The New Jersey based alternative rock outfit The Finals, whose original members include Matthew Reilly (vocals/bass), Jason Sazer (vocals/guitar), Lou Bottone (guitar), Joshua Sazer (drums) and Christian Kisala (keyboards) formed in the summer of 2003. As former members of acclaimed local acts Tokyo Rose and Welcome Home Travis the band quickly began performing and garnering a sizable following.
The Finals recorded their debut EP “Long Story Short” with producer/engineer John Naclerio (Brand New, My Chemical Romance) of Nada Recording. In August of 2004 the independent label Stab Me Recordings, a division of Establishment Clothing, released the album.
While featured on Purevolume.com The Finals caught the attention of Immortal Records and the label signed the act. The band enlisted friend Heath Saraceno (Midtown, Senses Fail) as producer and returned to Nada Recording to record their first full-length album, “Plan Your Getaway,” which was issued in July of 2006.
The Finals toured the U.S. extensively in support of “Plan Your Getaway” until vocalist/bassist Matthew Reilly parted ways with the group. The remaining members recruited North Carolina native Andrew Seagle as Reilly’s replacement.
In November of 2006, “Plan Your Getaway” was released in Japan via Kick Rock Music and The Finals’ version of Wham’s “Last Christmas” was released on the Immortal Records compilation “A Santa Cause 2: It’s A Punk Rock Christmas” amongst artists like Fall Out Boy, MxPx, Chino Moreno of the Deftones and Sugarcult.
The Finals entered the studio with producer/engineer Steve Greenwell (Joss Stone) to write and record new material for their follow-up release, however after the collapse of Immortal Records in October of 2007 the group made the decision to disband and pursue other musical endeavors.
During their brief stint as a band The Finals were featured as “Band of the Day” on Spin.com, chosen to perform on Fox’s Fearless Music TV, and have shared the stage with acts such as The Ataris, Autopilot Off, Flickerstick, The Matches, Midtown and more.
