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Revis
Rock
Los Angeles, CA
Date and Time
Tuesday, May 31st, 2011
12:00am
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Details
Revis Featuring: Revis Early years (1999-2001)The group, formerly known as Orco, was formed in the summer of 1999 in the small southern Illinois town of Ewing. Self-described as a "group of friends," Orco's first big break came when they beat out 40 other musical groups for the chance to compete against five bands at radio station WTAO's Battle of the Bands at the Du Quoin State Fair in August of 2000. [2] They won the competition and were offered the opportunity to play live remotes for the station. According to vocalist Justin Holman, "It wasn't long after that, that our songs began creeping onto (WTAO's) playlist." [3] The original Orco line-up consisted of Justin Holman (vocals), Robert Davis (guitar), Nathaniel Cox (guitar), Dan Sronce (bass) and Marcus D'Marco (drums). The band moved to Los Angeles in July 2001 but, before doing so, had to acquire a new bassist in Bob Thiemann. Despite, as guitarist Robert Davis put it, having enough hometown popularity to "play in front of 1,500 people every Friday night,"[4] the band set their sights for L.A. Orco began playing L.A. venues but had a tough time early on, being kicked out of a rented one-room bedroom and having a dismissive manager with whom they periodically spoke with. The band's earlier material under this name was quite different sounding than their work as Revis. Songs such as "Feast of the Tabernacles" featured a much rougher, unpolished sound, with some screaming vocals. [edit] Places for Breathing (2002-2003)With the help of a new manager, John Zagata, they recorded three demo songs, "A Gift," "Seven," and "Straight Jacket Labels" with producers Tommy Henriksen and Jeff Pilson. This eventually caught the attention of record labels, and demos for "Caught in the Rain" and "Spin" were subsequently recorded to maintain hype.[5] In January 2002, the band signed with Epic Records to start work on their first album at NRG Recording in North Hollywood. Some of their demo songs would end up on their debut album; others were written during NRG's recording session. It was during the five weeks of recording that the band was forced to change its name to Revis because a UK band had been using the Orco name for six years compared to the American band's three years. They chose the name "Revis" after their close friend and guitar tech Jason Revis who had been with the band since its inception even without pay; only through their joining a major label would he finally start being paid.[6] The end result of their efforts was a debut album entitled Places for Breathing, which was released on May 20, 2003. The album debuted at #1 on Billboard's Heatseekers chart, selling 10,000 copies in its opening week,[7] and peaked at #115 on the Billboard Top 200. Revis scored two rock radio hits, "Caught in the Rain", which peaked at number 5 in the Active Rock Radio charts,[8] and "Seven". "Caught in the Rain" was also featured in the movie Daredevil and it's respective soundtrack, Daredevil: The Album. The band's hometown of Carbondale announced May 19, 2003 "Revis Day" in tribute to the group.[9] The band went on to support the album by touring with popular groups like Oleander, and Evanescence,[10] and playing the 2003 Nintendo Fusion Tour. [edit] Breakup (2004-2009)In 2004, Revis recorded a second demo with Tony Berg and had intentions of rerecording such tracks for a sophomore album.[11] Despite the band's rising popularity, however, Revis would be dropped from Epic Records and forced to acquire new management after their first album.[12] Holman speculated this being due to poor management and the merging of BMG and Sony.[13] Around this time, Davis and Piribauer had joined a band named Hensley and caused question over the future of Revis.[14] Holman and Cox, without Davis, Piribauer, or Thiemann, returned to Illinois and together began writing new material akin to Revis. As of August 2005, Holman affirmed that he and Tommy Henriksen[15] were working on 12-15 new songs with titles such as "New Ways," "Hollow Days," "Red Letter Day," and "Taste in the Flash." However, he clarified that they would not be working with Don Gilmore or Ken Andrews and showed uncertainty in regards to finding a label and touring.[16] Later in the year, it was announced that Revis had ultimately disbanded. While the band had broken up, a number of members did their own projects. Davis and Cox had formed a new band by the name of Maryandi, later renamed The Yelling. Holman worked with a new project called Aujalyn. The bassist Thiemann went on to form TJ Brown and Chalk Buddha. [edit] Reunion and Do We Have to Beg? (2010-present)Surprisingly, reports of a Revis reunion surfaced in early 2010, saying that they are back together and working on a second album.[17][18] However, original guitarist Nathaniel Cox and bassist Bob Thiemann decided not to take part in the reunion. The band announced via Facebook that the new album, titled Fire and Ice, would be released on July 27, 2010. The album was later delayed and renamed Do We Have to Beg?.[1] The first song from the reunion was be "A Better Day (Relief)" and became available for free on the band's website on June 29.[19] In September 2010, the band announced that the next song would be "Are You Taking Me Home". It was mixed by Jay Baumgardner and was released on October 6, 2010 via the band's website.[20][21] Later in the month, the band announced they would be playing their first live concert since their reunion, on October 29, 2010.[22] The band debuted a new song, titled "Remember When", at the concert.[23] People who attendend this concert were also given first access to download an acoustic version of the new song "Searching for Someone", from the band's official website. The band has also re-recorded and released an updated version of "From That Point On",[24] which was a rare b-side to their first album. They later released a video for the song as well.[25] On February 9, 2011 the band announced on the website that their next album would be called Do We Have to Beg? and would be released on May 20, 2011 to coincide with the 8 year anniversary of the release of Places for Breathing. The band has yet to announce a track listing, but "Searching For Someone" had been announced as the first single, with release due in early March. There are due to be 12 songs from a current shortlist of 25 recorded songs.[1] Shortly after the announcement the band changed their mind and decided that "Save Our Souls" would be the first single,[26] which was released on April 1.
