A Thorn for Every Heart
Encyclopedia
A Thorn for Every Heart (often abbreviated to ATFEH) was an alternative rock
quintet from Chino Hills, California
.
, in late 2003 under the original line-up consisting of members Kelvin Cruz (vox), Jeff Harber (guitar, keys, vox), Joel Holt (guitar), Aaron Peck (drums), Justin Powell (bass), and Joy Welling (violin). The EP gained them internet exposure and created an underground following. Due to musical differences, Joel Holt (original guitarist/band founder) and ATFEH parted ways near the end of 2003. The second guitar position was then filled by Phil Nguyen. In 2004, during the band's first nationwide tour in support of the EP, Joy Welling (violinist) also parted ways with the band due to personal differences. The band never added another violinist. Their first full-length album, Things Aren't So Beautiful Now
, was released on October 19, 2004 through Kickball Records, a small subsidiary of Interscope. The band recorded the album in summer 2004 with producer Shawn Sullivan (Bleeding Through
, Reel Big Fish
). After recording the album, Aaron Peck separated from the band, due to ongoing creative differences and financial disputes. To this day, he still owns the trademark, "A Thorn For Every Heart".
ATFEH has since toured the country many times over, swapping drummers all the while, including a headlining tour in March 2006 sponsored by Purevolume
.com. Openers included Hit The Lights, Boys Like Girls
, Keating
, and Drive By
. They also toured with such bands as Jimmy Eat World
, Head Automatica
, Taking Back Sunday
, Emery (band)
, Boys Night Out (band)
, My American Heart
, The Receiving End of Sirens
, and more. They played many festivals, such as Surf & Skate (2004), The Bamboozle
(2005), Bamboozle Left (2006), and two years of The Vans Warped Tour
(2004, 2005). In 2005, they self-recorded (via their bassist and notable producer Justin Powell) two notable cover songs for major compilation releases. These are the only recordings to feature then-drummer Matt Mallouk: Oingo Boingo
's "Dead Man's Party" for the Punk Goes 80's
compilation, and "Jellybelly" for The Killer in You: A Tribute to Smashing Pumpkins
. Tyler Mahurin was added as drummer in 2005.
Their second full-length album, It's Hard to Move You
, was set to be released on July 31, 2007. It was recorded with record producer Matt Squire
. Later, due to the demand of their label Interscope, they returned to the studio with Mark Hoppus
. They recorded 2 songs that completed the record. The song "You're the One," although never released, gained a lot of popularity on Youtube. "You're the One" was also rumored to be a part of 3rd installment of the Shrek series, but sadly later another song was used. "It's Hard to Move You" leaked in its entirety on June 1, 2007. However, their record label, Kickball Records, was closed by its parent company Interscope Records. The record was shelved, and ATFEH was dropped from the label. The band is currently in discussion with Interscope regarding the rights to the recordings.
After their troubles with their label and record, tension in the band led to the departure of Jeff Harber (original guitarist, pianist, vocalist), and Tyler Mahurin (drummer at the time) who is currently the drummer of A Static Lullaby
. They were replaced by Casey Hill and Matt Thorsen.
Their second self-released EP, Pick Up The Pieces EP
was released on July 1, 2008.
In early 2009, bassist Justin Powell announced that he, too, would be leaving the band, and Ryan Warrell served as the bassist for the last months of the band. Kelvin Cruz, the last member to be added to the original line-up, also became the last original member at the band's end. On March 20, 2009, the band posted a blog on their MySpace saying that they are going on an indefinite hiatus.
Kelvin Cruz and Justin Powell are now both in electro/pop/rock group Come On, Come On!
Jeff Harber has joined The Honesty.
Alternative rock
Alternative rock is a genre of rock music and a term used to describe a diverse musical movement that emerged from the independent music underground of the 1980s and became widely popular by the 1990s...
quintet from Chino Hills, California
Chino Hills, California
Chino Hills is a Los Angeles suburb located in the southwestern corner of San Bernardino County, California, United States. The city borders Los Angeles County on its northwest side, Orange County to its south, and Riverside County to its southeast...
.
History
The band was originally formed in early 2003 by former members Joel Holt and Aaron Peck. They self-released their debut, Silence is Golden EPSilence is Golden EP
Silence is Golden EP is A Thorn for Every Heart's first EP. It consist of either seven or six tracks, depending on what version EP it is...
