Far

Although never quite as successful as the bands they helped inspire, Far left a permanent mark on the post-hardcore landscape. Vocalist <a href="spotify:artist:3Ztgr9y1L9ZfoIOEsCrZEb">Jonah Sonz Matranga</a>, guitarist Shaun Lopez, bassist John Gutenberger, and drummer Chris Robyn formed the band in 1991. Over the next five years, the Sacramento natives gradually expanded their fan base through a series of 7" singles, self-released cassettes, and a pair of indie CDs on Rusty Nail and Our Own Records, as well as frequent touring. In 1996, the group signed with <a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22Immortal%22">Immortal</a>/<a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22Epic%22">Epic</a> and released Tin Cans with Strings to You. The album was largely ignored, but the group continued to tour relentlessly, eventually scoring an opening slot for <a href="spotify:artist:6Ghvu1VvMGScGpOUJBAHNH">the Deftones</a> in 1997. Their appearances on <a href="spotify:artist:6Ghvu1VvMGScGpOUJBAHNH">the Deftones</a>' tour were well received, setting the stage for the 1998 release of Far's second major-label album, Water & Solutions.

Water & Solutions' melodic sound made it different from Far's previous work, which emphasized the band's hardcore roots. Although the album would go on to influence the likes of <a href="spotify:artist:61awhbNK16ku1uQyXRsQj5">Thursday</a> and <a href="spotify:artist:3Ayl7mCk0nScecqOzvNp6s">Jimmy Eat World</a>, Far nonetheless split up in 1999, with most of the bandmates pursuing their own projects. <a href="spotify:artist:3Ztgr9y1L9ZfoIOEsCrZEb">Matranga</a> began focusing on his solo project, <a href="spotify:artist:72u4NXmVhJXVR8XNG81WTZ">Onelinedrawing</a>, and landed a short-lived contract with <a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22Atlantic+Records%22">Atlantic Records</a> as the frontman of <a href="spotify:artist:10mlifnfN8gsmH5ds06X0k">Gratitude</a>. Lopez formed <a href="spotify:artist:4gl4F6TIHPHmw8ehEEVr7V">the Revolution Smile</a>, an alternative metal outfit that issued four albums (including one major-label release for <a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22Geffen+Records%22">Geffen Records</a>) before calling it quits in 2006. Meanwhile, both John Gutenberger and Chris Robyn played for a handful of Sacramento-based metal bands.

In 2008, nearly ten years after the band's initial split, Far reunited for a short tour. The guys also released a cover of <a href="spotify:artist:7r8RF1tN2A4CiGEplkp1oP">Ginuwine</a>'s "Pony," which earned them some airplay on several California radio stations. <a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22Vagrant%22">Vagrant</a> responded by signing the reunited band in March 2009 and financing the recording sessions for a new album, At Night We Live, which was released one year later. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine & Andrew Leahey, Rovi