Factor seven
Encyclopedia
Factor Seven is a band based out of Birmingham, Alabama
. Formed in 1997, the group is probably best known for its comeback after a three-year hiatus and subsequent multi-success tour of East Asia in May, 2007. The band is no longer together.
, punk
, and emo
were all tried, and after sifting through countless potential names and genres, the band settled on what would prove to be its most powerful lineup and sound...four devoted guys mastering a dark, powerful sound that echoed with the listener and resonated long after the music stopped.
With Brad Latta as the lead singer, guitarist, and primary songwriter, the band was headed for lofty goals. Drew Morris backed up the powerful guitar hooks and riffs with an undoubtedly memorable sound. With Matt Latta (brother of Brad) on drums, and Dave Osborne on bass, the rhythm section was perhaps the band's hidden strength. The lineup was solid.
In spring of 2000, the band stepped into the studio for the first time recording an 8 song LP named, appropriately, "The Factor Seven LP" (this name was not decided on by the band, but apparently was the default name and was referred to as such thereafter). With powerful lyrics and dark sounds, pre-sales of the album soared and the band began a tour of the southeast that would continue for the next 2 to 3 years.
In fall of 2003, the band reformed, this time with another lineup, inserting Scott Latta, a third brother and high school prodigy, at bass. The band began practicing again and even played a few local gigs (including a venue Ruben Studdard
had played at). With new equipment and new goals, only one thing could be assured: a new CD was necessary.
It was at this time that the band stepped back into the studio to record another unnamed demo, with three new songs that showcased the band's inner feelings more than any had before. Brad and Drew were even featured on local Birmingham radio for a short time. Things were happening for the long-established band.
Shortly thereafter, the band was selected to compete at Atlantafest 2004, a Christian musical festival at Six Flags over Atlanta, to compete as the opening band for one of the evening's main performers (Steven Curtis Chapman was the rumor). Unfortunately, Factor Seven had to take the stage immediately after girl band and crowd favorite Melted Heart, who would eventually win. In his first major performance, Scott's bass cable got tangled horribly right before going on stage and he was forced to stand uncomfortably close to Brad during "September Night," which suffered with no distortion. It would be the last time Factor Seven would play for almost three years.
That afternoon is generally referred to as the day that Factor Seven broke up.
In the months to come, the trip was on and off multiple times, as the group shuffled to find a suitable lineup. Former bassist Dave Osborne rejoined for one practice, but went his separate ways, and Scott Latta (who was at work at the time, and justifiably offended) was called back in on bass. Brad would be back on vocals and guitar, and Matt would be behind drums. Drew would return to electric guitar, but as the lives and goals of the members of Factor Seven shifted, so too did the band's style, as it found more piano and strings mixed under the heavy bass and dark acoustic melodies. Drew would be on keyboard. For about a week, Factor Seven became "Consumed" and kept switching back and forth there too before settling on Factor Seven (for the moment).
The band met almost bi-weekly in 2006 and early 2007, with Scott at college and the others leading their own lives, until a pre-trip meeting brought Willis and Meredith Watkins into the fray. After making the trip proposition to the young Birmingham couple and friends from church (and knowing Meredith was a vocal major at Belmont), it was suggested that Meredith give backup vocals a shot. She did. She quit, I think. The band coaxed her back in. She stayed, with trepidation.
After Meredith joined, Ashley Spell, who was planning to go on the trip anyway, came right behind. The fierce male foursome that had reigned the Birmingham Christian emo scene for 10 years was no more. The two females that had just entered Factor Seven would forever change the landscape of the band.
After playing a bit of a disconcerting pre-trip concert at Crossroads Community Church in Birmingham, the band had no choice but to leave for Asia the next week. Really, they had no choice, like it or not, the plane tickets were bought. They were going. So they went.
For the next eight days, it's safe to say Factor Seven dominated China. They rocked the Mao Livehouse in Beijing. They brought it down acoustic-style at the Sculpting in Time Speakeasy Cafe there, as well. Twice, they took their music to Honghe University and left there with the prestigious title as First American Rock Band to Play in the Yunnan Province -- a title they refer to often, as it makes them feel special.
After the band got back from China, they thought and debated on how to proceed. The original four guys thought that maybe now was the moment they had been waiting for to catch that illusive, big break. That was, until the unfortunate events forever referred to as "The Nursing Home Incident" caused the members to put away their instruments, and ambitions, forever.
The first show was scheduled for a Thursday afternoon in July of 2007. When the band arrived, full equipment in tow, they were told that they would be playing for Alzheimer's patients. The drums and amps were returned to the back of the truck, and the band decided to showcase the intimate, acoustic sound that had touched so many people before. The concert went off about as good as you would expect a rock concert without band equipment playing for Alzheimer's patients would go. At one point a man did walk up to the stage, stand beside Ashley, and begin to remove his pants. He was quickly escorted off the stage and the band continued. All in all, they were able to provide entertainment for local people and everything seemed to being falling in place. They were asked to return two weeks later and play for the retired community at the village, which would allow more appropriate audience engagement and understanding.
