Forgotten by Friday was fully formed in the summer of 2010. Dominick Mauro and Ryan Schneider, friends from High School, started writing some music together, while at the same time Tom Forst had already been recording with Dominick for a few months. Add drummer/percussionist Mike Giammattei and singer Maria Soaft, and Forgotten by Friday went from a few songs written in Dominick's apartment to a full band playing in multiple states from the get go. In the first year, the band played several prestigious shows: from the world famous Toad's Place in New Haven CT, to the Boston Music Conference in Boston Mass. Even in the first few months they were chosen to play at an Americana showcase in Boston, and progressed through a few Battle of the bands at places like Up or on the Rocks in Hartford, and at The Space in Hamden (both venues known for showcasing local and regional original bands).
After writing for a full year together and playing local venues, Ryan and Dominick took their writing show on the road to Nashville TN in September of 2011, playing acoustic shows in places like the Bluebird Cafe, Picks Cafe, BB King's, the Commodore, Rickard's, and Douglas Corner. Winning over fans and musicians, they set the ground work for their first album by touring music city. When they returned to CT, they immediately went into the Horizon Music Group studio to record an album on the HMG label.
Produced by local legend Vic Steffans, the band released "Believe" in late 2011 in front of 200 fans, local media, and critics at Daniel Street in Milford CT. The album was a success, selling 600 hard copies and hundreds of digital downloads. The album "Believe" was given extended airplay from Nashville up to New Hampshire, was given some great reviews by Skope Magazine, the Alternate Route, and Americana critic Noah. Forgotten by Friday hit the road on some extended touring to promote the album, opening for national acts like Marshall Tucker, Atom Smash, CAVO, American Bang, Ghetto Grass, Steven Broderick from Trans Siberian Orchestra and CB Radio. The band played huge venues across the northeast like Showcase Live @ Gillette Stadium, Copperfield's, and All Asia in Boston MA; Freedomfest state fair and Dexcon in NJ; Black-Eyed Sally's, Pig's Eye Pub, and Cafe Nine in CT; and the Knitting Factory, the National Underground, the Shrine, Club Zebulon, and Local 269 in NYC. After the release, the band was nominated for 4 awards in the first Connecticut Music awards, and then again in the New England Music awards.
It was in late 2012 that Co-founder and Co-writer Ryan Schneider could no longer be a full-time member of FbF due to having a child and moving out of state. Ryan does, however, remain a writer with the band, and does still help with music and arrangements. Not too long after that, Tom Forst decided to leave FbF to pursue a career with his act, The Suit and Tyree. Laurence Wenthen was added to play keyboards and fiddle (as Dominick had been playing music with him in a local cover band and felt he'd be a good fit and could bring a different and much needed element into the band), and after a long search for someone to fill the guitar roles, Mike Forgette was added on acoustic and lead guitar. Mike F originally just started out as a friend of the band, then he was asked to fill-in on acoustic guitar for shows (as he has his own Prog Rock band, 1974), but then soon thereafter he became another integral part of the new FbF sound. As the band grows, many new Co-writers have stepped up as well. Maria Soaft and Mike Giammattei have both written songs for the band, as well as Mike F. Forgotten by Friday is finishing the tracks for it's upcoming album "Whiskey & Song", at Sonic Environments with producer Jeff Weed and looking for labels interested in their brand of Alt/Pop-Country as well as other opportunities to get them to the next level of their music careers. Look for us in the near future to make some real noise on the national stage!
Forgotten by Friday is endorsed by Kronik Energy Drinks as well as having several personal endorsements: Dominick Mauro is endorsed by Bulletproof guitars, Mike G is endorsed by Soultone Cymbals, and Mike Forgette is endorsed by Jetslide. The Band feels it is very important to give back to the community and as such is working extensively with a great organization called the Wounded Warrior Project, a program that helps badly injured soldiers go back to civilian life, as well as other charities such as The Relay For Life (cancer walk), Animal Rescue Shelters, Swim Across the Sound (cancer benefit), as well as personal benefits for individuals that are close to the band and in need of assistance.
