Follow For Now
Encyclopedia
Follow for Now was an American funk metal
band from Atlanta, Georgia
. At the height of their popularity in 1990, they headlined Atlanta's Center Stage Theater on New Year's Eve without a record contract, although the two opening bands had already released several albums. Unlike their peers (Living Colour
, Fishbone
, etc.), Follow for Now never experienced mainstream success at any level and were internally dismantled before they could release a second album. Years later, the band is still popular in underground circles and their sole album remains a collector's item.
, guitarist Chris Tinsley, bassist Justin Senker, and drummer Enrique (real name "Bernard Coley"). The band immediately earned a dedicated following in the southeast United States
due to their manic live shows, which would feature several genres of music (rock, jazz
, heavy metal, soul, R&B, ska
, etc.) and call-and-response audience participation. Harris would lead the audience in a chant of "Is there unity in this house? Hell fuckin' yeah!".
Early Follow for Now music also had indie rock
and folk
elements, not unlike The Connells
or Drivin N Cryin
. This changed with the arrival of bassist Jamie Turner (replacing Senker, who would join the Atlanta Rhythm Section
) and keyboardist/vocalist Billy Fields. The band experimented more with heavy metal and punk
without ever losing sight of their soul, R&B, and funk roots. The group's concert anthem became a reworked version of Public Enemy's "She Watch Channel Zero?!".
Several record companies got wind of the band's enormous live following, leading to the group's signing to Chrysalis Records
in early 1991. There were problems from the very beginning as Enrique, considered by many to be one of the best drummers in the entire East Coast music scene, was forced to play simple beats along with a metronome
. Enrique's unorthodox, odd-meter drumming style was one of the band's trademarks. In a move that would signal the beginning of the end, producer Matt Sherod played drums on the entire album with the exception of "Time," taken from an earlier demo.
Upon the album's release in September 1991, reactions were positive from critics that had never heard the band before, but fans and local critics were dismayed at the slick, polished release that seemed to echo none of the manic energy the band was known for in concert. Even though Chrysalis Records
launched a huge promotional campaign for the album (the videos for "Holy Moses" and "Evil Wheel" appeared on MTV
), the Seattle grunge
movement of 1992 single-handedly engulfed the music business just months later, nearly destroying Follow for Now's career.
Despite the disastrous experience with their debut album, Follow for Now remained a powerful concert attraction. However, the group did not release another album in 1992 or 1993, and interest in the band began to wane. They officially broke up in the spring of 1994.
, who was signed to Sony Records as a solo artist in 1997. Around the same time, he was the musical director on Dionne Farris
's hit album Wild Seed, Wild Flower. He was dropped from the label after his debut album was released, but continued to perform with his good friend Dave Matthews
on occasion and has recently launched a career as a solo singer-songwriter on acoustic guitar
. A recent tour was as the opening act from Edwin McCain
.
In 2001, Harris fronted a band called the Brand New Immortals, featuring ex-Black Crowes bassist Johnny Colt. They released a six song EP and one studio album (Tragic Show) before breaking up in 2002. He is currently playing in John Mayer
's band while still performing as a solo artist. He released Soulstice in 2003 and The Bittersweet in 2006.
Billy Fields went on to join Arrested Development
and performed with the group at Woodstock 1994. Both he and Enrique joined soul outfit Seek, though Enrique soon quit the band to work with 24-7 Spyz
guitarist Jimi Hazel on a new project called Black Angus. The project was cancelled when the original lineup of 24-7 Spyz reunited in 1995. Fields joined the band Seek and also worked with Dionne Farris and Sub-Terranian Circus.
Fields switched from keyboards to bass while in Seek, but quit the band in 2004 to join Three5Human (on bass) with Enrique. Both have since parted ways with the group.
In 2005, Fields released an album called Rebel Style (as "Rev Rebel").
In 2007, he released a second Rev Rebel - album called "Season Of The Decline" on a label with the name "Sphincter".
You can find him at : http://www.myspace.com/revrebelandthesoundsupreme
Chris Tinsley formed rock/metal outfit called 8Bus in the late 1990s. Today, he plays with the Stonehouse Posse.
Funk metal
Funk metal is a subgenre of funk rock that fuses elements of heavy metal and funk. Allmusic has claimed that "funk metal evolved in the mid-'80s when alternative bands like the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Faith No More, Infectious Grooves, Mordred and Fishbone began playing the hybrid with a stronger...
band from Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta is the capital and most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia. According to the 2010 census, Atlanta's population is 420,003. Atlanta is the cultural and economic center of the Atlanta metropolitan area, which is home to 5,268,860 people and is the ninth largest metropolitan area in...
