Fair to Midland
Encyclopedia
Fair to Midland is an American
progressive metal
band that formed in 1998 and is based in Dallas, Texas. They are currently signed to E1 Music. According to the band's official website, their name comes from "...an old Texan play on the term 'fair to middling'." The band produced two self-released albums and one album and an EP under Serjical Strike. They have recently finished recording their fourth studio album entitled "Arrows & Anchors".
and Cliff Campbell, both of Sulphur Springs, Texas
. After their independent debut album in late 2001, The Carbon Copy Silver Lining
, original drummer Jason Pintler left the band and former percussionist Brett Stowers took over drums. For their second album, 2004's inter.funda.stifle
, keyboardist Matt Langley, who was a guest musician on "The Carbon Copy Silver Lining", joined the band. Though independently released, both albums were critically acclaimed, and the band toured extensively to promote the albums, becoming extremely popular in Dallas, Texas'
Deep Ellum
scene. In 2005, bassist Nathin Seals left the group and was replaced by another Sulphur Springs native, Jon Dicken. In 2009, inter.funda.stifle, was re-released through their online merchandise store.
Serj Tankian
, who in 2006 signed Fair to Midland to his label Serjical Strike. The Drawn and Quartered EP
was soon released on the label, featuring demo tracks from inter.funda.stifle, live recordings, and a mini-documentary titled "The Drawn and Quartered Kinescope", which included concert footage and interviews with the band. Fables From a Mayfly: What I Tell You Three Times Is True
, Fair to Midland's major label debut, was released in June 2007. For it, the band chose to re-record many of the songs from inter.funda.stifle which they felt could benefit from the bigger production values art-rock mega producer David Bottrill
brought to the table. Like their previous releases, Fables From a Mayfly garnered much critical attention and acclaim, and also helped widen their fanbase.
Live at Coachella 2007 the band performed a live improvisational version of their song "The Walls of Jericho
" featuring the guest vocals of Serj Tankian
. Through the first half of 2008, Fair to Midland toured the USA with acts including 10 years
, Chevelle
, Flyleaf
, Dir En Grey
, as well as several US and European dates with Serj Tankian
. They performed alongside acts such as Rage Against The Machine
, Queens of the Stone Age
, Smashing Pumpkins, and Muse
and at sister festivals Rock am Ring
and Rock im Park, two notable concert events, in both 2007 and 2008.
Fair to Midland were the winners of the Dallas Observer
Music Award in the Best Metal category for both 2007 and 2008.
. Bassist Jon Dicken was airlifted to the hospital as a precaution, but shortly released with no major harm. The members of the band were unharmed, but the crash, which included their van and trailer being flipped, left much of their gear destroyed. Four days later the band released a short video involving post-accident footage, entitled "FWIW" (standing for "For What It's Worth") which includes a short clip of a studio demo of a new song called "A Loophole in Limbo".
In more recent departures from the band, lead singer Darroh Sudderth over Facebook claims that "a new album is on the horizon."
Tracks considered for the record included "Musical Chairs", "Pour the Coal to 'er" (both recorded in demo form during the sessions for Fables from a Mayfly), "Rikki Tikki Tavi", "A Loophole in Limbo", "Bright Bulbs and Sharp Tools", "Uh-Oh", "Coppertank Island", "Amarillo Sleeps on My Pillow", "Golden Parachutes" and "The Greener Grass".
On November 8, 2010 it was announced that the band had signed a worldwide deal with E1 Music and that the album was scheduled to be released in the spring of 2011. The album will be produced by Joe Barresi
. The official pre-production started on November 15. On November 23 the band announced they were moving on to tracking drums, and the recording was announced to be done on December 19, and in a recent newsletter the band announced that Joe Barresi will mix the album during the first half of January, while the expected release is due in late Spring or early Summer. The band also stated it would be "the darkest and heaviest record" they have ever made.
On December 10, the band announced they have decided on the name of the new album, but did not disclose it. On March 4 it was announced to be "Arrows & Anchors". The record will be released on July 12, 2011, with a handful of special CD release parties being held. The first will be July 12 in Dallas, Texas at the Curtain Club.
On April 18, "Musical Chairs" was released as a single on iTunes
, with a music video announced to soon be following. In May, the studio version of "Amarillo Sleeps on My Pillow" was offered for free download on the band's website.
On June 9, a music video for "Musical Chairs" was released, featuring the band performing the single in beaten up house while destroying a grand piano. It is the first video by the band that has the members performing in it, as opposed to the "Dance of the Manatee" which was animated.
