Further Seems Forever
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1998 in Pompano Beach, Florida, United States |
| Headquarters | Pompano Beach , United States |
| Products | Studio albums, live albums, EPs, singles |
| Website | www |
Further Seems Forever is a rock ensemble originating from Pompano Beach, Florida in 1998. Throughout their initial eight years, the band experienced multiple personnel shifts, notably featuring a distinct lead vocalist on each of their first three studio records. The original frontman, Chris Carrabba, contributed vocals to The Moon Is Down (2001) before departing to concentrate on his project Dashboard Confessional. His successor, Jason Gleason, lent his voice to How to Start a Fire (2003) but exited the group the following year. Subsequently, former Sense Field singer Jon Bunch joined and recorded Hide Nothing (2004). Although the band dissolved in 2006, they reunited in 2010 with Carrabba resuming vocal duties. Their fourth album, Penny Black, was released in 2012.
Their sound is commonly categorized as indie rock and often linked to the emo style. Additionally, they have been identified as a Christian rock band due to members’ faith, lyrical content, association with the Christian-focused Tooth & Nail Records, and participation in Christian events such as Cornerstone and Furnace Fest. Nevertheless, the group defines itself primarily as a rock band with Christian members rather than a strictly Christian music act.
1998–2001: Formation, Chris Carrabba, and The Moon Is Down
Emerging in 1998 from Pompano Beach, Florida, Further Seems Forever was formed following the breakup of the Christian hardcore outfit Strongarm. The lineup featured Strongarm guitarists Josh Colbert and Nick Dominguez, bassist Chad Neptune, drummer Steve Kleisath, and vocalist Chris Carrabba. Their debut track "Vengeance Factor" appeared on the Deep Elm Records compilation An Ocean of Doubt: The Emo Diaries, Chapter Four, establishing their connection to emo music. Their initial release was a split EP with Recess Theory titled From the 27th State under Takehold Records. Shortly after, they signed with Seattle-based Christian label Tooth and Nail Records.
By 2000, Carrabba shifted focus towards his solo endeavor Dashboard Confessional, recording The Swiss Army Romance. Meanwhile, the band faced challenges due to Dominguez’s family obligations which necessitated various touring replacements. Carrabba officially left in August 2000 to dedicate himself fully to Dashboard Confessional but returned to lay down vocals for their debut full-length album The Moon Is Down, released by Tooth & Nail in 2001. Relations between Carrabba and Further Seems Forever remained positive, with the band later supporting Dashboard Confessional on tour.
2001–2004: Jason Gleason and How to Start a Fire
After Carrabba’s exit, Jason Gleason from Affinity took over lead vocals. The band re-recorded a version of "Say It Ain't So" for the compilation Rock Music: A Tribute to Weezer—Gleason’s vocals appeared on the CD release while Carrabba’s featured on vinyl—and also covered "Bye Bye Bye" for the Punk Goes Pop collection.
In August 2001, they performed at Furnace Fest, followed by tours across the US East Coast and Midwest alongside Ultimate Fakebook, As Friends Rust, and Keepsake; however, these tours were cut short due to the September 11 attacks. By December 2001, they toured Florida as part of the "Pompano on the Go Tour," sharing stages with Dashboard Confessional and other acts.
Dominguez departed in 2003 to focus on his Pop Up Record label initiatives and was replaced by Derick Cordoba. This lineup produced their sophomore album How to Start a Fire (2003), which they supported through nationwide tours with bands such as Elliott, The Early November, and Salem. That same year, Further Seems Forever collaborated with Undecided Records to establish their own imprint named Pompano Basic, initially intended for releasing a collection of rare tracks. This project eventually became The Final Curtain, issued in April 2007 alongside a live DVD through Undecided’s rebranded label 567 Records.
Early in 2004, Gleason left amid internal discord characterized by "mistrust" and "unhealthy relationships." He subsequently formed ActionReaction in 2005 and released their album Three is the Magic Number in 2006.
2004–2006: Jon Bunch Era, Hide Nothing, and Disbandment
Following Gleason's departure, the group enlisted Jon Bunch, formerly of the recently dissolved Sense Field. With Bunch as vocalist, they launched the album Hide Nothing in 2004 and embarked on an international tour. Between August 22 and October 4, 2004, they participated in the "Hide Nothing Tour" alongside Brandtson, The Kicks, Moments in Grace, and Salem, performing across the U.S. West Coast, Midwest, East Coast, and Western Canada. Later that year, from November 5 to December 6, they toured North America with Sparta, Copeland, and Sunshine.
