Close to Home (band)

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Close to Home
Close to Home on the "I'm Alive Tour" in 2011
Close to Home on the "I'm Alive Tour" in 2011
Background information
OriginCincinnati, Ohio, US
GenresPost-hardcore, melodic hardcore, metalcore
Years active2005–2015
LabelsArtery, Razor & Tie
Past membersJosh Wells
JJ Cooper
Travis Hartman
Andrew DeNeef
Josh Trenkamp
Justin Wells
Brad Andress
Dan Reder
Nick Stiens
Jon Grubbs
Ben Bruner
Eric Cronstein
Eric Keyes
Websitearteryrecordings.com/mainsite/artist/close-to-home

Close to Home was an American

Momentum, which was released July 31, 2012 via Artery Recordings.[1] Close to Home has toured across the United States and Europe with bands such as Silverstein, Emery, Dance Gavin Dance, In Fear and Faith, We Came as Romans, and Electric Callboy.[2] They have also participated in 2010 and 2012's Scream It Like You Mean It tours. On December 10, 2010, they signed with Artery Recordings; however this contract has been fulfilled.[1] The band was previously managed by Outerloop Management
. Close to Home is commonly depicted as CTH.

History

Formation and Basement Recordings Picture Perfect, One Chance, One Time (Pre-2005–2006)

In 2005, brothers Josh and Justin Wells formed the band "Close to Home" with their friend, bassist Brad Andress in Cincinnati, Ohio. Prior to label involvement, or a record release, Close to Home was invited to perform three western United States dates (Montana, Denver, and Salt Lake City) on the

Vans Warped Tour 2005. In 2006, while on their first non-festival tour, Andress was diagnosed with cancer (in Seattle). While Andress was hospitalized, Close to Home was again invited to perform three southern United States dates (Orlando, Miami, and Tampa) on the Vans Warped Tour 2006. In October 2006, Andress died.[3]

Legends Live On, Standby, and Let It Be Known EPs (2006–2009)

After the death of bassist Brad Andress, Close to Home spent most of 2006 getting their members to today's lineup (minus vocalist changes): Josh Wells (Guitar), JJ Cooper (Guitar), and Travis Hartman (Drums). It has been confirmed that guitarists Josh Wells and JJ Cooper have recorded all the bass lines since the death of Brad Andress. "Legends Live On" EP was released via iTunes April 7, 2008 and was the last live show that bassist Brad Andress played before his death. According to guitarist Josh Wells "The remaining four tracks on the record are about Brad Andress and losing someone." Wells also stated that because of Andress' death, "Close to Home does not have a permanent bass musician". In 2007, Close to Home won the United States, Ernie Ball "Battle of the Bands". This allowed Close to Home to play one night on the acclaimed Taste of Chaos Tour. According to guitarist Josh Wells, they "played for 13,000 people, sharing the stage with The Used, 30 Seconds To Mars, Chiodos, Senses Fail, Saosin, Aiden, and Evaline, and were given prizes such as a drum set, bass rig, among items." In 2007, Close to Home became a three-peat performer on Vans Warped Tour, performing at Vans Warped Tours 2007 and 2008 in Cincinnati. "Standby" EP was released via iTunes on April 29, 2008. Shortly after, Close to Home embarked on the "V-Neck and Shaved Chest" Tour (June 2008) with We Came as Romans. Let It Be Known EP features vocalist Shane Told of Silverstein on "Promise"; and following this release, the band toured a leg with Poison The Well and The Sleeping. During this time, the band were also spokespeople for Sexy Hair products.

Tour Activity (2009–2010)

Close to Home appeared on a mini-tour (September - October 2009) with I Am Abomination.[4] Close to Home also embarked on the "Scream It Like You Mean It 2010" Tour (July - August 2010) with Silverstein, Emery, Dance Gavin Dance, I Set My Friends on Fire, Sky Eats Airplane, Ivoryline, and We Came as Romans.[2] Andy Glass from We Came as Romans filled in on bass for the complete tour.

Never Back Down (2010–2011)

Excerpt from the band's MySpace blog:

"

Never Back Down
comes out of this song. We wanted the record to be something anyone who has ever pursued what they love in life, sacrificed or overcome great obstacles could appreciate. Can't wait for people to give it a listen from beginning to end! To hear it as one total work and give us feedback". - Close to Home

The album was often compared to

pop punk, leading to a melodic hardcore
sound.

On February 25, 2011, "All We Know" was released as the first official single from

Never Back Down, along with a music video.[5]

Close to Home appeared on the Downtown Battle Mountain Tour (March - April 2011) supporting

Never Back Down. According to a Facebook post by the band on June 6, 2011, bassist Derek Foust was officially named the current tour bassist for Close to Home during this time. Close to Home performed on the Arkaik + MerchNow + Artery "Summer Partery" Tour (July - August 2011) in support of In Fear and Faith and Vanna
.

On February 16, 2012, it was revealed that the opening track on

Never Back Down entitled "Intro" was used in the Chinese multinational personal technology company Lenovo
Group Limited's 0:33-second commercial entitled "The Jetpack: When Do Gets Done".

