Avalon Drive

Infobox musical artist
Name = Avalon Drive


Img_capt =
Background = group_or_band
Origin = Brisbane, Australia
Genre = Rock
Years_active = 2005–present
Label = Sony BMG
URL = [http://www.avalondrive.com/ Official website]
Current_members = Damion Page
Shane O'Keeffe
BJ Dillewaard
Ryan Kennedy
Shane Holmes
Past_members =

Avalon Drive is a rock band based in Australia. The band formed in Brisbane, Australia, in 2005.

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.Fact|date=February 2008

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,Fact|date=February 2008 and that's not to mention three of their own headlining 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,Fact|date=February 2008 '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.Fact|date=February 2008

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 was forced to cut its set short after the barrier broke because of the fans, 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.Fact|date=February 2008

Make Your Move

Move to 2007, and things didn't slow down for the five-piece having started the year playing with Hoobastank and joined Fall out Boy on their Australian Tour.Fact|date=February 2008 With their new single "Make Your Move" on radio nationally now and released commercially as a digital single on May 21, 2007. Lead vocalist Damion Page cited the track as "a very small taste of what is to come."Fact|date=February 2008

'Make Your Move' was produced by Melbourne producer, Forrester Savell, best known for his production on The Butterfly Effect's 'Imago' (ARIA 2), Human Nature's 'Reach Out' and 'Dancing In The Streets' (both ARIA 1), Karnivool's 'Themata”.Fact|date=February 2008 "We all have very different ideas when it comes to writing so working with Forester really helped bring all that together," Said Damion.Fact|date=February 2008

Avalon Drive released their brand new single 'Make Your Move' nationally on May 21 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."Fact|date=February 2008

Change of Members

In August of 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.

igning 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 (band) to win a record deal with SONY BMG and the chance to make it big.

Upcoming Album (2008)

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”.Fact|date=February 2008

Band Members

* Damion Page - Vocals
* Shane O'Keeffe - Guitar/Backing vocals
* Ryan Kennedy - Bass
* Shane Holmes - Drums/samples

Tour

upported

# Anberlin (July, 2005)
# Rufio" (July, 2005)
# Crowned King (July, 2005)
# Yellowcard (March, 2006)
# Houston Calls (March, 2006)
# Matchbook Romance (May, 2006)
# The Veronicas (August, 2006)
# The All-American Rejects (August, 2006)
# INXS (September, 2006)
# Hoobastank (February, 2007)
# Fall Out Boy (March, 2007)

Headlining

# The Get Up Tour w/Angelas Dish (June, 2006)
# Pictures Tour (Sep, 2006)
# All Age Encore (Oct-Dec, 2006)

Festivals

# Rapid (June, 2005 & 2006)
# Overcranked (March, 2006)
# Ruckus (December 16th, 2006)
# Beats on the Beach (New Years Day, 2007)
# Come Together (June, 2007)
# Brisbane Royal Show (Saturday, 9th August, 2008)

TV Appearances

# Rove Live (2006)
# Toasted TV (2006)
# Arias (2006)
# Channel 31 (2006)
# AAA TV (2007)
# The Shak (2007)
# MTV UncharTED Showcase (2008)

Radio Interviews/Performances

# NOVA 106.9 (2008)

Discography

"Self Titled EP"

[EP/DVD] (2005)

# "7 Minutes"
# "The Simple Life"
# "Outside Alone"
# "At War with Butterflies"
# "7 Minutes" (live acoustic)
# "Outside Alone" (live acoustic)
# "Avalon Drive" limited edition DVD

"The City Of Burnt Out Lights"

[EP] (2006) - Valet Records

# "Introduction"
# "Emptiness With Grace"
# "Get Up"
# "That Very Day"
# "Pictures"
# "Too Many Reasons"

[The View From Afar] 2008

# "Make Your Move"
# "Last One Standing"

"Music Videos"

# "This Simple Life" (Live 2006)
# "Outside Alone" (2006)
# "The Making Of OA" (2006)
# "Make Your Move" (2007)
# "The making of "MYM" (2007)

External links

* [http://www.avalondrive.com/ Official Site]
* [http://www.myspace.com/avalondrive Myspace Site]
* [http://www.myspace.com/avalonofficialstreetteam Official Street Team]
* [http://www.aaaentertainment.com.au/ AAA Entertainment]
* [http://www.purevolume.com/avalondrive Pure Volume]
* [http://www.songmeanings.net/artist.php?aid=137438973023 Lyrics]
* [http://avalondrive.com/forum/index.php Official Forum]