Houston Calls
Encyclopedia
Houston Calls was an American power pop/punk band, based in Rockaway, New Jersey
. They formed in 2003 and were signed to Drive-Thru Records
. On June 9, 2009 they announced their official breakup.
ska punk
group Face First disbanded in 2002, singer/guitarist Tom "Chitty" Keiger, bassist Jarrett Selzer, trumpeter Rich "Okie" Okamoto and drummer Tommie Clayton decided to reunite to play a poppier, more synthesized form of modern punk rock
. Therefore, Okamoto switched from trumpet to keyboard, and Kenny Ryan, formerly of Hidden in Plain View
, joined as a second guitarist. The name "Houston Calls", according to the band, is a combination of chapter titles from the Apollo 13
DVD. Other choices included "Zoltar Madness" (from Big
), "Giant Green Insanity" (from The Toxic Avenger
), and "Deeds in NY" (from Mr. Deeds
).
They released a 2 song demo CD in 2003 at the Skate and Surf festival (Asbury Park), even though they did not play at the event. It included the tracks "One More Won't Hurt" and "A Line in the Sand." "One More Won't Hurt" and "A Line in the Sand" were both Face First's final songs, and were re released without the horn parts for the demo CD. While they began performing live in June 2003, they soon released their 4 Song Sampler, produced by Hidden in Plain View's Rob Freeman
, to help spread the word. After only one national tour Clayton and the band parted ways and he later joined the band Spoiler NYC. Through mutual friends, Josh Grigsby was introduced to the band and became their drummer on May 15, 2004. Due to various national tours with bands such as Hidden in Plain View and Hellogoodbye
, Houston Calls' fanbase grew steadily. The newly manned five-piece went into the studio with producer Jesse Cannon, to record their Sampler Volume 2 (2004). A few months after its release in August 2004 and a national tour sponsored by PureVolume
and Absolutepunk.net
with Hidden in Plain View
, hellogoodbye
, Madison
, and Action Action
, Houston Calls became the second band to sign with Rushmore Records
, a sister record label of Drive-Thru Records
, which the band has had friendly relations with ever since their formation.
Immediately preceding the release of their debut effort - they embarked on a US tour with Self Against City and Adelphi. During which their van and trailer were stolen in Smyrna, Georgia
at a Holiday Inn Express.
at Black Lodge Studios in Eudora, KS, the CD contained eleven songs, three of which had previously been released on their two samplers.
The release was followed by tours with Allister
, Fenix TX, The Rocket Summer
, JamisonParker
, Just Surrender
, Quietdrive
, Sherwood
, Amber Pacific
, and others as well as an Australian tour with Yellowcard
, and Independence-D festival in Japan.
On November 25, 2006, Ryan announced he was leaving the band due to personal financial problems. No hard feelings were felt by the band members and Ryan is still a close friend with the band. His last show was played at the Hamilton St. Cafe in New Jersey on December 15, 2006. Jose Lopez temporarily filled in on guitar duties while the band finished up the writing for their second full length album. Lopez was announced a permanent member in February 2007. 2007 touring plans consisted of a U.K. trip with hellogoodbye
and Plain White T's
, the @united tour in Japan, and an Australian trip with MxPx
and Hit the Lights as part of Soundwave Festival 2007.
In April 2008, the band entered the studio in Los Angeles, CA with producer Mark Weinberg (Crumb, Gratitude) to record their follow up to A Collection of Short Stories, The End of an Error
and was released on October 14, 2008, along with the single "Life Won't Wait". The album was made available to stream via AOL
on the day of release. The band went on a UK Tour as main support newcomers You Me At Six
. Farewell
were the openers.
At the end of December 2008, founding member Jarrett Seltzer left after no longer wishing to tour as a musician. Two weeks later, it was announced that Jose Lopez would no longer be in the band due to personal reasons. The band announced that Dan Diaz of Red Light Green Light would be filling Jose's spot. Jason Jaksetic of The Pilot would be filling in on bass. The tour went on as planned with Valencia
as well as an Australian trip for Soundwave 2009 and side shows with New Found Glory
, hellogoodbye
, and Ace Enders.
The band went out on tour in May 2009 with Amber Pacific
, Farewell
, and Fight Fair
welcoming friend Josh Starry as a fill in on the bass. Plans to record an EP in June and tour all of July and August were in the works.
