My Heart Is Fucking Broken

"Dearest friends from all corners of the world,

I write to inform you that after nearly 9 years, 5 full-lengths, 2 bass players, hundreds of shows, and numerous other achievements and follies, Andrew, Frank, and I have decided to end our career as The Fall of Troy.

This band has been my life, my love, the air I breathe, the food I eat, and what helps me sleep (and sometimes keeps me up) at night. I love and cherish the music we’ve made, the times we’ve had, and all the great friends we’ve met along the way. Andrew, Frank, and of course Tim, will always and forever have a special place in my heart. But it has come time for us to call it a day. After everything’s said and done, there is no drama, there is no blow out, it’s simply the three members of this band are on three different paths in our lives.

I always hold true to the fact that it’s better to go out in style, to ride off into the sunset, than go down in flames. This tour coming up with Envy On The Coast and Twin Atlantic will be our last go round, and we really hope that all of you will come out and celebrate what has been so unreal and unbelievable – let’s dance one last time!

We would really like to thank everyone that’s ever been involved with the band, managed the band, booked a show for us, let us eat your canned food, sleep on your floor, asked us for a picture, caught me when I’ve almost been dropped, put out a record for us, driven us through a late night drive thru, or anything else any of you could possibly look back on and enjoy what this band was…Fun.

So make sure you come out to “The Marked-Men of 2010 Tour” as it will be our last hurrah! We love you, and will be giving as much love as you’ve given to us at these shows. So that’s that! We love you with all our hearts, thank you from the very bottom of them, and goodbye comrades.

R.I.P.
TFOT
2002-2010

With A Heavy Heart,
Thomas Joseph Erak

PS. I have no intention to stop making music! Quite the opposite actually – but until then see you at the shows!"

This sucks. I feel like my parents are getting a divorce... Thomas is undoubtedly sick of the struggling but highly talented musician route he's been accustomed to these past 8 years and I hate that I have the suspicion he's he's got plans for a new project that might actually allow him some stability, but that's what's wrong with the music industry. I could go on about this for days, but the point is bad artists are getting too much money, while the unique ones are stuck in an overly saturated bin of mostly underachievers. Music shouldn't have to be for the masses, but the industry makes it appear to be. There's not really much else to say other than GO SEE THESE GUYS LIVE ON TOUR WHILE YOU'RE LUCKY ENOUGH TO HAVE THE CHANCE.

3/6: DeKalb, IL - House Cafe

3/7: Indianapolis, IN - Emerson Theatre

3/9: Covington, KY - Mad Hatter

3/10: Nashville, TN - Rocketown

3/11: Atlanta, GA - Masquerade

3/12: St. Petersburg, FL - Orpheum

3/13: Orlando, FL - The Social

3/14: Mobile, AL - Alabama Music Box

3/15: Metairie, LA - High Ground

3/17: Mission, TX - Never Say Never Festival

3/18 - 3/19: Austin, TX - SXSW

3/20: Dallas, TX - The Door

3/21: San Antonio, TX - White Rabbit

3/23: Phoenix, AZ - Martini Ranch

3/25: San Luis Obispo, CA - Downtown Brew

3/26: San Francisco, CA - Slims

3/27: Anaheim, CA - Bamboozle

3/30: Portland, OR - Hawthorne Theatre

3/31: Seattle, WA - El Corazon (HOME STATE SHOW)

4/1: Vancouver, BC - Rickshaw

4/3: Salt Lake City, UT - Murray Theatre

4/4: Denver, CO - Marquis Theatre

4/6: Lawrence, KS - Bottleneck

4/7: Des Moines, IA - House of Blues

4/8: Minneapolis, MN - Triple Rock

4/9: Chicago, IL - Subterranean

4/10: Cleveland, OH - Grog Shop

4/12: Grand Rapids, MI - Intersection

4/13: Pittsburgh, PA - Diesel

4/14: Buffalo, NY - Mohawk

4/15: Toronto, ON - Annex Wreck Room

4/16: Montreal, QC - Underworld

4/17: Syracuse, NY - Lost Horizon

4/18: Albany, NY - Valentines

4/20: Allentown, PA - Crocodile Rock

4/21: Philadelphia, PA - First Church

4/22: Baltimore, MD - Ottobar

4/24: New York, NY - Irving Plaza

4/25: New Haven, CT - Toad's Place

In the Fresh - The Fall of Troy

who: The Fall of Troy

why: I've already had the news on my twitter, but I figured I should post it here after I made their debut, self-titled album my friday flashback for the week.

