Far-Less began in the summer of 2001 in Marion, Virginia. The original lineup included vocalist Jordan Powers, bassist Joseph Powers, drummer Ray Felts and guitarist Jacob Murray. The quartet quickly wrote and recorded the Emerge EP, playing a handful of local shows before the exit of Murray near the end of the year, a change which prompted Jordan’s shift to guitar and the inclusion of Brandon Welch as lead vocalist. The band's name originated in a friend's last name, with an added hyphen. This lineup was stable for the following year, in which the band released the Apossibility EP and recorded their full-length debut Broken Hearts Unite for the Raleigh, North Carolina-based indie label Silent Uproar Records. Regional tours continued as the band started to garner more attention with Broken Hearts Unite, and eventually Mark Karsten was added as second guitarist.
In 2003 Far-Less started to earn the attention of larger record companies, and in 2004 was invited to perform in a showcase for Seattle’s Tooth and Nail Records. This performance ultimately led the band to sign on to the label’s roster, and the Turn to the Bright EP followed later that year. Following a long period of touring the band returned to the studio to record a second full-length album, Everyone Is Out to Get Us. The record received many positive reviews, as well as a notable 4/5 rating in Alternative Press. More touring ensued, and in 2006 the band parted ways with drummer Ray Felts.
North Carolina native Todd Turner immediately took over the reins as the Far-Less drummer, and with the shifting dynamic of the band came a renewed creative energy, which ultimately culminated in the group’s third album A Toast to Bad Taste. In the middle of the recording process the group decided a full-time keyboardist would be beneficial, and added Elizabeth “Bitsy” Pina to its ranks. Touring in the United States and Canada followed, with the record being released in 2007—again to critical acclaim, but with low record sales. Bassist Joseph Powers left the band to return to school, leaving a huge gap which was opened even more when Karsten and Turner followed in his footsteps.
2008 proved to be a strenuous year for Far-Less, yet the band pushed on with the aid of long-time friends (now current members) Brandon Hackler on guitar and Tyler Hill on drums. A national tour in the spring of 2008 resulted in the loss of Pina, but the band managed to finish the tour dates with help from Mike Schey (of The Format and The Honorary Title), Josh King (of House of Fools) and Robert Smith (of MAE and Tokyo). After a brief hiatus the band filled the empty bass slot with Brian Freeman, moved to Radford, Virginia and continued the writing process. The forthcoming Headache EP is the result, and was due to be released digitally by Tooth & Nail Records in the summer of 2009, but for unknown reasons the EP has yet to come out.
Far-Less played their final show on August 14, 2009 at the Greene Street Club in Greensboro, NC. The band ended its career with a twenty song set including songs from all past albums and EPs. The band had many special guests at the show, including Josh King of House of Fools, and they were able to reassemble many of the past members to create a Far-Less "super group" with performances by Ray Felts, Joseph Powers, Todd Turner, and Mark Karsten, along with the final line-up of the band (Brandon Welch, Jordan Powers, Brandon Hackler, Tyler Joel Hill, and Brian Freeman).