. At the height of their popularity in 1990, they headlined Atlanta's Center Stage Theater on New Year's Eve without a record contract, although the two opening bands had already released several albums. Unlike their peers (Living Colour
Living Colour
Living Colour is an American rock band from New York City, formed in 1984. Stylistically, the band's music is a creative fusion influenced by free jazz, funk, neo-psychedelia, hard rock, and heavy metal...
, Fishbone
Fishbone
Fishbone is a U.S. alternative rock band formed in 1979 in Los Angeles, California, which plays a fusion of ska, punk rock, funk, hard rock and soul. Critics have noted of the band: "Fishbone was one of the most distinctive and eclectic alternative rock bands of the late '80s...
, etc.), Follow for Now never experienced mainstream success at any level and were internally dismantled before they could release a second album. Years later, the band is still popular in underground circles and their sole album remains a collector's item.
History
Follow for Now was formed in 1987 by guitarist/vocalist David Ryan HarrisDavid Ryan Harris
David Ryan Harris is an Atlanta, Georgia based singer-songwriter. Born in Evanston, Illinois, Harris moved to Atlanta at a young age. Harris has had a varied career as a musician. He is married and has 4 sons: Miles, Life, River, and Truman.-Influences:...
, guitarist Chris Tinsley, bassist Justin Senker, and drummer Enrique (real name "Bernard Coley"). The band immediately earned a dedicated following in the southeast United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
due to their manic live shows, which would feature several genres of music (rock, jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
, heavy metal, soul, R&B, ska
Ska
Ska |Jamaican]] ) is a music genre that originated in Jamaica in the late 1950s, and was the precursor to rocksteady and reggae. Ska combined elements of Caribbean mento and calypso with American jazz and rhythm and blues...
, etc.) and call-and-response audience participation. Harris would lead the audience in a chant of "Is there unity in this house? Hell fuckin' yeah!".
Early Follow for Now music also had indie rock
Indie rock
Indie rock is a genre of alternative rock that originated in the United Kingdom and the United States in the 1980s. Indie rock is extremely diverse, with sub-genres that include lo-fi, post-rock, math rock, indie pop, dream pop, noise rock, space rock, sadcore, riot grrrl and emo, among others...
and folk
Folk music
Folk music is an English term encompassing both traditional folk music and contemporary folk music. The term originated in the 19th century. Traditional folk music has been defined in several ways: as music transmitted by mouth, as music of the lower classes, and as music with unknown composers....
elements, not unlike The Connells
The Connells
The Connells are an American band from Raleigh, North Carolina. They play a guitar-oriented, melodic, power pop style of rock music with introspective lyrics that reflect the American South. Though mostly dormant, the band continues to play to this day...
or Drivin N Cryin
Drivin N Cryin
Drivin' 'N' Cryin is an American Hard rock/Southern rock band from Atlanta, GA.-History:The band was formed in 1985 in Atlanta. Kevn Kinney hooked up with Tim Nielsen, who was in a popular band called the Nightporters with drummer Paul Lenz at the time...
. This changed with the arrival of bassist Jamie Turner (replacing Senker, who would join the Atlanta Rhythm Section
Atlanta Rhythm Section
The Atlanta Rhythm Section, sometimes abbreviated ARS, is an American southern rock band. In 1970 former members of the Candymen and the Classics IV joined together and became the session band for the newly opened Studio One in Doraville, Georgia....
) and keyboardist/vocalist Billy Fields. The band experimented more with heavy metal and punk
Punk rock
Punk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
without ever losing sight of their soul, R&B, and funk roots. The group's concert anthem became a reworked version of Public Enemy's "She Watch Channel Zero?!".
Several record companies got wind of the band's enormous live following, leading to the group's signing to Chrysalis Records
Chrysalis Records
Chrysalis Records was a British record label that was created in 1969. The name was both a reference to the pupal stage of a butterfly and a combination of its founders names, Chris Wright and Terry Ellis...
in early 1991. There were problems from the very beginning as Enrique, considered by many to be one of the best drummers in the entire East Coast music scene, was forced to play simple beats along with a metronome
Metronome
A metronome is any device that produces regular, metrical ticks — settable in beats per minute. These ticks represent a fixed, regular aural pulse; some metronomes also include synchronized visual motion...
. Enrique's unorthodox, odd-meter drumming style was one of the band's trademarks. In a move that would signal the beginning of the end, producer Matt Sherod played drums on the entire album with the exception of "Time," taken from an earlier demo.
