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A Thorn for Every Heart

From Alfawiki
A Thorn for Every Heart
Company typeBand
IndustryMusic
Founded2003
Headquarters
Chino Hills, California
,
United States
ProductsMusic albums and EPs

A Thorn for Every Heart (commonly known as ATFEH) is a post-hardcore group originating from Chino Hills, California, United States.

History

Formed in early 2003 by guitarist Joel Ryan Holt and drummer Aaron Peck, A Thorn for Every Heart initially consisted of Holt, Peck, lead vocalist Kelvin Cruz, guitarist/keyboardist/backing vocalist Jeff Harber, bassist Justin Powell, and violinist Joy Welling. Independently, they released their debut EP, Silence Is Golden, in late 2003. The EP garnered online attention and cultivated a grassroots fanbase, which prompted discussions with Interscope about a potential record deal. However, creative disagreements led to Holt's departure, with Phil Nguyen stepping in as his replacement. During their inaugural nationwide tour in 2004, Welling exited the band and was not succeeded by another violinist. That summer, ATFEH recorded their first full-length album titled Things Aren't So Beautiful Now, produced by Shawn Sullivan (known for work with Bleeding Through and Reel Big Fish). Released on October 19, 2004 under Interscope's Kickball Records imprint, the album combined five revamped tracks from the EP alongside five new compositions. Following the recording sessions, Peck left the group, leaving the drummer role unfilled for approximately one year.

In the subsequent years, ATFEH maintained an extensive touring schedule throughout the United States, performing both as headliners and supporting acts for prominent bands such as From First to Last, Hit the Lights, Boys Like Girls, Fall Out Boy, Jimmy Eat World, and Taking Back Sunday. Their festival appearances included Surf & Skate (2004), The Bamboozle (2005–2006), and two consecutive years on The Vans Warped Tour (2004–2005). In 2005, bassist and producer Justin Powell independently recorded two cover tracks: Oingo Boingo's "Dead Man's Party" for the compilation Punk Goes 80s and "Jellybelly" for The Killer in You: A Tribute to Smashing Pumpkins. That same year, Tyler Mahurin (associated with A Static Lullaby and Hollywood Undead) joined as the official drummer. ATFEH also appeared on Fuse’s program "Steven’s Untitled Rock Show" in May 2006.

Following their debut album’s positive reception, Interscope prepared the band for a major label release. Their sophomore album, It's Hard to Move You, was scheduled for release on July 31, 2007. Predominantly produced by Matt Squire (noted for work with Panic! At the Disco), with select tracks produced by Mark Hoppus of Blink-182, the album leaked online on June 1, 2007. Soon after this leak, Interscope shuttered Kickball Records and indefinitely shelved the record. Since then, ATFEH has pursued rights to officially release the album; a fan petition emerged in 2015 advocating for its availability.

Increasing difficulties resulted in Harber’s exit in 2007; Mahurin also departed to rejoin A Static Lullaby. Their positions were filled by Casey Hill on guitar and Matt Thorsen on drums. Amidst label complications and lineup shifts, ATFEH regrouped and independently released their second EP, Pick Up the Pieces, on July 1, 2008.

In early 2009, Powell announced his departure from the group; Ryan Warrell stepped in as bassist during their final months of activity. With Cruz remaining as the sole original member, ATFEH declared an indefinite hiatus on March 20, 2009. Their side project Hi-Fighter disbanded soon thereafter. Subsequently, Cruz and Powell formed an electro/pop/rock ensemble named "Come On, Come On!".

To commemorate their tenth anniversary in 2013, Cruz hinted at a reunion featuring most of the original lineup. This materialized in April 2014 when Holt, Harber, Powell, Cruz, and Nguyen reunited to perform at a festival in Southern California—their first live appearance together in over five years.

On June 17, 2016, ATFEH held a second reunion concert alongside longtime associates A Static Lullaby at West Hollywood’s Roxy Theatre. This lineup included Holt, Powell, Cruz, Nguyen, and Hill.

Original violinist Joy Welling tragically passed away in March 2018 due to injuries sustained in a climbing accident.

The band reunited once more on December 14, 2018 at Emo Night Brooklyn’s West Coast Holiday Fest held in Santa Ana, California. This show featured Holt, Harber, Powell, Cruz, and Nguyen performing as the sole full-band act.

In 2019, Cruz and Powell launched Nightmares and Neon, a synthwave electronic duo.

On December 14 of that year, ATFEH announced intentions to record “one last time” during January 2020 with members Powell, Nguyen, Holt, Cruz, Harber, and former drummer Matt Thorsen.

In December 2024, they released previously unreleased singles via streaming services ahead of their fourth reunion show scheduled for February 8, 2025 in Santa Ana alongside Taken, The Juliana Theory, and A Static Lullaby. The band has plans for additional releases including a new album anticipated in 2025.

Legacy

In 2013, OC Weekly placed A Thorn for Every Heart at number six on its list of the "Top 10 Worst Emo Bands Of All Time," characterizing their sound as "poorly crafted melodramatic music aimed at young teenage girls."

Band members

  • Jeff Harber – guitar, vocals
  • Justin Powell – bass
  • Kelvin Cruz – lead vocals
  • Phil Nguyen – guitar
  • James Forsberg – drums

Discography

Title Release date Label
Silence Is Golden (EP) 2003 [self-released]
Things Aren't So Beautiful Now 2004 Kickball Records/Interscope Records
It's Hard to Move You † 2007 Kickball Records/Interscope Records
Pick Up the Pieces (EP) 2008 [self-released]

† never officially released

Other works

A Thorn for Every Heart participated in various compilations by contributing cover songs and acoustic tracks, such as:

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