Finch

California-based emo rock outfit Finch, first known as Numb, assembled vocalist Nate Barcalow alongside guitarists Randy Strohmeyer and Alex Linares, bassist Derek Doherty, and drummer Alex Pappas. Strohmeyer secured the group’s relationship with Drive-Thru Records through repeated outreach aimed at drawing attention to their songs; his persistent letters and follow-ups gradually built a rapport with label owner Richard Reines. When Strohmeyer eventually presented Finch for consideration, he assumed Reines’ willingness to listen reflected mere politeness, yet the executive responded with genuine excitement and extended a recording contract. The band’s inaugural Drive-Thru release, the 2001 four-song EP Falling into Place, moved more than 6,000 copies within its first three months and cleared the path for the favorably received full-length What It Is to Burn, which surfaced the following year under producer Mark Trombino (blink-182, Midtown). Finch launched an immediate tour with RX Bandits and joined the Warped Tour that summer. An onstage confrontation with alt-metal act Disturbed erupted in August 2004 after Strohmeyer had voiced criticism of the band’s music and singer David Draiman, though the incident quickly cooled and the group turned its focus to a sophomore album that also served as its Geffen debut. Drummer Mark Allen joined the lineup for Say Hello to Sunshine, issued in summer 2005 and distinguished by a noticeably heavier, mildly experimental direction. The album found limited acceptance among longtime listeners despite touring support from Head Automatica, HiM, and Skindred that continued through December. Finch announced an indefinite break in February 2006, after which several members participated in The Sound of Animals Fighting alongside musicians from RX Bandits, The Autumns, and Circa Survive.