Averi

"Averi" is a rock band that formed in Boston, Massachusetts in 1998 while the members were students at local colleges and universities. The band grew in local popularity rather quickly, and even had a strong national following. It was no mystery that the band was one of few bands in Boston, at the time, that garnered a lot of label attention. However, due to member changes and other events, the band has been inactive since early 2007. The band was composed of Mike Golarz (vocals/guitar), Michael Currier (saxophone/vocals), Stuart Berk (lead guitar), Chris Tilden (bass), and Matt Lydon (drums). Chad Perrone was the former lead singer. He left the band in late 2005.

Infobox musical artist
Name = Averi
Img_capt = Averi is a rock band that formed in 1998 from Boston, Massachusetts.
Img_size =
Landscape =
Background = group_or_band
Alias =
Origin = Boston, Massachusetts
Genre = Rock
Years_active = 1998–2007
Label = Averi Music
Associated_acts =
URL = http://www.averimusic.com
Current_members = Mike Golarz (2006 - Current)
Michael Currier
Stuart Berk
Chris Tilden
Matt Lydon
Past_members = Chad Perrone (1998-2005)
Notable_instruments =

History

Averi was founded in 1998 on the campus of Suffolk University in Boston, MA by Matt Lydon and Michael Currier. After inviting Chad Perrone into the group, Averi was born. "At Wits End" was the band's debut EP. Featuring 5 funk and sax heavy tunes, "At Wits End" became very popular within the local scene and helped the band gain support from producer Mike Denneen for their debut LP, "Direction of Motion". With the addition of Chris Tilden and Stuart Berk, "Direction of Motion" had a distinctive pop sound. The album sold thousands of copies without any label representation. The band went out on the road in support of the album playing colleges up and down the east coast of the US and numerous clubs around Boston.

In 2003, Averi's first headline appearance at the Paradise Rock Club was a success. Since then, Averi has played several sold out shows a year at the Paradise. Over the next 2 years, Averi supported bands such as Gavin DeGraw, Guster, Barenaked Ladies, Hanson, Matchbox Twenty, Backstreet Boys, and the Goo Goo Dolls. The end of 2003 saw the addition of external management and a booking agency.

The year 2005 brought a new album, new producer, and management changes. "Drawn To Revolving Doors" was recorded over the autumn and winter of 2004 and was produced by Scott Riebling. The sound of the record was more rock than "Direction of Motion." Sold out shows up and down the east coast, including major markets like Boston and New York, followed the release of the album. Constant touring followed through the summer and into the fall of 2005. In August 2005, the band announced a headlining show at Avalon in Boston on November 12th, 2005, which sold out at nearly 2,000 tickets.

Shortly after the show, and much to the surprise of dedicated fans, it was abruptly announced that Perrone had decided to leave Averi due to, what he classifies as, stagnation in their national growth outside of Boston. [cite news| url=http://www.alternativeaddiction.com/musicnews/article.asp?id=1076| title =Chad Perrone Readies New Album|accessdate = 2008-10-02] The remaining members of Averi decided that they wanted to continue on with the band, and faced finding a new lead singer. The band called their friend Mike Golarz, a singer from Boston that, ironically, Perrone was an admitted fan of after he had seen Golarz perform with his old band, Elcodrive.

A few weeks following the announcement of the departure of Perrone, Golarz was named the new lead singer. Touring began again in early 2006, and many of the popular earlier tunes continued to be played (much to the disdain of Perrone), as well as new songs that the new line-up had been working on.

The band announced in the spring of 2006 a new record with Scott Riebling producing (who has gone on record as saying "Mike Golarz is the best singer I've ever worked with."). However, since that announcement, no official word concerning the album has been released.

Growth and press

Averi has been featured in newspapers and magazines such as the Boston Globe, Boston Herald, and Improper Bostonian, as well as music websites like Alternative Addiction. In 2005 they received four Boston Music Award nominations, and were named Newbury Comics/Boston Phoenix’s “Best Wicked Good Band.”

Current Status

In November 2006, the band announced, through their official site, that Golarz had become a father. They went on to say that he was taking a break from the band to enjoy being a dad.

Since that point, the only update to the official website has been a link posted of a live video shot in 2006, and no shows have been performed since January 2007. Members of the band have been approached about the standing of Averi, but none are willing to officially comment, aside from saying that they are on a break. A few of the members are now currently members of other bands, signaling the end of Averi. Rumor has it that the members of the band collectively agreed to bring their time together as a band to a close after 9 years. No official announcement has been made, but it is known that the band ended their management and booking relationships in early-to-mid 2007.

Band members

*Mike Golarz — lead vocals, guitar (2005-)

*Michael Currier — saxophone, vocals, tambourine

*Stuart Berk — lead guitar

*Chris Tilden — bass

*Matt Lydon — drums

Past members

*Chad Perrone — lead vocals, guitar (1998-2005)

Discography

Drawn To Revolving Doors (2005)

Averi Live @ The Avalon (2005)

Averi Live @ The Paradise Rock Club (2003)

Direction of Motion (2001)

At Wits End (1999)

Sources

[http://www.boston.com Boston Globe] Articles, Reviews

[http://www.bostonherald.com Boston Herald] Articles, Reviews

References

External links

* [http://www.averimusic.com Averi's Official Site]
* [http://www.myspace.com/averi Averi on Myspace]
* [http://www.archive.org/details/Averi Averi collection] on the Internet Archive's live music archive