Blessthefall (styled as blessthefall) is an American Christian post-hardcore band from Phoenix, Arizona, currently signed to Fearless Records. The band was founded in 2004 by guitarist Mike Frisby, drummer Matt Traynor, and bassist Jared Warth. Their debut album with original vocalist Craig Mabbitt was released April 10, 2007, titled His Last Walk. Their second studio album with new vocalist Beau Bokan was released October 6, 2009, titled Witness.
Origins and His Last Walk (2004–2007) Main article: His Last Walk
Blessthefall grew out of high school practice sessions consisting of guitarist Mike Frisby, guitarist Miles Bergsma, drummer Matt Traynor, bassist and screamer Jared Warth, and later, vocalist Craig Mabbitt. After founding member Miles Bergsma left to attend college at the Berklee College of Music in Boston, they released a three-track EP in mid-2005 and added guitarist Eric Lambert to form their first solid line-up.[1] Phoenix-area gigs with Greeley Estates and an openly religious orientation got the band local press and a deal with Warner subsidiary, Science Records.[2] The band then toured with Alesana and Norma Jean across the United States and Canada.[3] Their debut album, His Last Walk, was released on April 10, 2007, to mixed reviews.[4][5][6] The band completed the entire 2007 Warped Tour circuit nationwide.[3] His Last Walk peaked at #32 on the U.S. Billboard Heatseekers chart.[7]
Blessthefall toured with Escape the Fate, LoveHateHero, Before Their Eyes, and Dance Gavin Dance on the Black On Black tour during September and October 2007, they were also part of the Underground Operations Tour And Loathing Tour 2007, opening for Protest The Hero and All That Remains, along with fellow opening bands, Threat Signal and the Holly Springs Disaster, and were a part of From First to Last's fall headlining tour, starting November 1 with A Skylit Drive and Vanna.
Mabbitt's departure and Bokan's arrival (2008–2009)
While on their first European tour (with Silverstein) in late 2007, Craig Mabbitt left the band during the United Kingdom portion, for (according to the band's MySpace blog) "personal reasons." For the remainder of the tour, Jared Warth filled in for vocals while playing bass. When Mabbitt later attempted to return to Blessthefall, the band members decided not to let him back in, preferring to move on without him. On December 15, 2007, Blessthefall posted a blog on their MySpace announcing their parting ways with Mabbitt while Mabbitt posted a bulletin on his personal MySpace stating his willingness to return to the band.
After the European tour, the band decided to look for a temporary fill in bass player so that Jared Warth could concentrate on vocals. Aiden Louis, vocalist of Dear Whoever, was added to the group to fill in the bass and backup vocals. This was their lineup for Taste of Chaos 2008.
In early 2008, Blessthefall released a new video for the song "Rise Up" from the album His Last Walk. The video, (directed by Travis Kopach), is the first to not include Mabbitt.
Finally, on September 26, 2008, the group announced that they had chosen a new lead singer, Beau Bokan, after months of searching. Bokan was the former lead singer for Take the Crown, a group who released one album on Rise Records earlier in 2008 before disbanding.
Witness and third studio album (2010–present) Main article: Witness (Blessthefall album)
During the month of February, the band announced on their MySpace page that they would head into the studio in May 2009 after their tour with Silverstein, Norma Jean, and Before Their Eyes. On May 13 the band announced on their MySpace page and video blogs that they signed to Fearless Records.
On June 3, the band announced via MySpace that they were officially finished with the recording of their new album and that it was to be released in the fall. At the beginning of their tour with August Burns Red and Enter Shikari, they announced that the album would be titled "Witness". In July, Blessthefall released a song clip on their MySpace blog titled "God Wears Gucci", released on iTunes for download on August 11, 2009. In September 2009, the band uploaded another track on their MySpace page titled "What's Left of Me". The album was released October 6, 2009.
