Avalon Drive

Avalon Drive was an Australian rock band from Brisbane, Queensland, formed in 2005. The band was composed of vocalist Damion Page, guitarist and backing vocalist Shane O'Keeffe, bassist Ryan Kennedy and drummer Shane Holmes.

Avalon Drive
OriginBrisbane, Australia
GenresRock
Years active2005–2008
LabelsSony BMG
WebsiteOfficial website
MembersDamion Page
Wil Morris
Shane Holmes
Past membersShane Okeefe, Ryan Kennedy, BJ Dillewaard

Avalon Drive released three EPs in their three years as a band. The band split before releasing what was an anticipated debut album.

History

Forming in 2005 under the guise of Avalon Drive—Damion Page (vocals), Wil Morris (guitar/backing vocals), Ryan Kennedy (bass), Shane Holmes (drums) and BJ Dillewaard (keyboards)—the band released their debut self-titled EP independently which spawned two singles including "This Simple Life" and fan-favorite "Outside Alone", receiving high rotation on both Channel V and Nova FM.

2006 was undoubtedly a big year for Brisbane rockers, Avalon Drive, who toured the country several times over with The Veronicas, INXS, The All-American Rejects, Yellowcard, Houston Calls and Matchbook Romance, as well as headlining three of their own tours, a performance on Rove Live and the release of the band's second EP The City of Burnt Out Lights.

In 2006, the band's rise was imminent when they released follow up EP The City of Burnt Out Lights which again spawned two singles, including radio favourite "Get Up", which the band went on to perform nationally as Rove Live's house band and guest performance on Toasted TV, both on Network Ten.

In March 2006, Avalon Drive played with Yellowcard on their Australian tour, playing to a crowd of over 3000 at the Sydney Luna Park Big Top. At this event, the band had to cut its set short after fans broke the barrier, forcing the next band Houston Calls to not perform. Avalon Drive has a wide-ranged fan base and is well known for its energetic live shows and festivals.

"Make Your Move"

The five-piece started the year playing with Hoobastank and also joined Fall out Boy on their Australian tour, as their single "Make Your Move" debuted on radio nationally and was released commercially as a digital single on 21 May 2007. Lead vocalist Damion Page cited the track as "a very small taste of what is to come."

"Make Your Move" was produced by Melbourne producer, Forrester Savell, best known for his production on The Butterfly Effect's Imago (which reached #2 in Australia), Human Nature's Reach Out and Dancing in the Streets (both Australian #1 albums), and Karnivool's Themata. "We all have very different ideas when it comes to writing so working with Forester really helped bring all that together," said Damion.

Avalon Drive released their brand new single "Make Your Move" nationally on 21 May 2007, as a taste of the debut album that is to come.

"Make Your Move" is "an energetic rock song full of mood lifting spirit," says Drummer Shane Holmes who notes the latest [March 2007] arena shows with Fall Out Boy as the highlight of his musical career to date. "Musically it's a bit of a journey," adds Damion. "Lyrically it's about decision-making, it is about change and procrastination."

Change of members

In August 2007, Avalon Drive announced that guitarist Wil Morris was leaving the band for personal reasons. Wil was replaced with former St Lucia singer Shane O'Keeffe, who plays guitar and does the backing vocals for Avalon Drive. BJ Dillewaard also departed the band in early 2008.

Signing to Sony BMG

After two months and three rounds in the first Tooheys Extra Dry uncharTED competition of 2008, Brisbane rockers Avalon Drive beat Sydney band The Glass Ceiling to win a record deal with Sony BMG and the chance to make it big.

Unreleased album and band breakup

In the approach to the end of 2007 there was no rest for the boys as they were tucked away writing for their highly anticipated debut album. "We don't care how long this process takes" said vocalist Damion Page. "We are all very different and all want individual things inside our music so putting a time limit on that is not something we are wanting to do. We have had to get over some pretty huge obstacles this year (2007) and the future is looking so good for us. So, until then".

In November 2008, Avalon Drive released a statement mid-tour saying the band had separated due to "irreconcilable differences".[1] The news came following the release of the band's third EP, The View from Afar.

In 2010, Avalon Drive members Damion Page, Wil Morris and Shane Holmes announced the band's return for a one-off reunion show at The Hi-Fi Bar in Brisbane. It is unknown if the band will continue after this show.

Band members
  • Damion Page – vocals
  • Wil Morris – guitar/backing vocals
  • Ryan Kennedy – bass
  • Shane Holmes – drums/samples

Tour

Supported
  1. Anberlin (July 2005)
  2. Rufio (July 2005)
  3. Crowned King (July 2005)
  4. Yellowcard (March 2006)
  5. Houston Calls (March 2006)
  6. Matchbook Romance (May 2006)
  7. The Veronicas (August 2006)
  8. The All-American Rejects (August 2006)
  9. INXS (September 2006)
  10. Hoobastank (February 2007)
  11. Fall Out Boy (March 2007)

Headlining
  1. The Get Up Tour w/Angelas Dish (June 2006)
  2. Pictures Tour (Sep 2006)
  3. All Age Encore (October–December 2006)
  4. The View From Afar Tour (November–December 2008)
  5. The Residency Tour (2008)

Festivals
  1. Rapid (June 2005, 2006, 2008)
  2. Overcranked (March 2006)
  3. Ruckus (16 December 2006)
  4. Beats on the Beach (New Years Day, 2007)
  5. Come Together (June 2007)
  6. Brisbane Royal Show (Saturday, 9 August 2008)

TV appearances
  1. Rove Live (2006)
  2. Toasted TV (2006)
  3. ARIA Awards (2006)
  4. Channel 31 (2006)
  5. AAA TV (2007)
  6. The Shak (2007)
  7. MTV UncharTED Showcase (2008)
  8. Mornings with Kerri-Anne (2008)
  9. WhatUWant (2008)

Radio interviews/performances
  1. Nova 106.9 (2008)

Discography

Avalon Drive

[self-titled EP/DVD] (2005)

  1. "Seven Minutes"
  2. "The Simple Life"
  3. "Outside Alone"
  4. "At War with Butterflies"
  5. "Several Minutes" (live acoustic)
  6. "Outside Alone" (live acoustic)
  7. "Avalon Drive" limited edition DVD

The City of Burnt Out Lights

[EP] (2006) – Valet Records

  1. "Introduction"
  2. "Emptiness with Grace"
  3. "Get Up"
  4. "That Very Day"
  5. "Pictures"
  6. "Too Many Reasons"

The View from Afar

[EP] (2008) – Sony BMG

  1. "Life Support"
  2. "The Truth"
  3. "Last One Standing"
  4. "Make Your Move"

Music videos
  1. "This Simple Life" (live, 2006)
  2. "Outside Alone" (2006)
  3. The Making of "Outside Alone" (2006)
  4. "Make Your Move" (2007)
  5. The Making of "Make Your Move" (2007)
  6. "Last One Standing" (2008)
  7. The Making of "Last One Standing" (2008)
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References
  1. "Avalon Drive Split Up... Mid Tour". Undercover.com.au. Retrieved 18 November 2008.
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