Fall River (band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | February 6, 2003 in Souderton, Pennsylvania, United States |
| Founder | Alison Bellavance, John Collier, Kevin Rausch, Dan Piston |
| Defunct | June 23, 2006 |
| Fate | Disbanded; brief reunion in 2013 |
| Headquarters | Souderton , United States |
Area served | United States |
Key people | Alison Bellavance (vocals), John Collier (drums), Kevin Rausch (guitar), Matt Boylan (bass) |
| Products | Music albums and EPs |
Number of employees | 4 (principal members) |
Fall River was a hardcore punk ensemble from the United States, originating in Souderton, Pennsylvania in early 2003 following the disbandment of their former band, Manhunt. The principal members consisted of vocalist Alison Bellavance, drummer John Collier, guitarist Kevin Rausch, and bassist Matt Boylan.
Initially, the group rehearsed in Kevin's garage and produced a 4-song demo tape in 2000. Their first EP, Revenge: Volume One (2001), secured them a deal with Teishu Records. This was succeeded by their second EP, They Follow, I Fly (2002).
After Manhunt dissolved due to personal conflicts, Bellavance, Rausch, Collier, and Dan Piston established Fall River on February 6, 2003. The newly formed band swiftly released a three-song demo in 2003 that sold over 2,000 copies and led to a renewed agreement with Teishu Records.
Their debut EP under the Fall River name was 2448724 (2004), after which they signed with Emerald Moon Records to issue their second EP Chronicles (2005), which was featured on the Masters of Horror soundtrack. Later, they joined forces with Thorp Records to launch their first full-length album Lights Out (2005).
In May 2006, citing financial strains, artistic disagreements, and personal issues, the band announced their breakup. They reunited briefly for a performance alongside Every Time I Die on June 26, 2013.
1997–2003: Formation as Manhunt and early releases
Originally formed in Souderton, Pennsylvania in 1997 under the name "Manhunt," the lineup featured vocalist Alison Bellavance, drummer Mike Reese, lead guitarist Kevin Rausch, and rhythm guitarist John Collier. Collier and Rausch had been close friends for years; Collier introduced Bellavance to the group after encountering her at local performances.
The band spent their initial year practicing in Kevin's garage before playing live at Telford Borough Hall. In January 2000, they self-released a 4-song demo tape with an initial run of 500 copies distributed within their local scene. Their debut EP, Revenge: Volume One (June 2001), garnered favorable reviews and resulted in signing with Teishu Records. This was followed by the release of their second EP They Follow, I Fly on March 19, 2002.
Manhunt shared stages with prominent acts such as Coalesce and Burnt By The Sun during a New Jersey tour in March 2002 and engaged in interviews to promote their music. Nevertheless, internal difficulties culminated in their final performance on February 1, 2003.
Shortly after Manhunt’s breakup, Bellavance, Rausch, Collier, and newcomer Dan Piston created Fall River on February 6, 2003. Drawing on over five years of collective experience, they quickly composed new material. Collier shifted roles to become the drummer for this project. Their December 19, 2003 demo sold more than 2,000 copies and secured them a renewed contract with Teishu Records.
2004–2005: Releases of 2448724, Chronicles, and Lights Out
Following their signing with Teishu Records, Fall River launched their debut EP 2448724 on January 27, 2004; the title honored a friend named Matthew Baker. Bassist Dan Piston departed on September 11, 2004; Mitch Martinez from Forever I Burn temporarily covered bass duties until Matt Boylan became the permanent bassist on January 1, 2005. The group then partnered with Emerald Moon Records to reissue earlier tracks plus an additional bonus song as the EP Chronicles on March 22, 2005. Production assistance came from Alan Douches and Evan Williams. Subsequently, Fall River signed with Thorp Records on May 31, 2005.
Before recording their Thorp debut album, the band showcased fresh material at local gigs alongside groups like Bury Your Dead and The Red Chord. They appeared at the 2005 Hellfest festival—where Sean Ingram of Coalesce joined them on stage—and participated in the Warped Tour lineup. In July of that year, they entered the studio collaborating with producers such as Simon Brody (Drowningman), Paul Leavitt (All Time Low), Alan Douches, Matt Bayles (The Blood Brothers), Sean Ingram himself, and Sons of Nero (Unearth), aiming to enhance production quality.
Their album Lights Out was released on November 8, 2005; despite professional production efforts from notable collaborators, critical reception was mixed. A music video was created for “The President Has Been Kidnapped By Ninjas,” one of the tracks from the album.
Prior to releasing Lights Out, Fall River contributed to the Masters of Horror soundtrack (October 18, 2005) through Immortal Records alongside bands like Mudvayne and Norma Jean. Their contribution was a remastered version of “At Least You Gave You Flowers” from the Chronicles EP.
2006–2013: Breakup, Side Ventures, and Reunion in 2013
In May 2006, Fall River declared their separation, attributing it to "financial, creative, and personal conflicts." Their concluding performance took place on June 23, 2006, in Quakertown, Pennsylvania. After the split, Alison Bellavance went on to create Spark Is a Diamond alongside Matt Boylan and Matt Hall. On June 26, 2013, Fall River came together again for a concert at Montana West in Quakertown, sharing the stage with Every Time I Die, My America Is Watching Tigers Die, and Girlfight.
Band members
- Alison Bellavance – lead vocals (1997–2006, 2013)
- John Collier – drums (1997–2006, 2013)
- Kevin Rausch – guitar (1997–2006, 2013)
- Jason Hedrick – bass guitar (1999–2001)
- Matt Boylan – bass guitar (2005–2006, 2013)
- Mike Reese – drums (1997–2003)
- Dan Piston – bass guitar (2003–2004)
Discography
Studio albums
- Lights Out (2005)
Extended plays
- 4-Songs Demo Tape (2000)
- Revenge: Volume One (2001)
- They Follow, I Fly (2002)
- Three Track Demo (2003)
- 2448724 (2004)
- Chronicles (2005)