| The Afters | |
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| Background information | |
| Origin | Dallas, Texas, USA |
| Genre(s) | Pop, Rock, Alternative Contemporary Christian |
| Label(s) | Columbia Records Simple/INO Records Sony BMG |
| Website | TheAfters.com |
| Members | |
| Matt Fuqua Josh Havens Marc Dodd Brad Wigg |
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The Afters are a rock band founded by Joshua Havens and Matt Fuqua. Havens and Fuqua first worked together in a Starbucks coffee shop in Mesquite, Texas, where they played for customers, before deciding to form a band. They added Brad Wigg and Marc Dodd, who were also employed at the same Starbucks, under their original name of Blisse.
Contents |
History
Blisse (2000-2002)
Under the name Blisse, the band recorded a six-song EP in 2000. From this they made enough money to cut their first album, When the World is Wonderful, which was released independently in 2001. This album contains songs also released on their major label debut album I Wish We All Could Win. In 2002 they released a live concert DVD filmed at a local Dallas club called The Door.
I Wish We All Could Win (2002-2006)
The band changed its name after discovering that another "Blisse" already existed. Settling on "The Afters", they continued to play local clubs in the Dallas area. They were eventually discovered by INO Records and was signed to a four-record deal. After this, word of the band got to Epic Records, which signed the band on for mainstream promotion and distribution. Their first major label album, I Wish We All Could Win, was released on February 22, 2005. The first single from the album was "Beautiful Love" written by Josh Havens about a time when his wife was abroad doing humanitarian aid. The single's music video led The Afters to a 2005 MTVu "Streaming Woodie" award. In addition, "Beautiful Love" became the theme song for the MTV show, "8th and Ocean" about the life of female and male fashion models living in Miami, Florida. The song was also featured in the 2006 film, "Just My Luck".
Never Going Back to OK (2006-present)
The Afters are currently promoted through INO Records and Columbia Records. In an update posted on their official website, the band went into the studio in August of 2006 to start recording their second album, Never Going Back to OK. It was originally scheduled to be released on December 26, 2007 as per a post on their MySpace blog, but since then, the album has been delayed, and is now scheduled for release on February 26, 2008. [1] The first single from the album, the self titled Never Going Back to OK premiered on October 16, 2007 on totalaxxess.com. It was also released as a streaming file on The Afters' MySpace page on November 10, 2007.[2]. The song is available for download at the iTunes Store. The song hit the R&R magazine charts in December 2007.
Band members
- Joshua Havens - vocals and guitars
- Matt Fuqua - vocals and guitars
- Brad Wigg - bass guitars and vocals
- Marc Dodd - drums
Discography
- When the World is Wonderful (2001) (As Blisse)
- Live @ the Door (2002) (Live Concert DVD) (As Blisse)
- I Wish We All Could Win (2005)
- Never Going Back to OK (2008)
Tours
The Afters have toured and played shows with Mercy Me, After Edmund Lifehouse, Vertical Horizon, Styxx, Better Than Ezra, Howie Day, Everclear, Jeremy Camp, Toby Mac, Hawk Nelson, Family Force 5, Sanctus Real and others.
Awards
| Awards | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Building 429 |
GMA's New Artist of the Year 2006 |
Succeeded by ' |
