As Cities Burn
As Cities Burn | |
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Background information | |
Origin | Mandeville, Louisiana, US |
Genres | Christian rock,[1][2] post-hardcore, indie rock (later), emo[3] |
Years active | 2002–2009, 2011–2016, 2017–2023 |
Labels | Solid State, Tooth & Nail, Equal Vision |
Members | TJ Bonnette Cody Bonnette Aaron Lunsford Stephen Keech Hunter Walls |
Past members | Pascal Barone Bryan Dixon Colin Kimble Chris Lott |
As Cities Burn was an American post-hardcore band from Mandeville, Louisiana, that formed in 2002 and has released four studio albums. Their debut, Son, I Loved You at Your Darkest, was released in 2005. Two years later, they released Come Now Sleep. Then, in 2009, As Cities Burn released their third album, Hell or High Water. The band had performed from 2011 through 2016, but drummer Aaron Lunsford announced, on August 16, 2016, that the group disbanded.[4] In December 2017, As Cities Burn reunited and went on tour to open up for Emery, and announced that they were staying together and writing new music.[not verified in body]
History
[edit]Hiatus and Come Now Sleep (2006–2008)
[edit]On June 10, 2006, the band announced the end of As Cities Burn, but in early July — after an outpouring of support from fans — decided to remain together.[5]
Hell or High Water and Breakup (2008–2009)
[edit]In spring of 2008, As Cities Burn posted in a bulletin on MySpace that they would be at home writing the new album. They recorded the album in summer of 2008. On September 7, 2008, they posted another bulletin that they were "about three weeks" from completing the new record. It was also said to "expect more of the direction (they) began heading in with Come Now Sleep," and that Cody, and their friend Tyler Orr were recording the record almost entirely by themselves. On January 2, 2009, the band posted a new recording entitled "Gates" on their MySpace page, which was a song the band had played numerous times at the end of live sets. On January 10, at their Texas show, they debuted "'84 Sheepdog". On March 30, "'84 Sheepdog" was posted on their MySpace page. Starting April 2, a new track was posted every Monday up to the release of the album.[6] The songs posted were "Into the Sea", "Pirate Blues", and "Errand Rum". The Hell or High Water album was released on April 21.
In an interview in HM Magazine, Cody Bonnette stated, "The dream is to never break up, eventually start to suck more and more, and fade away." However, on July 15, 2009, As Cities Burn announced on their MySpace page that they had broken up.[7] They released the following statement:
As Cities Burn has broken up. We are happily moving on after 6 good years. Our lives and our wives have called us in different directions. Thanks to anyone who has come out to a show, had words to say, or bought a CD to help us fill the tank.
New projects (2008–2011)
[edit]Chris Lott went on to play guitar for Twin Killers.[8]
Reunion, break-up, reunion, break-up (2011–2023)
[edit]According to the band's Facebook page, the band is "resurrected".[9]
On October 9, 2012, it was announced that As Cities Burn would be playing all dates of Underoath's Farewell Tour with MewithoutYou and Letlive in early 2013. It was also announced that Stephen Keech, vocalist of well-known Christian metalcore group Haste the Day will be playing bass on the tour.[10][11]
On June 1, 2015, the band released the music video for a new song, "Prince of Planet Earth", on YouTube.[12][13]
On July 1, 2015, the band added another new song to YouTube, "Goldmine".[14]
On August 3, 2016, the band added longtime touring member and Haste the Day vocalist, Stephen Keech to the lineup on bass and vocals. Although, he didn't end up touring with the band towards the end of their tenure and his position was filled by touring bassists. [15] The band issued a statement on August 17, 2016, stating the band had ended, "this time for good", and cancelled remaining performances, with apologies to ticket-holders.[4]
On December 6, 2017, the band announced a tour with Emery via their Facebook page, along with the message "WE ARE BACK". TJ rejoined the group and adding their long time friend Hunter Walls (formerly of Mychildren Mybride formerly of Better Off) on guitar, the band would set out to write and record a 4th studio album. [16] On July 31, 2018, it was announced that As Cities Burn would join Silverstein for their 15-year anniversary tour of their album, When Broken Is Easily Fixed, with Hawthorne Heights and Capstan from November 9 – December 15, 2018.[17]
On November 8, 2018, the band released their first single in three years, "2020 AD", and announced that they signed to Equal Vision Records.[18][non-primary source needed].
