Far

Far is a Californian post-hardcore band from Sacramento, United States, active from 1991 to 1999. The group’s line-up includes John Gutenberger, Shaun Lopez, Jonah Matranga and Chris Robyn. Their music sits within alternative metal, emo and post-hardcore.

Career

Far forms in Sacramento in 1991 and builds an underground reputation through local releases, including the demo tape Sweat A River, Live No Lies in 1991, and Listening Game in 1992. They later sign to Epic/Immortal Records and release their first major-label album, Tin Cans With Strings To You.

The band’s second album, Water & Solutions, appears in 1998 and becomes the record most closely associated with them. It is released on Epic and includes the single “Mother Mary”. The album also marks a more melodic direction than their earlier material, and it is often cited as an influence on later emo rock bands such as Thursday, Biffy Clyro and Jimmy Eat World.

Reception and influence

Far has limited commercial success, but the band is regarded as highly influential on independent and underground rock. Their earlier sound is described as much more hardcore than the style heard on Water & Solutions, which later gains a cult following.

After the split

After Far splits in 1999, the members pursue a range of projects, often in more experimental directions. Jonah Matranga in particular forms New End Original and continues his solo work as Onelinedrawing. He later starts Gratitude, which releases a self-titled debut album on Atlantic Records before splitting later in 2005.

Far reforms in 2008 and tours the UK, and Vagrant later signs the band for a fifth studio album, At Night We Live. The group splits again in 2010.