Bands That Ended Too Soon - Far-Less

RIYL: Emery, Scary Kids Scaring Kids, Microwave, Kids in the Way, The Classic Crime

In 2001, before anyone in the Tooth & Nail community and crowd realized, one of the most under appreciated bands formed for an 8 year existence. Far-Less put out a total of 2 EPs, 2 full lengths, and one final EP that was never released. Bands that ended too soon, Far-Less, it’s your turn.

When Far-Less was signed, they were actually signed to Solid State Records. That’s a testament of how heavy they once were. The first comparable that comes to mind is Scary Kids Scaring Kids in more ways than one. Frontman, Brandon Welch’s voice is strikingly similar to the late Tyson Stevens. They’re mix of singing and frantic screaming collided with their rock/hardcore sound created something memorable. The argument could be made that if tides had turned differently, they could be as big as Emery and a main-stay on Warped Tour every year. It may have been the case, had they continued the musical trend following their first full length, “Everyone Is Out To Get Us.”

The debut album released in 2006 to positive reviews and a growing fanbase. The album features balanced and superb production for its style, as well as diverse talent in songwriting that diverted the album from the pitfall of sounding like a 40 minute long song.

However just one year later, they released their second LP. The story here follows a similar trajectory to the As Cities Burn timeline. ACB changed their style from hardcore to something vastly different in “Come Now Sleep.” Almost at the same time, Far-Less changed abruptly from a screamo sound, to alternative rock. I say alternative rock because it’s honestly difficult to pin a label to the album. “A Toast For Bad Taste” was and is a marvel, and one of Tooth & Nail’s unnoticed great albums.

From the first single – the title song, you could say they took a turn towards Run Kid Run, or maybe Hawk Nelson (pre CCM days). But when you dived deeper into the album, they go off in stranger directions that all work magnificently. Look to “Devil Without A Clue” and “Gentlemen.” The guitar work is strong with leads and solos. The addition of keyboard player Elizabeth Pina also spun an entirely different sound from the group.

It’s easy to imagine the screamo/metal crowd not caring one bit about the accomplishment, and expectantly, sales dipped despite glowing reviews for the album.

After the album, members left and joined and it was likely too difficult to keep the ship afloat as a full time band. In 2009, the “Headache EP” was supposed to be digitally released as a final album, but never did for some reason.

After playing a final show, gathering guest members from a plethora of different bands, the twenty song set ended Far-Less into an “indefinite hiatus.”

I personally had the pleasure of seeing Far-Less with Mae and Between The Trees about 10 years ago. Even I was blinded with indifferent feelings regarding the sophomore album’s material at the time.

If you’re wondering why a band around for so long with multiple albums would be featured on this type of story, it’s because “A Toast For Bad Taste” could have been the start of something incredible in the scene. If you consider yourself a fan of quality music, please check out this band; they deserve to be heard.