On June 9, 2009, the band officially announced that they would be disbanding. They played their last show on August 29, 2009, at School of Rock in South Hackensack NJ with good friends Paulson, Red Light Green Light, The Tonight Life, and Hoover Flags (ex-Folly).
Tom now plays in a band called Ferro Monte in Seattle, WA. Josh now plays in a band called The Right Coast in Lancaster, PA. Jose now plays in a band called I Can Make A Mess Like Nobody's Business in Hammonton, NJ. Okie, having left the music industry, is now a professional chef in New York.
Rockaway, New Jersey
Rockaway is a borough in Morris County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 6,438.Rockaway was formed as a borough on June 19, 1894, from portions of Rockaway Township, based on the results of a referendum held the previous...
. They formed in 2003 and were signed to Drive-Thru Records
Drive-Thru Records
Drive-Thru Records, established in 1996, was a California-based record label owned by siblings Richard and Stefanie Reines. It has produced various pop punk bands, many with a distinct SoCal sound....
. On June 9, 2009 they announced their official breakup.
Formation (2002-2004)
Shortly after the New JerseyNew Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
ska punk
Ska punk
Ska punk is a fusion music genre that combines ska and punk rock. It achieved its highest level of commercial success in the United States in the late 1990s. Ska-core is a subgenre of ska punk, blending ska with hardcore punk.The characteristics of ska punk vary, due to the fusion of contrasting...
group Face First disbanded in 2002, singer/guitarist Tom "Chitty" Keiger, bassist Jarrett Selzer, trumpeter Rich "Okie" Okamoto and drummer Tommie Clayton decided to reunite to play a poppier, more synthesized form of modern punk rock
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...
. Therefore, Okamoto switched from trumpet to keyboard, and Kenny Ryan, formerly of Hidden in Plain View
Hidden in Plain View
Hidden in Plain View was a five-piece Pop Punk band from northern New Jersey. They formed in 2000 and disbanded in 2007. During their six and a half year run, the group released records with four different record labels , including two full-length albums and three EPs...
, joined as a second guitarist. The name "Houston Calls", according to the band, is a combination of chapter titles from the Apollo 13
Apollo 13 (film)
Apollo 13 is a 1995 American drama film directed by Ron Howard. The film stars Tom Hanks, Kevin Bacon, Bill Paxton, Gary Sinise, Kathleen Quinlan and Ed Harris. The screenplay by William Broyles, Jr...
DVD. Other choices included "Zoltar Madness" (from Big
Big
Big is a 1988 romantic comedy film directed by Penny Marshall and stars Tom Hanks as Josh Baskin, a young boy who makes a wish "to be big" to a magical fortune-telling machine and is then aged to adulthood overnight...
), "Giant Green Insanity" (from The Toxic Avenger
The Toxic Avenger
The Toxic Avenger is a 1984 comedy horror film released by Troma Entertainment, known for producing low budget B-movies with campy concepts. Virtually ignored upon its first release, The Toxic Avenger caught on with filmgoers after a long and successful midnight movie engagement at the famed...
), and "Deeds in NY" (from Mr. Deeds
Mr. Deeds
Mr. Deeds is a 2002 American comedy film, directed by Steven Brill and starring Adam Sandler and Winona Ryder. The movie, which is loosely a remake of the 1936 film Mr. Deeds Goes to Town, also stars Peter Gallagher, John Turturro, Allen Covert and Steve Buscemi...
).
They released a 2 song demo CD in 2003 at the Skate and Surf festival (Asbury Park), even though they did not play at the event. It included the tracks "One More Won't Hurt" and "A Line in the Sand." "One More Won't Hurt" and "A Line in the Sand" were both Face First's final songs, and were re released without the horn parts for the demo CD. While they began performing live in June 2003, they soon released their 4 Song Sampler, produced by Hidden in Plain View's Rob Freeman
Rob Freeman
Robert Andrew Freeman is the former guitarist, backing vocalist and primary songwriter for the pop punk/post-hardcore group Hidden in Plain View...
