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Face to Face (punk band)

From Alfawiki
Face to Face
Company typePunk rock band
IndustryMusic
Founded1991
Headquarters
Victorville, California
,
United States
ProductsPunk rock music, studio albums
Websitefacetoface.com

Face to Face is a punk rock group originating from Victorville, California, established in 1991 by lead vocalist Trever Keith, bassist Matt Riddle, and drummer Rob Kurth. They rose to recognition with their 1995 release Big Choice, which featured the popular single "Disconnected". This song received extensive airplay on Los Angeles' KROQ radio station and appeared in movies such as Tank Girl and National Lampoon's Senior Trip.

In September 2004, Face to Face disbanded, enabling members to engage in other musical endeavors including Legion of Doom, Me First and the Gimme Gimmes, The Offspring, and Saves the Day. After a four-year break, they reunited in April 2008 for a show at The Glasshouse in Pomona, California. Since then, the band has resumed touring and released five more studio albums.

Origins (1987–1992)

The roots of Face to Face trace back to 1987 when Trever Keith (vocals, synthesizers) and Matt Riddle (bass, backing vocals), longtime companions, founded the heavy metal band Victoria Manor alongside Todd "Rick" Atmire (guitar) and Matt Atmire (drums). Following the release of a demo tape in 1989, Victoria Manor dissolved. Subsequently, Keith and Riddle formed Zero Tolerance with drummer Rob Kurth and guitarist Mark Haake, both serving in the Air Force. Zero Tolerance produced a demo tape in 1990 but did not release a full album. By 1991, after Haake's exit, the group changed their name to Face to Face and continued as a trio.

The band built a following across the Inland Empire and Orange County areas alongside contemporaries such as The Offspring and Guttermouth. In May 1991, after meeting Bill Plaster, they signed with Dr. Strange Records. Their debut album, Don't Turn Away (1992), was recorded at Westbeach Recorders in Hollywood. Due to financial constraints, pressing was delayed until Jim Goodwin offered to record additional songs at no cost in August 1992. These tracks—"Nothing New," "Pastel," and "Disconnected"—were incorporated into the album.

Rise to Prominence (1993–1997)

In 1993, following a tour in Germany supporting Lagwagon, Face to Face expanded their lineup by adding guitarist Chad Yaro. They secured contracts with JVC/Victory/A&M Records and EMI Music Publishing under new management by Desi Benjamin. The band worked with producer Thom Wilson—recognized for his collaborations with The Offspring—to record Big Choice.

Before releasing Big Choice, Victory Music issued the EP Over It, which included remixed versions of songs like "Disconnected" that gained substantial radio play on KROQ in Los Angeles. This success prompted them to re-record "Disconnected" as a bonus track on Big Choice, along with a cover of the Descendents' "Bikeage."

After touring alongside Sublime, NOFX, The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, and The Offspring during 1995, bassist Matt Riddle left to join bands such as 22 Jacks and Pulley. Scott Shiflett replaced him and made his live debut on December 2, 1995.

In 1996, Face to Face recorded their third album—self-titled—without Riddle; Trever Keith took on the primary songwriting role with input from Shiflett and Yaro. Jim Goodwin returned as producer for this project. Following its release, the band headlined the SnoCore Tour in 1997 and performed on the Warped Tour. Their song "I Won't Lie Down" was featured on the soundtrack for Mortal Kombat Annihilation that same year.

Later period (1998–2004)

In 1998, drummer Rob Kurth departed from the group and was temporarily succeeded by Jose Medeles for the remainder of their tour promoting the self-titled album. Subsequently, Pete Parada became the permanent drummer. With Parada on board, the band released two Chad Blinman-produced records: Ignorance Is Bliss in 1999 and Reactionary in 2000. Following the release of Reactionary, long-serving guitarist Chad Yaro left to prioritize his family commitments.

After Yaro's departure, Face to Face operated as a trio and unveiled their sixth studio effort, How to Ruin Everything, through Vagrant Records in 2002. The band then took the helm as headliners on The Warped Tour. Toward the end of 2003, they announced a temporary break, which ultimately extended into a permanent hiatus by 2004. Their final run included "The Only Goodbye Tour," supported by My Chemical Romance and Seconds to Go, culminating with a closing performance at Warped Tour in Boston.

Reunion and subsequent years (2008–present)

On January 29, 2008, Face to Face declared their reunion for a series of selected shows across the US and internationally, reuniting Trever Keith, Scott Shiflett, and guitarist Chad Yaro. Later that year, they embarked on a US tour with former Uprising drummer Danny Thompson stepping in for Pete Parada, who had joined The Offspring. This lineup produced their first studio album after a nine-year gap, Laugh Now, Laugh Later (2011), followed by Three Chords and a Half Truth (2013), both released under Keith's Antagonist Records label. After these releases, Yaro exited once more and was succeeded by Dennis Hill.

In September 2015, the band inked a deal with Fat Wreck Chords and recorded their ninth album at the Blasting Room located in Fort Collins, Colorado. The album Protection, released on March 4, 2016, marked their debut under this label. August 2018 saw the release of an acoustic album titled Hold Fast.

December 2017 featured the publication of a visual retrospective coffee table book entitled Face to Face: 25 Years of SoCal Punk, written by Aaron Tanner.

By April 2020, Trever Keith confirmed that work on a new album was underway, resulting in the release of No Way out but through on September 10, 2021.

Current lineup

  • Trever Keith – lead vocals and guitar (1991–present)
  • Scott Shiflett – bass guitar and vocals (1995–present)
  • Danny Thompson – drums (2008–present)
  • Dennis Hill – guitar and vocals (2015–present)

Past members

  • Matt Riddle – bass guitar and vocals (1991–1995)
  • Rob Kurth – drums and vocals (1991–1998)
  • Chad Yaro – guitar and vocals (1994–2000, 2008–2014)
  • Pete Parada – drums (1998–2004)

Discography

Studio albums

External links

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