On Broken Wings
On Broken Wings | |
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Origin | Boston, Massachusetts, USA |
Genres | Metalcore |
Years active | 2001–2007, 2008–Present |
Labels | Eulogy Recordings, Artery Recordings |
On Broken Wings is an American metalcore band from Hull, Massachusetts that formed in 2001. Often credited with pioneering the sound, and coining the term, of "moshcore",[1] a term originally used by the band to describe their fusion of metal with elements of post-hardcore and hardcore breakdowns. They are arguably the first deathcore band.
After the self-released Number One Beautiful EP, they caught the attention of Eulogy Recordings, where they would then release 2 full-length albums over the next 5 years, 2003's 'Some of us may Never see the World' and 2005's 'It's all a Long Goodbye'.
During this time, On Broken Wings was also subject to a variety of controversies, mostly concerning their unusually violent live shows and the band's apparent encouragement of crowd violence. As a result, the band is still banned from many clubs and venues across the United States.
In early 2007, On Broken Wings released an EP entitled Going Down which contained the original Number One Beautiful EP as well as 4 new songs. In an ironic twist, the title of the EP was soon considered foreshadowing as the band announced an indefinite hiatus mainly due to interest in other projects. Many considered OBW to have split up for good until a new year rolled around...
After a long hiatus, 2008 finally sees the band reuniting and doing some serious touring with the 'Mosh Lives' tour featuring headliners, Emmure and other metalcore acts such as Recon, Ligeia and on select dates, Red I Flight and Endwell.
Band members
- Johnathon Blake - vocals(2001-2007, 2008–present)
- Mike McMillen - guitar (2001-2007, 2008–present)
- Burke Medeiros - guitar (2005-2007, 2008–present)
- Rob Deangelis - bass (touring 2008-2016) (2016-present)
- Kevin Garvin - drums (2001-2007, 2008–present)
Former members
- Eric D - vocals (live)
- Sean LaForce - guitar, vocals (2001-2003)
- Brendan Connors - guitar (live)
- Eric Ellis - guitar (live)
- Sean J. Murray - guitar (2008)(live)
- John "Chuck" Lombardo - bass (2001-2004)
- Jerome McBride - bass (2005-2015)
- Wheeler - bass (live)
- Johnny Cupcakes - keyboards, samples (2001-2003)
- Josh "Skull" Long - drums (2008)(live)
- Stevie "Brutal" Murray - drums (live)
Discography
- Number One Beautiful (2001)
- Some of Us May Never See the World (Eulogy Recordings, 2003)
- It's All A Long Goodbye (Eulogy Recordings, 2005)
- Going Down (Eulogy Recordings, 2007)
- Summer Solstice (2012)
- Disintegrator (2016)
During their hiatus...
The members of On Broken Wings focused much of their time on other projects. Jonathan Blake and Mike McMillen devoted much of their time to straight edge punk band, Shere Khan with Black My Heart's vocalist Wheeler. McMillen had also taken an interest in production and started working with some bands from the Boston area.
Burke, Jerome, and Kevin were also hard at work writing new material for their band The Confrontation, while Kevin was working with a new band dubbed I'm Sorry New York, which takes a much more commercial route than either of the other two bands and also features Eric D and Brendan Connors of The Confrontation, as well as ex On Broken Wings guitarist Sean LaForce.
As of February 2008, Kevin Garvin, Mike McMillen, and Sean Laforce are also in the band Everybody Out!, with former Dropkick Murphys guitarist Rick Barton and former Dead Pets and Lost City Angels frontman Sweeney Todd, playing drums, guitar, and bass, respectively .
The Reformation
In 2008 the band announced a new tour, "Mosh Lives" with headliners Emmure. This tour came out of the blue after many circulating rumors that the band had broken up. OBW didn't mention anything about a possible new album, or if there would be any more tours after "Mosh Lives," leaving their hungry fans wondering if maybe this second coming would be short lived. It wasn't announced which lineup would be performing, but the band's Myspace page listeds their It's All A Long Goodbye-era line-up. Supporting acts included Recon, Ligeia and on select dates, Red I Flight and Endwell. In 2011, On Broken Wings announced via Twitter they would be a part of the North American tour featuring Bring Me the Horizon, Parkway Drive, Deez Nuts, and Architects.
On Broken Wings played the first day of the 2-day Jamboree 3 music festival in Toledo, Ohio on April 14, 2012 alongside acts such as Reign Supreme, Emmure, Harm's Way and No Bragging Rights.
On Broken Wings will also be playing on the third day of the 2012 New England Metal and Hardcore Festival, along with big names such as The Black Dahlia Murder, All That Remains, The Acacia Strain, Oceano, All Shall Perish, and many more.
Possible Split From Eulogy Recordings
Although it states on the band's Myspace that they are still signed with Eulogy Recordings, Eulogy's website has OBW listed in the past bands section leading some to believe that either On Broken Wings has possibly signed with a more prominent label or is currently searching for one. In a recent interview with Worldmovesfast.com, Jon Blake stated that the band has "fulfilled their contract" with Eulogy and have moved on. He also mentioned meeting with Tony Victory and being turned down a slot on Victory Records because "the label already has too many bands that sound like us."
References
- ↑ "Sweat and Sacrifice" (feature on A Day to Remember). Alternative Press No. 254 (September 2009), p. 92.