The Anniversary

Infobox musical artist
Name = The Anniversary


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Origin = Lawrence, Kansas, U.S.
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Genre = Alternative rock
Indie rock
Emo
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Years_active = 1997 – 2004
Label = Vagrant Records
Associated_acts = The Only Children
White Flight
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Past_members = James David
Adrianne Verhoeven
Josh Berwanger
Christian Jankowski
Justin Roelofs
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The Anniversary were an American indie rock band. They formed in Lawrence, KS in 1997 when Josh Berwanger, James David, Christian Jankowski, Adrianne Verhoeven and Justin Roelofs solidified a line up that had been in flux for a year. After two years of playing shows across with the Midwest with bands like The Get Up Kids, Braid (band) and Superchunk, The Anniversary signed to Vagrant Records.

Originally perceived as a poppy, keyboard-driven emo band with the release of their debut album "Designing a Nervous Breakdown" in 2000, they outgrew their roots and developed a stronger, classic rock influenced sound with the release of a split CD with Superdrag in 2001 and their second full length, 2002’s "Your Majesty". After touring heavily throughout 2002 and 2003, The Anniversary began demo-ing tracks for what would be their third full length. But four years of constant touring and personal strains within the group led to the band’s demise in early 2004.

Four and a half years after their break up, "Devil on our Side" – a compilation of b-sides and unreleased tracks – was released by Vagrant Records. A companion documentary is expected in late 2008.

History

The Anniversary was a five piece band that formed in 1997 in Lawrence, KS. Josh Berwanger, Justin Roelofs and Adrianne Verhoeven began playing together in 1996 as The Broadcast. In January 1997, the band recorded a few songs including “Crazy Makes us Sane.” After struggling to keep a permanent rhythm section, Chris “Janko” Jankowski and Jim David solidified the line up later that year as the band changed their name to The Anniversary, partly because a British group already had the rights to the name The Broadcast.

Featuring Justin and Josh on guitar and vocals, Adrianne on keyboard and vocals, Jim on bass and Janko on drums, The Anniversary developed and refined their signature sound – sentimental guy/girl vocals, complimented by dueling guitar lines, with synth pop overlays and catchier than hell choruses – with heavy touring throughout the Midwest in 1997-1999. In January 1998 six songs were recorded at Kingsize Studios in Chicago. In October of that year six more songs were recorded for a debut EP on Lawrence-based Urinine Records. But when The Get Up Kids approached them in the spring of 1999 with a deal to record a full-length album on their new Heroes & Villains imprint on Vagrant Records, The Anniversary couldn't refuse.

During ten days in July 1999 The Anniversary returned to Kingsize to record their debut full length, "Designing a Nervous Breakdown". Later that July, at Red House Studios in Eudora, Kansas two more songs were recorded, one of which appeared in November 1999 on a split 7" with The Get Up Kids to precede the debut and help to build a national fan base.

"Designing a Nervous Breakdown" was released on January 20, 2000 and The Anniversary soon after departed on their first national tour with The Get Up Kids on January 26. Touring relentlessly throughout 2000 and 2001, the band still found time to break away and record new songs. In March 2000 The Anniversary returned to Red House Studios to record a song later released on a split 7” with Hot Rod Circuit. In August three more songs were recorded at Red House – one released on the "Another Year on the Streets" Vagrant sampler, and two that were featured in the January 2001 Sub Pop Singles Club.

As they continued to tour and write new songs they gradually developed a more mature, classic rock influenced sound. In June 2001 The Anniversary recorded their second full-length album, "Your Majesty", at Sonora Records in Los Feliz, California. "Your Majesty" marked a departure for the band, leaving the poppy, catchy melodies behind in favor of a more intelligent, intricate and polished riff-driven classic rock sound.

Originally slated for a September 2001 release, the album was delayed because of a legal matter between Vagrant Records and their distributor. During this time, The Anniversary recorded three new songs in September 2001 for a split CD with Superdrag, the first in a series of split releases from Vagrant bands. The Superdrag split was released on November 13, 2002 to coincide with a national tour together, and "Your Majesty" followed shortly thereafter on January 22, 2002.

In between tours, a few tracks were demoed in Rob Pope’s basement in the fall of 2002. However, rather than re-signing a new contract, Vagrant Records dropped The Anniversary in early 2003 because of personal tensions with the label and other bands on the roster. But picking up right where they left off, through extensive touring with the likes of Cheap Trick and Guided By Voices, The Anniversary continued to develop their live sound as shows incorporated new songs and re-visited and re-worked past crowd favorites, transforming them into a psychedelic jam loaded with classic rock riffs and gutter rock swagger.

During the spring and summer of 2003 the band began producing demos for songs intended for their third full-length album. This time around, The Anniversary continued to explore their songwriting prowess as they incorporated elements of reggae, blues, and even country. Before embarking on an October-November tour, they headed to Hideaway Studios in Sedalia, CO to record two tracks for the album. However, tensions within the band had been growing for some time, and The Anniversary played what would become their final show in San Antonio, TX on November 23, 2003.

The band officially broke up in January 2004, and posted the following message on their website on February 6:

Hello everyone.

Due to a number of reasons, The Anniversary has broken up. This may take some of you by surprise, but it was a long time coming. We'll be selling stuff online a little longer so buy it up now because their collector's items. Thank you all for your support in our efforts to make the music world a better place. We just weren't prepared for it. Please feel free to check out this website www.theholyghosts.com. It's another project that Josh, Jim, myself, Casey from Hot Rod Circuit, and T.K. Webb are working on. Justin is working on some solo stuff right now. Here's a link to some of his new songs, click. Those of you on the e-mail list will receive updates from The Holy Ghosts from now on. Take care all and pleasant thoughts. Questions or comments may be addressed to [e-mail].

