This Day Forward
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1996 |
| Defunct | 2003 |
| Headquarters | Philadelphia , United States |
| Products | Music albums, EPs |
This Day Forward was a band originating from the Philadelphia region, active between 1996 and 2003, recognized for their fusion of metalcore and post-hardcore elements with indie rock influences.
History
Established in 1996 by siblings Mike and Gary Shaw (handling vocals and bass respectively), along with Randy Wehrs, Mike Golen (guitarists), and Colin Frangicetto (drummer), the group initially performed at local venues and issued their first demo in 1998. Their inaugural album, Fragments Of An Untold Story Born By Shunning The Opportunity (1999, Break Even Records), presented an unrefined metalcore style characterized by screamed vocals, often likened to Converge but distinguished by more melodic guitar work. After signing with Eulogy Recordings, they released The Transient Effects of Light on Water in 2000, which broadened their audience through appearances at larger events such as Hellfest 2000 in Syracuse, helping them gain fans beyond the Philadelphia scene.
Prior to the 2002 release of the Kairos EP, Vadim Taver—formerly of metal outfit A Life Once Lost—joined the lineup. This EP signified a transition toward more nuanced guitar parts and diverse vocal techniques, incorporating clean singing alongside spoken-word passages. Critically well-received, Kairos featured guest vocals from Geoff Rickly of Thursday on the track "Sunfalls and Watershine," and attracted attention on college radio stations.
In late 2002, the band secured a deal with Equal Vision Records and welcomed guitarist Brendan Ekstrom (previously part of 200 North). Their 2003 album In Response marked a further evolution from their earlier sound by minimizing screamed vocals and adopting conventional song frameworks complemented by Taver’s softer backing vocals. While some listeners accused them of abandoning their roots, others consider this release their most innovative work. The band embarked on extensive tours alongside groups like Thursday, Murder by Death, Sincebyman, and Christiansen before announcing their disbandment in November 2003. The exact reasons remain uncertain; speculation included dissatisfaction with In Response or disenchantment with the hardcore community, but no official explanation was provided. A notable incident occurred during a performance with Poison the Well when Mike Shaw abruptly exited mid-song after an altercation, commenting, "And then you wonder why bands break up." Their final tour concluded in December at Philadelphia’s First Unitarian Church, a venue closely tied to their early days.
In 2024, This Day Forward revealed plans for a reunion featuring two shows in Philadelphia.
Current projects
Although This Day Forward seems to have ceased activity permanently, most former members have engaged in various musical endeavors since 2003. Mike Shaw and Mike Golen collaborated on a project named Chateau, slated for release in late 2022. Shaw also provided guest vocals on unreleased tracks for local acts A Trunk Full of Dead Bodies and I Am Alaska. Gary Shaw returned to non-musical employment, whereas Frangicetto and Ekstrom joined forces to create Circa Survive alongside former Saosin frontman Anthony Green. Vadim Taver participated in the acoustic emo project Superstitions of the Sky with ex-Hot Cross guitarist Josh Jakubowski prior to This Day Forward's dissolution; he also contributed to Hot Cross’s 2004 EP Fair Trades and Farewells, appeared on Zolof the Rock and Roll Destroyer’s album Jalopy Go Far, led the band Marigold, and relocated to California in 2006. Taver released his solo record Expand, Escape in 2010 through Falling Leaves Records.
Line-up
- Mike Shaw – lead vocals
- Gary Shaw – bass guitar
- Vadim Taver – guitarist (formerly part of A Life Once Lost, currently affiliated with Poison the Well)
- Brendan Ekstrom – guitar (currently performing with Circa Survive)
- Colin Frangicetto – drummer (also active with Circa Survive)
Former members
- Mike Golen – guitar (featured on the initial three albums)
- Randy Wehrs – guitar (contributed to the first two albums)
- Sean McGuigan – bass guitar
Discography
- Fragments of an Untold Story Born by Shunning the Opportunity (originally released by Break Even Records in 1999; reissued by Eulogy Recordings in 2001)
- The Transient Effects of Light on Water (released through Eulogy Recordings, 2000)
- Kairos EP (Eulogy Recordings, 2002)
- In Response (Equal Vision Records, 2003)