Far was an American rock band from

Sacramento, California ) , image_map = Sacramento County California Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Sacramento Highlighted.svg , mapsize = 250x200px , map_caption = Location within Sacramento C ...

, formed in 1991. Although Far only experienced limited commercial success, the band had considerable influence on underground rock music. They are perhaps best remembered for their rock cover of "

Pony A pony is a type of small horse (''Equus ferus caballus''). Depending on the context, a pony may be a horse that is under an approximate or exact height at the withers, or a small horse with a specific conformation and temperament. Compared t ...

", a song originally by

Ginuwine Elgin Baylor Lumpkin (born October 15, 1970), better known by his stage name Ginuwine, is an American R&B singer, songwriter, dancer, and actor. He began his career as a member of Swing Mob in the early 1990s. Signing to Epic Records as a solo ...

, which peaked at #40 on Billboard's Alternative Songs chart in 2009.

History

Original releases (1991–1998)

After a number of local releases including their first demo tape ''Sweat A River, Live No Lies'' (1991) and two independent albums ''Listening Game'' (1992) and ''Quick'' (1994) the band signed to Epic/

Immortal Records Immortal Records was an American independent record label/imprint label based in Los Angeles, California. The company helped launch the careers of such influential acts as Korn, Thirty Seconds To Mars, and Incubus over the years. The label had a ...

and released their first major record. ''Tin Cans With Strings To You'' was recorded in September 1995 and released by Epic/Immortal on April 3, 1996. Their manager Troy Davis considers ''Tin Cans With Strings'' to be the first-ever

screamo Screamo (also referred to as skramz) is an aggressive subgenre of emo that emerged in the early 1990s and emphasizes "willfully experimental dissonance and dynamics".Jason Heller, "Feast of Reason". ''Denver Westword'', June 20, 2002Access date ...

album. A song from the album, "Job's Eyes", was featured in an episode of '' Buffy the Vampire Slayer'', titled " The Pack", which aired on April 7, 1997. Around this time, the band were being put on bills with heavier artists, such as

Sepultura Sepultura (, "grave")Barcinski & Gomes 1999, page 17. is a Brazilian heavy metal band from Belo Horizonte. Formed in 1984 by brothers Max and Igor Cavalera,Barcinski & Gomes 1999, page 16. the band was a major force in the groove metal, thras ...

and

Monster Magnet Monster Magnet is an American rock band. Hailing from Red Bank, New Jersey, the group was founded in 1989 by Dave Wyndorf (vocals and guitar), John McBain (guitar) and Tim Cronin (vocals and drums); they have since gone through several lineup ...

. Vocalist Jonah Matranga later recalled how the band would often get booed and abused by the audience at these shows. Far's next release was a four-song EP titled ''Soon'' (1997), which featured two songs ("Bury White", "Mother Mary") that would later be included on their fourth and most popular album, '' Water & Solutions'' (1998). ''Water & Solutions'' was recorded in April 1997 and produced by

Dave Sardy David Stuart Sardy (born 1967), more commonly known as D. Sardy, is an American composer, musician, songwriter, and multiple Grammy winning record producer. He came to prominence as the leader of 1990s noise rock band Barkmarket before turning ...

. It attracted a strong cult following in the late 1990s, due mostly to the single "Mother Mary" and the band touring with longtime friends

Deftones Deftones is an American alternative metal band formed in Sacramento, California in 1988. They were formed by Chino Moreno (vocals, guitar), Stephen Carpenter (guitar), Abe Cunningham (drums), and Dominic Garcia (bass). During their first f ...

, and

Incubus An incubus is a demon in male form in folklore that seeks to have sexual intercourse with sleeping women; the corresponding spirit in female form is called a succubus. In medieval Europe, union with an incubus was supposed by some to result in t ...

. The more melodic sound showcased on this album is increasingly cited as an influence on present-day

alternative rock Alternative rock (also known as alternative music, alt-rock or simply alternative) is a category of rock music that evolved from the independent music underground of the 1970s. Alternative rock acts achieved mainstream success in the 1990s w ...

bands by the rock press, i.e.:

Thursday Thursday is the day of the week between Wednesday and Friday. According to the ISO 8601 international standard, it is the fourth day of the week. In countries which adopt the "Sunday-first" convention, it is the fifth day of the week. Name ''Se ...

