Avalon Drive
Encyclopedia
Avalon Drive was an Australian rock
band from Brisbane, Queensland, formed in 2005. The band was composed of vocalist Damion Page, guitarist and backing vocalist Shane O'Keeffe, bassist Ryan Kennedy and drummer Shane Holmes.
Avalon Drive released three EPs
in their three years as a band. The band split before releasing what was an anticipated debut album.
and Nova FM
.
2006 was undoubtedly a big year for Brisbane rockers, Avalon Drive, who toured the country several times over with The Veronicas
, INXS
, The All-American Rejects
, Yellowcard
, Houston Calls
and Matchbook Romance
, as well as headlining three of their own tours, a performance on Rove Live
and the release of the band's second EP The City of Burnt Out Lights.
In 2006, the band's rise was imminent when they released follow up EP The City of Burnt Out Lights which again spawned two singles, including radio favourite "Get Up", which the band went on to perform nationally as Rove Live
s house band and guest performance on Toasted TV
, both on Network Ten
.
In March 2006, Avalon Drive played with Yellowcard
on their Australian tour, playing to a crowd of over 3000 at the Sydney Luna Park
Big Top. At this event, the band had to cut its set short after fans broke the barrier, forcing the next band Houston Calls
to not perform. Avalon Drive has a wide-ranged fan base and is well known for its energetic live shows and festivals.
and also joined Fall out Boy
on their Australian tour, as their single "Make Your Move" debuted on radio nationally and was released commercially as a digital single on 21 May 2007. Lead vocalist Damion Page cited the track as "a very small taste of what is to come."
"Make Your Move" was produced by Melbourne producer, Forrester Savell, best known for his production on The Butterfly Effect
's Imago (which reached #2 in Australia), Human Nature
's Reach Out
and Dancing in the Streets
(both Australian #1 albums), and Karnivool
's Themata
. "We all have very different ideas when it comes to writing so working with Forester really helped bring all that together," said Damion.
Avalon Drive released their brand new single "Make Your Move" nationally on 21 May 2007, as a taste of the debut album that is to come.
"Make Your Move" is "an energetic rock song full of mood lifting spirit," says Drummer Shane Holmes who notes the latest [March 2007] arena shows with Fall Out Boy as the highlight of his musical career to date. "Musically it's a bit of a journey," adds Damion. "Lyrically it's about decision-making, it is about change and procrastination."
In November 2008, Avalon Drive released a statement mid-tour saying the band had separated due to "irreconcilable differences". The news came following the release of the band's third EP, The View from Afar.
In 2010, Avalon Drive members Damion Page, Wil Morris and Shane Holmes announced the band's return for a one-off reunion show at The Hi-Fi Bar in Brisbane. It is unknown if the band will continue after this show.
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
band from Brisbane, Queensland, formed in 2005. The band was composed of vocalist Damion Page, guitarist and backing vocalist Shane O'Keeffe, bassist Ryan Kennedy and drummer Shane Holmes.
Avalon Drive released three EPs
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...
in their three years as a band. The band split before releasing what was an anticipated debut album.
History
Forming in 2005 under the guise of Avalon Drive—Damion Page (vocals), Wil Morris (guitar/backing vocals), Ryan Kennedy (bass), Shane Holmes (drums) and BJ Dillewaard (keyboards)—the band released their debut self-titled EP independently which spawned two singles including "This Simple Life" and fan-favorite "Outside Alone", receiving high rotation on both Channel VChannel V
Channel [V] is the brand name for multiple international music television networks owned by STAR TV and Fox International Channels, fully owned subsidiaries of News Corporation.-Channel [V] International:...
and Nova FM
Nova 106.9
Nova 106.9 is a commercial radio station operating in Brisbane, Australia, owned by the DMG Radio Network. DMG Radio purchased the Brisbane FM licence for $80 million in April 2004 to complete their national network of Nova stations...
.
2006 was undoubtedly a big year for Brisbane rockers, Avalon Drive, who toured the country several times over with The Veronicas
The Veronicas
The Veronicas are an Australian electrorock, pop-punk and rock band. Twin sisters Jessica and Lisa Origliasso formed the band in 1999 in Brisbane. They have their own line of clothing which was released in 2007....