On October 26, it was announced that Jon Dicken had decided to leave the band. His last show was at the Rockin Rodeo in Denton, TX on October 24, 2011. As a result, the subsequent European/UK tour was cancelled as well.
On November 4, "Amarillo Sleeps on My Pillow" released as a single on iTunes, along with live versions of "Rikki Tikki Tavi" and "Uh-Oh."
On November 26, Brett Stowers announced that he had decided to leave the band.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
progressive metal
Progressive metal
Progressive metal is a subgenre of heavy metal originating in the United Kingdom and North America in the late 1980s...
band that formed in 1998 and is based in Dallas, Texas. They are currently signed to E1 Music. According to the band's official website, their name comes from "...an old Texan play on the term 'fair to middling'." The band produced two self-released albums and one album and an EP under Serjical Strike. They have recently finished recording their fourth studio album entitled "Arrows & Anchors".
Beginnings and independent releases
Fair to Midland was formed in 1998 by friends Andrew Darroh SudderthDarroh Sudderth
Andrew Darroh Sudderth is the lead singer for the alternative metal band Fair to Midland, from Sulphur Springs, Texas.- Beginnings :In 1998, Andrew formed Fair to Midland along with friends Cliff Campbell, Jason Pintler, and Nathan Seals...
and Cliff Campbell, both of Sulphur Springs, Texas
Sulphur Springs, Texas
Sulphur Springs is a city in Hopkins County, Texas, in the United States. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 14,551. It is the county seat of Hopkins County.-Geography:Sulphur Springs is located at ....
. After their independent debut album in late 2001, The Carbon Copy Silver Lining
The Carbon Copy Silver Lining
The Carbon Copy Silver Lining is the independent debut album of the Texas-based progressive rock band Fair to Midland. It was recorded in January 2001, but released a year later independently. The album is difficult to find and tends to be prized among Fair to Midland fans...
, original drummer Jason Pintler left the band and former percussionist Brett Stowers took over drums. For their second album, 2004's inter.funda.stifle
Inter.funda.stifle
-Personnel:Fair to Midland is * Darroh Sudderth — vocals* Clifford Campbell — guitars* Nathin Seals — bass* Brett Stowers — percussion* Matthew Langley — pianos, etc.Additional Musicians...
, keyboardist Matt Langley, who was a guest musician on "The Carbon Copy Silver Lining", joined the band. Though independently released, both albums were critically acclaimed, and the band toured extensively to promote the albums, becoming extremely popular in Dallas, Texas'
Dallas, Texas
Dallas is the third-largest city in Texas and the ninth-largest in the United States. The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex is the largest metropolitan area in the South and fourth-largest metropolitan area in the United States...
Deep Ellum
Deep Ellum
Deep Ellum is an arts and entertainment district near downtown in east Dallas, Texas . It lies directly east of the elevated I-45/US 75 freeway and extends to Exposition Avenue, connected to downtown by, from north to south, Pacific, Elm, Main, Commerce, and Canton streets...
scene. In 2005, bassist Nathin Seals left the group and was replaced by another Sulphur Springs native, Jon Dicken. In 2009, inter.funda.stifle, was re-released through their online merchandise store.
Serjical Strike
inter.funda.stifle and Fair to Midland's lively concerts attracted the attention of System of a Down'sSystem of a Down
System of a Down, also known by the acronym SOAD and often shortened to System, is a rock band from Southern California. The band was formed in 1994. It consists of Serj Tankian , Daron Malakian , Shavo Odadjian and John Dolmayan...
Serj Tankian
Serj Tankian
Serj Tankian is a Lebanese-born Armenian-American singer–songwriter, composer, multi-instrumentalist, playwright, record producer, poet, and political activist...
, who in 2006 signed Fair to Midland to his label Serjical Strike. The Drawn and Quartered EP
The Drawn and Quartered EP
The Drawn and Quartered EP is an EP by alternative rock band Fair to Midland and their first release on Serjical Strike Records. It contains two songs from the album inter.funda.stifle. It also features live versions of two songs that were recorded at the Granada Theater in Dallas, Texas on May 12,...
was soon released on the label, featuring demo tracks from inter.funda.stifle, live recordings, and a mini-documentary titled "The Drawn and Quartered Kinescope", which included concert footage and interviews with the band. Fables From a Mayfly: What I Tell You Three Times Is True
Fables from a Mayfly: What I Tell You Three Times Is True
Fables from a Mayfly: What I Tell You Three Times Is True is the third full length album by alternative metal band Fair to Midland. It is the band's major label debut after two self-released albums. Fables from a Mayfly was released on Tuesday, June 12, 2007 with its first single to receive radio...