Peace out, Janko

(*Note that The Holy Ghosts changed their name to The Only Children soon after this message was posted.)

And on February 9 the following email was sent out to The Anniversary email list:

Hello friends,

I regret to announce that THE ANNIVERSARY has officially broken up. We've made large strides in the music world, but we weren't prepared for all the changes in our lives. We'd like to thank everyone for their support at our shows and of course the purchasing of our merchandise.

There is another band that has started up due to the downfall of The Anniversary. "Josh Berwanger & THE HOLY GHOSTS" features Josh, James, and Christian from The Anniversary. The band also features Casey from Hot Rod Circuit, T.K Webb a solo performer originally from Lawrence, KS but now residing in NY and Heide Gluck of the Pieces and Some Girls. Please check the website for updates and pictures at www.theholyghosts.com.

As for the other members... Justin is currently working on a solo release that is yet to be titled. Adrianne has joined up with the former members of another KC band "the Gadjits". They are currently working on a project yet to be named. Please check back at a later date for more information.
Thanks again everyone for everything.

Peace out, The Anniversary

Nearly four years after these farewell messages were sent, a new blog was posted on The Anniversary’s MySpace page January 1, 2008 – the first official communication from the band during that span of time:

Happy New Year to you all! Hope that 2008 is great one for ya! As far as The Anniversary is concerned, 2008 will be a doozie. We are releasing a NEW ALBUM this year that will include our un-released songs. We are also releasing a DVD featuring "live" performances and behind-the-scenes of us just hanging out.

If you guys could help out and send any photos that you might have including who took the picture to [e-mail] We are gathering up as many as we can for the insert of the DVD and the CD artwork. If you have any questions please don't hesitate to ask. Forward this on to your friends. And let's get the word out! Perhaps a re-union show, too? Who knows.

Peace out, Janko

"Devil on Our Side", a double disc compilation of unreleased songs, b-sides and rarities, was released by Vagrant Records on June 24, 2008. A follow up, companion DVD is tentatively scheduled for release at the end of 2008 by Blue Collar Press. A reunion tour or show is unlikely at this point.

Where Are They Now?

*After The Anniversary broke up Josh shifted his attention full time to his side project, The Holy Ghosts. The band soon changed its name to The Only Children and featured Jim and Janko from the Anniversary, as well as TK Webb, a KC born and bred bluesman living in NYC, Casey Prestwood, from Hot Rod Circuit, and Heidi Lynn-Gluck, from The Pieces and Juliana Hatfield’s Some Girls. The Only Children have released two albums, 2004’s "Change of Living" and 2007’s "Keeper of Youth". Josh also co-owns Lowe Farm Records with his friend Lee Wilson.
*After leaving The Only Children in late 2004, Jim became a partner at Blue Collar Press, a Lawrence based full service screen-printing company. Chances are if you’re wearing a t-shirt or hoodie from an indie band, Blue Collar printed it.
*After leaving The Only Children in late 2004, Janko continued to live in Lawrence, KS until 2006 when he moved to Dallas, TX with his wife and his dog. No one knows for sure what Janko is doing except nursing his Wii-elbow while watching the Lord of the Rings trilogy on repeat. He may or may not have a beard.
*Justin played drums for the band Fourth of July, and then went on mind opening trips to South America and Mexico in which he became fascinated with "sound vibrations." He has continued solo work under the moniker "White Flight", and released his eponymous debut in February of 2006 on Range Life Records (the 12" vinyl version was released by Black and Greene Records).
*Since her Anniversary days, Adrianne has sung and played keyboard in the bands Architects (formerly The Gadjits), BeNone and Carrier and can be heard on the White Flight album (with Justin). Adrianne toured extensively in the US and Europe in 2005 with Orenda Fink (formerly of Azure Ray) and Neva Dinova of Omaha. She DJs occasionally and had her own radio program featuring reggae at KU's station during 2005. She can be heard in and around the Lawrence, KS area with the legendary composer Arthur Dodge, (Horsefeathers) and was recently featured in his new 2007 album, "A Perfect Face". 2006/2007 Update: Adrianne performed with Neva Dinova (Jake Bellows) in their opener for Bright Eyes in Omaha, Nebraska in June; She often performs and/or collaborates with Fourth of July (Brendan Hangauer), ree All Beats (Curtis McCoy), Coyote Bones and Neva Dinova of Omaha and sings and plays on a new album with Orenda Fink (Art in Manila), [Woods on Fire. She is currently recording under the name of D*R*I (Dree) and has just released an album (through Range Life) called Smoke Rings (available through Saddle Creek), which has received great reviews. In mid-2008, D*R*I will perform in NY via FADER Magazine in June, open for Modest Mouse in St. Louis in July, and tour with Conor Oberst in July/August on the West Coast.

Band members

*James David - bass guitar
*Adrianne Verhoeven - vocals, keyboards
*Josh Berwanger - guitar, vocals
*Christian Jankowski - drums
*Justin Roelofs - guitar, vocals

Discography

Compilation appearances

References

External links

* [http://www.theanniversary.net/ The Anniversary]
*MySpace|id=theanniversary69|name=The Anniversary
* [http://www.lawrence.com/bands/the_anniversary/ The Anniversary] at [http://www.lawrence.com Lawrence.com]
* [http://www.lawrence.com/bands/the_only_children/ The Only Children] at Lawrence.com
* [http://www.lawrence.com/bands/justin_roelofs/ Justin Roelofs] at Lawrence.com
* [http://rangeliferecords.com Rangelife Records]
* [http://www.myspace.com/drismokerings D*R*I* ] (MySpace)