Eleventyseven
| Company type | Independent |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 2002 |
| Headquarters | Greenville, South Carolina , United States |
| Products | Music albums, EPs, podcasts |
Eleventyseven (styled as eleventyseven) is a pop punk group originating from Greenville, South Carolina, established in 2002.[1] The band’s name was selected simply because it "looked cool the next morning".[2] Their initial contract was with Flicker Records, under which they released two albums that charted within Christian music rankings. After a stint releasing music independently, they signed with Sony Japan, but returned to independent status within a year. The band continued to tour and produce music on their own until they disbanded in September 2014.[3][4]
In late 2016, Eleventyseven announced their reunion via social media platforms to create new recordings.[5] Since reuniting, they have continued independent touring and recording activities, as well as launching Eleventylife, a podcast centered on music that features conversations with professionals from the industry.[6]
Formation and Early Period (2002–2007)
Matt Langston and Caleb Satterfield initially collaborated within a church group based in Laurens, South Carolina. Originally called Protective Custody, the ensemble adopted the name Eleventyseven after drummer Johnathan Stephens joined. They started performing at local venues during high school and recorded a five-track demo EP at The Jam Room studio in Columbia, South Carolina. With producer Ricky Rodriguez’s assistance, they independently released a full-length album titled The Happiest Day of My Death. After self-distributing their album and EP, Rodriguez connected them with Flicker Records founders Mark Stuart and Will McGinniss.
Following their debut tour, the Extreme Tour, Eleventyseven signed with Flicker Records in 2005. Early in 2006, they supported Superchick on the "This is Your Anthem" tour. Their first major label release, And the Land of Fake Believe, arrived on May 16, 2006, garnering mixed critical responses. The band gained recognition through performances at ShoutFest '06, appearances on MTVU, and airplay on Christian rock radio with the single "MySpace." The track "More Than a Revolution" reached the Top 5 of ChristianRock.Net's weekly Top 30 and secured the number one spot on the Radio & Records Christian Rock charts. Shortly before this album’s release, Flicker Records was acquired by Provident Label Group, affiliated with Sony/BMG.
After appearing on The Logan Show toward the end of 2006, Eleventyseven embarked on a nationwide tour in early 2007. Their sophomore album under Flicker Records, Galactic Conquest, was released on September 4, 2007, peaking at No. 40 on Billboard's Top Christian Albums chart. Singles such as "Love in Your Arms" and "It's Beautiful" achieved strong positions on ChristianRock.Net and R&R charts. Several songs from this album were also featured on Radio Disney. Additionally, the band performed at Japan’s Punkspring '08 festival alongside prominent groups including New Found Glory and 311.
Independent Era (2008–2013)
Following difficulties with management, Eleventyseven parted ways with Flicker Records around 2008. Although negotiations with Gotee Records were considered, no agreement was reached, prompting the band to independently release their third album, Adventures in Eville, in 2009. This album saw an international release through Sony BMG in Japan, where Eleventyseven also performed at Punkspring '10.
In October 2009, the band introduced a Halloween-themed single titled "Flashlight (The Cullen Song)", a humorous spoof of the Twilight saga. While it was later removed from iTunes, the track remains accessible on their official YouTube channel.
Mid-2010 marked the departure of bassist Caleb Satterfield, who left to prioritize family commitments. Davey Davenport, who had previously substituted during frontman Matt Langston’s injury, took over bass duties.
On April 1, 2011, Eleventyseven released their debut EP Quota, followed by their fourth studio album, Sugarfist, on October 26, 2011 via Sony Japan. The Japanese version of Sugarfist included all six tracks from Quota plus three additional bonus songs.
By mid-2012, the band explored new musical territory with a folk-inspired EP titled Attack of the Mountain Medley, which touched on subjects such as Mormonism and rural humor. Later that year, they returned to their synth-punk roots with the holiday-themed EP Regifted. Additionally, Eleventyseven took part in Japan’s Geki Fest 11 alongside groups like The Cab.
In 2013, Matt Langston revealed plans for a fresh EP called Good Spells, which launched on September 10. This release featured electronic reinterpretations of hymns and represented a thematic departure from their earlier material.
Breakup (2014)
Eleventyseven officially dissolved on September 26, 2014, following several years primarily devoted to releasing EPs without engaging in tours. Lead vocalist Matt Langston communicated his intention to concentrate on his solo project, The Jellyrox; bassist Davey Davenport went on to establish the band Revelry; and drummer Johnathan Stephens focused on starting a family.
Shortly after disbanding, their track "Don't Want to Fall" was utilized in a promotional campaign by The North Face’s Korean division.