The second concert, however, was scheduled for a Tuesday morning around 11 AM. Since the entire band had normal jobs, no one was able to take off and come except Brad, Matt, and Scott. The three brothers arrived and found a lively audience in a room that included even a piano. The show was going to be a success. Scott played piano adaptations of their entire songbook while Brad added the acoustic guitar to deliver the new Factor Seven sound to exciting positive responses.
Everything was going great until the Entertainment Director walked in and pulled Matt outside. She could not understand why the girls from the band were not there. He tried to explain to her that they were at work, like normal people. She persisted, saying the only reason she asked the band to play was so that the residents could see the "cute girls" (nevermind the fact that the entire audience that day consisted of 90 % retired women, and 10 % retired men). Matt tried in vain to explain to her that the girls were not originally a part of Factor Seven for the first 10 years of the band, and that both of the girls had no real intentions to stay in the band after the first nursing home show. It wasn't good enough for the Entertainment Director. She stated that since "half" the band did not come, she would therefore pay them half the money and not ask them to ever return. Matt promptly walked in and told Brad and Scott that the show was over, even though they had only played a small portion of the prepared songbook. They smiled and talked with the happy residents who complimented the sound and songs, and then the three brothers packed their music equipment and left.
It would be the last time any Factor Seven songs were ever performed live.
Birmingham, Alabama
Birmingham is the largest city in Alabama. The city is the county seat of Jefferson County. According to the 2010 United States Census, Birmingham had a population of 212,237. The Birmingham-Hoover Metropolitan Area, in estimate by the U.S...
. Formed in 1997, the group is probably best known for its comeback after a three-year hiatus and subsequent multi-success tour of East Asia in May, 2007. The band is no longer together.
Early days
The early days of Factor Seven saw the band go through numerous stylistic and lineup changes. SkaSka
Ska |Jamaican]] ) is a music genre that originated in Jamaica in the late 1950s, and was the precursor to rocksteady and reggae. Ska combined elements of Caribbean mento and calypso with American jazz and rhythm and blues...
, punk
Punk rock
Punk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
, and emo
Emo (music)
Emo is a style of rock music characterized by melodic musicianship and expressive, often confessional lyrics. It originated in the mid-1980s hardcore punk movement of Washington, D.C., where it was known as "emotional hardcore" or "emocore" and pioneered by bands such as Rites of Spring and Embrace...
were all tried, and after sifting through countless potential names and genres, the band settled on what would prove to be its most powerful lineup and sound...four devoted guys mastering a dark, powerful sound that echoed with the listener and resonated long after the music stopped.
With Brad Latta as the lead singer, guitarist, and primary songwriter, the band was headed for lofty goals. Drew Morris backed up the powerful guitar hooks and riffs with an undoubtedly memorable sound. With Matt Latta (brother of Brad) on drums, and Dave Osborne on bass, the rhythm section was perhaps the band's hidden strength. The lineup was solid.
In spring of 2000, the band stepped into the studio for the first time recording an 8 song LP named, appropriately, "The Factor Seven LP" (this name was not decided on by the band, but apparently was the default name and was referred to as such thereafter). With powerful lyrics and dark sounds, pre-sales of the album soared and the band began a tour of the southeast that would continue for the next 2 to 3 years.
Growth and Development
But in 2003, less and less began to come from the band that some had labeled the next big thing, and eventually, their music had disappeared altogether from the southeast Christian emo scene. In fact, the members of the band themselves had drifted into abiguity; two were married, two were in school. Strangely, they all seemed to be buying new equipment.In fall of 2003, the band reformed, this time with another lineup, inserting Scott Latta, a third brother and high school prodigy, at bass. The band began practicing again and even played a few local gigs (including a venue Ruben Studdard
Ruben Studdard
Christopher Theodore Ruben Studdard , best known as Ruben Studdard, is an American R&B, pop, and gospel singer. He rose to fame as winner of the second season of American Idol...
had played at). With new equipment and new goals, only one thing could be assured: a new CD was necessary.
It was at this time that the band stepped back into the studio to record another unnamed demo, with three new songs that showcased the band's inner feelings more than any had before. Brad and Drew were even featured on local Birmingham radio for a short time. Things were happening for the long-established band.
Shortly thereafter, the band was selected to compete at Atlantafest 2004, a Christian musical festival at Six Flags over Atlanta, to compete as the opening band for one of the evening's main performers (Steven Curtis Chapman was the rumor). Unfortunately, Factor Seven had to take the stage immediately after girl band and crowd favorite Melted Heart, who would eventually win. In his first major performance, Scott's bass cable got tangled horribly right before going on stage and he was forced to stand uncomfortably close to Brad during "September Night," which suffered with no distortion. It would be the last time Factor Seven would play for almost three years.