The Fall of Troy have announced a headlining tour with Envy on the Coast and Twin Atlantic and what's most important is they're coming through Chicago TWICE (OPENING SHOW!!!), with both shows being on weekends! I'm so pumped I can't even tell you. I've only seen them the one time, but it was one of the best concerts I've ever seen and I'll never forget it. Go get yourself some tickets.

Sat/3-6 DeKalb, IL @ House Cafe

Sun/3-7 Indianapolis, IN @ Emerson Theatre
Tue/3-9 Covington, KY @ Mad Hatter
Wed/3-10 Nashville, TN @ Rocketown
Thu/3-11 Atlanta, GA @ Masquerade
Fri/3-12 St. Petersburg, FL @ Orpheum
Sat/3-13 Orlando, FL @ The Social
Sun/3-14 Mobile, AL @ Mobile Music Box
Mon/3-15 Metairie, LA @ High Ground
Wed/3-17 Mission,TX @ Never Say Never Festival
Thu/3-18 Austin, TX SXSW
Fri/3-19 Austin, TX SXSW
Sat/3-20 Dallas, TX @ The Door
Sun/3-21 San Antonio, TX @ White Rabbit
Tue/3-23 Phoenix, AZ @ Martini Ranch
Thu/3-25 San Luis Obispo, CA @ Downtown Brew
Fri/3-26 San Francisco, CA @ Slims
Sat/3-27 Anaheim, CA @ Bamboozle
Tue/3-30 Portland, OR @ Hawthorne Theatre
Wed/3-31 Seattle, WA @ El Corazon
Thu/4-1 Vancouver, BC @ Rickshaw
Sat/4-3 Salt Lake City, UT @ Murray Theatre
Sun/4-4 Denver, CO @ Marquis Theatre
Tue/4-6 Lawrence, KS @ Bottleneck
Wed/4-7 Des Moines, IA @ House of Bricks
Thu/4-8 Minneapolis, MN @ Triple Rock

Fri/4-9 Chicago, IL @ Subterranean

Sat/4-10 Cleveland, OH @ Grog Shop
Sun/4-11 Grand Rapids, MI @ Intersection
Tue/4-13 Pittsburgh, PA @ Diesel
Wed/4-14 Buffalo, NY @ Mohawk
Thu/4-15 Toronto, ON @ Annex Wreck Room
Fri/4-16 Montreal, QC @ Underworld
Sat/4-17 Syracuse, NY @ Lost Horizon
Sun/4-18 Albany, NY @ Valentines
Tue/4-20 Allentown, PA @ Crocodile Rock
Wed/4-21 Philadelphia, PA @ First Church
Thu/4-22 Baltimore, MD @ Ottobar
Sat/4-24 New York, NY @ Irving Plaza
Sun/4-25 New Haven, CT @ Toad’s Place

In the Fresh - Portugal. The Man

who: Portugal. The Man

why: have planned a U.S. tour with band Port O'Brien and The Dig. If you've never seen Portugal live, they are easily one of the best bands I have ever seen and I would highly recommend going, even if you've never heard their stuff.

I've posted live stuff of these guys before, and have several times claimed JBG to be one of my idols... but here's an acoustic version of them playing "Colors" from their 2008 release, 'Censored Colors'.

