After August Moves Up by The Greenville News
Nation votes Spartanburg band a round closer to record deal
Published: Tuesday, April 10, 2007 By Justin Chappell
STAFF WRITER
America likes Spartanburg rock band After August. The four-piece, three-year-old rock group was voted a Nation's Choice winner in the first week of an online music-video competition by users of MusicNation.com, an Epic Records-sponsored site that awards winners of the 15-week competition with a record deal. The group will move to round two in the coming weeks.
After August submitted their video on a whim in January and was surprised when they came out on top, says John Labanick, 23, of Spartanburg, the band's background singer and lead guitar player.
That puts the band in the quarterfinals stage, which means they can take it easy for the next few weeks, until April 23, when the next round of voting is finalized, says Lucas Mann, 27, chief marketing officer of Music Nation from the Manhattan-based headquarters.
The site's been around for about six months, he says, and the competition kicked off in January. In the first few months, there were about 1,500 video uploads, Mann says, which range from live recordings to montages to high-concept.
Mann says he's unsure how many competitors After August faced in Week 1 and declined to give the site's traffic info, but says there's been surprisingly high use. While a second season is in the plans, it's unknown exactly how it'll operate and which genres will be part of the competition, he says
After August formed in August 2004 and began with cover songs and acoustic shows at fraternity parties, Labanick says. The coming months led them to meet the other eventual band members and to spread out doing Southeast shows. Then, in February 2006, the group won a battle of the bands competition against hundreds of competitors.
Here's what Labanick had to say about the group, the Music Nation distinction and what's ahead for the Upstate rockers.
Where does the name come from?
We had our first show in August '04, but the year prior, that's when I had that (relationship) break-up, and it happened in September. At first, it was going to be called "September Change." That just kind of seemed like it had too much to do with 9/11. So, after August is September, so there it goes. And After August just rolls off your tongue a bit better.
How did you react when you found out about winning?
Surprised, but not surprised. I don't want to sound like this egotistical jerk or nothing because I'm really not, but we've got a great local following, and that's something we've always been blessed with as well. We pretty much won the best week, in my opinion. We won the first week, and now we don't have to worry about voting for (a while). There's a big breather in between, so by the time we gear up again and say, "Hey, everybody, we need your votes," it's not like, "Man, we just voted for you.
How do nearly 200 comments on your submission make you feel?
Some of them I could guess by the usernames, but there are some that are just completely uncalled for. It doesn't matter to me. There are always going to be haters. There's always going to be people who love you. You're not rock enough; to other people, you're not pop enough. I appreciate anyone who commented - that means they took the time to listen to our music.
Does the flood of outside opinion ever feel daunting?
Yeah, I've always been up for it. I'll be the first to take constructive criticism. Sometimes, it hurts to hear, but you need to hear it, especially if it's true. Hell, if people didn't tell me I couldn't sing worth a crap, I'd be the lead singer up there, belting away. You have to have some outside opinion. You don't need to let that control you. I think I've got a pretty good balance of how to take it.
How has this process affected the band?
It makes us want to play out more and just do everything we can. Sometimes, we'll say, "We don't need to do that show" and blah, blah, blah, which is totally the opposite. We need to thank every fan we have - without any of our fans, we wouldn't be anywhere.
What do you think the chances are that you'll advance again?
We feel confident, but not over-confident. That's another thing, too, I've always known is to never be too confident about something, because then you'll just not worry about it. I'm the person, man, who'll be dead tired, falling asleep, legs, back hurting, and I'll still be sending out e-mails to friends, just pushing every bit I can trying to win it.
Justin Chappell can be reached at 864-298-4267
Success is always just around the corner by Spartanburg Herald Journal
Published: Sunday, May 4, 2008
Bathrooms, not record sales or crowd size, are a consistent way of gauging success for After August.
You know if it's either going to be a good night or a bad night," said Chris Hillard, the band's lead singer.
The 3-year-old Spartanburg rock band remembers being uncomfortable with some of the bathrooms they encountered.
You know you're playing in a dive when you're afraid to use the bathroom there," said lead guitarist John Labanick.
The bathrooms at its concert venues have been improving ever since, but After August's members describe the last couple years as a roller coaster.
Lately, they've been playing a lot in Charleston, including six shows in a six-week period.
They've had periods when it's been hard to book shows or they had small crowds, but they've been reassured by other bands who've experienced the same challenges. They played 10 shows last month, and they've put 25,000 miles on Labanick's Ford Expedition in the past six months.
They still have a large college following, and their merchandise is popular.
If broke college kids are willing to spend what little money they have to buy your stuff, that's a compliment," Labanick said.
They're still pursuing their main goal - a recording deal.
For the next two years, we're going to put 110 percent into the band and see what happens," Labanick said.
Hillard doesn't have a job other than the band, and the rest of the guys have jobs that allow them to work around the band's schedule.
I could use the money but realize with the type of schedule we have, I just don't have time," Hillard said.
Drummer Darin Worley works at the front desk at a local fitness center, and Labanick and Josh Bradley, who plays bass, renovate foreclosed properties. Bradley is also a real estate agent, and Labanick sells cars.
The band is the priority for all of us," Labanick said. "The thing is, 'How does (a job) affect the band?'