Upon the album's release in September 1991, reactions were positive from critics that had never heard the band before, but fans and local critics were dismayed at the slick, polished release that seemed to echo none of the manic energy the band was known for in concert. Even though Chrysalis Records
Chrysalis Records
Chrysalis Records was a British record label that was created in 1969. The name was both a reference to the pupal stage of a butterfly and a combination of its founders names, Chris Wright and Terry Ellis...
launched a huge promotional campaign for the album (the videos for "Holy Moses" and "Evil Wheel" appeared on MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
), the Seattle grunge
Grunge
Grunge is a subgenre of alternative rock that emerged during the mid-1980s in the American state of Washington, particularly in the Seattle area. Inspired by hardcore punk, heavy metal, and indie rock, grunge is generally characterized by heavily distorted electric guitars, contrasting song...
movement of 1992 single-handedly engulfed the music business just months later, nearly destroying Follow for Now's career.
Despite the disastrous experience with their debut album, Follow for Now remained a powerful concert attraction. However, the group did not release another album in 1992 or 1993, and interest in the band began to wane. They officially broke up in the spring of 1994.
After the split
Since the breakup, the most active member of Follow for Now has been bandleader David Ryan HarrisDavid Ryan Harris
David Ryan Harris is an Atlanta, Georgia based singer-songwriter. Born in Evanston, Illinois, Harris moved to Atlanta at a young age. Harris has had a varied career as a musician. He is married and has 4 sons: Miles, Life, River, and Truman.-Influences:...
, who was signed to Sony Records as a solo artist in 1997. Around the same time, he was the musical director on Dionne Farris
Dionne Farris
Dionne Farris is an American female R&B/soul musician who sang on three songs with the hip hop group Arrested Development...
's hit album Wild Seed, Wild Flower. He was dropped from the label after his debut album was released, but continued to perform with his good friend Dave Matthews
Dave Matthews
David John "Dave" Matthews is a South African–born American musician and occasional actor, best known as the lead vocalist, songwriter, and guitarist for the Dave Matthews Band...
on occasion and has recently launched a career as a solo singer-songwriter on acoustic guitar
Acoustic guitar
An acoustic guitar is a guitar that uses only an acoustic sound board. The air in this cavity resonates with the vibrational modes of the string and at low frequencies, which depend on the size of the box, the chamber acts like a Helmholtz resonator, increasing or decreasing the volume of the sound...
. A recent tour was as the opening act from Edwin McCain
Edwin McCain
Edwin McCain is an American singer-songwriter and musician.-Career:While his albums are released under his name, he does have a permanent band, referred to as the Edwin McCain Band...
.
In 2001, Harris fronted a band called the Brand New Immortals, featuring ex-Black Crowes bassist Johnny Colt. They released a six song EP and one studio album (Tragic Show) before breaking up in 2002. He is currently playing in John Mayer
John Mayer
John Clayton Mayer is an American pop rock and blues rock musician, singer-songwriter, recording artist, and music producer. Born in Bridgeport, Connecticut and raised in Fairfield, Connecticut, he attended Berklee College of Music in Boston. He moved to Atlanta in 1997, where he refined his...
's band while still performing as a solo artist. He released Soulstice in 2003 and The Bittersweet in 2006.
Billy Fields went on to join Arrested Development
Arrested Development (hip hop group)
Arrested Development is an American alternative hip hop group, founded by Speech and Headliner as a positive, Afrocentric alternative to the gangsta rap popular in the early 1990s.-History:...
and performed with the group at Woodstock 1994. Both he and Enrique joined soul outfit Seek, though Enrique soon quit the band to work with 24-7 Spyz
24-7 Spyz
24-7 Spyz are a band from the South Bronx, New York, formed in 1986, originally consisting of Jimi Hazel , Rick Skatore , Kindu Phibes , and P. Fluid . The band is best known for mixing soul, funk, reggae, and R&B with heavy metal and hardcore punk...
guitarist Jimi Hazel on a new project called Black Angus. The project was cancelled when the original lineup of 24-7 Spyz reunited in 1995. Fields joined the band Seek and also worked with Dionne Farris and Sub-Terranian Circus.
Fields switched from keyboards to bass while in Seek, but quit the band in 2004 to join Three5Human (on bass) with Enrique. Both have since parted ways with the group.
In 2005, Fields released an album called Rebel Style (as "Rev Rebel").
In 2007, he released a second Rev Rebel - album called "Season Of The Decline" on a label with the name "Sphincter".
You can find him at : http://www.myspace.com/revrebelandthesoundsupreme
Chris Tinsley formed rock/metal outfit called 8Bus in the late 1990s. Today, he plays with the Stonehouse Posse.
Possible reunion
On October 4, 2008, Follow for Now were scheduled to perform at the 20th anniversary concert of the Atlanta club The Metroplex. The show was held at Masquerade in Atlanta, but the band eventually canceled. Chris Tinsley reportedly lost part of his thumb in an accident and is said to be unable to play guitar. Jamie Turner has apparently not played bass since the band's 1994 split. Rumors of a possible quartet reunion show with Harris, Enrique, Fields, and Tinsley on bass continue to circulate.| (1987–1989) |
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