November. You can read a message from the band below.

I never thought that this would be the final chapter nor the end of the long journey for us, but just like every lifespan out there, Race The Sun has been on life support long enough to know that it..s time to say goodbye and close the eyes. We have been on fire for four years now. Our hearts drenched in ambition fuelled us to become the tour machines we are today. Before anyone gets the wrong idea of what happened, let me tell you in short summary why we made this choice. From the start, we were all best friends, trying to live the dream of writing and sharing the music that moved us just as much as the other. We promised to take this as far as it will go, to make the most of this short life, to prove the impossible to be possible. It is a miracle how far we have come but it..s also heartbreaking to know that this is the end of the road for us. I cannot thank everyone enough for supporting us through all these years. From those who let us crash on their floors, fed us, bought our cds and merch, to the kids who made countless donations when we were broke down without a cent in our name. Our choice doesn’t reflect on how hard the life was but more on the chemistry that has kept this band at full throttle. With Jason and Aaron leaving this time around, a huge chunk was ripped out of the spirit of RTS. We even went through a period of finding new members, but in our hearts we knew it wouldn’t be the same like the last line up. I want to sincerely thank those who believed in us, encouraged us, and watched us grow as a unit over time. You all are what made us who we are today. We learned a great deal of the power of friendship as well as the musicianship. Again it breaks my heart to say a final farewell but we all feel that this is the best time to move on with our lives and keep all the cherished memories preserved. To give closure for everyone, including ourselves, we will be doing one final tour in November right before Thanksgiving; starting in Texas and heading east again, ending in our hometown, Richmond, VA for one final hurrah. There is nothing more that I want then to see friends and family to share this last run before we shut the engine down. I hope to see you all there..and for those of you who never believed in us… FUCK ALL YALL!

Love,
Daniel, James, Jason, and Matt

Race The Sun – The Rest of Our Lives is Tonight

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Race The Sun

Artist: Race The Sun
Album: The Rest of Our Lives is Tonight
Purchase: Smart Punk
Label: Fidelity
Release Date: September 21, 2004

Overall: 8.8
Lyrics: 8.5
Music: 9.0
Production 8.5

Race the Sun is a new band hailing from Virginia (yes Virginia) that promises to rock us to our roots. Being compared to everyone from Fall Out Boy to Jimmy Eat World, Race The Sun has blended all types of music and added their own spin. Their debut album, “The Rest of Our Lives is Tonight” offers an emotion driven, hook filled, infectious mix. The album kicks off with the track, “Solo Tonight”. In the opening track Race The Sun gives a taste of what is to come. This song definitely reminded me of a Fall Out Boy track (which never is a bad thing). The funky bridge comprised of interesting guitar licks lead way into the chorus, which kept my head bopping. Apparently this song will soon be accompanied by a video (good choice). In the track, “Paper Weights and Coffee Stains” lead singer Jason Henderson opens with the perfect line for any poor punk kid, “My wallet is only getting lighter. I’ll keep it folded for now it’s a paper weight”. The verses seem to perfectly compliment the chorus. In the verses there is a definite singsong pattern that greatly contrasts the shouting/pop-punk style of the chorus. Once again the bridge in this song kept my toe’s tapping, especially when Henderson sings the opening line again this time with only a palm-muted guitar in the background. In “Dreams v. Me”, Race the Sun offers a bit different style. Light background screaming helps harmonize Henderson’s voice in this slightly harder track. If you’re looking for hardcore this is definitely not the song for you, think more Fall Out Boy backgrounds rather than Senses Fail. However, the screams did add substance to an already good song. This song also has a weird, almost out of place, bridge that slowed the song dramatically down. That is, of course, until youï¿Â½re hit again with the pounding vocals and heavy guitar. “Weak Would Be Me Flinching” offers a great transition. “Dreams v. Me” blends into the opening of this track and the end almost effortlessly blends into the next song as well. This song is a simple rock song with plenty of repetition that causes it to firmly implant itself in your head. The next track, “To Icarus With All Sincerity” offers enough hooks and melodies to keep me humming along throughout. The screaming in the track also offers a pretty cool vocal balance that made this track stand out. Another part of this song I enjoyed was the title. A play on Greek methodology’s Icarus who was known for flying too close to the sun, Race the Sun’s creative title made me laugh as I read through the track listings. Race the Sun closes their debut album with “460 to Nowhere” which offers the same great intensity and emotion that kicked off the CD. Race the Sun is by far one of the best new bands Iï¿Â½ve heard this year. They are really worth checking out, especially if you are into the new pop-punk scene. Tremendous harmonies, excellent pop style vocals, powerful guitar hooks, and an overall great debut album. Pick up a copy soon, you wonï¿Â½t regret it.

Track Listing
1. Solo Tonight
2. The Vanity Score
3. Paper Weights and Coffee Stains
4. As Wings Develop
5. Dreams v. Me
6. Weak Would Be Me Flinching
7. My Heart The Compass (Points West)
8. Can’t Wait
9. To Icarus With All Sincerity
10. I Hear the Book was Better
11. 460 to Nowhere

Stand out tracks:
“Paper Weights and Coffee Stains”, “Weak Would Be Me Flinching”, “Dreams v. Me”