The Anniversary
Encyclopedia
The Anniversary was an American band formed in Lawrence, Kansas
in 1997 by Josh Berwanger, James David, Christian Jankowski, Adrianne Verhoeven and Justin Roelofs. The Anniversary was the solidification of a line-up that had been in flux for a year. After two years of playing shows across with the Midwest with bands that included The Get Up Kids
, Braid
and Superchunk
, The Anniversary signed to Vagrant Records.
Originally perceived as a poppy
, keyboard-driven emo
band with the release of their debut album Designing A Nervous Breakdown in 2000, they developed a stronger, classic rock influenced sound with the release of a split CD with Superdrag
in 2001 and their second full length, 2002’s Your Majesty. After touring heavily throughout 2002 and 2003, The Anniversary began demoing tracks for what would be their third full length. But four years of constant touring and personal strains within the group led to the band’s demise in early 2004.
Four and a half years after their breakup, Devil on our Side – a compilation of b-sides and unreleased tracks – was released by Vagrant Records
. A companion documentary is expected in late 2008.
Featuring Justin and Josh on guitar and vocals, Adrianne on keyboard and vocals, Jim on bass and Janko on drums, The Anniversary developed and refined their signature sound – sentimental guy/girl vocals, complemented by dueling guitar lines, with synth pop overlays and catchy choruses – with heavy touring throughout the Midwestern United States
in 1997–1999. In January 1998 six songs were recorded at Kingsize Studios in Chicago. In October of that year six more songs were recorded for a debut EP on Lawrence-based Urinine Records. The Get Up Kids
approached them in the spring of 1999 with a deal to record a full-length album on their new Heroes & Villains imprint on Vagrant Records
which they accepted.
. Later that July, at Red House Studios in Eudora
, Kansas
two more songs were recorded, one of which appeared in November 1999 on a split 7" with The Get Up Kids
entitled Central Standard Time/Vasil + Bluey
to precede the debut and help to build a national fan base.
Designing a Nervous Breakdown was released on January 20, 2000 and The Anniversary soon after departed on their first national tour with The Get Up Kids on January 26. Touring relentlessly throughout 2000 and 2001, the band still found time to break away and record new songs. In March 2000 The Anniversary returned to Red House Studios to record a song later released on a split 7” with Hot Rod Circuit
. In August three more songs were recorded at Red House – one released on the Another Year on the Streets Vagrant sampler, and two that were featured in the January 2001 Sub Pop Singles Club.
, at Sonora Records in Los Feliz, California. Your Majesty marked a departure for the band, leaving the poppy, catchy melodies behind in favor of a more intelligent, intricate and polished riff-driven classic rock sound.
Originally slated for a September 2001 release, the album was delayed because of a legal matter between Vagrant Records
and their distributor. During this time, The Anniversary recorded three new songs in September 2001 for a split CD with Superdrag
, the first in a series of split releases from Vagrant bands. The Superdrag split was released on November 13, 2001 to coincide with a national tour together, and Your Majesty followed shortly thereafter on January 22, 2002.
In between tours, a few tracks were demoed in Rob Pope
’s basement in the fall of 2002. However, rather than re-signing a new contract, Vagrant Records dropped The Anniversary in early 2003 because of personal tensions with the label and other bands on the roster. But picking up right where they left off, through extensive touring with the likes of Cheap Trick
and Guided by Voices
, The Anniversary continued to develop their live sound as shows incorporated new songs and re-visited and re-worked past crowd favorites, transforming them into a psychedelic jam loaded with classic rock riffs and gutter rock swagger.
The band officially broke up in January 2004, and posted the following message on their website on February 6:
on June 24, 2008.
Lawrence, Kansas
Lawrence is the sixth largest city in the U.S. State of Kansas and the county seat of Douglas County. Located in northeastern Kansas, Lawrence is the anchor city of the Lawrence, Kansas, Metropolitan Statistical Area, which encompasses all of Douglas County...
in 1997 by Josh Berwanger, James David, Christian Jankowski, Adrianne Verhoeven and Justin Roelofs. The Anniversary was the solidification of a line-up that had been in flux for a year. After two years of playing shows across with the Midwest with bands that included The Get Up Kids
The Get Up Kids
The Get Up Kids are an American alternative rock band from Kansas City, Missouri. Formed in 1995, the band was a major player in the mid-90's emo scene, otherwise known as the "second wave" of emo music...