Members
[edit]![]() | This section of a biography of a living person does not include any references or sources. (August 2016) |
Final line-up
- Cody Bonnette – clean vocals, guitar, keyboards, programming (2002–2009, 2011–2016, 2017–2023) lead vocals (2007–2009)
- TJ Bonnette – screamed vocals, programming, piano (2002–2007, 2011–2016, 2017–2023)
- Aaron Lunsford – drums, percussion (2003–2009, 2011–2016, 2017–2023)
- Hunter Walls - guitar (formerly of Mychildren Mybride formerly of Better Off) (2017–2023)
Former members
- Stephen Keech – bass, backing vocals (live 2012–2013, 2015–2016; 2016, 2017–?)
- Bryan Dixon – drums (2002–2003)
- Pascal Barone – bass (2002–2006)
- Colin Kimble – bass, (2006–2009, 2011–2014) guitar, (2002–2006, 2014–2016) backing vocals (2002–2009, 2011–2016)
- Chris Lott – guitar, backing vocals (2006–2009, 2011–2016)
Discography
[edit]Studio albums
Year | Title | Label | Chart positions | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Top 200 | US Christian | US Heat | |||
2005 | Son, I Loved You at Your Darkest | Solid State Records | — | 19 | 32 |
2007 | Come Now Sleep | Solid State Records/Tooth & Nail Records | 135 | 5 | — |
2009 | Hell or High Water | Tooth & Nail Records | 109 | 9 | — |
2019 | Scream Through the Walls[19] | Equal Vision Records | — | — | — |
EPs
- 2003: As Cities Burn... (2003)
- 2004: As Cities Burn EP (2004)
- 2007: The EP
- 2015: Prince of Planet Earth / Goldmine (2015)
Videography
[edit]- "Bloodsucker Pt. II"
- "Empire"
- "The Widow" (live)
- "Prince of Planet Earth" (Official Lyric Video)
- "Goldmine"
- "Chains"
References
[edit]- ^ "As Cities Burn - Music Biography, Credits and Discography". AllMusic. Retrieved March 3, 2013.
- ^ "As Cities Burn". CCM Magazine. Retrieved March 3, 2013.
- ^ "As Cities Burn". Scene. Retrieved August 18, 2023.
- ^ a b "Facebook". Facebook. Archived from the original on February 26, 2022. Retrieved August 18, 2016.
- ^ Rainwater, Crescent Spring (March–April 2007). "HARDNEWS: as cities burn". HM Magazine (124): 15. ISSN 1066-6923.
- ^ van as cities burn (April 2, 2009). "new songs 4/6, 4/13, and 4/20". Myspace. Archived from the original on July 8, 2012. Retrieved August 6, 2012.
- ^ "As Cities Burn Disbands". HM Magazine. Archived from the original on January 28, 2010. Retrieved January 28, 2010.
- ^ "Twin Killers". MySpace. Archived from the original on June 12, 2010.
- ^ "As Cities Burn". Facebook. Retrieved January 14, 2013.
- ^ Kevin (July 18, 2012). "Interview – As Cities Burn". Type in Stereo. Retrieved January 14, 2013.
- ^ "As Cities Burn". Smorgasbord.Info. Retrieved January 14, 2013.
- ^ As Cities Burn (June 2, 2015). "Prince of Planet Earth video". Facebook. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
- ^ ascitiesburn (June 1, 2015). "As Cities Burn - Prince of Planet Earth - (Official Lyric Video)". Archived from the original on December 21, 2021. Retrieved November 29, 2018 – via YouTube.
- ^ ascitiesburn (July 1, 2015). "As Cities Burn - Goldmine". Archived from the original on December 21, 2021. Retrieved November 29, 2018 – via YouTube.
- ^ Wookubus (August 3, 2016). "Haste the Day Vocalist Stephen Keech Joins As Cities Burn". Theprp. Retrieved August 28, 2016.
- ^ "As Cities Burn". facebook.com. Archived from the original on February 26, 2022. Retrieved October 31, 2018.
- ^ "Silverstein announce anniversary tour with a surprising support act". Alternative Press. July 31, 2018. Retrieved October 31, 2018.
- ^ "2020 AD - Single by As Cities Burn". Retrieved November 29, 2018.
- ^ Tate, Jason (April 3, 2019). "As Cities Burn Announce New Album; Stream New Song". Chorus.fm. Retrieved April 3, 2019.
External links
[edit]- 2002 establishments in Louisiana
- 2009 disestablishments in Louisiana
- 2011 establishments in Louisiana
- American Christian metal musical groups
- American post-hardcore musical groups
- Christian rock groups from Louisiana
- Heavy metal musical groups from Louisiana
- Indie rock musical groups from Louisiana
- Musical groups established in 2002
- Musical groups disestablished in 2009
- Musical groups reestablished in 2011
- Solid State Records artists
- Tooth & Nail Records artists
- Equal Vision Records artists