, INXS
INXS
INXS are an Australian rock band, formed as The Farriss Brothers in 1977 in Sydney, New South Wales. Mainstays are Garry Gary Beers on bass guitar, Andrew Farriss on guitar/keyboards, Jon Farriss on drums, Tim Farriss on lead guitar and Kirk Pengilly on guitar/sax...
, The All-American Rejects
The All-American Rejects
The All-American Rejects are an American rock band formed in Stillwater, Oklahoma in 1999. The band consists of lead vocalist and bass guitarist Tyson Ritter, lead guitarist, Nick Wheeler, rhythm guitarist, Mike Kennerty, and drummer Chris Gaylor....
, Yellowcard
Yellowcard
Yellowcard is an American pop punk/alternative rock band formed in Jacksonville, Florida in 1997, and based in Los Angeles, California since 2000. Their music features the use of a violin, unusual for the genre...
, Houston Calls
Houston Calls
Houston Calls was an American power pop/punk band, based in Rockaway, New Jersey. They formed in 2003 and were signed to Drive-Thru Records. On June 9, 2009 they announced their official breakup.-Formation :...
and Matchbook Romance
Matchbook Romance
Matchbook Romance was an American rock band from Poughkeepsie, New York and was formed in 1997.were signed to Epitaph Records. They released two full length albums and one EP...
, as well as headlining three of their own tours, a performance on Rove Live
Rove Live
Rove, formerly Rove Live, was an Australian television talk show which premiered on the Nine Network on 22 September 1999, before moving to Network Ten which aired the program from 2000 until November, 2009. The show was hosted by comedian Rove McManus, and featured an ensemble cast, who presented...
and the release of the band's second EP The City of Burnt Out Lights.
In 2006, the band's rise was imminent when they released follow up EP The City of Burnt Out Lights which again spawned two singles, including radio favourite "Get Up", which the band went on to perform nationally as Rove Live
Rove Live
Rove, formerly Rove Live, was an Australian television talk show which premiered on the Nine Network on 22 September 1999, before moving to Network Ten which aired the program from 2000 until November, 2009. The show was hosted by comedian Rove McManus, and featured an ensemble cast, who presented...
s house band and guest performance on Toasted TV
Toasted TV
Toasted TV is the successor to the children's television program Cheez TV, and airs Monday to Saturday on Australia's Network Ten. The show is hosted by Kellyn Morris and Seamus Evans...
, both on Network Ten
Network Ten
Network Ten , is one of Australia's three major commercial television networks. Owned-and-operated stations can be found in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth, while affiliates extend the network to cover most of the country...
.
In March 2006, Avalon Drive played with Yellowcard
Yellowcard
Yellowcard is an American pop punk/alternative rock band formed in Jacksonville, Florida in 1997, and based in Los Angeles, California since 2000. Their music features the use of a violin, unusual for the genre...
on their Australian tour, playing to a crowd of over 3000 at the Sydney Luna Park
Luna Park Sydney
Luna Park Sydney is an amusement park, in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia...
Big Top. At this event, the band had to cut its set short after fans broke the barrier, forcing the next band Houston Calls
Houston Calls
Houston Calls was an American power pop/punk band, based in Rockaway, New Jersey. They formed in 2003 and were signed to Drive-Thru Records. On June 9, 2009 they announced their official breakup.-Formation :...
to not perform. Avalon Drive has a wide-ranged fan base and is well known for its energetic live shows and festivals.
"Make Your Move"
The five-piece started the year playing with HoobastankHoobastank
Hoobastank is an American rock band, best known for their 2004 hit "The Reason" and other hits "Crawling in the Dark" and "Running Away". They formed in 1994 in Agoura Hills, California, with singer Doug Robb, guitarist Dan Estrin, drummer Chris Hesse, and original bassist Markku Lappalainen. They...
and also joined Fall out Boy
Fall Out Boy
Fall Out Boy is an American rock band from Wilmette, Illinois, formed in 2001. The band consists of vocalist, guitarist and composer Patrick Stump, bassist and lyricist Pete Wentz, guitarist Joe Trohman, and drummer Andy Hurley. The band released five studio albums from 2003–2008...
on their Australian tour, as their single "Make Your Move" debuted on radio nationally and was released commercially as a digital single on 21 May 2007. Lead vocalist Damion Page cited the track as "a very small taste of what is to come."