, in late 2003 under the original line-up consisting of members Kelvin Cruz (vox), Jeff Harber (guitar, keys, vox), Joel Holt (guitar), Aaron Peck (drums), Justin Powell (bass), and Joy Welling (violin). The EP gained them internet exposure and created an underground following. Due to musical differences, Joel Holt (original guitarist/band founder) and ATFEH parted ways near the end of 2003. The second guitar position was then filled by Phil Nguyen. In 2004, during the band's first nationwide tour in support of the EP, Joy Welling (violinist) also parted ways with the band due to personal differences. The band never added another violinist. Their first full-length album, Things Aren't So Beautiful Now
Things Aren't So Beautiful Now
Things Aren't So Beautiful Now is A Thorn for Every Heart's first full length album. It consists of ten tracks. "A Night To Remember, A Morning To Forget," "Next Of Kin," "Streetcar," "Summer So Bleak," and "Pretty When You Cry" were remixed from their EP, Silence is Golden.The cover features the...
, was released on October 19, 2004 through Kickball Records, a small subsidiary of Interscope. The band recorded the album in summer 2004 with producer Shawn Sullivan (Bleeding Through
Bleeding Through
Bleeding Through is an American metalcore band from Orange County, California. Formed in 1999, the band blends influences stemming from modern hardcore punk, symphonic black metal, and melodic death metal...
, Reel Big Fish
Reel Big Fish
Reel Big Fish is an American ska punk band from Huntington Beach, California, best known for the 1997 hit "Sell Out". The band gained mainstream recognition in the mid-to-late 1990s, during the third wave of ska with the release of the gold certified album Turn the Radio Off. Soon after, the band...
). After recording the album, Aaron Peck separated from the band, due to ongoing creative differences and financial disputes. To this day, he still owns the trademark, "A Thorn For Every Heart".
ATFEH has since toured the country many times over, swapping drummers all the while, including a headlining tour in March 2006 sponsored by Purevolume
PureVolume
PureVolume was the first independently run website of its type, allowing for the upload and stream of music files. It was created in 2003 by Jennifer Welch , in conjunction with the Unborn Media team; Brett Woitunski, Nate Hudson, and Mitchell Pavao; all from the University of...
.com. Openers included Hit The Lights, Boys Like Girls
Boys Like Girls
Boys Like Girls is an American rock band from Massachusetts. Formed in 2005, the group gained mainstream recognition when it released its self-titled debut album. Boys Like Girls was the co-headliner with Good Charlotte for the Soundtrack of Your Summer Tour 2008 that toured across the United...
, Keating
Keating
-Places:Several places in the US:* Keating Township, Potter County, Pennsylvania* Keating Township, McKean County, Pennsylvania* East Keating Township, Pennsylvania* West Keating Township, Pennsylvania* Keating, Oregon-Miscellaneous:...
, and Drive By
Drive By
Drive By is a New Jersey based music group that has been touring nationally and internationally since 2004 after the release of their debut album I Hate Every Day Without You Kid... After three years of touring in support of the album, they released a new record, title A Delicate Situation, on...
. They also toured with such bands as Jimmy Eat World
Jimmy Eat World
Jimmy Eat World is an American alternative rock band from Mesa, Arizona, that formed in 1993. The band is composed of lead vocalist and guitarist Jim Adkins, guitarist and backing vocalist Tom Linton, bassist Rick Burch and drummer Zach Lind....
, Head Automatica
Head Automatica
Head Automatica is a Dance Rock band, formed by Glassjaw frontman Daryl Palumbo with Jarvis Holden, formerly of Give Up the Ghost or American Nightmare, Jim Greer, and Brandon Arnovick.-History:...
, Taking Back Sunday
Taking Back Sunday
Taking Back Sunday is a rock band from Long Island, NY, formed in 1999 by guitarist Eddie Reyes. Current members of the band are Adam Lazzara , John Nolan , Eddie Reyes , Shaun Cooper and Mark O'Connell ....
, Emery (band)
Emery (band)
Emery is an American four-piece post-hardcore band from Rock Hill, South Carolina currently signed to both Tooth & Nail Records and Solid State Records and based in Seattle, Washington. Emery was founded in Rock Hill, South Carolina with the original lineup consisting of Toby Morrell, Devin...
