The Afters
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The Afters are a Christian rock band founded by Joshua Havens and Matt Fuqua, who are both vocalists and guitarists in the band. Havens and Fuqua first worked together in a Starbucks coffee shop in Mesquite, Texas, where they played for customers, before deciding to form a band. They added Brad Wigg on bass guitar/vocals and Marc Dodd on drums, both of whom were also employed at the same Starbucks, under their original name of Blisse. The roster remains the same with exception of Wigg, who is now sharing lead guitar with Fuqua after the addition of a touring bassist.
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[edit] Blisse history
Under the name Blisse, they recorded a six-song EP in 2000. From this they made enough money to cut their first album, When the World is Wonderful, which was released independently in 2001 (and contains songs also released on their hit "I Wish We All Could Win" album). In 2002 they released a live concert DVD filmed at a local Dallas club named The Door.
[edit] The Afters history
The band changed its name after discovering that another Blisse already existed. Settling on The Afters, they continued to play local Dallas clubs. They were eventually discovered and signed to a record label (Simple/INO Records) for a four record deal. After this, word of the band got to Epic Records, which signed on for mainstream promotion and distribution. Their first national album, I Wish We All Could Win, was released on February 22, 2005. The first single from the album was "Beautiful Love" written by Joshua Havens about a time when his wife was abroad doing humanitarian aid. The "Beautiful Love" music video led The Afters to a 2005 MTVu "Streaming Woodie" award. In addition, "Beautiful Love" became the theme song for MTV show, "8th and Ocean" about the life of female and male fashion models living in Miami, Florida. The song was also featured in the 2006 feature film, "Just My Luck". The Afters toured the United States in spring and summer 2005, playing with such bands as MercyMe, Vertical Horizon and Jeremy Camp.
The Afters are currently promoted through Simple/INO records and Columbia Records. In an update posted on their official website, the band went into the studio in August of 2006 to start recording their second national release.
The Afters are currently (Nov-Dec. 2006) on the Winter Wonder Slam tour with Hawk Nelson, tobyMac, Family Force 5 and Ayiesha Woods.
[edit] Discography
- Untitled (Summer 2007)
- I Wish We All Could Win (2005)
- Live @ the Door (2002) (Live Concert DVD as Blisse)
- When the World is Wonderful (2001) (As Blisse)