Final line-up:
Brandon Welch - Lead vocals
Jordan Powers - Guitar, vocals
Brandon Hackler - Guitar
Brian Freeman - Bass
Tyler Hill - Drums
Former members:
Mark Karsten - Guitar, vocals (2003-2008)
Todd Turner - drums (2006–2008)
Elizabeth "Bitsy" Pina - keyboard (2007–2008)
Joseph "Joep" Powers - Bass (2001-2007)
Ray Felts - Drums, vocals (2001-2006)
Jacob R. Murray - guitar (2001–2002)
Discography:
Recorded 2008 - Headache (EP) (Never officially released) - soundcloud.com/saintdopeium/sets/far-less-headache-ep-unreleased
2007 - A Toast To Bad Taste (Tooth & Nail Records)
2006 - Everyone Is Out To Get Us (Tooth & Nail Records)
2004 - Turn To The Bright (EP) (Tooth & Nail Records)
2003 - Broken Hearts Unite (Silent Uproar Records)
2002 - Apossibility (EP) (Self-released)
2001 - Emerge (EP) (Self-released)
A Virus On My Mind
Far-Less Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But you must be strong
Through darkest of abyss, we close our eyes most times
But you must find your way back home
I tried so hard to be what you need
But you wouldn't let me
Here's some simple reasoning
And even I will pray for the broken hearts that be
And those who slowly kill me
We can only stomach so much before we throw up
We can only stand in the fire for so long before we burn up
It's all over and I know that i'll be fine
Anyway these bridges burn in time
They burn in time, they burn in time
Here's some simple reasoning
Life is what we want it to be
And even I will pray for those wounded hands that be
And those who slowly kill me
We can only stomach so much before we throw up
We can only stand in the fire for so long before we burn up
It's all over and I know that i'll be fine
Anyway these bridges burn in time
They burn in time, they burn in time
Before I fall asleep I want to know
That you are listening to me
I want to lay my head to rest
And know you're here with me
We can only stomach so much before we throw up
We can only stand in the fire for so long before we burn up
It's all over and I know that i'll be fine
Anyway these bridges burn in time
They burn in time, they burn in time
The song "A Virus On My Mind" by Far-Less deals with the struggles and pressures of life and the toll it can take on one's mental health. The lyrics speak of a self-imposed pressure to always be strong, even in the darkest times. The line "At times the virus of the mind gets to us all, but you must be strong" highlights the internal struggle between giving into negative thoughts and fighting through them.
The song then moves into a more personal narrative, where the singer is pleading to be understood and accepted by someone who won't let them be who they are. The line "I tried so hard to be what you need, but you wouldn't let me" speaks to the idea of changing oneself for the sake of someone else, and the frustration that comes from feeling unseen and unappreciated. However, despite this pain, the singer expresses a desire to help and pray for those who have hurt them.
The song concludes with a message of acceptance and the hope for comfort in times of struggle. The line "Before I fall asleep I want to know that you are listening to me" expresses the need for connection and understanding, and the desire to feel supported in difficult times. The repeated lines "We can only stomach so much before we throw up, we can only stand in the fire for so long before we burn up" suggest that it's important to know your limits, and that it's okay to ask for help and support when needed.
Line by Line Meaning
At times the virus of the mind gets to us all
Sometimes our thoughts can be overwhelming and difficult to control.
But you must be strong
It's important to stay resilient and persevere through tough times.
Through darkest of abyss, we close our eyes most times
When things seem hopeless and overwhelming, we often want to block it out or avoid it.
But you must find your way back home
Despite the challenges, it's important to find our way back to a safe and stable place.
I tried so hard to be what you need
I put in a lot of effort to meet your expectations and make you happy.
But you wouldn't let me
Despite my efforts, you were not receptive or appreciative of what I did.
Here's some simple reasoning
Here is a straightforward explanation or logic to consider.
Life is what we want it to be
Our choices and actions determine the quality of our life.
And even I will pray for the broken hearts that be
I extend empathy and concern for those who are suffering or heartbroken.
And those who slowly kill me
I am also affected by those who cause me emotional pain or distress over time.
We can only stomach so much before we throw up
We can only handle so much stress or negative emotions before it becomes too much to bear.
We can only stand in the fire for so long before we burn up
We can only tolerate intense or difficult situations for a limited period before it starts to take a toll on our well-being.
It's all over and I know that i'll be fine
Despite the struggles, I'm confident that things will eventually improve and I'll be okay.
Anyway these bridges burn in time
Regardless of how things end, some relationships or connections cannot be salvaged and will eventually fade away.
Before I fall asleep I want to know
As I prepare to rest, I have a desire to feel reassured or comforted in some way.
That you are listening to me
I hope that someone is paying attention to my thoughts and feelings.
I want to lay my head to rest
I want to relax and find some peace after a long and difficult day.
And know you're here with me
I want to feel supported and not alone, even during times of rest.
Contributed by Lauren P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.