It is unnecessary to try to define FAREWELL TO FREEWAY – the band has already taken the liberty of doing so. By giving its music the label of “hard melodic rock with metal influences” and titling its Victory Records debut Definitions, the band has issued a warning to all who try to make it into something it’s not. The album, released in February of 2008, is not only FAREWELL TO FREEWAY’s debut as Victory artists, it’s also the debut of a principled and grounded band. “We chose Definitions because it’s our most defining music to date, for who we are as a band and as people,” the band (answering in group solidarity) says. “It really defines who we are and what we’re about, and we really liked the idea of making sure everyone knew that.” This quintet from Guelph, Ontari Read more ...

It is unnecessary to try to define FAREWELL TO FREEWAY – the band has already taken the liberty of doing so. By giving its music the label of “hard melodic rock with metal influences” and titling its Victory Records debut Definitions, the band has issued a warning to all who try to make it into something it’s not. The album, released in February of 2008, is not only FAREWELL TO FREEWAY’s debut as Victory artists, it’s also the debut of a principled and grounded band. “We chose Definitions because it’s our most defining music to date, for who we are as a band and as people,” the band (answering in group solidarity) says. “It really defines who we are and what we’re about, and we really liked the idea of making sure everyone knew that.” This quintet from Guelph, Ontario, has also changed its definitions since its first incarnation, but remained a dedicated and passionate outfit. Formed by Chris Lamberton vocals/guitar, Richie Gregor on drums/vocals and Adam Lambert on bass/vocals, the band originally veered in the pop/punk rock direction. After expanding their musical catalog and finding deeper appreciation for other types of sounds, they added Drew Harwood as a second guitarist and Michele Walter on keyboards/samples “to round out the full sound that we wanted.” Just when everything was careening down the right path, FAREWELL TO FREEWAY was given a roadblock: its name. However, the band took it in stride when it was forced to change its original moniker of “Freeway” as not to be confused with the rap artist of the same name. “Even though our rhymes were much better,” the band laughs, “our approach to the situation was out with the old, in with the new in relation to band name, band members and our sound.” Undeterred by the minor setback, the band persevered with touring and getting its new name out. It worked: the band was put to the test with the EP In These Wounds, which was released by Year of the Sun Records in Canada. “We started playing a heavier style of rock and always really liked the impression bands left by playing extremely hard and with lots of emotion,” the band says. “So we started writing music that we could play loud and hard but that still had a catchy edge to it.” Finding that niche led the band to attack the road with even more gusto, and soon it was sharing stages with several Victory bands on its grueling tour schedule. Three years after constant demos and touring, the band that grew up listening to Victory influences such as Grade and Snapcase was awarded a showcase and an offer. For a band that fought for its breakthrough for years, it was adamant about one factor: Definitions would decidedly be an album that the band dubs “complete.” Produced by Eric Arena (A Day To Remember) at Zing Studios in Westfield, Mass., and sporting lyrics with a positive approach to everyday situations, the band gave every song its undivided attention. Spending nearly 10-15 hours a day slaving through studio sessions, the group’s members found their music evolving the more time they spent with it. Hooks became more defined and the heavy/rhythmic sections took on a necessary assertion. “We went in knowing there wouldn’t be any b-sides or any fillers – just songs that flowed as a whole record,” the band says. And though this band can claim a record deal and a debut album under their belts, don’t expect the touring to waver anytime soon. This perennially optimistic group weighs lack of showers and van life as minor disadvantages to bringing their music to the masses. The band’s lack of pretentiousness is refreshing in a world where becoming the next “it” band is the only goal. “We look up to bands that can tour full-time and make a living at it, which is 100 percent what we want to do with our lives,” Farewell To Freeway says. “We’ve poured so much of ourselves into the band, and it just doesn’t make sense to be doing anything else.”