Reunion and Subsequent Releases (2016–present)
On November 26, 2016, Langston and Davenport announced Eleventyseven’s comeback through a Facebook vlog and launched the Eleventylife podcast chronicling the band’s journey. Work on a new album was nearing completion at that time.
The first season of the podcast featured Langston, Davenport, and Viner Rob Johnston; drummer Johnathan Stephens joined for season two. Notable guests included members from The Rough and Tumble and Wavorly.
On August 21, 2017, Eleventyseven initiated a Kickstarter campaign to fund their fifth studio album Rad Science. The campaign reached full funding by September 3; the album was subsequently released on November 7.
In August 2018, Langston previewed an updated track originally from their folk EP for inclusion on Rad Science: B-Sides, which was released on September 28.
October 2019 saw Langston host Brendan Brown of Wheatus on the Eleventylife podcast while debuting Eleventyseven’s rendition of "Teenage Dirtbag".
A Kickstarter campaign launched on November 8, 2019 supported the production of their sixth studio album Basic Glitches, which was released January 17, 2020. Following this release came the B-Sides EP Betamosh on November 6, 2020.
In March 2021, Eleventyseven contributed a cover of "Understatement" for Pacific Ridge Records' tribute compilation honoring New Found Glory.
August 2021 brought news of their seventh EP titled Revenge of the Mountain Medley, serving as a follow-up to their earlier folk collection.
On June 6, 2023, they announced the single "Side Hug" from their seventh studio album Gloom & Bloom, slated for release on October 6 alongside an album launch event in Greenville, South Carolina. A deluxe edition was later issued on May 24, 2024.
Musical and lyrical themes
Eleventyseven’s musical approach has drawn comparisons to groups such as Motion City Soundtrack and The Faint, often incorporating numerous nods to pop culture icons like Conan O'Brien and Star Wars. Their sound reflects elements characteristic of the 2000s third-wave emo movement and frequently aligns with Christian punk bands including Relient K, Stellar Kart, and Hawk Nelson.
Rather than focusing on the conventional emo themes of sorrow or anguish, the band prioritizes messages of optimism. Frontman Matt Langston has expressed that their intent is to promote encouragement instead of emphasizing adversity.
At present, Eleventyseven no longer identifies strictly as a Christian band, viewing spirituality as a private matter distinct from their musical identity.
Other projects
In 2011, Matt Langston established the independent label Rock Candy Recordings,[7] which supports a roster of ten artists, mainly located in the Southeastern United States.[7]
The Jellyrox
Langston’s solo venture into electropop, The Jellyrox, originated with remixes of Eleventyseven tracks, beginning with "Evil Genius (The Jellyrox remix)" featured on their 2009 release Adventures in Eville. Since then, The Jellyrox has produced two studio albums (Heta Himlen, Bang & Whimper), two EPs (The Jellyrox, Embellish), along with multiple singles.[8]
The Fast Feeling
In 2016, Langston teamed up with original members of Five Iron Frenzy—Leanor Ortega Till ("Jeff the Girl"), Scott Kerr, and Andrew Verdecchio—to create the power pop EDM group The Fast Feeling.[9] They initiated an Indiegogo campaign to fund their debut album Pulses, which was released on January 13, 2017.[10] Langston contributes vocals, synthesizers, guitar, and production duties.[11]
Best Friend Fight
Partnering with Rob Johnson from The Switch Kids, Langston formed Best Friend Fight. They officially released one track accompanied by a music video—"Walking Dead Apocalypse"—in August 2010.[12] Other songs include "Fancy" and an unofficially released track titled "Time Machine". In 2016, Best Friend Fight produced a remix of "Enough" from The Jellyrox’s Bang & Whimper album.[13]
Fantasy League
In 2022, Langston collaborated once again with Scott Kerr to establish the indie pop ensemble Fantasy League. The project was revealed on April 12, with their first single "Blind" debuting on April 15. Their self-titled inaugural album was subsequently released on November 18, incorporating five singles that had been previously issued.