, Braid
Braid (band)
Braid is an influential emo/post-hardcore band from Illinois that formed in 1993. After forming, the band went through several line-up changes but eventually settled on: Bob Nanna on guitar/vocals, Todd Bell on bass, Chris Broach on guitar/vocals and, Roy Ewing on drums. Roy was replaced in 1997 by...
and Superchunk
Superchunk
Superchunk is an American indie rock band from Chapel Hill, North Carolina, consisting of singer/guitarist Mac McCaughan, guitarist Jim Wilbur, bassist Laura Ballance, and drummer Jon Wurster. Formed in 1989, they were one of the bands that helped define the Chapel Hill music scene of the 1990s...
, The Anniversary signed to Vagrant Records.
Originally perceived as a poppy
Pop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
, keyboard-driven emo
Emo (music)
Emo is a style of rock music characterized by melodic musicianship and expressive, often confessional lyrics. It originated in the mid-1980s hardcore punk movement of Washington, D.C., where it was known as "emotional hardcore" or "emocore" and pioneered by bands such as Rites of Spring and Embrace...
band with the release of their debut album Designing A Nervous Breakdown in 2000, they developed a stronger, classic rock influenced sound with the release of a split CD with Superdrag
Superdrag
Superdrag is an alternative rock band from Knoxville, Tennessee. The band had a hit with its 1996 single "Sucked Out" off their album Regretfully Yours, for which a video clip was broadcast regularly on MTV...
in 2001 and their second full length, 2002’s Your Majesty. After touring heavily throughout 2002 and 2003, The Anniversary began demoing tracks for what would be their third full length. But four years of constant touring and personal strains within the group led to the band’s demise in early 2004.
Four and a half years after their breakup, Devil on our Side – a compilation of b-sides and unreleased tracks – was released by Vagrant Records
Vagrant Records
Vagrant Records is an indie rock label based in Los Angeles, California and is home to such artists as The Hold Steady, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes, Active Child, PJ Harvey, Reptar, School of Seven Bells, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Thrice, James Vincent McMorrow, Placebo, and many...
. A companion documentary is expected in late 2008.
Formation (1997–1999)
The Anniversary was a five-piece band that formed in 1997 in Lawrence, Kansas. Josh Berwanger, Justin Roelofs and Adrianne Verhoeven began playing together in 1996 as The Broadcast. In January 1997, the band recorded a few songs including "Crazy Makes Us Sane". After struggling to keep a permanent rhythm section, Chris "Janko" Jankowski and Jim David solidified the line-up later that year as the band changed their name to The Anniversary, partly because a British group already had the rights to the name The Broadcast.Featuring Justin and Josh on guitar and vocals, Adrianne on keyboard and vocals, Jim on bass and Janko on drums, The Anniversary developed and refined their signature sound – sentimental guy/girl vocals, complemented by dueling guitar lines, with synth pop overlays and catchy choruses – with heavy touring throughout the Midwestern United States
Midwestern United States
The Midwestern United States is one of the four U.S. geographic regions defined by the United States Census Bureau, providing an official definition of the American Midwest....
in 1997–1999. In January 1998 six songs were recorded at Kingsize Studios in Chicago. In October of that year six more songs were recorded for a debut EP on Lawrence-based Urinine Records. The Get Up Kids
The Get Up Kids
The Get Up Kids are an American alternative rock band from Kansas City, Missouri. Formed in 1995, the band was a major player in the mid-90's emo scene, otherwise known as the "second wave" of emo music...
approached them in the spring of 1999 with a deal to record a full-length album on their new Heroes & Villains imprint on Vagrant Records
Vagrant Records
Vagrant Records is an indie rock label based in Los Angeles, California and is home to such artists as The Hold Steady, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes, Active Child, PJ Harvey, Reptar, School of Seven Bells, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Thrice, James Vincent McMorrow, Placebo, and many...
which they accepted.
Designing a Nervous Breakdown (1999–2001)
During ten days in July 1999 The Anniversary returned to Kingsize to record their debut full length, Designing a Nervous BreakdownDesigning a Nervous Breakdown
-Personnel:*Josh Berwanger - Guitar, Vocals*Justin Roelofs - Guitar, Vocals*Adrianne Verhoeven - Keyboard, Vocals*James David - Bass guitar*Christian Jankowski - Drums...
. Later that July, at Red House Studios in Eudora
Eudora, Kansas
Eudora is a city in Douglas County, Kansas, United States. It is part of the Lawrence, Kansas Metropolitan Statistical Area. The city is located along the Kansas and Wakarusa Rivers. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 6,136.- History :...
