Biography
Founded in Phoenix, Arizona during 2011, Farewell, My Love fused pop-punk and hair metal into a theatrical yet energetic style and visual identity. The original lineup featured drummer Chad Kowal, guitarist Robby Creasey, vocalist Caleb Harbin, and bassist Gary Grant, whose early vision sought a Tim Burton atmosphere paired with heightened dramatic expression. Their earliest material instead leaned toward emphatic punk reminiscent of the Juliana Theory or Alkaline Trio, augmented by extra flourishes. The 2011 debut EP A Dance You Won't Forget marked their sole release fronted by Harbin. After parting with both Grant and Harbin the following year, the group added bassist Charlee Conley, second guitarist Logan Thayer, and South African singer Ryan Howell of the Monroes, prompting Farewell v2.0 to adopt a new musical path that proved short-lived. An aggressive 1980s hair metal image aligned with their revised sound, which merged My Chemical Romance influences alongside Poison and Mötley Crüe. Howell’s first outing arrived via the five-track Mirror, Mirror EP, which contained a cover of Bon Jovi’s “It’s My Life,” before the full-length Gold Tattoos appeared later in 2012. Howell and Thayer soon departed amicably to focus on solo endeavors, prompting Kowal to abandon the drum kit and assume lead vocals. The resulting 2014 EP Wrapped Up in Pinstripes presented an entirely acoustic collection of expansive reinterpretations—shifting away from MCR toward the Dear Hunter—of earlier Farewell, My Love material, now delivered through Kowal’s restrained vocal approach. This third configuration kept touring through 2015 and enlisted guitarist London Mckuffey. By 2016 the band softened its makeup-and-leather presentation while steering the music toward greater melody and power pop leanings, first evident on the buoyant single “Crazy” with its anthemic chorus and horn accents. The follow-up album Above It All was issued in July 2016.
Albums
