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)
Horomones And Peer Pressure
Far-Less Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I can't breathe
Inhale
Renew the air now and breathe
I will not be singled out here
I refuse to take your blame
You're the reason I will never win this stupid game
Let's pretend our love's okay
If pretending fails then forget you ever knew my name
Inching closer to me
I can't breathe
Inhale
Renew the air now and breathe
So, I'm struggling for air again
With these bruises on my face
Didn't think that I would take you down in my own way
All the faces that you're wearing
But I know you never change
You can keep his smile 'cause I'll take my secrets to the grave
Inching closer to me
I can't breathe
Inhale
Renew the air now and breathe
That old life
Don't feel mine
Save me now
Save me now
This new life
Feels just fine
Save me now
Save me now
The lyrics to Far-Less's song "Hormones And Peer Pressure" describe the struggles of fitting in and feeling accepted by others, especially in the context of relationships. The lines "Let's pretend that I fit in here / Let's pretend our love's okay" suggest that there may be pressure to conform and to present a certain image to others, even if it means denying one's true self or feeling emotionally stifled. The repeated phrase "Inching closer to me / I can't breathe / Inhale / Renew the air now and breathe" creates an atmosphere of suffocation and anxiety, as though the singer is being stifled by the expectations of others.
There is also a sense of anger and defiance in the lyrics, particularly in the lines "I refuse to take your blame / You're the reason I will never win this stupid game." The singer seems to be rejecting the idea of being held responsible for the actions or opinions of others, and is frustrated with the idea of constantly being judged or criticized.
Overall, "Hormones And Peer Pressure" explores the complex emotions and pressures that can arise in relationships, particularly when there is a sense of needing to conform or fit in. The lyrics convey a sense of anxiety, fear, and anger, but also suggest a desire for self-acceptance and independence.
Line by Line Meaning
Inching closer to me
Someone is moving closer to the singer
I can't breathe
The singer is feeling trapped or overwhelmed
Inhale
The singer is instructed to take a deep breath
Renew the air now and breathe
The artist should try to refresh and calm themselves
I will not be singled out here
The artist won't be made a target or victim of someone else's actions
I refuse to take your blame
The singer won't accept responsibility for someone else's mistakes or actions
You're the reason I will never win this stupid game
The other person is causing the singer to feel like they can't win or be successful
Let's pretend that I fit in here
The artist suggests faking connection or belonging
Let's pretend our love's okay
The artist suggests pretending everything is alright
If pretending fails then forget you ever knew my name
If pretending doesn't work, the artist wants nothing to do with the other person
So, I'm struggling for air again
The singer is still feeling trapped and helpless
With these bruises on my face
The artist has physical injuries caused by the other person
Didn't think that I would take you down in my own way
The singer is taking action to fight back against the other person
All the faces that you're wearing
The other person is being fake or deceitful
But I know you never change
Regardless of how the other person acts or presents themselves, they're always the same
You can keep his smile 'cause I'll take my secrets to the grave
The other person can pretend to be happy or successful, but the artist won't share their own personal struggles or issues
That old life
The artist is leaving behind their past or previous problems
Don't feel mine
The singer doesn't identify with their old struggles or issues anymore
Save me now
The singer wants help or support
This new life
The artist is beginning a new phase or chapter
Feels just fine
The artist is content with their new direction or progress
Contributed by Zachary L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.