, Fair to Midland's major label debut, was released in June 2007. For it, the band chose to re-record many of the songs from inter.funda.stifle which they felt could benefit from the bigger production values art-rock mega producer David Bottrill
David Bottrill
David Bottrill is a Canadian record producer. He has won three Grammys. Currently, he owns Rattlebox Studios in Toronto, Ontario with producer Brian Moncarz...
brought to the table. Like their previous releases, Fables From a Mayfly garnered much critical attention and acclaim, and also helped widen their fanbase.
Live at Coachella 2007 the band performed a live improvisational version of their song "The Walls of Jericho
Inter.funda.stifle
-Personnel:Fair to Midland is * Darroh Sudderth — vocals* Clifford Campbell — guitars* Nathin Seals — bass* Brett Stowers — percussion* Matthew Langley — pianos, etc.Additional Musicians...
" featuring the guest vocals of Serj Tankian
Serj Tankian
Serj Tankian is a Lebanese-born Armenian-American singer–songwriter, composer, multi-instrumentalist, playwright, record producer, poet, and political activist...
. Through the first half of 2008, Fair to Midland toured the USA with acts including 10 years
10 Years
10 Years is an American alternative metal band, formed in Knoxville, Tennessee in 1999.-Early Years, Into the Half Moon :10 Years was initially formed in Knoxville, Tennessee in 1999 with singer Mike Underdown, drummer Brian Vodinh, bassist Lewis Cosby, and guitarists Ryan "Tater" Johnson and Matt...
, Chevelle
Chevelle
Chevelle is an American alternative metal trio that formed in 1995 in Grayslake, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. The band was originally composed of two brothers and a local friend: Pete Loeffler , Sam Loeffler , and Matt Scott . Matt was later replaced by brother Joe Loeffler...
, Flyleaf
Flyleaf
Flyleaf is an American alternative metal band, formed in the Belton and Temple, Texas regions in 2000. The band has charted on mainstream rock, Christian pop and Christian metal genres. They performed around the United States in 2003 until releasing their eponymous debut album, Flyleaf, in 2005....
, Dir En Grey
Dir en grey
Dir En Grey is a Japanese metal band formed in 1997 and currently signed to Firewall Div., a sub-division of Free-Will. As of 2011, they have recorded eight full-length records...
, as well as several US and European dates with Serj Tankian
Serj Tankian
Serj Tankian is a Lebanese-born Armenian-American singer–songwriter, composer, multi-instrumentalist, playwright, record producer, poet, and political activist...
. They performed alongside acts such as Rage Against The Machine
Rage Against the Machine
Rage Against the Machine is an American rock band from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 1991, the group's line-up consists of vocalist Zack de la Rocha, bassist and backing vocalist Tim Commerford, guitarist Tom Morello and drummer Brad Wilk...
, Queens of the Stone Age
Queens of the Stone Age
Queens of the Stone Age is an American rock band from Palm Desert, California, United States, formed in 1997. The band's line-up has always included founding member Josh Homme , with the current line-up including longtime members Troy Van Leeuwen and Joey Castillo , alongside Michael Shuman and...
, Smashing Pumpkins, and Muse
Muse (band)
Muse are an English alternative rock band from Teignmouth, Devon, formed in 1994. The band consists of school friends Matthew Bellamy , Christopher Wolstenholme and Dominic Howard...
and at sister festivals Rock am Ring
Rock am Ring
The Rock am Ring and Rock im Park festivals are two simultaneous rock music festivals held annually in Germany....
and Rock im Park, two notable concert events, in both 2007 and 2008.
Fair to Midland were the winners of the Dallas Observer
Dallas Observer
The Dallas Observer is a free alternative weekly newspaper distributed around the Dallas, Texas . At its inception, it was conceived as a weekly local arts and cinema review publication, with the credo "Advocate for Excellence in the Arts" on the cover. For a time during the early years, the paper...
Music Award in the Best Metal category for both 2007 and 2008.
"For What It's Worth"
On January 9, 2010, the band was in an accident, forcing them to cancel their show at the Clubhouse Music Venue in Tempe, ArizonaTempe, Arizona
Tempe is a city in Maricopa County, Arizona, USA, with the Census Bureau reporting a 2010 population of 161,719. The city is named after the Vale of Tempe in Greece. Tempe is located in the East Valley section of metropolitan Phoenix; it is bordered by Phoenix and Guadalupe on the west, Scottsdale...