, to help spread the word. After only one national tour Clayton and the band parted ways and he later joined the band Spoiler NYC. Through mutual friends, Josh Grigsby was introduced to the band and became their drummer on May 15, 2004. Due to various national tours with bands such as Hidden in Plain View and Hellogoodbye
Hellogoodbye
Hellogoodbye is a power pop band that was formed in Huntington Beach, California in 2001 by singer Forrest Kline. They were signed to Drive-Thru Records and released their first full-length album Zombies! Aliens! Vampires! Dinosaurs! in 2006, in addition to their previously released EP Hellogoodbye...
, Houston Calls' fanbase grew steadily. The newly manned five-piece went into the studio with producer Jesse Cannon, to record their Sampler Volume 2 (2004). A few months after its release in August 2004 and a national tour sponsored by PureVolume
PureVolume
PureVolume was the first independently run website of its type, allowing for the upload and stream of music files. It was created in 2003 by Jennifer Welch , in conjunction with the Unborn Media team; Brett Woitunski, Nate Hudson, and Mitchell Pavao; all from the University of...
and Absolutepunk.net
AbsolutePunk.net
AbsolutePunk is a website, online community, and alternative music news source founded by Jason Tate . The website mainly focuses on artists who are relatively unknown to mainstream audiences, but it has been known to feature artists who have eventually achieved crossover success, including Fall...
with Hidden in Plain View
Hidden in Plain View
Hidden in Plain View was a five-piece Pop Punk band from northern New Jersey. They formed in 2000 and disbanded in 2007. During their six and a half year run, the group released records with four different record labels , including two full-length albums and three EPs...
, hellogoodbye
Hellogoodbye
Hellogoodbye is a power pop band that was formed in Huntington Beach, California in 2001 by singer Forrest Kline. They were signed to Drive-Thru Records and released their first full-length album Zombies! Aliens! Vampires! Dinosaurs! in 2006, in addition to their previously released EP Hellogoodbye...
, Madison
Madison (band)
Madison was an American rock band from New Jersey during 2001-2006. After releasing their debut EP 'For The First Time in Years... I'm Finally Leaving You' under Fidelity Records, the band signed with Rushmore Records/Drive-Thru Records in 2005...
, and Action Action
Action Action
Action Action is an American indie rock band, formerly signed to Victory Records.-History:Action Action formed in 2004 from the ashes of The Reunion Show, Count The Stars and Diffuser. The band signed with Victory Records and released their first album, Don't Cut Your Fabric to This Year's Fashion...
, Houston Calls became the second band to sign with Rushmore Records
Rushmore Records
Rushmore Records was formerly a subsidiary of Drive-Thru Records. As of September, 2006, Rushmore became an Imprint label due to the project being largely unsuccessful.-History:...
, a sister record label of Drive-Thru Records
Drive-Thru Records
Drive-Thru Records, established in 1996, was a California-based record label owned by siblings Richard and Stefanie Reines. It has produced various pop punk bands, many with a distinct SoCal sound....
, which the band has had friendly relations with ever since their formation.
Immediately preceding the release of their debut effort - they embarked on a US tour with Self Against City and Adelphi. During which their van and trailer were stolen in Smyrna, Georgia
Smyrna, Georgia
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 40,999 people, 18,372 households, and 9,498 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,949.9 people per square mile . There were 19,633 housing units at an average density of 1,412.6 per square mile...
at a Holiday Inn Express.
A Collection of Short Stories (2005-2007)
On August 2, 2005, the band's official debut album, A Collection of Short Stories, was released. Produced by Ed RoseEd Rose
Ed Rose is an American sound engineer and record producer. He has worked extensively with groups in the modern emo and pop punk scenes. He also co-owns Black Lodge Recording with Rob Pope and his brother Ryan Pope.-History:...
at Black Lodge Studios in Eudora, KS, the CD contained eleven songs, three of which had previously been released on their two samplers.
The release was followed by tours with Allister
Allister
Allister is an American pop punk band from Chicago, Illinois. The four-piece formed in 1996 and were one of the first bands to sign to Drive-Thru Records...
, Fenix TX, The Rocket Summer
The Rocket Summer
The Rocket Summer is the solo-project of Bryce Avary who is based in Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas. Avary is a multi-instrumentalist, singer-songwriter, and producer. He writes and produces every song on his records, and plays every instrument on them....