That approach has gotten them more shows. In the past, they would only perform on weekends, but now they travel to shows during the week.
They plan to travel along the West Coast this year to increase their exposure.
It'll just be about going out and playing," Labanick said. "If we break even, we'll be happy.
Hillard and Labanick write most of the band's songs, which often involve women and relationships.
Now that things are normal to me, it's hard to write," Labanick said.
Hillard is working on a fun, upbeat song, "Hey Joanna," that was inspired by his girlfriend.
Band's sound still evolving
Later this month, the band will release at least three new songs on iTunes and Rhapsody. The songs have a heavier rock sound than the alternative rock-flavored tunes their fans are accustomed to.
I just want to do whatever comes natural to us," Hillard said.
A new album should be out by the end of the year.
They're hoping to attract a diverse audience. Maybe they'll turn people who like their past releases on to the heavier stuff and vice versa.
They say they're still developing their sound, though. Labanick says his song "Cigarettes and Cheap Sunglasses" has a "old-school, country, rock 'n' roll sound.
Their individual musical interests vary.
Hillard likes heavy rock, Billy Joel, Queen, Aerosmith and Motley Crue songs from the 1980s. Bradley listens to classic rock and country. Labanick likes a lot of independent artists and estimates he spends $100 a month downloading songs. Worley likes a variety of sounds.
There are very few things I won't listen to," Worley said.
Worley's bandmates joke that he once played the album of a French composer after a show, and the music sounded like chirping crickets.
The band members have divergent personalities, too. Labanick is known for complaining and staying busy with the business end of the band.
I just like for everything to be perfect and right," Labanick said.
Hillard said he just shows up to perform.
Chris is the one that goes and pees when it's time to move stuff," Labanick said jokingly.
Worley and Bradley are the most laid-back members of the band and often do the driving to and from shows. They also do most of the lifting when it's time to clear the stage.
The challenge they face is getting recognized while being original. They say it's a difficult process because people at some shows want to sing along to covers, not hear something they've done.
We're not crazy about covers, but you have to do it," Labanick said.
It's conceited to think people will sit there and listen to something they've never heard before," Hillard said.
So, they put playlists together that combine covers and their songs.
A few weeks ago, they played in Greenville at The Handlebar for about 100 people. Many people familiar with their music stood in front of the stage and sang along. Fans' head bobbing and foot tapping accompanied their song "Bring Me Down"; there was loud applause after they did Bon Jovi's "You Give Love a Bad Name.
John Jeter, who owns The Handlebar with his wife, Kathy Laughlin, got to know the band and said he's always been impressed.
They're a professional outfit and totally get it," Jeter said. "We get a lot of bands who don't understand that being in a band is being in a small business.
Jeter said the members of After August have challenged themselves to grow and improve. He said even their MySpace page has matured in the past couple of years.
They're hoping others are taking notice, too.
Success is always just around the corner," Hillard said. "It could be that next show when nobody is there, and the right person is there who'll be willing to invest in you.
After August vying for record contract by
Spartanburg Herald JournalDUDLEY BROWN, Staff Writer
Published February 16, 2007
A year after performing on the biggest stage of its career, After August is in the running for a recording contract with a major record label.
The area alternative-rock band is participating in Music Nation's online video music competition that could lead to signing a record contract and an opportunity to increase its fan base.
Even if it doesn't work out, we'll get some publicity and hear what people who've been around and signed by major labels think of our music," said John Labanick, After August's lead guitarist.
The other After August members are Josh Bradley (bass guitarist), Chris Hillard (lead vocalist and guitarist) and Darrin Worley (drummer).
The Music Nation contest is open to rock, pop and urban music artists. The public and a panel of celebrity judges vote on videos each week during the 15-week contest. Some of the celebrity judges include Nelly, The Game, Good Charlotte's Madden brothers, Britney Spears, Jennifer Lopez, Destiny's Child and record company executives.
After August received the most votes in the rock category in the first week of competition. The band has advanced to the quarterfinals, and the public can vote for them again on April 23.
The contest's winners will be announced on May 14. The winners of the contest will win a recording contract and an appearance on "Stripped," a Clear Channel Radio in-studio performance series.
The band submitted a video of them performing their song "I'm Sorry".
Labanick said the band is writing new songs and collaborating with other local artists, including Aaron Whisnant. They'd like to release a new CD by the end of the year.
These guys have the maturity in their writing that I don't notice in a lot of bands and definitely don't usually see that in a band so young," said Brian Blades, a Rock 101 disc jockey.
Blades will have the band in WROQ's studio Sunday night for his "Fresh Tracks" show. The show airs from 7 to 9 p.m.
Lucas Mann, chief marketing officer for Music Nation, said the contest's purpose is to help bands increase their fan bases and develop professionally.
Labanick said the contest is a good opportunity for the band.
The good thing is, we're being heard by the right people," Labanick said.
Dudley Brown can be reached at 562-7212 or dudley.brown@shj.com.
Want to hear?
The band is performing March 10 at Boiling Springs High School. The concert is a fundraiser for Brittany Vanover, who was recently diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Vanover is band member Chris Hillard's girlfriend.
The band is going to Austin, Texas, next month for the South By Southwest music festival. 
