Life in Your Way
Encyclopedia
Life in Your Way is a melodic hardcore
band from Connecticut. All members of the band are adherent to the Christian faith.
The band played many concerts throughout the Northeastern United States, quickly garnering acclaim and a rapidly multiplying fan-base. At that time they befriended a band called Solace from New York, with whom they released a split CD entitled The Heart and Flesh Cry Out. It should be noted, that the musical style of the band at that time far more influenced by metalcore
than their later material. At some point during this phase, Dave left the band, and they continued on a four piece with Jay remaining on guitar. Todd who later played guitar for the band, played drums in this incarnation.
Jay exited the band and after a short hiatus, Todd transitioned to guitar and the band recruited John Young to take his place as drummer. They also added Andrew Bradley as second guitarist. The hiatus and the line-up changes sparked a dramatic stylistic transformation, which was sonically captured on the four song demo entitled 'All These Things Tie Me Down'. Released in 2002 the sharp contrast of the demo with their earlier split CD only further fanned the flames of their popularity. The demo attracted Indianola Records
, who signed the band, and released their first two full-length records. The first, 'The Sun Rises and the Sun Sets... and Still Our Time is Endless
', which was released in 2003, and their second, 'Ignite and Rebuild
', which was released in 2005. The latter was also released in the Christian Market by Floodgate Records
, and in Europe by Guideline Records.
After the recording of The Sun Rises and the Sun Sets..., Todd left the band to pursue an opportunity singing for the band With Honor.
He was replaced for a short time by the former guitarist of the band Solace, Mike Saracino.
Several tours into promoting the record, John Young left the band, and not long after Andrew Bradley left as well.
The band went on a hiatus due to the lack of sufficient band members and started holding auditions for replacements. They chose a drummer, John Gaskill, a resident of Virginia, and also recruited two local guitarists from the defunct rock band October War, Dave Swanson and James Allen.
Once their contract with Indianola Records expired, the band signed with Solid State Records
in June 2006. Their first, and only full-length record for Solid State Records entitled 'Waking Giants
', was produced by Garth Richardson
, and released on March 6, 2007. Shortly after the release of Waking Giants, guitarist Dave Swanson left the band to play guitar for Texas based electro-pop-rock band PlayRadioPlay!, and not long after, was followed by James Allen. To replace the two departed guitarists, the band rejoined with former guitarist Todd Mackey, and recruited Corey Stroffolino of the fellow Connecticut band, The Risk Taken.
Ironically, the band reunited for a concert not long after on December 20, 2008. At this concert the band performed alongside Wrench in the Works, The Risk Taken, Our Final Say, and With Honor, who had also reunited for the concert.
as drummer.
The band stated they would be releasing a new record entitled 'Kingdoms', and later clarified through a Twitter post that 'Kingdoms' will not be traditional full length album, but rather will be released successively as three EPs which will be entitled The Kingdom of Man, The Kingdom of Darkness and The Kingdom of God which will be released on Come&Live! Records for free in 2011.
The band opened a Kickstarter
campaign for fans to help raise money for the record, and the project met the projected goal of $12,500 in 3 days, 7 hours with 304 backers according to band members facebook
posts.
The band's comeback show was July 16, 2011 at Toad's Place in New Haven, Connecticut.
http://www.theprp.com/2011/03/04/news/life-in-your-way-confirm-latest-lineup/
Melodic hardcore
Melodic hardcore is a subgenre of hardcore punk with a strong emphasis on vocal melody. The genre is commonly defined with fast hardcore drum beats, complex guitar riffs and melodic singing with occasional screaming and shouting.-History:...
band from Connecticut. All members of the band are adherent to the Christian faith.
History
The band was formed by three long-time friends Josh Kellam, Dave Bullock, and Todd Mackey. Jeremy Kellam joined the band to play bass after the dissolution of his former band, which also included Casey McCue who played second guitar for a short period and was then replaced by Jason DiNitto.The band played many concerts throughout the Northeastern United States, quickly garnering acclaim and a rapidly multiplying fan-base. At that time they befriended a band called Solace from New York, with whom they released a split CD entitled The Heart and Flesh Cry Out. It should be noted, that the musical style of the band at that time far more influenced by metalcore
Metalcore
Metalcore is a subgenre of heavy metal combining various elements of extreme metal and hardcore punk. The name is a portmanteau of the names of the two genres. The term took on its current meaning in the mid-1990s, describing bands such as Earth Crisis, Deadguy and Integrity...
than their later material. At some point during this phase, Dave left the band, and they continued on a four piece with Jay remaining on guitar. Todd who later played guitar for the band, played drums in this incarnation.