Biffy Clyro Biffy Clyro are a Scottish rock band that formed in Kilmarnock, East Ayrshire, composed of Simon Neil (guitar, lead vocals), James Johnston (bass, vocals), and Ben Johnston (drums, vocals). Currently signed to 14th Floor Records, they have ...

Jimmy Eat World Jimmy Eat World is an American rock band formed in 1993 in Mesa, Arizona. The band is composed of lead vocalist and lead guitarist Jim Adkins, rhythm guitarist and backing vocalist Tom Linton, bassist Rick Burch, and drummer Zach Lind. They ...

Break-up and post-Far activities (1999–2007)

Since their 1999 split, the former members of Far have been involved in a number of projects, often quite experimental in nature. Frontman

Jonah Matranga Jonah Rzadzinski Matranga (born Jonah Sonz Matranga, August 11, 1969) is an American singer, songwriter and guitarist who has released a variety of solo material under his own name and onelinedrawing, and has previously been part of the bands ...

continued with his solo project

Onelinedrawing Jonah Rzadzinski Matranga (born Jonah Sonz Matranga, August 11, 1969) is an American singer, songwriter and guitarist who has released a variety of solo material under his own name and onelinedrawing, and has previously been part of the bands ...

and formed the now defunct band

New End Original Jonah Rzadzinski Matranga (born Jonah Sonz Matranga, August 11, 1969) is an American singer, songwriter and guitarist who has released a variety of solo material under his own name and onelinedrawing, and has previously been part of the bands ...

(an anagram of Onelinedrawing). Matranga "broke up"

in August 2004. In 2005 the singer's new band

Gratitude Gratitude, thankfulness, or gratefulness is from the Latin word ''gratus,'' which means "pleasing" or "thankful." Is regarded as a feeling of appreciation (or similar positive response) by a recipient of another's kindness. This can be gifts, h ...

released their debut self-titled record on

Atlantic Records Atlantic Recording Corporation (simply known as Atlantic Records) is an American record label founded in October 1947 by Ahmet Ertegun and Herb Abramson. Over its first 20 years of operation, Atlantic earned a reputation as one of the most ...

. Gratitude, however, called it a day towards the end of 2005, playing their last US tour before splitting in December 2005. He now plays music under his own name, with new work as well as music from his previous outings. Guitarist and founder

Shaun Lopez Shaun Lopez is an American music producer, composer, and musician. Life and career Shaun is a founding member and guitarist for post-hardcore band Far. After a number of local releases, including their first demo tape, ''Sweat A River, Live No ...

went on to form

The Revolution Smile The Revolution Smile was an American alternative metal/post-grunge band from Sacramento, California. History The band was formed in 2000 by former Far guitarist Shaun Lopez after he briefly played in an early version of Rival Schools headed ...

. The band has released two records and toured around the US and Europe. He also has his own studio where he has produced such bands as Trigger Point, Giant Drag,

The X-Ecutioners The X-Ecutioners are a group of American hip hop DJs/turntablists from New York City, New York. The group formed in 1989 and currently consists of three DJs, including Total Eclipse, DJ Boogie Blind, DJ Precision. Original members of the grou ...

, the

fifth record (

Saturday Night Wrist ''Saturday Night Wrist'' is the fifth studio album by American alternative metal band Deftones, released on October 31, 2006, by Maverick Records. Despite early contributions that were later scrapped, it marked the departure of mainstay Deftones ...

) released by

Maverick Records Maverick was an American entertainment company founded in 1992 by Madonna, Frederick DeMann, and Veronica "Ronnie" Dashev, and formerly owned and operated by Warner Music Group. It included a record label (Maverick Records), a film production ...

and most recently Will Haven´s fourth record ''

The Hierophant The Hierophant (V) is the fifth card of the Major Arcana in occult Tarot decks. It is derived from the historical card known as the Pope in playing card decks. It is used in divination. Description and symbolism In many modern packs, the Hie ...

