The unlikely origin of the Texas-based rock quartet The Afters is steeped in caffeine. Josh Havens and Matt Fuqua were working together at a Starbucks in Mesquite, Texas while playing for other bands. On slow nights, they entertained customers and themselves by playing a few acoustic songs. The road led to a series of acoustic shows at The Door, a legendary Dallas club. "We wound up with 300 people at our first show and the crowds got bigger every time we played," Havens recalls. The band's powerful performances earned The Afters a loyal following and for two years the band packed The Door consistently. Two years later and with a new moniker, The Afters signed with Simple/INO Records to record their follow-up, I WISH WE ALL COULD WIN. Based on the strength of the album, Epic Records agreed to sign The Afters and release the album in the winter of 2005. THE ALBUM I WISH WE ALL COULD WIN, the major-label debut from The Afters, balances muscular power chords with soaring melodies and simple acoustic moments with majestic orchestration to create an epic soundscape. The album's first single, "Beautiful Love" opens with a crescendo of guitar, piano and drums before Havens' nimble voice and a chorus of ringing guitars break through the din. The song was written, Havens says, while his wife was in Mexico on a humanitarian-aid trip. "We're all in this world living our life, trying to do our best and trying to figure out why we're here," Havens explains. "Essentially, the album is about running the race of life. At the end of the race, there are winners and losers. With these songs, we explored a utopian outlook where everyone wins and everyone lives for something greater than their own desires."
FOREIGN OREN
Blending together a pop/indie sound, Foreign Oren emerges from Dallas, TX, with vigor and poise to challenge minds, encourage hearts, and create response using a refreshingly unique and wonderful approach to art. Forming in 2004, FO began to build a new brand of rock n roll by fusing together the powerful rhythm section of John Sletten (bass/bgvs) and Brandon Lozano (drums), innovative and brilliant guitar work of Blake Panter (guitar), and honest lyrics and melodies of Derric Bonnot (vocals/guitar). After a year of traveling and playing to promote an independent cd release, Foreign Oren caught the attention of noted producer Peter Kipley who saw the band and offered not only to produce a new record, but sign them to his label (Simple/INO). Kipley wasted no time getting his new band into the studio to work on their first major label release. Spending the last year making periodic trips to Nashville, Foreign Oren has molded together a first major label record release to be proud of. The album, expected to be released in 2006, with an EP set for release in the Winter of 05, gives plenty of fuel to the passion the band has for the road.
Foreign Oren has teamed up with Greg Hill Management and CAA to begin revving up for their 2006 record release. Be looking for Foreign Oren on the club circuit this fall and on major tours in early 06.
PHIL WICKHAM
Having a pastor for a dad, and a mom that has always been highly aware and involved with the things of God, you can safely say that my experience growing up was a very christian one. With intensely consistent visits to Sunday school, a broad knowledge of the Bible for my age, and being an all-around good kid, I thought that a future in heaven was a sure thing for me. But, at the end of my sixth grade year I realized that there was so much more. Up until that time I had seen myself on a point system with God: if I do good then I go to heaven. I, along with so many others around this crazy world, was wrong. Being a christian is not about trying to be something perfect. If it was then we would all fail. Being a christian is about having a real and sincere relationship with Jesus Christ, and letting Him be the Lord of your life. About the same time I realized this, my family moved to San Diego. In my lack of having anything worthwhile to do or having any friends within fifty miles I picked up the guitar. It came pretty easy and in a couple of months I was writing songs. As the years went by there were more and more opportunities to play and sing. By the time I was nineteen years old I put my first CD out, and now i am currently working on my second one. It will have twelve new songs on it including the one you're listening to at the moment. The scheduled release date is in April 2006. thanks for reading love, -phil
