The Reason

In late 2003 Adam White, covering vocals and keyboard, joined forces with James Nelan on guitar and vocals plus Ronson Armstrong on bass to launch Ontario emo outfit the Reason. Their opening EP, Problems Associated with Running, appeared the same year and captured Best Punk Recording at the 2004 Hamilton Music Awards. Member adjustments arrived the next year, producing the lineup of White, Nelan, Jeremy Widerman on guitar, Cam Bordignon on drums, and Sean Palmer on bass. The group issued its debut full-length, Ravenna, through Smallman Records in September 2004. After that release the band shared bills with Bane, Alexisonfire, Murphy's Law, No Use for a Name, Strung Out, Comeback Kid, and Hopesfall. While tracking the subsequent album, Palmer stepped aside and Armstrong returned to the bass position. Things Couldn't Be Better reached stores by March 2007.