Facing New York

Despite originating from the punk rock epicenter of the San Francisco Bay Area, Facing New York emerged as a second-generation emo outfit infused with progressive and post-rock leanings, evolving from a pair of lesser-known prior groups. Eric Frederic, who handled vocals and guitar, had previously teamed with keyboardist Rene Carranza in Locale A.M., which issued The Sounds of Spring in 2001 and Breaking the Fourth Wall two years later before disbanding. On the same Pop Smear roster, Tragedy Andy delivered It's Never Too Late to Start Over in 2003, after which guitarist Matthew Fazzi and drummer Omar Cuellar departed to establish Facing New York alongside Frederic and Carranza early the following year, rounding out the roster with bassist Brandon Canchola. The group boosted its visibility through participation in the 2004 Vans Warped Tour and the self-issued EP Swimming Not Treading, securing a deal with Five One Records. After issuing a pair of additional singles, one of them a split EP alongside Amity, the band unveiled its self-titled debut full-length during summer 2005. Progress on the next record stalled after Rene Carranza revealed in summer 2006 his intention to exit for academic pursuits. With Matthew Fazzi and Eric Frederic now dividing keyboard duties, the ensemble carried on in quartet form.