Momentum (2011–2013)

According to Close to Home guitarist, Josh Wells, the band entered the studio shortly after the Arkaik + MerchNow + Artery "Summer Partery" Tour to record the follow-up to

Newport, KY on June 7, 2013, with Sea of Treachery
.

Still Standing, break-up and formation of new band (2013–15)

On July 10, 2013, the band announced that recording of an acoustic EP was underway via Twitter. This is the first album after their contract with Artery Recordings, Razor & Tie was fulfilled. The band stood up an IndieGoGo page in October 2013 to assist in the funding of this EP and also address their recent contract closure.[9] This campaign ended successfully on December 8, 2013.

The band supported

Never Back Down entitled "Intro" was used in an NBC Sports commercial for the 2014 Sochi Olympic Games.[10]

On January 6, 2014, the band announced their headliner on "The March Drunken Mess Tour" (February - March 2014) with Famous Last Words, Phinehas, and Climates. Climates dropped off the tour prior to its start for undisclosed reasons. On January 29, 2014, the band was confirmed for the "Never Say Never Fest" on March 12, 2014, at the Las Palmas Race Park in Mission, Texas. On April 22, 2014, the band released their acoustic EP "Still Standing". On November 3, 2015, the band released a statement stating that due to the departure of founding member Josh, the band could no longer continue on. The remaining members formed a new band called 'Actual Villains'.

Guest appearances

Josh Wells confirmed his appearance as a vocalist on the tracks "Mis//Understanding" and "Understanding What We've Grown To Be" by We Came as Romans. These tracks appear on the album Understanding What We've Grown to Be, released September 13, 2011 via Equal Vision Records.

Andrew DeNeef provided guest vocals on the track "Fake Blood" by Veara. This track appears on the album Growing Up Is Killing Me, released September 24, 2013 via Epitath Records.

Musical style

The band's sound is often described as combination of heavy

pop punk and punk rock, often leading their genre to be called "melodic hardcore" in the vein of Four Year Strong
, though the band has never confirmed this as their musical style.

Band members

Current members
  • Josh Wells - guitar, backing vocals (2005–2015)
  • Andrew DeNeef - lead vocals (2012–2015)
  • JJ Cooper - guitar (2007–2015)
  • Travis Hartman - drums, percussion (2007–2015)
  • Josh Trenkamp - bass, backing vocals (2012–2015)
Former members
  • Justin Wells - drums, percussion (2005–2007)
  • Brad Andress - bass (2005–2006, deceased)
  • Dan Reder - bass (2007–2009)
  • Nick Stiens - lead vocals (2007–2012)
  • Ben Bruner - lead vocals (2003–2006)
  • Eric Cronstein - Guitar (2003-2005)
  • Eric Keyes - Bass (2004-2006)
Touring members
  • Andy Glass - bass (2010–2011)
  • Derek Foust - bass (2011–2012)
  • Brandon Brewer - bass, backing vocals (2010–2011)

Discography

Studio albums

Year Album Chart positions[7]
Billboard 200
Top Heatseekers
 		Independent Albums
Hard Rock Albums
2004 One Chance, One Time
  • self-released
 - - - -
2006 Picture Perfect
  • self-released
 - - - -
2011 Never Back Down - - - -
2012 Momentum 157 4 41 21

EPs

  • Standby EP (self-released, April 2008)
  • Let It Be Known EP (self-released, October 2009)
  • Still Standing EP (self-released, April 2014)

Singles

  • "You Struck a Nerve (I Struck a Match)" (2009)
  • "End of an Era" (2011)
  • "All We Know" (2011)
  • "Backstabbers Need Not Apply" (2012)
  • "Family Ties" (2012)

Music videos

Year Song Director
2009 "Headphones" Mat Grimes
2011 "All We Know" Raul Gonzo
2012 "Don't Waste Your Breath" Dan Kennedy & Rasa Acharya

References

  1. ^ a b "Artery Recordings - Website". Arteryrecordings.com. Archived from the original on May 17, 2014. Retrieved January 11, 2011.
  2. ^ a b "Scream It Like You Mean It - Website". ScreamItLikeYouMeanIt.com. Archived from the original on May 20, 2010. Retrieved January 7, 2011.
  3. ^ Paul, Aubin (October 9, 2006). "Brad Andress of Close to Home (1986-2006)". Punknews.org. Retrieved February 1, 2022.
  4. ^ "LambGoat - Website". Lambgoat.com. Retrieved June 2, 2011.
  5. ^ "Close To Home - All We Know". YouTube. Retrieved September 23, 2020.
  6. ^ "AMP Magazine – CLOSE TO HOME ANNOUNCE FIRST U.S. TOUR FOR 2012". March 24, 2012. Archived from the original on March 24, 2012. Retrieved September 23, 2020.
  7. ^ a b "Billboard - Close To Home". Billboard.com. Retrieved August 9, 2012.
  8. ^ "Video Premiere: Close To Home, "Don't Waste Your Breath"". Altpress.com. November 30, 2012. Retrieved November 30, 2012.
  9. ^ "Close To Home - Acoustic EP". Indiegogo.com/. Retrieved October 28, 2013.
  10. ^ "NBC's 2014 Sochi Winter Olympic Commercial Featuring Close To Home". YouTube. Retrieved February 6, 2014.

External links

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