emery

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Emery
Devin Shelton of Emery in 2006
Background information
Origin	Rock Hill, South Carolina, U.S.
Genres	Post-hardcore
Years active	2001—present
Labels	Tooth & Nail Records (2002-Present)
Associated acts	Aaron Sprinkle Fair
Website	emerymusic.com
Members
Toby Morrell Devin Shelton Matt Carter Josh Head Dave Powell
Former members
Seth Studley, Joel Green, Joey Svendsen

Emery is a five-piece rock band from Rock Hill, South Carolina currently signed to Tooth & Nail Records and based in Seattle, Washington. Emery was founded in Rock Hill, South Carolina with the original lineup consisting of Toby Morrell, Devin Shelton, Matt Carter, Josh Head, Joel Green and Seth Studley. Emery moved to Seattle in order to reach a more music centered scene.

Before signing with Tooth & Nail Records, Emery recorded 2 EP's, The Columbus EEP Thee (EP) and The Weak's End demo that they used to attract attention from labels. With Tooth & Nail, they have recorded 4 studio albums, and 2 EPs. The Weak's End, their debut album, was released in 2004, followed by The Question in 2005 and I'm Only A Man in 2007. The latter fulfilled Emery's contract with Tooth & Nail. However, the band re-signed with the label and released ...In Shallow Seas We Sail on June 2, 2009.

History

Formation and Early Years (2000 – 2001)

Emery formed in 2001 in Rock Hill, South Carolina but moved to Seattle, Washington in search of a better musical environment. The band was named after a first grader that Toby Morrell met while working as an intern for a teacher in college. The four members in the band at the time, Toby Morrell (vocals/guitar), Devin Shelton (drums), Matt Carter (guitar/keyboards), and Joel "Chopper" Green (bass) actually left Rock Hill, South Carolina for Seattle on September 11, the day of the terrorist attacks; they found out about the attacks when they stopped at a local diner in South Carolina. Most of the members are from the bands Sachul, Joe 747, Simply Wings and Oogie Brown. After a little while Seth Studley, who was one of the original members of the band, broke out of a serious relationship and followed them to Seattle and resumed his post as drummer. Since Seth took over drums, Devin went ahead and took the position of guitarist.

The Weak's End (2002 – 2004)

After making Emerald City their new home in Seattle, Washingon, Emery signed a record deal with Tooth & Nail Records in 2002.^[1] Wasting no time, Emery paired up with producer/engineer Ed Rose and worked on their debut album, The Weak's End. It was produced at the Black Lodge Studio in Eudora, Kansas.^[2] The record was released on January 2004 by Tooth & Nail Records. Emery toured extensively to promote their new release.

The Question (2005 – 2006)

While touring, Seth Studley decided to leave the band in order to get married and Emery had to look for a new drummer.^[3] While touring with Haste the Day, Dave Powell was brought out to audition. Powell was officially put in the band on November 2005. Powell originally played in the Indianapolis-based metalcore/hardcore band The Bowels of Judas.

Soon after touring, Emery went back into the studio to record their next record with production done by Aaron Sprinkle this time around. The band took five weeks in recording sessions. The Question was released on August 2, 2005. "Studying Politics" was released as the album's first single with a video emerging on June 29, 2007.^[4]. On November 21, 2006, Emery re-released The Question, adding a DVD, five acoustic versions of previously recorded songs and two new demo tracks, which were produced by Matt Carter. The DVD included a documentary film of Emery, live songs and bonus footage.

After the re-release, Joel "Chopper" Green decided to leave the band. On September 19, 2006, Emery posted a blog on their website explaining the departure^[5]. Devin and Toby have now switched bass parts in concerts and in the studio.

I'm Only A Man (2007 – 2008)

While touring with Underoath in Australia, Emery announced that they were releasing a new album. The album, I'm Only A Man, leaked onto the internet before its official release on October 2, 2007. The album was produced by Ryan Boesch and Matt Carter and recorded at Dark Horse Studio in Tennesse. It received mixed reviews. Emery released a deluxe edition of the album as well, which featured four acoustic songs that were recorded while on the Take Action Tour with The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus and DVD with a live footage and a documentary. The iTunes version of the deluxe edition also added a bonus track called "Whoa! Man".

While Broken Hearts Prevail and ...In Shallow Seas We Sail (2008 – Present)

Emery announced in an interview on TVU that they finished a new 8-track EP entitled While Broken Hearts Prevail, which was released on October 28, 2008. They began premiering some of the new material while on tour opening for The Almost, including a song entitled "Edge Of The World."

In an interview with Toby Morrell, Emery announced that would be releasing a new album called ...In Shallow Seas We Sail. Up until the announcement of Emery resigning to Tooth & Nail Records, it was unsure if the band would seek a new label, since their contract had expired.^[6] They re-signed with Tooth & Nail and soon gave out information on their new release.

On April 7th, 2009, Emery released a new song entitled "Cutthroat Collapse" on their Myspace, Purevolume, and iTunes. On May 29th, 2009, Emery put ...In Shallow Seas We Sail in its entirety up on their Myspace. On June 2nd, 2009, ...In Shallow Seas We Sail was officially released. Emery also confirmed during a chat thread on AbsolutePunk that their first music video off of the new album was going to be "Cutthroat Collapse".^[7]

During their headlining U.S. tour, Emery had selected dates filmed for a DVD in the works. The release date is unknown at this time.

Christianity

All of the members in Emery are Christians, but the band is reluctant to be labeled a Christian rock band. Although the band has a Christian outlook and mission, their concern is that being labeled as "Christian" will hinder their ability to reach their audience.

Side projects

• Toby Morrell has a current side project entitled I Am Waldo. The music is based of the book of Psalms and is mostly acoustic.^[8]
• Devin Shelton's current side project is called Devinitely. His music is mostly R&B and was made using Garageband.^[9]

Members

Current

• Toby Morrell - vocals, screams, bass (2001-present)
• Devin Shelton - vocals, bass, guitar (2001-present)
• Matt Carter - guitar, vocals (2001-present)
• Josh Head - keyboards, screams, electronics (2001-present)
• Dave Powell - drums (2005-present)

Former

• Seth "Beef" Studley - drums (2001-2004)
• Joel “Chopper” Green - bass (2001-2005) (currently in The Widow Jenkins & Oogie Brown)
• Joey Svendsen - bass (2001)

Discography

Full-length albums

EPs

Compilation appearances

• Happy Christmas Vol. 4, contributed "(Ho Ho Hey) A Way For Santa's Sleigh"
• Punk Goes 80's, contributed a cover of "Holding Out for a Hero" by Bonnie Tyler
• Punk Goes 90's, contributed a cover of "All I Want" by Toad The Wet Sprocket
• Taste of Christmas, contributed "The Last Christmas"
• Take Action! Vol. 7, contributed "The Party Song".
• "Songs From The Penalty Box", Tooth & Nail Vol. 6, contributed "The Smile, The Face"
• Emaline Media Group & Faceless Presents Face The Change, Vol. 6, contributed "The Movie Song"
• Take Action! Vol. 8, contributed "The Smile, The Face".

Featured appearances

• KJ-52, featured Toby Morrell in the song "Wake Up" from his 2007 album "The Yearbook".

Music video list

References

External links

• Emery's Official Website
  • Emery biography
• Emery (band) at Allmusic
• Interview @ SHOUT! Music Webzine
• Emery interview at AbsolutePunk.net