Driven by undeniable passion, Finch dive headlong
into songs laden with raw intensity to create a perfect union of post-hardcore
angst and melodic rock dynamics. With a tip of the hat to their musical peers
and influences, Finch confidently push at the boundaries set before them.
The band has come a long way since their formation in
the late '90s. In those days, the Temecula,
California based band was
called Numb. Though currently a nearly identical lineup of those early days,
Finch has now found their own unique voice, and a permanent membership of
frontman Nate Barcalow, guitarists Randy Strohmeyer and Alex Linares, bassist
Derek Doherty and drummer Alex Pappas.
The band's jump from the world of practicing in the
garage to being signed was a real grassroots process. Randy had kept in touch
with Drive-Thru ever since writing a fan letter to the label years earlier. As
he worked on his music, through previous bands, he kept the lines of
communication open with the label.
When Finch were ready, Randy called upon the label.
"Richard (Reines, Drive-Thru Record's owner) was like, "All right, come and play
for me," says Randy. "So we rented a studio. Richard was basically doing it as a
favor. But we went up there and played, and he was blown away." Richard was so
taken with the band, that he called his sister (Drive-Thru co-owner) Stefanie
into the studio to check the band out. She was duly impressed, and Finch was
offered a recording contract on the spot.
Drive-Thru sent the band into the studio to record
shortly thereafter. Their debut, the Falling Into Place EP, provides listeners
with a tantalizing glimpse into the group's obvious talent and musical
potential. Even though the EP only features four songs, each track is a superb
conglomeration of emo-core and unbridled aggression. Produced by Chris Fudurich
(The Hippos, Rx Bandits), Falling Into Place was released on
October 9, 2001.
In August/September 2001, the band holed up at Big
Fish Studio in
Encinitas, CA to begin working on its first full
length. At the helm was Mark Trombino, whose production and engineering work has
brought out the best in Jimmy Eat World, Blink 182, Midtown and many others. The
result of their collective labors is What It Is To Burn, a soaring collection of
13 tracks -- the album shimmers with sincerity. Ranging between emo melodies,
punk rhythm, pop hooks and aggressive breakdowns, it covers the entire emotional
spectrum. Not unlike Thursday, Deftones and Jimmy Eat World, Finch embrace
disparate influences within their music the differences create a stronger whole.
Lyricist/vocalist Nate Barcalow reaches his full
potential on What It Is To Burn. Barcalow exhibits a lyrical maturity beyond his
years. Powerful and evocative, What It Is To Burn deals with the emotional
roller-coaster that is a relationship. Itıs an unlikely ode to the
pit-of-the-stomach pain that only a loved one can cause and the strength it
takes to carry on through all the intrigue and frustration.
What It Is To Burn was release on
March 12, 2002 and
immediately hit the Billboard Top 200 chart. Finch hit the road with Rx Bandits
for a quick run before spending the summer playing their hearts out for the fans
on the Drive-Thru Records stage on the Warped Tour. In short order the band then
hit Japan and Europe and then signed on to play with labelmates New Found Glory
and Something Corporate for another US run.
No matter where you are this summer or what you call
your particular brand of music, Finch will be there for you. Because, regardless
of the names 'rock,' 'punk,' 'emo,' 'hardcore,' or 'nu metal,' a solid bridge
has finally been built between them by Finch.