That afternoon is generally referred to as the day that Factor Seven broke up.
Reunion and Asia
In early summer, 2006, the founding members of Factor Seven and some other people met at a restaurant in Birmingham to discuss the potential of taking Factor Seven's music -- American rock music -- to Asia on missions. The trip would be scheduled almost one year to the day from that first meeting.In the months to come, the trip was on and off multiple times, as the group shuffled to find a suitable lineup. Former bassist Dave Osborne rejoined for one practice, but went his separate ways, and Scott Latta (who was at work at the time, and justifiably offended) was called back in on bass. Brad would be back on vocals and guitar, and Matt would be behind drums. Drew would return to electric guitar, but as the lives and goals of the members of Factor Seven shifted, so too did the band's style, as it found more piano and strings mixed under the heavy bass and dark acoustic melodies. Drew would be on keyboard. For about a week, Factor Seven became "Consumed" and kept switching back and forth there too before settling on Factor Seven (for the moment).
The band met almost bi-weekly in 2006 and early 2007, with Scott at college and the others leading their own lives, until a pre-trip meeting brought Willis and Meredith Watkins into the fray. After making the trip proposition to the young Birmingham couple and friends from church (and knowing Meredith was a vocal major at Belmont), it was suggested that Meredith give backup vocals a shot. She did. She quit, I think. The band coaxed her back in. She stayed, with trepidation.
After Meredith joined, Ashley Spell, who was planning to go on the trip anyway, came right behind. The fierce male foursome that had reigned the Birmingham Christian emo scene for 10 years was no more. The two females that had just entered Factor Seven would forever change the landscape of the band.
After playing a bit of a disconcerting pre-trip concert at Crossroads Community Church in Birmingham, the band had no choice but to leave for Asia the next week. Really, they had no choice, like it or not, the plane tickets were bought. They were going. So they went.
For the next eight days, it's safe to say Factor Seven dominated China. They rocked the Mao Livehouse in Beijing. They brought it down acoustic-style at the Sculpting in Time Speakeasy Cafe there, as well. Twice, they took their music to Honghe University and left there with the prestigious title as First American Rock Band to Play in the Yunnan Province -- a title they refer to often, as it makes them feel special.
After the band got back from China, they thought and debated on how to proceed. The original four guys thought that maybe now was the moment they had been waiting for to catch that illusive, big break. That was, until the unfortunate events forever referred to as "The Nursing Home Incident" caused the members to put away their instruments, and ambitions, forever.
The Nursing Home Incident
During the fund raising endeavors for the Asia tour, one of the local Birmingham community members who caught the sound of Factor Seven was the entertainment director at a local nursing home/assisted living facility. She asked the band members if they would come play for her residents when they returned from the tour, and offered adequate financial compensation. The band members dreamed of using this opportunity, and this money, to return to the studio. The thoughts of a new demo showcasing the mature, tight sound could be the missing link on their path to fulfilling their dreams.The first show was scheduled for a Thursday afternoon in July of 2007. When the band arrived, full equipment in tow, they were told that they would be playing for Alzheimer's patients. The drums and amps were returned to the back of the truck, and the band decided to showcase the intimate, acoustic sound that had touched so many people before. The concert went off about as good as you would expect a rock concert without band equipment playing for Alzheimer's patients would go. At one point a man did walk up to the stage, stand beside Ashley, and begin to remove his pants. He was quickly escorted off the stage and the band continued. All in all, they were able to provide entertainment for local people and everything seemed to being falling in place. They were asked to return two weeks later and play for the retired community at the village, which would allow more appropriate audience engagement and understanding.
The second concert, however, was scheduled for a Tuesday morning around 11 AM. Since the entire band had normal jobs, no one was able to take off and come except Brad, Matt, and Scott. The three brothers arrived and found a lively audience in a room that included even a piano. The show was going to be a success. Scott played piano adaptations of their entire songbook while Brad added the acoustic guitar to deliver the new Factor Seven sound to exciting positive responses.
Everything was going great until the Entertainment Director walked in and pulled Matt outside. She could not understand why the girls from the band were not there. He tried to explain to her that they were at work, like normal people. She persisted, saying the only reason she asked the band to play was so that the residents could see the "cute girls" (nevermind the fact that the entire audience that day consisted of 90 % retired women, and 10 % retired men). Matt tried in vain to explain to her that the girls were not originally a part of Factor Seven for the first 10 years of the band, and that both of the girls had no real intentions to stay in the band after the first nursing home show. It wasn't good enough for the Entertainment Director. She stated that since "half" the band did not come, she would therefore pay them half the money and not ask them to ever return. Matt promptly walked in and told Brad and Scott that the show was over, even though they had only played a small portion of the prepared songbook. They smiled and talked with the happy residents who complimented the sound and songs, and then the three brothers packed their music equipment and left.
It would be the last time any Factor Seven songs were ever performed live.