Feb 24 Fargo, ND @ Aquarium
Feb 25 Minneapolis, MN @ Varsity Theatre
Feb 26 Chicago, IL @ Lincoln Hall
Feb 27 Louis, MO @ The Gargoyle
Mar 01 Oxford, MS @ Proud Larry's
Mar 03 Dallas, TX @ House of Blues / Pontiac Garage
Mar 04 Houston, TX @ Warehouse Live (Studio)
Mar 05 Austin, TX @ The Parish
Mar 06 Austin, TX @ The Parish
Mar 09 Gainesville, FL @ Common Ground
Mar 10 Ybor City, FL @ Crowbar
Mar 11 Orlando, FL @ The Social
Mar 12 Elkton, FL @ Harvest of Hope Festival
Mar 13 Atlanta, GA @ The Earl
Mar 18 Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club
Mar 19 New York, NY @ Highline Ballroom
Mar 20 Millvale, PA @ Mr. Small's Theatre
Mar 21 Cincinnati, OH @ 20th Century Theatre
Mar 24 Columbia, MO @ Mojo's
Mar 26 Denver, CO @ Bluebird Theatre
Mar 27 Vail, CO @ The Sandbar
Mar 28 Aspen, CO @ Belly Up Aspen

In the Fresh - December 5, 2009

who: HORSE the band | The Chariot | Arsonists Get All the Girls
why: because last night at Reggie's Rock Club I was fortunate enough to see these three bands tear shit up.

Arsonists Get All the Girls - #21 on the list of bands I've seen live

First - These dudes opened the show last night only a few days after they were involved in a vicious car accident in which luckily no one was seriously injured. Second - they're talented. You've got a guitarist sweeping like a high school janitor on one side of the stage while the other is playing rhythm behind his back, the combination of highs and lows from their vocalists is intense, and their sound is a unique mixture of key leads, heavy beats and chorus-driven screams. This band has been through hell in the past few years with member changes, the untimely death of bassist Pat Mason... the list goes on and on - but they continue to make music and play it like they're on the top of the world.

The Chariot - #14 on the list of bands I've seen live

I'm going to be honest - I thought they were gonna suck. I'm not the hugest fan of their albums, but these dudes are gnarly... I now consider the bassist to be one of my idols. He was throwing his bass around like it was nothing, going completely ape-shit on stage and it was ridiculously entertaining. Come to think of it, everyone was acting crazy, but it was hard to focus on everything at the same time - their fans are die-hards and the pit was crazy. You need to see this band.

HORSE the band - #2 on the list of bands I've seen live

This is HORSE the band. They don't care what you think and that's what makes them awesome. This is the third time I've seen them live, and I have the time of my life every show. It's hard to explain why I love HORSE, so I'm not going to try too hard... but it's not because they're ridiculously entertaining, or their live sound is outstanding... I think it's just because you know they're giving you the best show they possibly can, and they're sincerely happy to play for you. Go check them out if you don't already know who they are.

In the Fresh - Four Year Strong

who: Four Year Strong
why: has announced a 2010 tour! This Time Next Year and Title Fight will be opening for FYS with the Bled joining in for the first half of the tour, and Strike Anywhere replacing them in the second half. I've seen these guys once before and let me tell you it was awesome. I wish the sound quality would have turned out a little better at the venue because I could hardly hear the vocals, but I got a good story out of it and they opened for Bayside which was a plus. But I'm ready to see them headline.

Find your venue!

Watch: "Bada Bing Wit' a Pipe"

Story Time
I excitedly walk into the bathroom after an amazing FYS set and approach one of two open urinals.

FYS keyboardist and aggression vocalist Josh Lyford steps in and chooses the empty urinal next to mine and proceeds to piss like a horse.

Me: "Dude, sweet show tonight man."
Josh: "...thanks man... sweet dick."

Josh zips up and leaves without saying another word to me or washing his hands. I appropriately laugh aloud to myself once he leaves.

In the Fresh - The Shred 'Til You're Dead Tour

who: Attack Attack!, Miss May I, ISMFOF, Our Last Night, The Color Morale

why: uh... cuz it's gonna be fun?

