Abandon Kansas
Encyclopedia
Abandon Kansas is an American
Alternative Rock
band. As the name suggests, the band originates from Wichita
, Kansas
. The band is currently on tour to promote their new album, Ad Astra per Aspera
, which was released on Gotee Records
in 2011.
. The origins of the band's name is a play on the words
A band in Kansas. Abandon Kansas released their first EP
independently in 2005. It was self-titled and received little recognition. Since then, Abandon Kansas has slowly gained recognition in the Christian music
market, achieving recognition by radio vehicles such as RadioU, video vehicles such as TVU
, and music review websites such as Jesus Freak Hideout
and Indie Vision Music. Gaining attention from local, independent, and few national venues, Abandon Kansas continued releasing records. 3 EPs and 1 full-length album were released from 2006-2009.
, a diverse record label founded by Christian pop legend, TobyMac
. In the months proceeding, Abandon Kansas released one project. Their debut EP
on Gotee Records
, We're All Going Somewhere, was released on September 8, 2009. It contained no tracks that would be repeated on their proceeding full-length release, Ad Astra per Aspera
. The song, "Months and Years," listed as track 5, was placed in regular rotation by RadioU, a national radio vehicle broadcasting from Ohio
and California
as well as from repeaters across the United States
.
one month before releasing their debut album on Gotee Records
. Abandon Kansas was released on February 8, 2011 and contained four songs (including 2 repeats from their 2009 release) and 2 videos. Ad Astra per Aspera
was released on March 8, 2011 and contained 2 repeats from their 2011 EP. Abandon Kansas is currently on tour to promote their full-length release. "Heaven Come My Way," listed as track 1, is currently in rotation on RadioU.
and Hyland
. In early 2011, they had toured with Swimming with Dolphins
, as well as Mike Mains and the Branches and From Indian Lakes on the first leg of the Ad Astra Per Aspera Record Release Tour. On the second leg of the tour, the performed with Showbread
, Quiet Science, and The Wedding
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Alternative Rock
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...
band. As the name suggests, the band originates from Wichita
Wichita, Kansas
Wichita is the largest city in the U.S. state of Kansas.As of the 2010 census, the city population was 382,368. Located in south-central Kansas on the Arkansas River, Wichita is the county seat of Sedgwick County and the principal city of the Wichita metropolitan area...
, Kansas
Kansas
Kansas is a US state located in the Midwestern United States. It is named after the Kansas River which flows through it, which in turn was named after the Kansa Native American tribe, which inhabited the area. The tribe's name is often said to mean "people of the wind" or "people of the south...
. The band is currently on tour to promote their new album, Ad Astra per Aspera
Ad Astra per Aspera (album)
- External links :* *...
, which was released on Gotee Records
Gotee Records
Gotee Records is a record label founded by dc Talk member Toby McKeehan , Todd Collins, and Joey Elwood...
in 2011.
Formation (2005-2008)
Abandon Kansas formed in 2005 in Wichita, KansasWichita, Kansas
Wichita is the largest city in the U.S. state of Kansas.As of the 2010 census, the city population was 382,368. Located in south-central Kansas on the Arkansas River, Wichita is the county seat of Sedgwick County and the principal city of the Wichita metropolitan area...
. The origins of the band's name is a play on the words
Word play
Word play or wordplay is a literary technique in which the words that are used become the main subject of the work, primarily for the purpose of intended effect or amusement...
A band in Kansas. Abandon Kansas released their first EP
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
independently in 2005. It was self-titled and received little recognition. Since then, Abandon Kansas has slowly gained recognition in the Christian music
Christian music
Christian music is music that has been written to express either personal or a communal belief regarding Christian life and faith. Common themes of Christian music include praise, worship, penitence, and lament, and its forms vary widely across the world....
market, achieving recognition by radio vehicles such as RadioU, video vehicles such as TVU
TVU Music channel
TVU Music Television is a commercial-free, Christian rock television network which broadcasts through the Internet, Sky Angel and KTV. TVU began in 2001, and is owned and operated by Spirit Communications Incorporated, and is a fully non-profit, listener-supported station...
, and music review websites such as Jesus Freak Hideout
Jesus Freak Hideout
Jesus Freak Hideout is a Christian music website. The website specializes in reviewing, previewing, and selling Christian albums. The website is known for its album reviews, independent music, artist interviews, concert dates and ministry through devotionals and prayer...
and Indie Vision Music. Gaining attention from local, independent, and few national venues, Abandon Kansas continued releasing records. 3 EPs and 1 full-length album were released from 2006-2009.
Record deal (2009-2010)
In 2009, Abandon Kansas signed with Gotee RecordsGotee Records
Gotee Records is a record label founded by dc Talk member Toby McKeehan , Todd Collins, and Joey Elwood...
, a diverse record label founded by Christian pop legend, TobyMac
TobyMac
Toby McKeehan , better known by his stage name TobyMac , is a Christian recording artist, music producer, hip-hop/pop artist, singer-songwriter, and author....
. In the months proceeding, Abandon Kansas released one project. Their debut EP
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
on Gotee Records
Gotee Records
Gotee Records is a record label founded by dc Talk member Toby McKeehan , Todd Collins, and Joey Elwood...
, We're All Going Somewhere, was released on September 8, 2009. It contained no tracks that would be repeated on their proceeding full-length release, Ad Astra per Aspera
Ad Astra per Aspera (album)
- External links :* *...