, 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...
two more songs were recorded, one of which appeared in November 1999 on a split 7" with The Get Up Kids
The Get Up Kids
The Get Up Kids are an American alternative rock band from Kansas City, Missouri. Formed in 1995, the band was a major player in the mid-90's emo scene, otherwise known as the "second wave" of emo music...
entitled Central Standard Time/Vasil + Bluey
Central Standard Time/Vasil + Bluey
"Central Standard Time/Vasil + Bluey" is a split EP between Kansas City, Missouri band The Get Up Kids and Lawrence, Kansas group The Anniversary. The album was released on colored vinyl in 1999 on Vagrant Records. There were 6 different pressings of the album, with each pressing on different...
to precede the debut and help to build a national fan base.
Designing a Nervous Breakdown was released on January 20, 2000 and The Anniversary soon after departed on their first national tour with The Get Up Kids on January 26. Touring relentlessly throughout 2000 and 2001, the band still found time to break away and record new songs. In March 2000 The Anniversary returned to Red House Studios to record a song later released on a split 7” with Hot Rod Circuit
Hot Rod Circuit
Hot Rod Circuit is an American emo band from New Haven, Connecticut established in 1997.-Early years:The band was originally known as Antidote under which they released the album Mr. Glenboski, which won the group the award of Best Unsigned Band of 1998 by Musician Magazine...
. In August three more songs were recorded at Red House – one released on the Another Year on the Streets Vagrant sampler, and two that were featured in the January 2001 Sub Pop Singles Club.
Your Majesty (2001–2003)
As they continued to tour and write new songs they gradually developed a more mature, classic rock influenced sound. In June 2001 The Anniversary recorded their second full-length album, Your MajestyYour Majesty (album)
-Band:*Josh Berwanger - Guitar, Vocals*James David - Bass*Christian Jankowski - Drums*Adrianne Pope - Keyboards, Vocals*Justin Roelofs - Guitar, Vocals-Production:*Rob Schnapf - Guitar, Producer, Mixing*Doug Boehm - Engineer, Mixing*Don C. Tyler - Mastering...
, at Sonora Records in Los Feliz, California. Your Majesty marked a departure for the band, leaving the poppy, catchy melodies behind in favor of a more intelligent, intricate and polished riff-driven classic rock sound.
Originally slated for a September 2001 release, the album was delayed because of a legal matter between Vagrant Records
Vagrant Records
Vagrant Records is an indie rock label based in Los Angeles, California and is home to such artists as The Hold Steady, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes, Active Child, PJ Harvey, Reptar, School of Seven Bells, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Thrice, James Vincent McMorrow, Placebo, and many...
and their distributor. During this time, The Anniversary recorded three new songs in September 2001 for a split CD with Superdrag
Superdrag
Superdrag is an alternative rock band from Knoxville, Tennessee. The band had a hit with its 1996 single "Sucked Out" off their album Regretfully Yours, for which a video clip was broadcast regularly on MTV...
, the first in a series of split releases from Vagrant bands. The Superdrag split was released on November 13, 2001 to coincide with a national tour together, and Your Majesty followed shortly thereafter on January 22, 2002.
In between tours, a few tracks were demoed in Rob Pope
Rob Pope
-History:Rob Pope grew up in Olathe, Kansas. In the summer of 1994, he was in a band called "Kingpin" with his brother Ryan and future Get Up Kids bandmate Jim Suptic. After the band broke up due to internal conflicts, Rob and Jim re-formed with Matt Pryor, who had been playing with Secular Theme...
’s basement in the fall of 2002. However, rather than re-signing a new contract, Vagrant Records dropped The Anniversary in early 2003 because of personal tensions with the label and other bands on the roster. But picking up right where they left off, through extensive touring with the likes of Cheap Trick
Cheap Trick
Cheap Trick is an American rock band from Rockford, Illinois, formed in 1973. The band consists of members Robin Zander , Rick Nielsen , Tom Petersson , and Bun E...
and Guided by Voices
Guided by Voices
Guided by Voices is an American indie rock band originating from Dayton, Ohio. Beginning with the band's formation in 1983, it made frequent personnel changes but always maintained the presence of principal songwriter Robert Pollard...
, The Anniversary continued to develop their live sound as shows incorporated new songs and re-visited and re-worked past crowd favorites, transforming them into a psychedelic jam loaded with classic rock riffs and gutter rock swagger.