"Make Your Move" was produced by Melbourne producer, Forrester Savell, best known for his production on The Butterfly Effect
The Butterfly Effect (band)
The Butterfly Effect are an alternative metal band from Brisbane, Australia, formed in 1999. The band consists of Clint Boge , Ben Hall , Glenn Esmond and Kurt "Puddles" Goedhart . Their debut album received high rotation play on influential radio station Triple J.-The Butterfly Effect EP:The band...
's Imago (which reached #2 in Australia), Human Nature
Human Nature (band)
Human Nature are an Australian pop vocal group. The group was originally formed as a doo-wop band in 1989 while the current members were at school together in Sydney. So far, the band has had 17 Top 40 hits and five Top 10 hits in Australia since 1996 when their first album Telling Everybody was...
's Reach Out
Reach Out: The Motown Record
Reach Out: The Motown Record is Human Nature's fifth album. It debuted at number #6 on the Australian ARIA Album Chart but worked its way up to #1. On the album, the band perform their own renditions of eleven soul music classics...
and Dancing in the Streets
Dancing in the Street: the Songs of Motown II
Dancing In The Street: The Songs Of Motown II is the sixth album by Australian pop vocal group Human Nature and second Motown covers release...
(both Australian #1 albums), and Karnivool
Karnivool
Karnivool are an Australian progressive rock band formed in Perth in 1997. The group currently consists of Ian Kenny on vocals, Drew Goddard and Mark Hosking on guitar, Jon Stockman on bass guitar, and Steve Judd on drums. Karnivool emerged from a band Kenny and Goddard formed during high school...
's Themata
Themata
Themata is the debut full-length album by the Australian progressive rock band Karnivool. The album was released independently on 7 February 2005, and was distributed via MGM Distribution. The album was released in the United States on 10 April 2007 via Bieler Bros...
. "We all have very different ideas when it comes to writing so working with Forester really helped bring all that together," said Damion.
Avalon Drive released their brand new single "Make Your Move" nationally on 21 May 2007, as a taste of the debut album that is to come.
"Make Your Move" is "an energetic rock song full of mood lifting spirit," says Drummer Shane Holmes who notes the latest [March 2007] arena shows with Fall Out Boy as the highlight of his musical career to date. "Musically it's a bit of a journey," adds Damion. "Lyrically it's about decision-making, it is about change and procrastination."
Change of members
In August 2007, Avalon Drive announced that guitarist Wil Morris was leaving the band for personal reasons. Wil was replaced with former St Lucia singer Shane O'Keeffe, who plays guitar and does the backing vocals for Avalon Drive. BJ Dillewaard also departed the band in early 2008.Signing to Sony BMG
After two months and three rounds in the first Tooheys Extra Dry uncharTED competition of 2008, Brisbane rockers Avalon Drive beat Sydney band The Glass Ceiling to win a record deal with Sony BMG and the chance to make it big.Unreleased album and band breakup
In the approach to the end of 2007 there was no rest for the boys as they were tucked away writing for their highly anticipated debut album. "We don't care how long this process takes" said vocalist Damion Page. "We are all very different and all want individual things inside our music so putting a time limit on that is not something we are wanting to do. We have had to get over some pretty huge obstacles this year (2007) and the future is looking so good for us. So, until then".In November 2008, Avalon Drive released a statement mid-tour saying the band had separated due to "irreconcilable differences". The news came following the release of the band's third EP, The View from Afar.
In 2010, Avalon Drive members Damion Page, Wil Morris and Shane Holmes announced the band's return for a one-off reunion show at The Hi-Fi Bar in Brisbane. It is unknown if the band will continue after this show.
Band members
- Damion Page – vocals
- Wil Morris – guitar/backing vocals
- Ryan Kennedy – bass
- Shane Holmes – drums/samples
Supported
- AnberlinAnberlinAnberlin is an American rock band formed in Winter Haven, Florida in 2002. Since the beginning of 2007, the band has consisted of lead vocalist Stephen Christian, guitarists Joseph Milligan and Christian McAlhaney, bassist Deon Rexroat, and drummer Nathan Young.Members of Anberlin originally formed...
(July 2005) - RufioRufio-History:Rufio was formed when bassist Jon Berry was a freshman in college and the other three members, Scott Sellers, Mike Jimenez, and Clark Domae were in their senior year of high school. Sellers and Domae had been acquainted for some time and found a shared talent in the guitar. Sellers met...