, JamisonParker
JamisonParker
JamisonParker was an American Alternative Rock duo in the early to mid 2000s, consisting of singer/guitarist Jamison Covington and guitarist/bassist/drummer Parker Case...
, Just Surrender
Just Surrender
Just Surrender was a rock band from Dover Plains, New York, formerly known as A Second Chance. Just Surrender was formed by three high school friends Jason Maffucci, Andrew Meunier, and Steve Miller. Vocalist/guitarist Dan Simons, formerly of "The Record Collection," joined the original three...
, Quietdrive
Quietdrive
Quietdrive is an alternative rock band based in Minneapolis, Minnesota that formed in 2002. Quietdrive released their debut album When All That's Left Is You on May 30, 2006 on Epic Records. In April 2008, Quietdrive parted with Epic Records and released their album titled Deliverance on October...
, Sherwood
Sherwood
-United Kingdom:*Sherwood Forest, north of the city of Nottingham, England; the place where the legendary Robin Hood is said to have lived*Sherwood, Nottingham, a residential area of Nottingham*Sherwood -United States:...
, Amber Pacific
Amber Pacific
Amber Pacific is an American band that formed in 2002 in Federal Way, Washington. The band has released three full length albums thus far, The Possibility and the Promise in 2005, Truth in Sincerity in 2007, and Virtues in 2010....
, and others as well as an Australian tour with Yellowcard
Yellowcard
Yellowcard is an American pop punk/alternative rock band formed in Jacksonville, Florida in 1997, and based in Los Angeles, California since 2000. Their music features the use of a violin, unusual for the genre...
, and Independence-D festival in Japan.
On November 25, 2006, Ryan announced he was leaving the band due to personal financial problems. No hard feelings were felt by the band members and Ryan is still a close friend with the band. His last show was played at the Hamilton St. Cafe in New Jersey on December 15, 2006. Jose Lopez temporarily filled in on guitar duties while the band finished up the writing for their second full length album. Lopez was announced a permanent member in February 2007. 2007 touring plans consisted of a U.K. trip with hellogoodbye
Hellogoodbye
Hellogoodbye is a power pop band that was formed in Huntington Beach, California in 2001 by singer Forrest Kline. They were signed to Drive-Thru Records and released their first full-length album Zombies! Aliens! Vampires! Dinosaurs! in 2006, in addition to their previously released EP Hellogoodbye...
and Plain White T's
Plain White T's
Plain White T's is an American Pop rock band from Chicago, Illinois. Formed in 1997 by high school friends Tom Higgenson and Ken Fletcher, the group had a mostly underground following in Chicago basements, clubs, and bars in its early years, and underwent numerous personnel changes.The band is best...
, the @united tour in Japan, and an Australian trip with MxPx
MxPx
MxPx is a pop punk band from Bremerton, Washington with connections to the Christian punk scene. The band has recorded eight studio albums, four EPs, four compilation albums, a live album, a VHS tape, a DVD and released 20 singles....
and Hit the Lights as part of Soundwave Festival 2007.
The End of an Error (2008-2009)
On August 10, 2007, Houston Calls posted the demo for the song "Modest Manifesto" on their MySpace page.In April 2008, the band entered the studio in Los Angeles, CA with producer Mark Weinberg (Crumb, Gratitude) to record their follow up to A Collection of Short Stories, The End of an Error
The End of an Error
The End of an Error is the second album by pop-punk band Houston Calls, released on October 14, 2008, on Drive-Thru Records. The band began recording demos for the album in 2007 as a follow-up to their debut album A Collection of Short Stories. Previously signed to Rushmore Records, the band signed...
and was released on October 14, 2008, along with the single "Life Won't Wait". The album was made available to stream via AOL
AOL
AOL Inc. is an American global Internet services and media company. AOL is headquartered at 770 Broadway in New York. Founded in 1983 as Control Video Corporation, it has franchised its services to companies in several nations around the world or set up international versions of its services...
on the day of release. The band went on a UK Tour as main support newcomers You Me At Six
You Me At Six
You Me at Six is a British rock band from Weybridge, Surrey. Formed in 2004, the group rose to fame in 2008 with the success of their debut album, Take Off Your Colours, which included the singles "Save It for the Bedroom", "Finders Keepers" and "Kiss and Tell", with the latter two peaking at #33...