Jay exited the band and after a short hiatus, Todd transitioned to guitar and the band recruited John Young to take his place as drummer. They also added Andrew Bradley as second guitarist. The hiatus and the line-up changes sparked a dramatic stylistic transformation, which was sonically captured on the four song demo entitled 'All These Things Tie Me Down'. Released in 2002 the sharp contrast of the demo with their earlier split CD only further fanned the flames of their popularity. The demo attracted Indianola Records
Indianola Records
Indianola Records is an independent record label that mainly focuses on hardcore and metal.-Overview:Indianola Records was founded in 1999 with the release of Life Before's "Reflections on Tomorrow". The label quickly gained worldwide recognition in 2001 with the release of Evergreen Terrace’s...
, who signed the band, and released their first two full-length records. The first, 'The Sun Rises and the Sun Sets... and Still Our Time is Endless
The Sun Rises and the Sun Sets... and Still Our Time is Endless
The Sun Rises and The Sun Sets... and Still Our Time Is Endless is the second studio release from Life In Your Way. Released on Indiola Records in 2003.-Track listing:# "For The Flames Beneath Your Bridge, My Hearts Collapsed" - 4:58# "Not A Word" - 3:56...
', which was released in 2003, and their second, 'Ignite and Rebuild
Ignite and Rebuild
Ignite and Rebuild is the third full-length album by metalcore band Life In Your Way. It was released in 2005 on Indianola Records.- Track listing :#"Hope Is War" - 4:04#"Light in Mine" - 3:33#"Threads of Sincerity" - 5:06#"To the Edge" - 3:52...
', which was released in 2005. The latter was also released in the Christian Market by Floodgate Records
Floodgate Records
Floodgate Records was a part of the East West Records family of labels. It was founded in 2000 and managed by Tim Taber . Initial distribution was through Word Records, and marketing through Rocketown. Their first release was All I Have, a worship album by Rita Springer...
, and in Europe by Guideline Records.
After the recording of The Sun Rises and the Sun Sets..., Todd left the band to pursue an opportunity singing for the band With Honor.
He was replaced for a short time by the former guitarist of the band Solace, Mike Saracino.
Several tours into promoting the record, John Young left the band, and not long after Andrew Bradley left as well.
The band went on a hiatus due to the lack of sufficient band members and started holding auditions for replacements. They chose a drummer, John Gaskill, a resident of Virginia, and also recruited two local guitarists from the defunct rock band October War, Dave Swanson and James Allen.
Once their contract with Indianola Records expired, the band signed with Solid State Records
Solid State Records
Solid State Records is a Christian record label, a division of Tooth & Nail Records. Unlike Tooth & Nail, Solid State signs hardcore and metal bands. Like Tooth & Nail, Solid State is primarily a Christian label. However, they have signed several bands that don't label themselves as Christian,...
in June 2006. Their first, and only full-length record for Solid State Records entitled 'Waking Giants
Waking Giants
Waking Giants is the fourth full length album by the Melodic Hardcore band Life in Your Way. It was released in 2007 on Solid State Records.- Track listing :All songs by Life In Your Way#"Reach the End" - 3:49#"Worthwhile" - 3:36...
', was produced by Garth Richardson
Garth Richardson
Garth "GGGarth" Richardson is a Canadian music producer and engineer. He is the son of renowned Canadian music producer Jack Richardson . Jack was a pioneer of the music recording industry in the 60's and 70's...
, and released on March 6, 2007. Shortly after the release of Waking Giants, guitarist Dave Swanson left the band to play guitar for Texas based electro-pop-rock band PlayRadioPlay!, and not long after, was followed by James Allen. To replace the two departed guitarists, the band rejoined with former guitarist Todd Mackey, and recruited Corey Stroffolino of the fellow Connecticut band, The Risk Taken.
Disbanding
The band played its final concert at the Heirloom Arts Theatre in Danbury, Connecticut on July 12, 2008, to a sold-out crowd, reuniting with several former members who played with the band in a revolving line-up at the concert.Ironically, the band reunited for a concert not long after on December 20, 2008. At this concert the band performed alongside Wrench in the Works, The Risk Taken, Our Final Say, and With Honor, who had also reunited for the concert.
Reformation and 'Kingdoms' (2011)
On February 11, 2011 the band announced they had reformed, and while several former members returned to the band, John Gaskill was succeeded by Andy Nelson formerly of the band Wrench in the WorksWrench in the Works
Wrench in the Works were an American Christian metal band originating from Hartford, Connecticut. The band is currently signed to Facedown Records and in the process of recording new music for their upcoming album...
as drummer.
