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)
Ignorance Is Bliss
Far-Less Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Envy breaks me down
I sigh without a sound
He seems to me to be the best man all around
But with the voices in my head
And the roses in your bed
They don't seem to compromise the lies he fed you
[Chorus:]
The spectrum of the rainbow shines clear to me tonight
You never show your true colors
And if the latter part is true
Then I am through with you
So won't you let me be
Bliss and ignorant
Envy breaks me down
I sigh without a sound
He seems to me to be the best man all around
But with the voices in my head
And the roses in your bed
They don't seem to compromise the lies he fed you
So eat up
[Chorus]
Why won't you let me be?
[Chorus]
The song "Ignorance Is Bliss" by Far-Less can be interpreted as a reflection on a relationship that has become toxic due to envy, lies, and deceit. The lyrics depict the singer being envious of another man who seems perfect and has managed to manipulate their lover. Despite the voices in their head and the evidence of the lies that the other man has fed their partner, the singer still feels compelled to stay with them.
The chorus talks about the spectrum of the rainbow shining clear to the singer, implying that they can see through the facade of the other man but their partner cannot. The repeated phrase "bliss and ignorant" suggests that their partner is happy in their ignorance, blind to the reality of the situation. In the end, the singer decides to break away from the relationship, stating, "If the latter part is true, then I am through with you." They are tired of being dragged down by their envy and the other man's lies, and they want to move on to a better, more truthful situation.
Overall, the lyrics of "Ignorance Is Bliss" speak to the struggle of dealing with toxic relationships and the desire to break free from them. It's a relatable sentiment that many people have experienced in their own lives, and the song captures that feeling with raw, emotional lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
Envy breaks me down
I feel destroyed by my jealous feelings
I sigh without a sound
I'm too upset to make any noise
He seems to me to be the best man all around
I think he's the best guy in every way possible
But with the voices in my head
But my thoughts seem conflicted
And the roses in your bed
And the evidence of his affection for you
They don't seem to compromise the lies he fed you
But they don't negate the lies he's told you
So eat up
So go ahead and believe his lies
The spectrum of the rainbow shines clear to me tonight
I see things more clearly than ever before
You never show your true colors
You never reveal your true self or intentions
And if the latter part is true
And if you are truly deceptive
Then I am through with you
Then I'm finished with our relationship
So won't you let me be
So please leave me alone
Why won't you let me be?
Why won't you give me the space I need?
Contributed by Leah F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.