. Farewell
Farewell (band)
Farewell is an American pop punk band formed in 2004 in Greensboro, North Carolina. They were signed to Epitaph Records releasing two CDs. After fulfilling their contractural obligations with the release of their second CD, the relationship with Epitaph ended....
were the openers.
At the end of December 2008, founding member Jarrett Seltzer left after no longer wishing to tour as a musician. Two weeks later, it was announced that Jose Lopez would no longer be in the band due to personal reasons. The band announced that Dan Diaz of Red Light Green Light would be filling Jose's spot. Jason Jaksetic of The Pilot would be filling in on bass. The tour went on as planned with Valencia
Valencia (band)
Valencia is an alternative rock/punk band from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are currently on hiatus.-History:Valencia met by playing local shows together around the tri-state area in separate bands. George Ciukurescu and JD Perry grew up together; attending elementary school, high school, and...
as well as an Australian trip for Soundwave 2009 and side shows with New Found Glory
New Found Glory
New Found Glory is an American rock band from Coral Springs, Florida. Formed in the summer of 1997, founding members were lead vocalist Jordan Pundik, guitarists Chad Gilbert and Steve Klein, bassist Ian Grushka and drummer Joe Marino...
, hellogoodbye
Hellogoodbye
Hellogoodbye is a power pop band that was formed in Huntington Beach, California in 2001 by singer Forrest Kline. They were signed to Drive-Thru Records and released their first full-length album Zombies! Aliens! Vampires! Dinosaurs! in 2006, in addition to their previously released EP Hellogoodbye...
, and Ace Enders.
The band went out on tour in May 2009 with Amber Pacific
Amber Pacific
Amber Pacific is an American band that formed in 2002 in Federal Way, Washington. The band has released three full length albums thus far, The Possibility and the Promise in 2005, Truth in Sincerity in 2007, and Virtues in 2010....
, Farewell
Farewell (band)
Farewell is an American pop punk band formed in 2004 in Greensboro, North Carolina. They were signed to Epitaph Records releasing two CDs. After fulfilling their contractural obligations with the release of their second CD, the relationship with Epitaph ended....
, and Fight Fair
Fight Fair
Fight Fair is a pop punk band from San Diego, California, currently based out of San Francisco, California They are signed to Triple Crown Records. They released their debut EP titled "Settle The Score" in 2008...
welcoming friend Josh Starry as a fill in on the bass. Plans to record an EP in June and tour all of July and August were in the works.
On June 9, 2009, the band officially announced that they would be disbanding. They played their last show on August 29, 2009, at School of Rock in South Hackensack NJ with good friends Paulson, Red Light Green Light, The Tonight Life, and Hoover Flags (ex-Folly).
Tom now plays in a band called Ferro Monte in Seattle, WA. Josh now plays in a band called The Right Coast in Lancaster, PA. Jose now plays in a band called I Can Make A Mess Like Nobody's Business in Hammonton, NJ. Okie, having left the music industry, is now a professional chef in New York.
Members at Disbanding
- Tom "Chitty" Keiger - Lead Vocals, Guitar (Founding Member-August 2009)
- Ryohei Rich "Okie" Okamoto - Keyboards, Backing Vocals (Founding Member-August 2009)
- Josh Grigsby - Drums (May 2004-August 2009)
2009 Touring Members
- Dan Diaz - Guitar/Bass (January 2009-August 2009)
- Josh Starry - Bass (April 2009-June 2009)
- Jason Jaksetic - Bass (January 2009-March 2009)
Former Members
- Kenny Ryan - Guitar (Founding Member-December 2006, August 2009)
- Tommie Clayton - Drums (Founding Member-March 2004)
- Jarrett Seltzer - Bass (Founding Member-December 2008, August 2009)
- Jose Lopez - Guitar, Backing Vocals (January 2007-January 2009, August 2009)
External links
- Houston Calls at MySpace
- Houston Calls' profile at PureVolumePureVolumePureVolume was the first independently run website of its type, allowing for the upload and stream of music files. It was created in 2003 by Jennifer Welch , in conjunction with the Unborn Media team; Brett Woitunski, Nate Hudson, and Mitchell Pavao; all from the University of...