''. Bassist John Gutenberger is currently playing in a band with his wife, Caitlin calle
Two Sheds
Drummer Chris Robyn has since played several shows with Will Haven in 2000 when their drummer Wayne Morse left. He currently plays in the post-hardcore supergroup Black Map.

Reformation (2009–present)

In 2008, the band confirmed they will be reforming for a handful of US dates, and also a small UK tour. Along with the confirmed UK tour, a cover of the track "

" by

has been posted on the Hot Little Pony myspace. In October 2008, the band launched the official website a
thebandfar.com
On October 21, Live 105 (

KITS Kits may refer to: *Kitsilano, a neighbourhood of the city of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada *Kits, an American taffy candy made by Gilliam Candy Company * KITS, a San Francisco, California radio station * Kottayam Institute of Technology & S ...

) (San Francisco) and KWOD 106.5 (

Sacramento ) , image_map = Sacramento County California Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Sacramento Highlighted.svg , mapsize = 250x200px , map_caption = Location within Sacramento ...

) added Pony into regular rotation. On November 4, 91x (San Diego) added Pony. On December 4

KROQ-FM KROQ-FM (106.7 Hertz, MHz) is a commercial Radio broadcasting, radio station licensed to Pasadena, California, serving Greater Los Angeles. Owned by Audacy, Inc., it broadcasts an alternative rock format known as "The World Famous KROQ" (pronou ...

(Los Angeles) added Pony. On March 2, Vagrant announced that they have signed FAR, and that the band are putting the finishing touches on their fifth studio album, which will be out in 2010. On October 17, 2009, Far posted studio video part three, which concluded reading "At Night we Live" out in 2010 on Vagrant Records. The name is also the title of a song they wrote for Deftones bass player Chi Cheng, after his car accident in November 2008. On February 10, 2010, Far announced '' At Night We Live'' will be released May 18, 2010, on Vagrant Records. On March 16, Jonah Matranga announced that the album will be pushed back one week to May 25 due to artwork finalizing. On June 27, 2011, Jonah Matranga went on theFIVE10 Radio and said that it was not likely Far would be getting back together. He cited several problems but mainly that there was just "too much drama." In November 2012, Jonah Matranga joined hardcore punk band 7 Seconds on-stage at the Ace of Spades in Sacramento, California, performing the song "Satyagraha".

Members

– vocals, guitar *

– guitar *John Gutenberger – bass *Chris Robyn – drums, percussion

Discography

Studio albums

*''Listening Game'' (1992) *''Quick'' (1994) *''Tin Cans with Strings to You'' (1996) *'' Water & Solutions'' (1998) *'' At Night We Live'' (2010)

Extended plays

*''Soon'' (1997)

Singles

" (2008) No. 40 US Modern Rock

Promos

* The System (with E-Bomb snippets) (1998) * Mother Mary * Love, American Style * What I've Wanted to Say * In the Aisle, Yelling (released on CD and cassette) * Pony (one-track advance promo 4:23 on Vagrant) (2009)

7"s

* Far Does Madonna (w/Sea Pigs) * Boring Life * Far / Incubus split w/ Water and Solutions * Far / Incubus / Korn / Urge Split (Far song – In the Aisle Yelling) (1997 promo immortal) * Far / Incubus Split (Far – mother Mary Incubus – Certain Shade of Green) (1998) * Pony w/ Pony acoustic (2009)

Demos

*''Sweat a River, Live No Lies'' (1991)

References

External links

Official Website (archived)Official StoreFar biosOfficial MyspaceOfficial Hot Little Pony MyspaceFar interview on Rockmidgets.comFar interview with Submerge Magazine, Dec. 2008Noisecreep talks to Shaun Lopez
{{DEFAULTSORT:Far American alternative metal musical groups Alternative rock groups from California Epic Records artists Vagrant Records artists Musical groups established in 1991 Musical groups disestablished in 1999 Musical groups reestablished in 2008 Musical groups from Sacramento, California Musical groups disestablished in 2010 1991 establishments in California