Breakup (2003–2004)
During the spring and summer of 2003 the band began producing demos for songs intended for their third full-length album. This time around, The Anniversary continued to explore their songwriting prowess as they incorporated elements of reggae, blues, and even country. Before embarking on an October–November tour, they headed to Hideaway Studios in Sedalia, Colorado to record two tracks for the album. However, tensions within the band had been growing for some time, and The Anniversary played what would become their final show in San Antonio, Texas on November 23, 2003.The band officially broke up in January 2004, and posted the following message on their website on February 6:
Hello everyone.
Due to a number of reasons, The Anniversary has broken up. This may take some of you by surprise, but it was a long time coming. We'll be selling stuff online a little longer so buy it up now because their [sic] collector's items. Thank you all for your support in our efforts to make the music world a better place. We just weren't prepared for it. Please feel free to check out this website www.theholyghosts.com. It's another project that Josh, Jim, myself, Casey from Hot Rod CircuitHot Rod CircuitHot Rod Circuit is an American emo band from New Haven, Connecticut established in 1997.-Early years:The band was originally known as Antidote under which they released the album Mr. Glenboski, which won the group the award of Best Unsigned Band of 1998 by Musician Magazine...
, and T.K. Webb are working on. Justin is working on some solo stuff right now. Here's a link to some of his new songs, click. Those of you on the e-mail list will receive updates from The Holy Ghosts from now on. Take care all and pleasant thoughts. Questions or comments may be addressed to theanniversary@hotmail.com.
Peace out, Janko
Devil on Our Side (2008–present)
Nearly four years after these farewell messages were sent, a new blog was posted on The Anniversary's MySpace page on January 1, 2008, the first official communication from the band since the breakup. The band announced Devil on Our Side, a double disc compilation of unreleased songs, B-sides and rarities, released by Vagrant RecordsVagrant Records
Vagrant Records is an indie rock label based in Los Angeles, California and is home to such artists as The Hold Steady, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes, Active Child, PJ Harvey, Reptar, School of Seven Bells, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Thrice, James Vincent McMorrow, Placebo, and many...
on June 24, 2008.
Band members
- James David - bass guitarBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
- Adrianne Verhoeven - vocals, keyboardsKeyboard 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...
- Josh Berwanger - 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...
, vocals - Christian Jankowski - 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 - Justin Roelofs - guitar, vocals
Discography
| Year | Title | Type | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | The Anniversary/Proudentall Split | Split EP | Paper Brigade Records |
| 1998 | Central Standard Time/Vasil + Bluey Central Standard Time/Vasil + Bluey "Central Standard Time/Vasil + Bluey" is a split EP between Kansas City, Missouri band The Get Up Kids and Lawrence, Kansas group The Anniversary. The album was released on colored vinyl in 1999 on Vagrant Records. There were 6 different pressings of the album, with each pressing on different... |
Split EP | Vagrant Records Vagrant Records Vagrant Records is an indie rock label based in Los Angeles, California and is home to such artists as The Hold Steady, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes, Active Child, PJ Harvey, Reptar, School of Seven Bells, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Thrice, James Vincent McMorrow, Placebo, and many... |
| 2000 | Fall Tour EP | 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... |
Vagrant Records Vagrant Records Vagrant Records is an indie rock label based in Los Angeles, California and is home to such artists as The Hold Steady, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes, Active Child, PJ Harvey, Reptar, School of Seven Bells, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Thrice, James Vincent McMorrow, Placebo, and many... |
| 2000 | Designing a Nervous Breakdown Designing a Nervous Breakdown -Personnel:*Josh Berwanger - Guitar, Vocals*Justin Roelofs - Guitar, Vocals*Adrianne Verhoeven - Keyboard, Vocals*James David - Bass guitar*Christian Jankowski - Drums... |
Album Album An album is a collection of recordings, released as a single package on gramophone record, cassette, compact disc, or via digital distribution. The word derives from the Latin word for list .Vinyl LP records have two sides, each comprising one half of the album... |
Vagrant Records Vagrant Records Vagrant Records is an indie rock label based in Los Angeles, California and is home to such artists as The Hold Steady, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes, Active Child, PJ Harvey, Reptar, School of Seven Bells, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Thrice, James Vincent McMorrow, Placebo, and many... |
| 2001 | Sub Pop Singles Club | 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... |