, Boys Night Out (band)
Boys Night Out (band)
Boys Night Out is a Canadian emo/post-hardcore band from Burlington, Ontario.-Career:The band formed in a 2001 when lead vocalist Connor Lovat-Fraser and current guitarist Jeff Davis started collaborating on . The work eventually led to the four-song You Are My Canvas demo, an EP influenced by...
, My American Heart
My American Heart
My American Heart was a rock band from San Diego, California. The band's original name was No Way Out, which consisted of Larry Soliman on vocals, Jesse Barrera on bass guitar, Clint Delgado and Jeremy Mendez on guitar, and Steven Oira on Drums...
, The Receiving End of Sirens
The Receiving End of Sirens
The Receiving End of Sirens is a rock band from Boston, Massachusetts, formed in 2003.-Overview:The band played on the 2005 Warped Tour and has toured with such acts as Gatsbys American Dream, A Wilhelm Scream, 30 Seconds to Mars, Funeral for a Friend, Saves the Day, Senses Fail, Thrice, and New...
, and more. They played many festivals, such as Surf & Skate (2004), The Bamboozle
The Bamboozle
The Bamboozle is an annual rain-or-shine, three-day music festival held in New Jersey. Every year, new bands compete for spots during the two days. The event evolved out of the Skate and Surf Festival.- The Characters:...
(2005), Bamboozle Left (2006), and two years of The Vans Warped Tour
Warped Tour
The Warped Tour is a touring music and extreme sports festival. The tour is held in venues such as parking lots or fields upon which the stages and other structures are erected. The BMX/skateboarding shoe manufacturer Vans, among others, has sponsored the tour every year since 1995, and it is...
(2004, 2005). In 2005, they self-recorded (via their bassist and notable producer Justin Powell) two notable cover songs for major compilation releases. These are the only recordings to feature then-drummer Matt Mallouk: Oingo Boingo
Oingo Boingo
Oingo Boingo was an American new wave band. They are best known for their influence on other musicians, their soundtrack contributions and their high energy Halloween concerts. The band was founded in 1972 as The Mystic Knights of the Oingo Boingo, a performance art group...
's "Dead Man's Party" for the Punk Goes 80's
Punk Goes 80's
Punk Goes 80s is part of the Punk Goes... compilation series created by Fearless Records, featuring cover versions of songs from the 1980s. It was released on June 7, 2005.-Track listing:...
compilation, and "Jellybelly" for The Killer in You: A Tribute to Smashing Pumpkins
The Killer in You: A Tribute to Smashing Pumpkins
The Killer In You: A Tribute to Smashing Pumpkins is a 2005 tribute album, featuring a variety of artists covering songs from the American alternative rock band Smashing Pumpkins.-Track listing:#"Cherub Rock" by Roses Are Red - 5:04...
. Tyler Mahurin was added as drummer in 2005.
Their second full-length album, It's Hard to Move You
It's Hard to Move You
It's Hard to Move You is the second album by A Thorn for Every Heart. The band began recording in late 2005/early 2006 with producer Matt Squire . They initially claimed to be done recording in January 2006 with a summer 2006 release date, but they then decided to return to the studio to work...
, was set to be released on July 31, 2007. It was recorded with record producer Matt Squire
Matt Squire
Matt Squire is an American multi-platinum music producer and writer. He has produced, engineered, or written tracks for One Direction, 3OH!3, Good Charlotte, New Boyz, Selena Gomez, David Archuleta, Taking Back Sunday, HIM, The Used, All Time Low, Panic! at the Disco, Boys Like Girls, The Cab,...
. Later, due to the demand of their label Interscope, they returned to the studio with Mark Hoppus
Mark Hoppus
Mark Allan Hoppus is an American musician, record producer, and television host. He is the bass guitarist and one of the two lead vocalists of the pop punk band Blink-182, as well as the bass guitarist and lead vocalist of the alternative rock band +44. He is a co-founder of both bands...
. They recorded 2 songs that completed the record. The song "You're the One," although never released, gained a lot of popularity on Youtube. "You're the One" was also rumored to be a part of 3rd installment of the Shrek series, but sadly later another song was used. "It's Hard to Move You" leaked in its entirety on June 1, 2007. However, their record label, Kickball Records, was closed by its parent company Interscope Records. The record was shelved, and ATFEH was dropped from the label. The band is currently in discussion with Interscope regarding the rights to the recordings.
