The Dear & Departed

The Dear & Departed is a rock band from Orange County, California.

The Dear and Departed were formed by Founder Dan Smith mostly known as Dan Under. They Origanated in England and moved to the USA in 2005 Many Bands Outside the USA find traveling outside there hometown a chance to earn success abroad which then may translate into fame at home. The Dear & Departed turned this idea on its head with five young men from overseas coming to the U.S. to make music and a name for themselves. For Dan Smith (vocals), Darren Parkinson (guitar), Joel Bourne (drums), Simon O’Gorman (guitar) and David Williams (bass), the move from their homes and families granted them the chance to explore the American music scene personally. It also ultimately ended with them being signed by Science Records, going on the Vans Warped Tour and working with other experienced artists and producers.

The Dear & Departed has accomplished a very little amount in an extremely short time. Forming in 2006 after Under, Bourne and O’Gorman’s former band (Day of Contempt) dissolved, the three added Parkinson and Williams to the mix and found the combination of talents and personalities worked in their favor. Working with producer Chris Vrenna, they recorded their debut album, Something Quite Peculiar, in December 2006. Vrenna has worked with bands such as U2, Smashing Pumpkins, Killing Joke, Nine Inch Nails, Marilyn Manson and Gnarls Barkley. Jade Puget from AFI also contributed additional production for the album. Something Quite Peculiar was released on May 22, 2007.

In the year 2007 the band shared the stage with bands such as AFI, Sick Of It All, Saosin, Norma Jean, Alexisonfire, and Avenged Sevenfold. Also, they participated in the Vans Warped Tour 2007. After extensive touring, Simon O’Gorman left the band as a dear friend in December 2007. He was replaced by Matt Baker, who contributed keyboards on Something Quite Peculiar. With Matt on board, they began 2008 by touring with Tiger Army and Revolution Mother.

On may 8th the band posted a blog on their myspace stating that the band had decided Joel Bourne (drums),and David Williams (bass) were leaving the band. The line up was changed around September 2008 to list Cortney Miner and Jimmy Walsh. The band are currently writing and recording new songs, with two new tracks being added to their myspace.^[1]

Members

• Dan Smith - Vocals (Also a tattoo artist on TLC's LA Ink starring Kat Von D)
• Darren Parkison - Guitar
• Cortney Miner - Guitar
• Jimmy Walsh - Drums

Former Members

• Matt Baker (Brother of Avenged Sevenfold's Zacky Vengeance) - Guitar
• Simon (Scraggs) O'Gorman - Guitar
• David Williams- Bass
• Joel Bourne - Drums

Discography

Demos & EPs

• "Demo 2006"
• "SAMPLER" Exclusively available on their Tour.
• "Chapters" (TBC)

Albums

• Something Quite Peculiar May 22, 2007.

Special Guest appearances on "Something Quite Peculiar" includes: Dallas Green from Alexisonfire and City and Colour and Jessica Origliasso from the Veronicas.

Tours

• AFI, Sick of it All, and Avenged Sevenfold 2007
• Vans Warped Tour on the Hurley stage 2007
• Saosin, Norma Jean and Alexisonfire 2007
• Tiger Army, Revolution Mother 2008

Trivia

Lists of miscellaneous information should be avoided. Please relocate any relevant information into appropriate sections or articles. (July 2008)

• They have their own shoes designed by Nike.
• Dan Smith wears the necklace that Davey Havok gave him.
• Dan Smith was born in Middlesbrough, England in 1980.
• Simon O'Gorman was born in Auckland, New Zealand in 1983.
• Joel Bourne was born in Broken Hill, Australia in 1983.
• Darren Parkinson was born in Liverpool, England in 1985.
• David Williams was born in Bridgend, Wales in 1986.
• Matt Baker is the younger brother of Zacky Vengeance of Avenged Sevenfold

References

• http://www.revolt-media.com/features/?p=63
• http://www.myspace.com/thedearanddeparted
• Direct Interview with band by Melissa Dane and Simone Ferguson

External links

• the dear & departed at Myspace
• TD&D at purevolume
• td&d at AbsolutePunk.net