Farside was an American
hardcore punk
Hardcore punk (also known as simply hardcore) is a punk rock music genre and subculture that originated in the late 1970s. It is generally faster, harder, and more aggressive than other forms of punk rock. Its roots can be traced to earlier punk ...
band formed in
Orange County, California
Orange County is located in the Los Angeles metropolitan area in Southern California. As of the 2020 census, the population was 3,186,989, making it the third-most-populous county in California, the sixth-most-populous in the United States, a ...
, United States, in 1989. The group disbanded in 2000.
History
The original members were Michael "Popeye" Vogelsang (vocals, guitar), Robert Haworth (guitar), Josh Stanton (
bass) and Robert Beshear (drums). Stanton left the band soon after recording the first demo to join 411, which featured future Farside guitarist/vocalist Kevin Murphy.
Zack de la Rocha
Zacharias Manuel de la Rocha (born January 12, 1970) is an American musician, singer, songwriter, rapper, and political activist. He is best known as the vocalist and lyricist of the rock band Rage Against the Machine. Through both Rage Against ...
briefly played second lead guitar in 1990-1991, on their second demo (which was part of the Scrap album). Shortly after, he left to focus on the newly formed
Rage Against the Machine
Rage Against the Machine (often abbreviated as RATM or shortened to simply Rage) is an American rock band from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 1991, the group consists of vocalist Zack de la Rocha, bassist and backing vocalist Tim Commerfor ...
. The band recorded the "Keep My Soul Awake" EP, followed by the ''Rochambeau'' LP. After "Rochambeau," Haworth left the band to form State of the Nation. Kevin Murphy then joined temporarily to complete the band's 1992-1993 European tour, becoming a full-time member shortly after.
Starting with ''Rigged'', the band made a decision to take its music in a slightly different direction. ''Rigged'' was recorded by Jim Monroe, who would go on to produce nearly all of Farside's material. The partnership with Monroe led the band to dedicate the final LP's title to Monroe. The production for ''Rigged'' was intended to be louder and thicker than previous Farside material and the songs themselves were more aggressive and less pop-inspired.
During the 1990s, tensions arose within Farside because of indecision to pursue the band as a full-time career and disputes over signing to a major label. Farside's sound was a mixture of late 1980s post-hardcore (
Dag Nasty
Dag Nasty is an American punk rockGreenwald, p. 14. "Ian Mackaye was such a huge Rites of Spring fan that he not only recorded what was to be the band's only album in 1985 and served as a roadie for them while on tour, but his own new band, E ...
,
Hüsker Dü
Hüsker Dü () was an American punk rock band formed in Saint Paul, Minnesota, in 1979. The band's continual members were guitarist/vocalist Bob Mould, bassist/vocalist Greg Norton, and drummer/vocalist Grant Hart. They first gained notabili ...
and the
Descendents
The Descendents are an American punk rock band formed in 1977 in Manhattan Beach, California, by guitarist Frank Navetta, bassist Tony Lombardo and drummer Bill Stevenson. In 1979, they enlisted Stevenson's school friend Milo Aukerman as a s ...
are notable influences), 1990s alternative metal (
Helmet
A helmet is a form of protective gear worn to protect the head. More specifically, a helmet complements the skull in protecting the human brain. Ceremonial or symbolic helmets (e.g., a policeman's helmet in the United Kingdom) without protect ...
,
Quicksand
Quicksand is a colloid
A colloid is a mixture in which one substance consisting of microscopically dispersed insoluble particles is suspended throughout another substance. Some definitions specify that the particles must be dispersed in a ...
, etc.), and the power pop sensibilities of the late 1970s (
Elvis Costello
Declan Patrick MacManus Order of the British Empire, OBE (born 25 August 1954), known professionally as Elvis Costello, is an English singer-songwriter and record producer. He has won multiple awards in his career, including a Grammy Award in ...
); the band never found a consistent style. As a result, it is hard to place in one genre. Farside recorded cover versions for various compilation records, including straightforward interpretations of early emocore band Embrace and New Jersey
power metal
Power metal is a subgenre of heavy metal combining characteristics of traditional heavy metal with speed metal, often within symphonic context. Generally, power metal is characterized by a faster, lighter, and more uplifting sound, in contra ...
band
TT Quick. A lounge version of the
Misfits
Misfits or The Misfits may refer to:
Film and television
* ''The Misfits'' (1961 film), a film starring Clark Gable, Marilyn Monroe, and Montgomery Clift
* ''The Misfits'' (2011 film), a Mexican film
* ''The Misfits'' (2021 film), an American ...
' "Return of the Fly" and a rare country and western version of "
Pretty Vacant
"Pretty Vacant" is a song by the English punk rock band the Sex Pistols. It was released on 2 July 1977 as the band's third single and was later featured on their only album, ''Never Mind the Bollocks, Here's the Sex Pistols'', released during t ...
" by the
Sex Pistols
The Sex Pistols were an English punk rock band formed in London in 1975. Although their initial career lasted just two and a half years, they were one of the most groundbreaking acts in the history of popular music. They were responsible for ...
were also recorded.
Toward the end of 1999, Chu left the band to focus on his teaching career. He was replaced by Brian Balchack (guitar player of Orange County's
Ignite
To ignite is the first step of firelighting.
Ignite may also refer to:
Music
*Ignite (band), a melodic hardcore band from Orange County, California
* ''Ignite'' (Econoline Crush album), 2007
* ''Ignite'' (Shihad album), 2010
* "Ignite" (Eir Aoi s ...