From February 15 through March 14, 2005, the band toured the United States with The Starting Line, Days Away, and JamisonParker. On April 5, 2005, they unveiled the acoustic EP titled Hope Against Hope. At The Bamboozle festival on April 30, original members including Carrabba and Dominguez reunited to perform The Moon Is Down. With Bunch fronting vocals, Further Seems Forever toured Europe during May and June 2005, featuring bassist Thomas Rankine (previously with As Friends Rust and Salem).
In November 2005, the band announced a hiatus; by January 2006 they confirmed that their forthcoming U.S. and Canadian tour with Bunch would mark their final performances due to members prioritizing family obligations. Bassist Chad Neptune reflected on this decision:
"Looking back on my time with FSF... building a family has always been my aim. My family is now my main focus and I am grateful for that."
In April 2006, Tooth & Nail issued a compilation album titled Hope This Finds You Well summarizing their career highlights. Their farewell concert occurred on June 17, 2006 at The Masquerade in Atlanta, Georgia. This show was recorded and subsequently released as both a live album and DVD by 567 Records in April 2007 under the title The Final Curtain.
2007–2010: Activities Following Disbandment
Post-breakup, Bunch and Cordoba established Fields Forever, performing acoustic renditions of songs from both Further Seems Forever and Sense Field throughout Europe. In 2006, Kleisath became part of En Masse, while Cordoba joined Kicked Out Heel Drag in 2007.
2010–present: Reunion Featuring Carrabba
In August 2010, Further Seems Forever reunited with original vocalist Chris Carrabba. Both Further Seems Forever and Dashboard Confessional appeared at the Groezrock festival in April 2011. The band released their fourth studio album, Penny Black, through Rise Records in October 2012.
Jason Gleason returned to the lineup in August 2015. Former lead singer Jon Bunch passed away on January 31, 2016 in Irvine, California at age 45.
During fall 2021, the group performed at Furnace Festival with the lineup from the Gleason period.
On February 2, 2022, Further Seems Forever announced a reunion of its original members to commemorate two decades of The Moon Is Down at Breakfast in Franklin, Tennessee.
In February 2024, the band signed a deal with Iodine Recordings.
Personnel
- Current members
- Jason Gleason – lead vocals , backing vocals
- Josh Colbert – lead guitar
- Nick Dominguez – rhythm guitar , lead guitar
- Chad Neptune – bass guitar
- Steve Kleisath – drums
- Former members
- Chris Carrabba – lead vocals, keyboards, piano , backing vocals
- Derick Cordoba – rhythm and lead guitar
- Jon Bunch – lead vocals
- Former touring members
- Ian Sirianni – guitars (touring)
- Brandon Swanson – guitars (touring)
- Ian Fowles – guitars (touring)
- Timeline
Discography
The discography of Further Seems Forever comprises four studio albums, one live album, a single compilation album, one EP, two singles, and four music video productions.
Studio albums
| Year | Album information | Highest chart rankings | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US | ||||
| Billboard 200 | Christian | Heatseekers | ||
| 2001 | The Moon Is Down
|
— | — | — |
| 2003 | How to Start a Fire
|
133 | 6 | 1 |
| 2004 | Hide Nothing
|
122 | 4 | 3 |
| 2012 | Penny Black
|
62 | 3 | — |
| "—" indicates albums that did not enter the charts. | ||||
Live albums
| Year | Album information |
|---|---|
| 2007 | The Final Curtain |
Compilation albums
| Year | Album information |
|---|---|
| 2006 | Hope This Finds You Well
|
Extended plays
| Year | Release information |
|---|---|
| 1999 | From the 27th State
|
Singles
| Year | Single details |
|---|---|
| 2002 | Further Seems Forever / Twothirtyeight
|
| 2010 | Acoustic 7"
|
| 2012 | So Cold
|
Music videos
| Year | Song title | Director(s) | Album association |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | "Snowbirds and Townies" | The Moon Is Down | |
| 2003 | "The Sound" | How to Start a Fire | |
| 2004 | "Light Up Ahead" | Hide Nothing | |
| 2012 | "So Cold" | Caleb Mallery | Penny Black |
Other appearances
Further Seems Forever has contributed tracks to multiple compilation albums, broadening their exposure beyond their primary discography.
| Year | Release information | Track included |
|---|---|---|
| 1999 | An Ocean of Doubt
|
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| 2002 | Rock Music: A Tribute to Weezer
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External links
- Articles with short description
- Further Seems Forever
- Emo bands from Florida
- Christian rock bands from Florida
- Bands formed in 1998
- Bands disbanded in 2006
- Bands reunited in 2010
- Artists signed to Tooth & Nail Records
- Artists signed to Undecided Records
- Musical acts originating from Pompano Beach, Florida
- Musical groups disestablished in 2006