(July 2005) - Crowned King (July 2005)
- YellowcardYellowcardYellowcard is an American pop punk/alternative rock band formed in Jacksonville, Florida in 1997, and based in Los Angeles, California since 2000. Their music features the use of a violin, unusual for the genre...
(March 2006) - Houston CallsHouston CallsHouston Calls was an American power pop/punk band, based in Rockaway, New Jersey. They formed in 2003 and were signed to Drive-Thru Records. On June 9, 2009 they announced their official breakup.-Formation :...
(March 2006) - Matchbook RomanceMatchbook RomanceMatchbook Romance was an American rock band from Poughkeepsie, New York and was formed in 1997.were signed to Epitaph Records. They released two full length albums and one EP...
(May 2006) - The VeronicasThe VeronicasThe Veronicas are an Australian electrorock, pop-punk and rock band. Twin sisters Jessica and Lisa Origliasso formed the band in 1999 in Brisbane. They have their own line of clothing which was released in 2007....
(August 2006) - The All-American RejectsThe All-American RejectsThe All-American Rejects are an American rock band formed in Stillwater, Oklahoma in 1999. The band consists of lead vocalist and bass guitarist Tyson Ritter, lead guitarist, Nick Wheeler, rhythm guitarist, Mike Kennerty, and drummer Chris Gaylor....
(August 2006) - INXSINXSINXS are an Australian rock band, formed as The Farriss Brothers in 1977 in Sydney, New South Wales. Mainstays are Garry Gary Beers on bass guitar, Andrew Farriss on guitar/keyboards, Jon Farriss on drums, Tim Farriss on lead guitar and Kirk Pengilly on guitar/sax...
(September 2006) - HoobastankHoobastankHoobastank is an American rock band, best known for their 2004 hit "The Reason" and other hits "Crawling in the Dark" and "Running Away". They formed in 1994 in Agoura Hills, California, with singer Doug Robb, guitarist Dan Estrin, drummer Chris Hesse, and original bassist Markku Lappalainen. They...
(February 2007) - Fall Out Boy (March 2007)
Headlining
- The Get Up Tour w/Angelas DishAngelas DishAngelas Dish is an Australian indie pop band from the Central Coast of New South Wales, formed in 2004. The four-piece currently consists of songwriting duo, brothers Michael and Joshua Harris, teamed up with bassist Peter Clarke and drummer Christopher Allison...
(June 2006) - Pictures Tour (Sep 2006)
- All Age Encore (October–December 2006)
- The View From Afar Tour (November–December 2008)
- The Residency Tour (2008)
Festivals
- Rapid (June 2005, 2006, 2008)
- Overcranked (March 2006)
- Ruckus (16 December 2006)
- Beats on the Beach (New Years Day, 2007)
- Come Together (June 2007)
- Brisbane Royal Show (Saturday, 9 August 2008)
TV appearances
- Rove Live (2006)
- Toasted TV (2006)
- ARIA Awards (2006)
- Channel 31 (2006)
- AAA TV (2007)
- The ShakThe ShakFor the 2009 Sequel/Spinoff Series See: The Shak At HomeThe Shak is an Australian children's television program broadcast on the Nine Network. Its four hosts, Curio , Nitro , Picasso and Eco answer viewer questions, queries, dares and challenges in an entertaining and educational manner...
(2007) - MTV UncharTED Showcase (2008)
- Mornings with Kerri-Anne (2008)
- WhatUWant (2008)
Avalon Drive
[self-titled EP/DVD] (2005)- "Several Minutes"
- "The Simple Life"
- "Outside Alone"
- "At War with Butterflies"
- "Several Minutes" (live acoustic)
- "Outside Alone" (live acoustic)
- "Avalon Drive" limited edition DVD
The City of Burnt Out Lights
[EP] (2006) – Valet Records- "Introduction"
- "Emptiness with Grace"
- "Get Up"
- "That Very Day"
- "Pictures"
- "Too Many Reasons"
The View from Afar
[EP] (2008) – Sony BMG- "Life Support"
- "The Truth"
- "Last One Standing"
- "Make Your Move"
Music videos
- "This Simple Life" (live, 2006)
- "Outside Alone" (2006)
- The Making of "Outside Alone" (2006)
- "Make Your Move" (2007)
- The Making of "Make Your Move" (2007)
- "Last One Standing" (2008)
- The Making of "Last One Standing" (2008)