ShockHound

The Princeton, New Jersey, USA, emo pop band Saves The Day formed in 1997, when founding members Christopher Conley (vocals/guitar) and Bryan Newman (drums) were still attending high school. Enamoured by acclaimed indie rock acts such as Superchunk, Sunny Day Real Estate, Archers Of Loaf, and Jawbreaker, they began jamming and playing out locally, first under the name Indifference, and a while later, as Seffler. With Justin Gaylord (guitar), and Sean McGrath (b. 27 January 1976, Hamilton, New Jersey, USA, d. 11 June 2004; bass) rounding out the line-up, the band began work on their inaugural demo before they changed their name to Saves The Day. The demo caught the attention of indie label Equal Vision which signed the band shortly after the senior year of school had begun. Anthony Anastacio (guitar) was added to the line-during this period. With homework throwing a cog in the scheduling of the band's ensuing studio sessions, tracks were finally recorded during winter recess, resulting in the release of Can't Slow Down in 1998. A number of line-up changes saw guitarists David Soloway and Ted Alexander replacing Gaylord and Anastacio, and Eben D'Amico taking over on bass from McGrath. The band's follow-up, 1999's Through Being Cool, saw the quintet's pop sensibilities becoming much more apparent. Things looked up for the band, but a van accident while on tour almost ended Saves The Day's career for good (Soloway was the worst off, receiving a broken nose and losing most of his teeth). The band bounced back, finishing off the tour and signing on with a new label, Vagrant, soon afterwards. Recorded in Los Angeles, Stay What You Are was issued in 2001, and helped introduce the band to a new audience. Spots touring with Weezer, Dashboard Confessional, and a Blink-182/Green Day double bill helped to land the album on the Billboard charts. With commercial success beckoning, Saves The Day parted company with Alexander and welcomed in new drummer Pete Parada, and got to work on their major label debut for DreamWorks Records. With renowned alt rock producer Rob Schnapf in charge, autumn 2003 saw the release of the highly-anticipated In Reverie. The album was a critical hit but only a qualified commercial success. Manny Carrero (ex-Glassjaw) replaced D'Amico prior to the band signing a new recording contract with Vagrant. DISCOGRAPHY: Can't Slow Down (Equal Vision 1998)***, Through Being Cool (Equal Vision 1999)***, Stay What You Are (Vagrant 2001)***, In Reverie (DreamWorks 2003)****, Sound The Alarm (Vagrant 2006)***, Under The Boards (Vagrant 2007)***. COMPILATIONS: Ups & Downs: Early Recordings And B-Sides (Vagrant 2004)***. Encyclopedia of Popular Music Copyright 2008 by Muze Inc.; all rights reserved.