) for shows surrounding the release of ''The Monroe Doctrine'', but due to Balchack's touring schedule with Ignite he couldn't commit to being in the band full-time. Sean Rosenthal (from Orange County
metalcore
Metalcore (also known as metallic hardcore) is a fusion music genre that combines elements of extreme metal and hardcore punk. As with other styles blending metal and hardcore, such as crust punk and grindcore, metalcore is noted for its use of ...
band
Adamantium
Adamantium is a fictional metal alloy appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics and in various games in the Elder Scrolls franchise. It is best known as the substance bonded to the character Wolverine's skeleton and claws. In ...
) joined as bassist to complete the band's final tour in 2000 and played on the
Sex Pistols
The Sex Pistols were an English punk rock band formed in London in 1975. Although their initial career lasted just two and a half years, they were one of the most groundbreaking acts in the history of popular music. They were responsible for ...
recording. The band officially disbanded shortly after returning home. There are no current plans to reunite or play again.
Vogelsang later briefly joined Orange County rock band
The Aquabats
The Aquabats are an American rock band formed in Huntington Beach, California, in 1994. Throughout many fluctuations in the group's line-up, singer the MC Bat Commander and bassist Crash McLarson have remained the band's two constant fixtures. ...
as a touring guitarist in 2005, appearing in their music video for "
Fashion Zombies!
"Fashion Zombies!" is a song by American band The Aquabats and the leading single from their fourth studio album ''Charge!!'', released on Nitro Records in 2005.
Overview
"Fashion Zombies!" was the first single released from The Aquabats' 2005 ...
" and their performance on television program ''
Attack of the Show
''Attack of the Show!'' (''AOTS'') is an American live television program and that aired on G4 (American TV network), G4. AOTS features segments on pop culture, video games, and movies. After an initial run from 2005 to 2013 (which originally a ...
'', though he never recorded with the band. He is currently a member of the band Your Favorite Trainwreck.
Members
; Last formation
*Michael "Popeye" Vogelsang – vocals, guitar
(1989–2000)
*Bob Beshear – drums
(1989–2000)
*Kevin Murphy – guitar, vocals
(1993–2000, touring 1992–1993)
*Sean Rosenthal – bass
(1999–2000)
; Former members
*Robert Haworth – guitar
(1989–1992)
*
Zack de la Rocha
Zacharias Manuel de la Rocha (born January 12, 1970) is an American musician, singer, songwriter, rapper, and political activist. He is best known as the vocalist and lyricist of the rock band Rage Against the Machine. Through both Rage Against ...
– guitar
(1990–1991)
*Josh Stanton – bass
(1989–1990)
*Bryan Chu – bass
(1990–1999)
*Brian Balchack – bass
(touring 1999)
Discography
Farside's first release was the four song EP, ''Keep My Soul Awake'', released on Crisis Records in 1990. The band subsequently released three full-length albums and an EP on Revelation Records
beginning with ''Rochambeau'' in 1992. The group's second album ''Rigged'' was released in 1994. After its self-titled EP in 1995, the band disappeared for a few years before re-emerging in 1999 with their final album, ''The Monroe Doctrine''.
An additional full-length release by the band was called ''Scrap''. This LP, released on Comida Records, is a collection of the band's first two demos, the first recorded in April and the second recorded in December 1990, respectively. Farside recorded several songs for various compilations including covers of
Embrace
Embrace may refer to:
* A hug, a form of physical intimacy
* Acceptance
Music Bands
* Embrace (American band), a post-hardcore band from Washington, D.C.
* Embrace (English band), a post-Britpop band from West Yorkshire
* Embrace (duo), a Dan ...
, the
Misfits
Misfits or The Misfits may refer to:
Film and television
* ''The Misfits'' (1961 film), a film starring Clark Gable, Marilyn Monroe, and Montgomery Clift
* ''The Misfits'' (2011 film), a Mexican film
* ''The Misfits'' (2021 film), an American ...
,
TT Quick and the
Sex Pistols
The Sex Pistols were an English punk rock band formed in London in 1975. Although their initial career lasted just two and a half years, they were one of the most groundbreaking acts in the history of popular music. They were responsible for ...
.
; Studio albums
*''Rochambeau'' (1992,
Revelation Records
Revelation Records is an independent record label focusing originally and primarily on hardcore punk. The label is known for releases by bands such as Youth of Today, Warzone, Sick of It All, Quicksand, Side By Side, Chain of Strength, Shelte ...
)
*''Rigged'' (1994, Revelation Records)
*''The Monroe Doctrine'' (1999, Revelation Records)
; EPs
*''Keep My Soul Awake'' (1991, Crisis Records)
*''Farside'' (1995, Revelation Records)
*''
Sense Field
Sense Field was an American post-hardcore band from Southern California, formed in 1990. Originally consisting of vocalist Jon Bunch, guitarist Chris Evenson, guitarist Rodney Sellars, bassist John Stockberger, and drummer Scott McPherson, the ba ...
/ Farside split'' (1997, Revelation Records)
; Compilation albums
*''Scrap'' (1994, Comida Records)
References
External links
Allmusic page on FarsideReview of "Rigged" on aversionline.comBand page on the Revelation Records websiteArticle on band members
{{Authority control
Hardcore punk groups from California
Emo musical groups from California
Melodic hardcore musical groups from California