Break The Silence

Dan Precision, previously a guitarist for both 88 Fingers Louie and Rise Against, entered the picture in 2002 when he attached himself to the obscure Chicago-area hardcore outfit All Else Fails. That arrival coincided with the departure of the group’s singer, prompting Precision to team with remaining AEF players Brian Phee on guitar, Jay Gronwick on bass, and Mike Ford on drums in order to launch an entirely new project. The musicians rechristened the band Break the Silence, recruited local singer Dan Wintercorn, and honed a style that fused California-style punk revivalism with melodic and hardcore touches. After performing a showcase at South by Southwest in 2003, Break the Silence secured a deal with Hopeless Records and spent the next summer on the Warped Tour. Near Life Experience reached stores in February 2004; the group sustained momentum by playing live dates across the remainder of that year. Precision exited in fall 2005 so he could devote greater attention to his work as a producer.