The band stated they would be releasing a new record entitled 'Kingdoms', and later clarified through a Twitter post that 'Kingdoms' will not be traditional full length album, but rather will be released successively as three EPs which will be entitled The Kingdom of Man, The Kingdom of Darkness and The Kingdom of God which will be released on Come&Live! Records for free in 2011.
The band opened a Kickstarter
Kickstarter
Kickstarter is an online threshold pledge system for funding creative projects. Kickstarter has funded a diverse array of endeavors, ranging from indie film and music to journalism, solar energy technology and food-related projects.-Model:...
campaign for fans to help raise money for the record, and the project met the projected goal of $12,500 in 3 days, 7 hours with 304 backers according to band members facebook
Facebook
Facebook is a social networking service and website launched in February 2004, operated and privately owned by Facebook, Inc. , Facebook has more than 800 million active users. Users must register before using the site, after which they may create a personal profile, add other users as...
posts.
The band's comeback show was July 16, 2011 at Toad's Place in New Haven, Connecticut.
Band Members
- Joshua Kellam – Lead VocalsLead vocalistThe lead vocalist is the member of a band who sings the main vocal portions of a song. They may also play one or more instruments. Lead vocalists are sometimes referred to as the frontman or frontwoman, and as such, are usually considered to be the "leader" of the groups they perform in, often the...
(1999-2008, 2011-Present) - James Allen – Clean VocalsSingingSinging is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
, GuitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
(2004-2007, 2011-Present) - David Swanson – GuitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
, Background Vocals (2004-2007, 2011-Present) - Todd Mackey – GuitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
, Background Vocals (1999-2003, 2007-2008, 2011-Present) - Jeremy Kellam – BassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
(1999-2008, 2011-Present) - Andy Nelson – DrumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
(2011-Present)(ex-Wrench in The Works)
http://www.theprp.com/2011/03/04/news/life-in-your-way-confirm-latest-lineup/
Related Projects
Current musical projects involving past and present members of the band are:- The Frozen Ocean (Dave Swanson)
- Barricades (James Allen)
- The Attending (Corey Stroffolino)
Discography
- Demos (2000) (Self Released)
- The Heart and Flesh Cry Out (Split with Solace) (2001) (Salad Dressing Records)
- All These Things Tie Me Down (2002)
- The Sun Rises and the Sun Sets... and Still Our Time is EndlessThe Sun Rises and the Sun Sets... and Still Our Time is EndlessThe Sun Rises and The Sun Sets... and Still Our Time Is Endless is the second studio release from Life In Your Way. Released on Indiola Records in 2003.-Track listing:# "For The Flames Beneath Your Bridge, My Hearts Collapsed" - 4:58# "Not A Word" - 3:56...
(2003) (Indianola RecordsIndianola RecordsIndianola Records is an independent record label that mainly focuses on hardcore and metal.-Overview:Indianola Records was founded in 1999 with the release of Life Before's "Reflections on Tomorrow". The label quickly gained worldwide recognition in 2001 with the release of Evergreen Terrace’s...
) - Ignite and RebuildIgnite and RebuildIgnite and Rebuild is the third full-length album by metalcore band Life In Your Way. It was released in 2005 on Indianola Records.- Track listing :#"Hope Is War" - 4:04#"Light in Mine" - 3:33#"Threads of Sincerity" - 5:06#"To the Edge" - 3:52...
(2005) (Indianola RecordsIndianola RecordsIndianola Records is an independent record label that mainly focuses on hardcore and metal.-Overview:Indianola Records was founded in 1999 with the release of Life Before's "Reflections on Tomorrow". The label quickly gained worldwide recognition in 2001 with the release of Evergreen Terrace’s...
/Guideline Records) - Waking GiantsWaking GiantsWaking Giants is the fourth full length album by the Melodic Hardcore band Life in Your Way. It was released in 2007 on Solid State Records.- Track listing :All songs by Life In Your Way#"Reach the End" - 3:49#"Worthwhile" - 3:36...
(2007) (Solid State RecordsSolid State RecordsSolid State Records is a Christian record label, a division of Tooth & Nail Records. Unlike Tooth & Nail, Solid State signs hardcore and metal bands. Like Tooth & Nail, Solid State is primarily a Christian label. However, they have signed several bands that don't label themselves as Christian,...
) - KingdomsKingdoms (LIYW album)Kingdoms is the 5th full length album by the Melodic Hardcore band Life in Your Way. The album is split into three parts called "The Kingdom of Man," "The Kingdom of Darkness," and "The Kingdom of God."-Track listing:"The Kingdom of Man""The Kingdom of Darkness"...
(2011) (Kingdom Records/ Come&Live!)