Fame is a weird thing. A lot of people chase it all their lives and never achieve anything resembling it. Others seemingly without trying seem to achieve a lifelong flow of the stuff. Finally is the group that gets their 15 seconds, sometimes more, sometimes less, but always just a moment of fame before time simply forgets who they were to begin with. For my imaginary band of underdogs their 5th album (the self-titled album as it were, just imagine the four chaps in dapper suits against a glossy white background for the album cover) becomes the one that finally gets them some fame. The band is finally thriving and have accomplished their dreams of conquering the world spreading a message of love and hope (with a dash of thoughtful melancholy for character). Now the question becomes, how long will this fame last them, and what will it do to the members of the band? No Name Face The previous album ended up being a bigger success than the band could have imagined. Shortly after self-releasing "Dancing In Ashes" they were picked up by a mainstream label who had the album re-released. Additionally the band were given the pop machine works with music videos, interviews, and opening spots for huge acts followed by their own headlining tour.
Amazingly the band thrived and before long were begging to be put back in a studio to record their next album. They recorded with their original producer David Moon, who by this point was family to the band and the self-titled result was a far more collaborative effort than had been seen in years with Andy Webber taking the lead on six tracks and the remaining tracks being split between Chris Peltz and Alex Gramm on lead vocals. The subject matter split the difference between the standard (but no less engaging) love song and the bands usual grab bag of hope and honesty. Now that they had seemingly conquered the world, where would they go next? Andrew Webber – Vocals, Bass, Keys Chris Peltz – Drums, Vocals George Packard – Guitar, Keys, Vocals Alexander Gramm – Guitar, Keys, Vocals
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There are a couple examples of artists making their best work when they think they have nothing left to lose I can think of. Switchfoot’s “The Beautiful Letdown” comes to mind as does “Power Rangers In Space”. Essentially if someone thinks they have nothing to lose they will make the piece of art they want to make, with no inhibitions, and I really love that idea. That’s where we find the guys in our fictional band, at the end of their rope with nothing left to lose. In my universe it becomes one of the bands defining moments, following up on the success paved by their previous album, and paving the way for the future. Dancing In Ashes It truly did seem like the end for the band. After the tour for “Songs From Below” Greg Wise officially left the band to spend time with his family and finish college. Additionally although sales for the last record had been better than their first two, it still wasn’t enough keep their record contract from ending. And suddenly the band was voiceless and homeless (metaphorically at least). The guys chose to soldier on, however and record another album. With funds earned from touring the group self-financed and self-produced their next album in a studio that rented time by the hour. For this album Andrew took lead vocals on most tracks straining his vocal capabilities to the limit. For parts that were out of his range drummer Chris Peltz filled in on vocals as well. After recording the band were once again off touring wherever would have them.
Andrew Webber – Vocals, Bass, Keys George Packard – Guitar, Keys, Vocals Chris Peltz – Drums, Vocals Everything Is Beautiful – Starfield (Andrew Webber) Ammunition – Switchfoot (Andrew Webber) Salt In The Snow – The Classic Crime (Andrew Webber) House Of Mirrors – Tenth Avenue North (Chris Peltz) I Win – Starflyer 59 (Andrew Webber) Resuscitate Me – Remedy Drive (Andrew Webber) Indian Summer – The Waiting (Andrew Webber) Endless Day – Wavorly (Andrew Webber) Chance Of Sunbreak – Yellow Second (Chris Peltz) White Flag – Lakes (Chris Peltz) Foolish Father – Weezer (Andrew Webber) Third albums in an artists discography are really interesting to me. The first two albums are there chance to figure stuff and usually one or the other is the growing pains album. But the third album is where often the artist gets to shine. They’ve now spent years on the road and in the studio honing their craft and now get to show the best they have to offer, using all the skills and resources acquired during the first two albums. For this fictional band the third album is also their make it or break it chance. Record label contracts expire and expectations are either met or you are no longer useful to the industry. I love it when a band goes into a studio and makes a defining piece of work during these make it or break it moments. Songs From Below No Name Face were at a crossroads. After years of relentless touring and only a small following to show for it Singer Greg Wise announced he was ready to leave the band and go back to college. However the other members were not quite ready to give up and convinced him to stay on for at least one more album. Bassist Andy Webber and Guitarist George Packard took the lead on most the songwriting this album, choosing to go back to their roots as a church band and focus a good deal on God. They let this lead them to write songs of worship, repentance, and above all redemption. The group once again teamed with producer David Moon and crafted the album in Moon's private studio. Surprisingly these hopeful and honest anthems led to their biggest success as a band yet.
Greg Wise – Vocals Andrew Webber – Bass, Vocals George Packard – Guitar, Keys, Vocals Chris Peltz – Drums, Vocals
In part two of this series we see the fictional band with real music (please see previous post if you are confused) fall into the dreaded sophomore slump. In reality these second albums may not be as good as the fist album for various reasons, less time to write, rushed production, etc. I like the idea though that in this fictional world (just like in the real world) this is some kids favorite NNF record because they listened to it when they were 14 years old and it just hit a special place with their heart. So without further ado here is album number two in the No Name Face discography. The Show The second album by NNF came amidst great turmoil. Shortly after getting off their first tour drummer Denny Owens chose to leave the band, which left the group short a drummer. Additionally the record label demanded a second album be produced very quickly and with a more pop approach to appeal to as wide of an audience as possible. With label mandated producer Joel Peltz in tow the now trio went into the studio to record their second album. Andrew filled in on drums where he could and all three members contributed bits and pieces of music and lyrics made while on the road but overall they were feeling stretched thin. Thankfully relief came in the form of drummer Chris Peltz (son of Joel) who was more than capable on the drum kit and added another singing voice that blended nicely with Greg’s. Additionally Chris proved himself a capable songwriter and meshed well with the other members of the band. Rejuvenated the band quickly finished the album and went back out on the road, once again ready conquer the world one show at a time.
Greg Wise – Vocals Andrew Webber – Bass, keyboard, Vocals, Drums George Packard – Guitar, keyboard, Vocals Chris Peltz – Drums, Vocals
This may be the most ridiculous idea I ever post on here but you know what it’s my site so I can do what I want. For a long time I’ve loved the idea of band, and the story that the band itself tells through the albums they choose to make, how big they do or do not get, and the members that may come and go. After way too many hours thinking about this concept I came upon the idea of making a fictional band with pre-existing music. Now it goes without saying that a lot of the songs in this playlist comes with it’s own baggage and expectations based on the real life bands that perform the songs. But just try and forget all that for a moment and listen to these songs as if they were all original songs by a completely original band. See what story this band has to tell and maybe find just a little bit of joy in a work of fiction. With all that said below is the name of the album and notes of what’s happening within the band’s fictional universe during this album. Additionally I’ve included the names of the person in the fictional band who is singing lead vocals in parentheses next to the real world track listing to help with the listening experience. Enjoy your journey Hello No Name Face is a fictional band hailing from the suburbs of Indianapolis Indiana. This four piece consists of drummer Denny Owens, lead vocalist Greg Wise, bassist and sometimes lead vocalist Andrew Webber, and guitar player George Packard.
They started as a youth group band playing in their small local church and in Andrew’s garage. Most songwriting was carried out by Andrew Webber and George Packard but especially on this first album contributions are made by all the members. The band was recruited by hotshot producer David Moon (who coincidentally produced the album) on a medium sized record label and they are set on conquering the world, or at least playing somewhere outside of their hometown, whichever comes first. Greg Wise - Vocals Andrew Webber - Bass, Vocals George Packard - Guitar, Keyboard, Vocals Denny Owens - Drums
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