Sub Pop Sub Pop Sub Pop is a record label founded in 1986 by Bruce Pavitt and Jonathan Poneman in Seattle, Washington. Sub Pop achieved fame in the late 1980s for first signing Nirvana, Soundgarden, Mudhoney and many other bands from the Seattle music scene... |
| 2001 | The Anniversary/Superdrag Split Superdrag Superdrag is an alternative rock band from Knoxville, Tennessee. The band had a hit with its 1996 single "Sucked Out" off their album Regretfully Yours, for which a video clip was broadcast regularly on MTV... |
Split EP | Vagrant Records Vagrant Records Vagrant Records is an indie rock label based in Los Angeles, California and is home to such artists as The Hold Steady, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes, Active Child, PJ Harvey, Reptar, School of Seven Bells, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Thrice, James Vincent McMorrow, Placebo, and many... |
| 2002 | Your Majesty Your Majesty (album) -Band:*Josh Berwanger - Guitar, Vocals*James David - Bass*Christian Jankowski - Drums*Adrianne Pope - Keyboards, Vocals*Justin Roelofs - Guitar, Vocals-Production:*Rob Schnapf - Guitar, Producer, Mixing*Doug Boehm - Engineer, Mixing*Don C. Tyler - Mastering... |
Album Album An album is a collection of recordings, released as a single package on gramophone record, cassette, compact disc, or via digital distribution. The word derives from the Latin word for list .Vinyl LP records have two sides, each comprising one half of the album... |
Vagrant Records Vagrant Records Vagrant Records is an indie rock label based in Los Angeles, California and is home to such artists as The Hold Steady, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes, Active Child, PJ Harvey, Reptar, School of Seven Bells, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Thrice, James Vincent McMorrow, Placebo, and many... |
| 2002 | The Anniversary/Hot Rod Circuit Split Hot Rod Circuit Hot Rod Circuit is an American emo band from New Haven, Connecticut established in 1997.-Early years:The band was originally known as Antidote under which they released the album Mr. Glenboski, which won the group the award of Best Unsigned Band of 1998 by Musician Magazine... |
Split EP | Vagrant Records Vagrant Records Vagrant Records is an indie rock label based in Los Angeles, California and is home to such artists as The Hold Steady, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes, Active Child, PJ Harvey, Reptar, School of Seven Bells, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Thrice, James Vincent McMorrow, Placebo, and many... |
| 2003 | 100 Ships | Single Single (music) In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear... |
Devil in the Woods Magazine |
| 2008 | Devil on Our Side: B-Sides & Rarities Devil On Our Side: B-Sides & Rarities -Band:*Josh Berwanger - Guitar, Vocals*Christian Jankowski - Drums*Justin Roelofs - Guitar, Vocals*James David - Bass*Adrianne Verhoeven - Keyboards, Vocals-Production:*Alex Brahl - Producer*Marc Benning - Producer*Rob Pope - Producer*Ed Rose - Producer... |
Compilation Compilation album A compilation album is an album featuring tracks from one or more performers, often culled from a variety of sources The tracks are usually collected according to a common characteristic, such as popularity, genre, source or subject matter... |
Vagrant Records Vagrant Records Vagrant Records is an indie rock label based in Los Angeles, California and is home to such artists as The Hold Steady, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes, Active Child, PJ Harvey, Reptar, School of Seven Bells, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Thrice, James Vincent McMorrow, Placebo, and many... |
Compilation appearances
| Year | Album | Songs Featured | Record Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | It Certainly Was a Grand Piano | "Low Tide and Hospital Bed" | Abominable Records |
| 2000 | Another Year on the Streets | "D in Detroit" and "I Believe That the End of the Reign of Terror is Soon Near" | Vagrant Vagrant Records Vagrant Records is an indie rock label based in Los Angeles, California and is home to such artists as The Hold Steady, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes, Active Child, PJ Harvey, Reptar, School of Seven Bells, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Thrice, James Vincent McMorrow, Placebo, and many... |
| 2000 | No-Fi Trash | "Hold Me Tonight" | Floppy Cow Records |
| 2001 | Another Year On The Streets, Vol. 2 | "Sweet Marie" | Vagrant Vagrant Records Vagrant Records is an indie rock label based in Los Angeles, California and is home to such artists as The Hold Steady, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes, Active Child, PJ Harvey, Reptar, School of Seven Bells, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Thrice, James Vincent McMorrow, Placebo, and many... |
| 2008 | Vagrant Records Sampler | "To Never Die Young" | Vagrant Vagrant Records Vagrant Records is an indie rock label based in Los Angeles, California and is home to such artists as The Hold Steady, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes, Active Child, PJ Harvey, Reptar, School of Seven Bells, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Thrice, James Vincent McMorrow, Placebo, and many... |
External links
- The Anniversary
- The Anniversary at Lawrence.com
- The Only Children at Lawrence.com
- Justin Roelofs at Lawrence.com
- Rangelife Records
- D*R*I* (MySpace)