. The song, "Months and Years," listed as track 5, was placed in regular rotation by RadioU, a national radio vehicle broadcasting from Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
and California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
as well as from repeaters across the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
Full-length release (2011)
In 2011, Abandon Kansas released a second self-titled EPExtended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
one month before releasing their debut album on Gotee Records
Gotee Records
Gotee Records is a record label founded by dc Talk member Toby McKeehan , Todd Collins, and Joey Elwood...
. Abandon Kansas was released on February 8, 2011 and contained four songs (including 2 repeats from their 2009 release) and 2 videos. Ad Astra per Aspera
Ad Astra per Aspera (album)
- External links :* *...
was released on March 8, 2011 and contained 2 repeats from their 2011 EP. Abandon Kansas is currently on tour to promote their full-length release. "Heaven Come My Way," listed as track 1, is currently in rotation on RadioU.
National tours (2011-present)
Abandon Kansas performed on the "Mother, May I?" tour with WavorlyWavorly
-History:Wavorly formed in 2001 under the name Freshmen 15, and independently released two albums under this name. The group changed its name after signing to Flicker Records because they "didn't want to be thirty years old and be like, 'I'm in "Freshmen 15". I have three kids.'" The name Wavorly...
and Hyland
Hyland (band)
Hyland is an American Christian rock band originating from Minneapolis, Minnesota. The band released two EPs independently before signing to Tooth & Nail Records on October 25, 2010. Their debut album was released on Tooth & Nail on May 3, 2011....
. In early 2011, they had toured with Swimming with Dolphins
Swimming With Dolphins
Swimming with Dolphins is a synthpop band from Minnesota, US. It was formed in 2008 by Austin Tofte and Adam Young, of Owl City. After gaining considerable mainstream popularity, Adam Young left the band to focus on Owl City. The band released one EP, called Ambient Blue. Since Young left the...
, as well as Mike Mains and the Branches and From Indian Lakes on the first leg of the Ad Astra Per Aspera Record Release Tour. On the second leg of the tour, the performed with Showbread
Showbread
Showbread , in the King James Version: shewbread, in a biblical or Jewish context, refers to the cakes or loaves of bread which were always present on a specially dedicated table, in the Temple in Jerusalem as an offering to God...
, Quiet Science, and The Wedding
The Wedding (band)
The Wedding is a Christian band from Fayetteville, Arkansas. Musically, The Wedding fuses elements of Christian punk, Christian rock, Alternative Contemporary Christian, pop punk, ska, piano rock, and post-hardcore with their pop rock base...
.
Current members
- Jeremy Spring - lead vocalsLead vocalistThe lead vocalist is the member of a band who sings the main vocal portions of a song. They may also play one or more instruments. Lead vocalists are sometimes referred to as the frontman or frontwoman, and as such, are usually considered to be the "leader" of the groups they perform in, often the...
, guitarElectric guitarAn electric guitar is a guitar that uses the principle of direct electromagnetic induction to convert vibrations of its metal strings into electric audio signals. The signal generated by an electric guitar is too weak to drive a loudspeaker, so it is amplified before sending it to a loudspeaker... - Brad Foster - guitarElectric guitarAn electric guitar is a guitar that uses the principle of direct electromagnetic induction to convert vibrations of its metal strings into electric audio signals. The signal generated by an electric guitar is too weak to drive a loudspeaker, so it is amplified before sending it to a loudspeaker...
- Brian Scheideman - drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
Former members
- Brian Nixon - keysKeyboard instrumentA keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
, backing vocalsBacking vocalistA backing vocalist or backing singer is a singer who provides vocal harmony with the lead vocalist or other backing vocalists... - Chris Martin - bassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
- Brad Regier - drumDrumThe drum is a member of the percussion group of musical instruments, which is technically classified as the membranophones. Drums consist of at least one membrane, called a drumhead or drum skin, that is stretched over a shell and struck, either directly with the player's hands, or with a...
s - Nick Patrick - bassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
- Chet Kueffer - bassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
Studio albums
| Released | Title | Label(s) Record label In the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. Most commonly, a record label is the company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the production, manufacture, distribution, marketing and promotion,... |
|---|---|---|
| December 2007 | You Build a Wall, I'll Build a Ladder | (independent) |
| March 8, 2011 | Ad Astra per Aspera Ad Astra per Aspera (album) - External links :* *... |
Gotee Records Gotee Records Gotee Records is a record label founded by dc Talk member Toby McKeehan , Todd Collins, and Joey Elwood... |
Studio EPs
| Released | Title | Label(s) Record label In the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. Most commonly, a record label is the company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the production, manufacture, distribution, marketing and promotion,... |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Abandon Kansas | (independent) |
| 2006 | Exactly What We Needed | (independent) |
| 2007 | Minutes | (independent) |
| January 6, 2009 | The Earth Falls Asleep (Acoustic EP) | (independent) |
| September 8, 2009 | We're All Going Somewhere | Gotee Records Gotee Records Gotee Records is a record label founded by dc Talk member Toby McKeehan , Todd Collins, and Joey Elwood... |
| February 8, 2011 | Abandon Kansas | Gotee Records Gotee Records Gotee Records is a record label founded by dc Talk member Toby McKeehan , Todd Collins, and Joey Elwood... |