Members
- Matt Langston – lead vocals, guitar, keyboards, synthesizers, programming (2002–2014, 2016–present)
- Davey Davenport – bass guitar, keyboards, backing vocals (2010–2014, 2016–present)
- Jonathan Stephens – drums, backing vocals (2002–2014)
- Caleb Satterfield – bass guitar, backing vocals (2002–2010)
Albums
| Year | Title | Label(s) |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | And the Land of Fake Believe | Flicker Records |
| 2007 | Galactic Conquest | Flicker Records |
| 2009 | Adventures in Eville | Independent |
| 2011 | Sugarfist | Sony Japan |
| 2017 | Rad Science | Rock Candy Recordings |
| 2020 | Basic Glitches | Rock Candy Recordings |
| 2023 | Gloom & Bloom | Rock Candy Recordings |
EPs
| Year | Title | Label(s) |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Quota | Independent |
| 2012 | Attack of the Mountain Medley | Rock Candy Recordings |
| 2012 | Regifted | Rock Candy Recordings |
| 2013 | Good Spells | Rock Candy Recordings |
| 2018 | Rad Science: B-Sides | Rock Candy Recordings |
| 2020 | Betamosh | Rock Candy Recordings |
| 2021 | Revenge of the Mountain Medley | Rock Candy Recordings |
Singles
| Year | Title | Album | Label(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | "More Than a Revolution" | And the Land of Fake Believe | Flicker Records |
| 2006 | "MySpace" | 'And the Land of Fake Believe' | 'Flicker Records' |
| 2007 | "Nostalgiatopia" | 'And the Land of Fake Believe' | 'Flicker Records' |
| 2007 | "It's Beautiful" | 'Galactic Conquest' | 'Flicker Records' |
| 2007 | "Love in Your Arms" | 'Galactic Conquest' | 'Flicker Records' |
| 2007 | "Christmas Magic is Here" | (non-album track) | 'Flicker Records' |
| 2009 | "Evil Genius" | 'Adventures in Eville' | 'Independent' |
| 2009 | "Trying" | 'Adventures in Eville' | 'Independent' |
| 2009 | "Cody's Song" | (non-album track) | 'Independent' |
| 2009 | "Flashlight (The Cullen Song)" | (non-album track) | 'Independent' |
| 2011 | "Book of Secrets" | 'Quota' | 'Independent' |
| 2011 | "Quota" | 'Sugarfist' | 'Sony Japan' |
| 2017 | "New Rock Bottom" | 'Rad Science' | 'Rock Candy Recordings' |
| 2017 | "Holding Out" | 'Rad Science' | 'Rock Candy Recordings' |
| 2019 | "Teenage Dirtbag" | (non-album cover track) | 'Rock Candy Recordings' |
| 2019 | "Killing My Vibe" | 'Basic Glitches' | 'Rock Candy Recordings' |
| 2020 | "Girl U Want" | (non-album cover track) | 'Rock Candy Recordings' |
| 2020 | "Cookie" | 'Basic Glitches' | 'Rock Candy Recordings' |
| 2020 | "Hellmouth" | 'Betamosh' | 'Rock Candy Recordings' |
| "Understatement" | (non-album cover track) | 'Pacific Ridge Records' | |
| "Wild" | (non-album track) | 'Rock Candy Recordings' | |
| "Weird Ones" | 'Gloom & Bloom' | 'Rock Candy Recordings' | |
| "Opaque" | 'Gloom & Bloom' | 'Rock Candy Recordings' | |
| "Side Hug" | 'Gloom & Bloom' | 'Rock Candy Recordings' | |
| "Macros" | 'Gloom & Bloom' | 'Rock Candy Recordings' | |
| "A Long December" (featuring qwinn) | 'Gloom & Bloom' | 'Rock Candy Recordings' |
Music videos
| Year | Title | Album/EP | Label(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | MySpace | And the Land of Fake Believe | Flicker Records |
| 2007 | Love in Your Arms | Galactic Conquest | Flicker Records |
| 2009 | Evil Genius | Adventures in Eville | Independent |
| 2011 | Quota | Quota, Sugarfist | Independent |
| 2017 | Inside Out | Rad Science | Rock Candy Recordings |
| 2020 | Hellmouth (feat. Spaceman Jones) | Betamosh | Rock Candy Recordings |
- ↑ Band Information. Jesus Freak Hideout. Accessed September 19, 2007.
- ↑ Band Interview on thebrainfreeze.org. Accessed December 31, 2007.
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
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<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedalbum - ↑ "Eleventylife on Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved October 14, 2019.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedRock Candy - ↑ "The Jellyrox on iTunes". iTunes. Retrieved December 29, 2014.
- ↑ "The Fast Feeling on Facebook". Facebook. Retrieved January 29, 2017.
- ↑ "Pulses by The Fast Feeling on iTunes". iTunes. January 13, 2017. Retrieved January 29, 2017.
- ↑ "The Fast Feeling: Pulses". Shockwave Magazine. January 16, 2017. Retrieved January 29, 2017.
- ↑ "Walking Dead Apocalypse Music Video". YouTube.
- ↑ "Bang & Whimper by The Jellyrox on iTunes". iTunes. Retrieved January 29, 2016.