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)
Juliet
Far-Less Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That there is anything beyond our stars
As perfect as you in my arms
She swears her town looks just like a postcard in the fall
And she can wear the autumn like a crown
Declaring her beautiful
To wear on your heart like it's a tattoo
And I believed in you
But I sit alone
It's like you don't even care
Tell me now what you want from me
Open up my eyes and make me see
'Cause I don't know what you want from me
So open up my mind and make me believe
And I have seen her town looks like a postcard in the fall
With softly spoken words
I'll tell her
This is where we need to be
I put my trust in you
To wear on your heart like it's a tattoo
And I believed in you
But I sit alone
It's like you don't even care
Tell me now what you want from me
Open up my eyes and make me see
'Cause I don't know what you want from me
So open up my mind and make me believe
It's so hard to believe
That there is anything beyond our stars
As perfect as you in my arms
The song "Juliet" by Far-Less is a poignant and emotional work that touches on themes of trust, love, and the struggle to believe in something beyond ourselves. At its core, the song is a love letter to someone named Juliet, who is described as being perfect in the arms of the singer. The first verse touches on the idea that it's difficult to believe there could be anything beyond the stars that could compare to the beauty of Juliet. The imagery of her town looking like a postcard in the fall emphasizes the idea of her being a visual masterpiece in her natural surroundings.
The chorus reveals that the singer has put their trust in Juliet, but feels let down and alone. They ask her to open up their eyes and mind to what she wants from the relationship. In the second verse, the singer describes seeing Juliet's town for themselves and realizing that it's where they need to be. The song ends with a repetition of the opening lines, emphasizing the ongoing struggle to believe that anything could be as perfect as Juliet in the singer's world.
Overall, "Juliet" is a deeply emotional song that captures the feeling of falling in love and the accompanying rollercoaster of trust and emotion that can come with it. It's a reminder that even the most perfect relationships can be challenging at times and that we must have faith in ourselves to see them through.
Line by Line Meaning
It's so hard to believe
The singer finds it difficult to accept that there could be anything better than their lover.
That there is anything beyond our stars
The singer thinks highly of their lover, so finding something beyond the stars as good is a tall order.
As perfect as you in my arms
The singer feels incredibly lucky to have their lover in their life, and is grateful for the moments they share together.
She swears her town looks just like a postcard in the fall
The artist's lover describes her hometown as picture-perfect, especially during fall with its colors.
And she can wear the autumn like a crown
The artist's lover has a special connection to the season, and feels like she truly reigns supreme during the fall.
Declaring her beautiful
The singer's lover takes pride in her looks, and enjoys being called beautiful.
I put my trust in you
The singer has faith in their lover, and relies on them to fulfill their needs.
To wear on your heart like it's a tattoo
The artist wants their lover to hold onto their trust like a permanent mark on their heart.
And I believed in you
The artist has always trusted and believed in their lover's loyalty to them, but is now doubting their bond.
But I sit alone
The artist feels lonely and isolated, as if their lover has left them behind.
It's like you don't even care
The singer feels like their lover has abandoned them, and doesn't seem to care about the pain they're in.
Tell me now what you want from me
The artist is confused about what their lover wants from them, and feels like they're not communicating effectively.
Open up my eyes and make me see
The singer wants their lover to be more transparent, and help them see what's really going on in their relationship.
'Cause I don't know what you want from me
The singer is uncertain about their lover's needs and intentions, which is causing them distress.
So open up my mind and make me believe
The singer wants their lover to show them that their bond is still strong, and to help them regain their trust and faith in them.
And I have seen her town looks like a postcard in the fall
The artist has visited their lover's hometown during autumn, and understands why they cherish it so much.
With softly spoken words
The artist speaks gently and kindly to their lover, in hopes of reconciling with them.
I'll tell her
The singer plans to express their feelings to their lover, in an effort to repair their bond.
This is where we need to be
The singer believes that staying together is the best path forward for them and their lover.
Contributed by Nathaniel C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.