Dates
10/19 - Clifton Park, NY

10/20 - Montreal, Quebec

10/21 - Toronto, Ontario

10/22 - Pontiac, MI

10/23 - Buffalo, NY

10/24 - Pittsburgh, PA

10/26 - New York, NY

10/27 - Philadelphia, PA

10/28 - Baltimore, MD

10/29 - Raleigh, NC

10/30 - Douglasville, GA

10/31 - Orlando, FL

11/1 - Ft. Lauderdale, FL

11/2 - St. Petersburg, FL

11/4 - Houston, TX

11/5 - Austin, TX

11/6 - San Antonio, TX

11/7 - Dallas, TX

11/9 - Albuquerque, NM

11/10 - Tempe, AZ

11/11 - San Diego, CA

11/12 - West Hollywood, CA

11/13 - Pomona, CA

11/14 - Orangevale, CA

11/16 - Portland, OR

11/17 - Seattle, WA

11/19 - Murray, UT

11/20 - Denver, CO

11/21 - Omaha, NE

11/22 - St. Paul, MN

11/23 - Tinley Park, IL

11/24 - Grand Rapids, MI

11/25 - Louisville, KY

11/28 - Columbus, OH

In the Fresh - Motion City Soundtrack

who: Motion City Soundtrack

why: holy shitballs, Chicago. If you're a Motion fan you need to hear this. They just announced they'll be playing a three day show at the new Lincoln Hall December 18th - 20th.

December 18th - I Am the Movie

December 19th - Commit This to Memory

December 20th - Even If It Kills Me

That's right. They're playing all three albums in three days. Coheed did this awhile back in New York and I bet it was the shit... just go.

Tickets are $20 a night or $50 for a three day pass. I'm gonna make it for the 18th for sure.

See you there?

Official details here.

In the Fresh - Minus the Bear

who: Minus the Bear

when: October 5th - November 28th

why: Minus the Bear is the second band I care about today to announce they will be playing a short tour before the release of their new album! These guys are one of my all time favorite bands, and I have yet to see them live, so you can bet your ass I will be at the DeKalb, IL show on November 21st. If you don't know who they are, you've been living in a hole - as they were the first band to present math-rock to me in an acceptable form. Check out the tour dates here, listen to some music, and if you like em, buy my favorite release of theirs - 'Highly Refined Pirates'. It's a must have for everyone.

Here's their video for "Knights" off of their latest full-length 'Planet of Ice'

In the Fresh - Lydia

who: Lydia

what: Final tour dates for songs from 'This Decemeber, It's One More Time and I'm Free' and 'Illuminate'

why: You need to go see these guys play. In the video below, they claim this tour will be your last chance to see them perform music from their first two full-length releases. 'Illiminate' is one of my favorite records to this day, and while I'm super excited they're going to be recording more NEW music for you and I to listen to, I'm definitely going to have to find a way to hear them play their old stuff before it's too late.

Select shows with: Straylight Run, PlayRadioPlay!, Anarbor, All the Day Holiday, Brother George and Camera Can't Lie

TOUR DATES HERE!

By the way, isn't Mindy White gorgeous?... Wow. AND she's wearing a Journey T-shirt...

In the Fresh - Look Mexico

who: Look Mexico

why: They just announced their upcoming full-length album will be titled 'To Bed To Battle' as well as these September Tour Dates in New Mexico, Colorado, Texas, Ohio, Illinois and Tennessee. If you have never heard of these guys you should definitely check them out on their myspace for new(er) music, or give a quick listen to 'You're Not Afraid of the Dark, Are You?' off of their latest EP Gasp Asp.

In the Fresh - Attack Attack!

who: Attack Attack!, Miss May I, ISMFOF, Our Last Night, The Color Morale

where: a venue near you!

why: Attack Attack announced on August 18th that they will be headlining a tour with the aformentioned bands, and I will surely be attending. Check out their tunes and go buy your tickets!

Attack Attack!'s Myspace Blog