. Bassist Jon Dicken was airlifted to the hospital as a precaution, but shortly released with no major harm. The members of the band were unharmed, but the crash, which included their van and trailer being flipped, left much of their gear destroyed. Four days later the band released a short video involving post-accident footage, entitled "FWIW" (standing for "For What It's Worth") which includes a short clip of a studio demo of a new song called "A Loophole in Limbo".
Arrows & Anchors
In August 2008, Fair to Midland began writing their fourth studio album. In October, drummer Brett Stowers stated on the band’s official forum that the band had so far written about 4-6 songs that were in "various states of completion". He also wrote that the band wanted to take their time and release the record when it’s done. On November 15, the band’s Myspace page was updated with pictures of the band in studio. As written in the blog post: "The sound so far seems to be going in a little bit darker and more cynical direction, probably a result of 2 years of roughing it on the road, but it's not without some cool tongue-in-cheek moments as well".In more recent departures from the band, lead singer Darroh Sudderth over Facebook claims that "a new album is on the horizon."
Tracks considered for the record included "Musical Chairs", "Pour the Coal to 'er" (both recorded in demo form during the sessions for Fables from a Mayfly), "Rikki Tikki Tavi", "A Loophole in Limbo", "Bright Bulbs and Sharp Tools", "Uh-Oh", "Coppertank Island", "Amarillo Sleeps on My Pillow", "Golden Parachutes" and "The Greener Grass".
On November 8, 2010 it was announced that the band had signed a worldwide deal with E1 Music and that the album was scheduled to be released in the spring of 2011. The album will be produced by Joe Barresi
Joe Barresi
Joe Barresi is an American record engineer and producer who has worked with bands such as Kyuss, The Melvins, Tool, Queens of the Stone Age, Coheed and Cambria, Tomahawk, L7, The Jesus Lizard, Parkway Drive and Bad Religion.-Biography:...
. The official pre-production started on November 15. On November 23 the band announced they were moving on to tracking drums, and the recording was announced to be done on December 19, and in a recent newsletter the band announced that Joe Barresi will mix the album during the first half of January, while the expected release is due in late Spring or early Summer. The band also stated it would be "the darkest and heaviest record" they have ever made.
On December 10, the band announced they have decided on the name of the new album, but did not disclose it. On March 4 it was announced to be "Arrows & Anchors". The record will be released on July 12, 2011, with a handful of special CD release parties being held. The first will be July 12 in Dallas, Texas at the Curtain Club.
On April 18, "Musical Chairs" was released as a single on iTunes
ITunes
iTunes is a media player computer program, used for playing, downloading, and organizing digital music and video files on desktop computers. It can also manage contents on iPod, iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad....
, with a music video announced to soon be following. In May, the studio version of "Amarillo Sleeps on My Pillow" was offered for free download on the band's website.
On June 9, a music video for "Musical Chairs" was released, featuring the band performing the single in beaten up house while destroying a grand piano. It is the first video by the band that has the members performing in it, as opposed to the "Dance of the Manatee" which was animated.
On October 26, it was announced that Jon Dicken had decided to leave the band. His last show was at the Rockin Rodeo in Denton, TX on October 24, 2011. As a result, the subsequent European/UK tour was cancelled as well.
On November 4, "Amarillo Sleeps on My Pillow" released as a single on iTunes, along with live versions of "Rikki Tikki Tavi" and "Uh-Oh."
On November 26, Brett Stowers announced that he had decided to leave the band.
Current members
- Darroh SudderthDarroh SudderthAndrew Darroh Sudderth is the lead singer for the alternative metal band Fair to Midland, from Sulphur Springs, Texas.- Beginnings :In 1998, Andrew formed Fair to Midland along with friends Cliff Campbell, Jason Pintler, and Nathan Seals...
— vocalsSingingSinging is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
, banjoBanjoIn the 1830s Sweeney became the first white man to play the banjo on stage. His version of the instrument replaced the gourd with a drum-like sound box and included four full-length strings alongside a short fifth-string. There is no proof, however, that Sweeney invented either innovation. This new...
, mandolinMandolinA mandolin is a musical instrument in the lute family . It descends from the mandore, a soprano member of the lute family. The mandolin soundboard comes in many shapes—but generally round or teardrop-shaped, sometimes with scrolls or other projections. A mandolin may have f-holes, or a single...
, bassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick.... - Cliff Campbell — 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...