In June 2010 Blessthefall toured New Zealand in support of Saosin, and in Australia in support of Story of the Year and Saosin. Blessthefall played across Auckland, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide.
After the release of Witness, the band co-headlined the Atticus Fall Tour with Finch, Drop Dead, Gorgeous, and Vanna from October 10, 2009 through to November 19. Other bands on the tour included Of Mice & Men and Let’s Get It.
In October 2009, the band announced on YouTube that they were working on a music video for "What's Left of Me", which was released December 14 on MySpace Metal.
On January 26, 2010, Greeley Estates released No Rain, No Rainbow, featuring guest vocals by Blessthefall vocalists Beau Bokan and Jared Warth. The album also features guest vocals from former vocalist of Blessthefall, and present vocalist of Escape the Fate, Craig Mabbitt.
The band was featured on the Punk Goes Classic Rock album released April 27, 2010 covering "Dream On" by Aerosmith.
Their song, “To Hell and Back”, released on Witness, was a soundtrack to Ubisoft's Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Conviction. The game trailer was released on April 9, 2010.[8]
They released a new music video for their song "To Hell and Back" on July 21, 2010 and were then in the process of recording a new music video for "Hey Baby, Here's That Song You Wanted", which was confirmed through their Twitter. They were holding a contest to see who can make the best fan-made video to be included in the final music video.
The music video for "Hey Baby, Here's That Song You Wanted" was released on November 4, 2010, and is a short film directed by Chris Marrs Piliero. It is a parody of the 2009 comedy The Hangover, as all of the members wake up unaware of what happened the night before in a messy room, a naked man jumps out from the back of Beau Bokan's car and starts attacking him, and towards the end when Jared Warth pulls out his phone at Eric Lambert's wedding, showing pictures of the night before. The music video also references the movie Dude, Where's My Car?, when Beau Bokan asks where his car is and Mike Frisby responds, "Dude, it's right there."
Beau Bokan confirmed via Formspring that Blessthefall are not going to be playing Warped Tour 2011, but rather will be recording their third full length album, which recording is to begin May 2011.[9] He also said the producer for the third record will be Michael "Elvis" Baskette again who produced their previous record.[10]
On February 15, 2011, the band announced via their MySpace page that Frisby has left to pursue another path. For now, they have Elliot Gruenberg (formerly of Legacy and Before Their Eyes) filling in on guitar
Band members Current members Beau Bokan - lead vocals (since 2008) Jared Warth - bass, screamed vocals (since 2004); lead vocals (2004; 2007–2008) Eric Lambert - lead guitar, backing vocals (since 2005) Matt Traynor - drums (since 2004) Touring members Elliott Gruenberg - rhythm guitar (since 2011) Aiden Louis - bass, backing vocals (2008) Former members Craig Mabbitt - lead vocals (2004–2008) Miles Bergsma - lead guitar (2004–2005) Mike Frisby - rhythm guitar (2004–2011)
Albums/EPsDate Album Label Peak Chart Position Billboard 200 Top Heatseekers 2005 Black Rose Dying EP Self-released — — 2006 Blessthefall EP Self-released — — 2007 His Last Walk Science Records/Ferret International — 32[12] 2009 Witness Fearless Records 56
SinglesYear Song 2006 "Higinia" 2007 "Guys Like You Make Us Look Bad" "A Message to the Unknown" "Rise Up" "I Wouldn't Quit If Everyone Quit" 2008 "To Hell and Back" 2009 "God Wears Gucci" "What's Left of Me" 2010 "Hey Baby, Here's That Song You Wanted"
VideosYear Song 2006 "Black Rose Dying" "Times Like These" 2007 "Higinia" "Guys Like You Make Us Look Bad" "A Message to the Unknown" 2008 "Rise Up" "To Hell and Back" (demo version) 2009 "What's Left of Me" 2010 "To Hell and Back" (album version) "Hey Baby, Here's That Song You Wanted
