Five Way Friday
Since their formation in 1997, South Carolina’s FIVE WAY FRIDAY has toured extensively up and down the East Coast, fromMaine to Miami. Through hard work, the band sweated its way to become one of the Southeast’s top bands. In 1998, FWFreleased their debut album, Moon Driven World, and received regional exposure when their song “Dreams of Elvis” was pickedup on Columbia station 93.5. The group continued their rigorous touring schedule through 1999, building a devoted following.
In 2000, the band released its second full-length, Run Like This, recorded in Memphis at Ardent Studios. The band brought in veteranproducer Jeff Powell, who’s worked with artists ranging from The Afghan Whigs to Bob Dylan, for the session, and the albumbrought the band national attention. Following its February 2000 release, Run Like This achieved Top 5 status in Internet albumsales in Billboard (behind such notables as Shania Twain and Celine Dion). Two of the album’s songs were featured on the WBhit series, Dawson’s Creek, with one of the tracks, “Homecoming,” being voted the second most popular song of the year by anindependent artist on the show’s website. By the end of 2000, the band seemed to be on the right track, but things were aboutto change.
In early 2001, guitarist and founding member Michael Helmly, tired of life on the road and of the music industry in general,announced he was leaving the band. Faced with the decision of dismantling the band or trying to continue as FIVE WAY FRIDAY,the rest of the band members continued to play scattered shows assisted by guest guitarists.
That summer, producer and Hootie and The Blowfish guitarist Mark Bryan approached the band about a potential album project,urging them to keep working on new material and playing live. Rejuvenated, the guys then recruited Charleston native RiversPearce to play guitar and piano. Pearce already had a following in that city’s indie scene, and he brought his own influences anddistinctive musical style to the group.
After nearly a year of preparation, FIVE WAY FRIDAY arrived at Bryan’s summer house/studio (located on the intracoastal waterwayin Awendaw, SC) in late July 2002, to begin work on a full-length album. With influences ranging from Silkworm to WillieNelson, the band members had one common goal—to make a record that captured their live energy and sound. After six weeksof recording, heated arguments, fishing, endless viewings of The Last Waltz and plenty of brown liquor and beer, the band finishedthe album in an all-night session that left them tired as hell but satisfied.
With the tracks in the can, Los Angeles engineer/mix wiz Nick Brophy, who’s worked with The Rolling Stones and Avril Lavigne(to name just a few), signed on to mix the record. Brophy spent a week at Columbia’s Gothic Studios, putting the finishing toucheson the album back in L.A. Thanks to Bryan’s vision and Brophy’s sharp ear, the finished album, Wrecked, represents a giantstep forward for the band.
With their thoughtful and honest lyrics and pure rock ‘n’ roll sound, FIVE WAY FRIDAY is ready to hit the road and the airwaves.
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