- Matt Langley — keysMusical keyboardA musical keyboard is the set of adjacent depressible levers or keys on a musical instrument, particularly the piano. Keyboards typically contain keys for playing the twelve notes of the Western musical scale, with a combination of larger, longer keys and smaller, shorter keys that repeats at the...
(2002–present) - Ryan Collier - bass (2011–present)
- Logan Kennedy - drums (2011–present)
Former members
- Nathin Seals — bass (1998–2005)
- Jason Pintler — drums (1998–2003)
- Jon Dicken — bassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
(2005–2011) - Brett Stowers — percussion (2001–2011)
Studio albums
- 2001: The Carbon Copy Silver LiningThe Carbon Copy Silver LiningThe Carbon Copy Silver Lining is the independent debut album of the Texas-based progressive rock band Fair to Midland. It was recorded in January 2001, but released a year later independently. The album is difficult to find and tends to be prized among Fair to Midland fans...
- 2004: inter.funda.stifleInter.funda.stifle-Personnel:Fair to Midland is * Darroh Sudderth — vocals* Clifford Campbell — guitars* Nathin Seals — bass* Brett Stowers — percussion* Matthew Langley — pianos, etc.Additional Musicians...
- 2007: Fables from a Mayfly: What I Tell You Three Times Is TrueFables from a Mayfly: What I Tell You Three Times Is TrueFables from a Mayfly: What I Tell You Three Times Is True is the third full length album by alternative metal band Fair to Midland. It is the band's major label debut after two self-released albums. Fables from a Mayfly was released on Tuesday, June 12, 2007 with its first single to receive radio...
- 2011: Arrows and AnchorsArrows and AnchorsArrows & Anchors is the fourth studio album by Texas progressive rock band Fair to Midland. After being pushed back from June, the band has announced, via their website, that the album would be released on July 12, 2011 by E1 Music in North America. In Europe, the record was released via Season of...
Singles
| Year | Title | US Main. |
Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | "Dance of the Manatee Dance of the Manatee "Dance of the Manatee" is a song by the American art rock band, Fair to Midland. It was originally the second track on inter.funda.stifle, but was also re-recorded for Fables from a Mayfly: What I Tell You Three Times Is True... " |
19 | Fables from a Mayfly Fables from a Mayfly: What I Tell You Three Times Is True Fables from a Mayfly: What I Tell You Three Times Is True is the third full length album by alternative metal band Fair to Midland. It is the band's major label debut after two self-released albums. Fables from a Mayfly was released on Tuesday, June 12, 2007 with its first single to receive radio... |
| "Tall Tales Taste Like Sour Grapes Tall Tales Taste Like Sour Grapes "Tall Tales Taste Like Sour Grapes" is a song by the American art rock band, Fair to Midland. It was originally the ninth track on their album Fables from a Mayfly: What I Tell You Three Times Is True, and was released as their second single in 2007. The song was first released on their independent... " |
38 | ||
| 2011 | "Musical Chairs" | — | Arrows and Anchors Arrows and Anchors Arrows & Anchors is the fourth studio album by Texas progressive rock band Fair to Midland. After being pushed back from June, the band has announced, via their website, that the album would be released on July 12, 2011 by E1 Music in North America. In Europe, the record was released via Season of... |
| "Amarillo Sleeps on My Pillow" | — | ||
Awards and nominations
| Year | Award | Category | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Dallas Observer Dallas Observer The Dallas Observer is a free alternative weekly newspaper distributed around the Dallas, Texas . At its inception, it was conceived as a weekly local arts and cinema review publication, with the credo "Advocate for Excellence in the Arts" on the cover. For a time during the early years, the paper... |
Best Metal category | Won |
| 2008 | Dallas Observer Dallas Observer The Dallas Observer is a free alternative weekly newspaper distributed around the Dallas, Texas . At its inception, it was conceived as a weekly local arts and cinema review publication, with the credo "Advocate for Excellence in the Arts" on the cover. For a time during the early years, the paper... |
Best Metal category | Won |
| 2009 | Dallas Observer Dallas Observer The Dallas Observer is a free alternative weekly newspaper distributed around the Dallas, Texas . At its inception, it was conceived as a weekly local arts and cinema review publication, with the credo "Advocate for Excellence in the Arts" on the cover. For a time during the early years, the paper... |
Best Rock category | Nominated |
| 2010 | Dallas Observer Dallas Observer The Dallas Observer is a free alternative weekly newspaper distributed around the Dallas, Texas . At its inception, it was conceived as a weekly local arts and cinema review publication, with the credo "Advocate for Excellence in the Arts" on the cover. For a time during the early years, the paper... |
Best Metal category | Won |