After their troubles with their label and record, tension in the band led to the departure of Jeff Harber (original guitarist, pianist, vocalist), and Tyler Mahurin (drummer at the time) who is currently the drummer of A Static Lullaby
A Static Lullaby
-Early years and formation :A Static Lullaby came together after a casual high school jam session that led its members to quit their existing bands and come together as one. Formed in 2001 in Chino Hills, CA, the group began with singer Joe Brown, bassist Phil Pirrone, drummer Brett Dinovo, and...
. They were replaced by Casey Hill and Matt Thorsen.
Their second self-released EP, Pick Up The Pieces EP
Pick Up The Pieces EP
Pick Up the Pieces EP is the second EP recorded by A Thorn for Every Heart.-Track listing:# "Pick Up the Pieces" - 3:43# "Bitter Party of One" - 3:48# "Better than Me, Better than Love" - 4:45# "Born to Bleed" - 4:20# "Light This Fire" - 3:20...
was released on July 1, 2008.
In early 2009, bassist Justin Powell announced that he, too, would be leaving the band, and Ryan Warrell served as the bassist for the last months of the band. Kelvin Cruz, the last member to be added to the original line-up, also became the last original member at the band's end. On March 20, 2009, the band posted a blog on their MySpace saying that they are going on an indefinite hiatus.
Kelvin Cruz and Justin Powell are now both in electro/pop/rock group Come On, Come On!
Jeff Harber has joined The Honesty.
Band members
- Kelvin Cruz – lead vocals
- Phil Nguyen – guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
s/vocalsBacking vocalistA backing vocalist or backing singer is a singer who provides vocal harmony with the lead vocalist or other backing vocalists... - Casey Hill – guitars/vocals
- Ryan Warrell – bassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
- Matt Thorsen – drums
Discography
| Title | Release Date | Label |
|---|---|---|
| Silence is Golden EP Silence is Golden EP Silence is Golden EP is A Thorn for Every Heart's first EP. It consist of either seven or six tracks, depending on what version EP it is... |
2003 | |
| Things Aren't So Beautiful Now Things Aren't So Beautiful Now Things Aren't So Beautiful Now is A Thorn for Every Heart's first full length album. It consists of ten tracks. "A Night To Remember, A Morning To Forget," "Next Of Kin," "Streetcar," "Summer So Bleak," and "Pretty When You Cry" were remixed from their EP, Silence is Golden.The cover features the... |
2004 | Kickball Records |
| It's Hard to Move You It's Hard to Move You It's Hard to Move You is the second album by A Thorn for Every Heart. The band began recording in late 2005/early 2006 with producer Matt Squire . They initially claimed to be done recording in January 2006 with a summer 2006 release date, but they then decided to return to the studio to work... |
2007 | Kickball/Interscope Records |
| Pick Up The Pieces EP Pick Up The Pieces EP Pick Up the Pieces EP is the second EP recorded by A Thorn for Every Heart.-Track listing:# "Pick Up the Pieces" - 3:43# "Bitter Party of One" - 3:48# "Better than Me, Better than Love" - 4:45# "Born to Bleed" - 4:20# "Light This Fire" - 3:20... |
2008 |
Other works
ATFEH has been featured on a few compilations. Compilation tracks include:- A cover of Oingo BoingoOingo BoingoOingo Boingo was an American new wave band. They are best known for their influence on other musicians, their soundtrack contributions and their high energy Halloween concerts. The band was founded in 1972 as The Mystic Knights of the Oingo Boingo, a performance art group...
's "Dead Man's Party" on Punk Goes 80'sPunk Goes 80'sPunk Goes 80s is part of the Punk Goes... compilation series created by Fearless Records, featuring cover versions of songs from the 1980s. It was released on June 7, 2005.-Track listing:... - A cover of "Jelly Belly" on The Killer In You – a Smashing Pumpkins tribute album
- An acoustic version of their song "February" on Punk The Clock Volume 2
External links
- A Thorn for Every Heart on MySpace.com
- A Thorn for Every Heart on Purevolume
- Apar, Corey "[ A Thorn for Every Heart Biography]", Allmusic, Macrovision Corporation