Farewell to Juliet
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Farewell to Juliet | |
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| File:FTJ press 2.jpg Farewell to Juliet, RIP? | |
| Born | December 1, 1991 |
Farewell to Juliet (1991 - 1998) was a modern rock band based in Champaign, IL[1]. Notably, Farewell to Juliet was the first project to bring national attention to American radio personality Brant Hansen (vocalist) and record producer/Chicago Sun-Times journalist Jeff Elbel (guitarist). The band was active from December 1991 until August 1998. Various members are still active with other musical projects, and occasionally perform songs from the band's two albums on Marathon Records.
Chicago-based Farewell to Juliet is a critically acclaimed modern rock band with a unique sound that draws on a variety of influences. The group's name is derived from the title of a nihilistic poem by William Blount that, in Hansen's words, exposes "the bankruptcy of life without the promise of a hereafter."[2]
Musical Style
"Farewell to Juliet combines modern rock with progressive elements and deep lyrics to create a fine, melodious mix."[3] (Virtuosity)
"This album is poetically rich, which provides a red carpet of mystery and elegance that leads to an expedition of sadness, hope and love. ... The sound of the band is as deep as the lyrics.."[4] (Cross Rhythms)
"Several disparate influences stand out in the band's sound, from 80's Rush (band) to early Sixpence None the Richer to FTJ's "favorite band," the Choir, from their Chase the Kangaroo period."[5] (Phantom Tollbooth)
"The overall sound of the album reflects the band's Choir influences, especially in the lyrics and in some of the guitar work, although many songs have a more aggressive feel than a majority of the Choir's material."[6] (Phantom Tollbooth review of Grace and Dire Circumstances)
"The band's influences are all over the map, ranging from such proto-alternative pop acts as the Choir and the 77s to melodic/progressive rock acts like Catherine Wheel, King's X, Gene, and Radiohead. Balancing the heavier tendencies is a concurrent love for the acoustic guitar and melodic pop styles of Jars of Clay and Over the Rhine."[7] (Marathon Records website)
Band Members
- Brant Hansen - lead vocal, songwriting
- Jeff Elbel - electric guitar, background vocal, songwriting, production
- John Bretzlaff - bass, background vocal, acoustic guitar, songwriting
- Jeff Schmale - drums, songwriting
- Stacey Krejci - keyboards, bass
- Chad Dunn - drums, percussion
Albums
- Echoes of Laughter (1993, Marathon Records)
- Grace and Dire Circumstances (1998, Marathon Records)
Trivia
- Brant Hansen is a radio show host heard nationally on over 50 radio stations in more than 20 states.
- Jeff Elbel performs with Jeff Elbel + Ping, is a frequent Chicago Sun-Times contributor, and operates a recording studio called The Happy Club.
- John Bretzlaff is musical director at a large church in Tinley Park, IL, performs with Jeff Elbel + Ping, and operates a recording studio called The Hive.
- Chad Dunn is the founder of an educational music entity called Recycled Rhythms.
- Stacey Krejci was keyboardist for progressive rock band Animator, and currently works for the University of Illinois in the field of library science.
- The group's name is often misspelled as Fairwell to Juliet. This misspelling appeared on one of the band's earliest gig posters.
- The band is the only group to ever perform twice on the Cornerstone Festival's New Band Showcase stage, in 1993 and 1998.
- Rob Dickinson of British rock band The Catherine Wheel can be heard reciting the choruses during "Thermostat" on Grace and Dire Circumstances.
Collaborators
- Christian Erickson - keyboards (live)
- Kim Bretzlaff - vocals
- Andrew Carter (of The Aunt Bettys and Andrewesley) - guitar
- Matt McCabe (of King Never and Able Cain) - guitar
- Miro Svetinsky - recording
- Mark Rubel (of Pogo Studio - recording, production
- Matt Barnes - artwork
- Gregg Snyder - artwork
- Greg Lawless (of Adam Again) - guitar
- Rob Dickinson (of Catherine Wheel) - vocals
Notes
- ^ http://www.tollbooth.org/features/elbel.html
- ^ Powell, Mark Allan (2002). The Encyclopedia of Contemporary Christian Music. Hendrickson Publishers. p. 318. ISBN 1-56563-679-1.
- ^ http://honorinformation.com/virtuosity/reviews-F.htm#Fall
- ^ http://www.crossrhythms.co.uk/products/Farewell_To_Juliet/Grace_And_Dire_Circumstances/13555/
- ^ http://www.phantomtollbooth.org
- ^ http://www.tollbooth.org/mini/ftj.html
- ^ http://www.marathonrecords.com/ftj