A new post!!!

So I feel bad about taking away all of the music and then not posting anything. I feel like I've punished you all for something that is not your fault. Anyway, I figured I'd do a post featuring some of the stuff I've been listening to lately.

I recently got some Onelinedrawing discs and remembered how long it had been since I listened to Far. For those not familiar with Jonah Matranga, here's a short bio...

Far formed in 1991 and released a few discs and got a little bit of attention here and there but then the did the unthinkable, they released one of the greatest rock records of all time...Water And Solutions. This album has been heard by these ears way too many times to count. Jonah's voice is absolutely perfect here. The emotion comes through to the listener like he's sitting right next to you. This album really did change my life. I held every album after this to higher standards, not just by Far but every band. This was unfortunately the band's last album. It was re-released in 2004 with a bonus DVD. Two versions of the video below can be found on the DVD along with some live footage. If you have never heard this album, you should. You're missing out. It's perfect. Heavy, soft, emotional, angry... everything.



After hearing this album I fell in love with Jonah's music and began following his career. He started doing mostly solo albums under the moniker Onelinedrawing and released a bunch of splits, EPs and full length albums. He also has a store online where you can buy his stuff at a reasonable price. A lot of the discs feature hand-made artwork, cover songs, older tunes and much more. After Far's demise he got an itch to do some more rock songs and started New End Original with a couple guys from Texas Is The Reason And Chamberlain. This album would feature some of the Onelinedrawing songs with a full band. The one album that NEO put out (there's an EP too) would also be their last.

I have a great memory of living in St Pete just after Thriller came out (NEO's full length). I was posed with a problem. Further Seems Forever and New End Original were playing shows on the same night but not together. I had to make a choice. I had known the guys in FSF for years and had seen and played with them many times so I figured I'd go see NEO since I had never seen Jonah perform in any project of his. Great choice! The guys played with such passion and conviction. It was an amazing show. Afterwards I was talking to Jonah and when the bar tried to close he asked what there was to do around Ybor. 80's Night at the Masquerade was the place to be on Thurdays. This was when the night was getting close to 1000 people or more through the doors every week ($5 sink or swim will do that). So we went over had a few drinks and all of a sudden I see Chad from FSF. I called him over. The FSF guys knew Jonah and were bummed about not playing the same show together. We shrugged it off as we all danced to The Cure. I will always remember that night.

Anyway, back to the music... In 2005 Jonah started another band, Gratitude, that released one album and disbanded. I bought the album for the first time a couple days ago. I haven't really listened to much of it but it seems a little lighter than the Far and New End Original stuff but a little heavier than the Onelinedrawing stuff.

While I searched around the internets I found that Far had put up a new website and were playing some reunion shows. They have also released a 7" and are releasing a new album!!! I'm soo stoked. I can't find the 7" anywhere so I'm a little bummed but I will find it. You can download it via iTunes and there's also a video for the single Pony. It's a cover. It's amazing.



Jonah will always have a special place in my life. I have loved his music for well over 10 years and will continue to follow his career wherever it may lead.

Far website
Jonah Matranga website -- you can buy stuff here straight from the man himself!
Far on Amazon: Water And Solutions - Tin Cans With Strings To You
Onelinedrawing on Amazon: a whole lot of albums...
New End Original on Amazon: Thriller - Lukewarm
Gratitude on Amazon: Gratitude