On My Honor drops release, picks up steam

On My Honor — featuring, from left, Josh McCulley, Drew Justice, Jared Graap, David Fear, Lucas Sams — is rolling along with its new release, “The Good, the Bad and Getting By.”

On My Honor — featuring, from left, Josh McCulley, Drew Justice, Jared Graap, David Fear, Lucas Sams — is rolling along with its new release, “The Good, the Bad and Getting By.”

On My Honor is among the hardest-working musical acts in Knoxville. While recording its new full length album, “The Good, the Bad and Getting By,” the group was able to simultaneously align a two month-spanning, coast-to-coast tour all just shortly after getting a new guitarist up to speed. The band’s persistence paid off as On My Honor has now landed spots in both The Cornerstone Festival and the Vans’ Warped Tour.

Having lost its original guitarist last August, the band forged ahead playing, even touring as a quartet while hoping to find an ideal replacement. They ultimately found the needed complement in guitarist Jared Graap, whom the band credits for picking up the material quickly and adding to the overall energy level of live outings.

“We have definitely considered ourselves a five-piece act all along, but we didn’t want to rush filling the gap,” says vocalist Drew Justice. “After we got back from tour in December, we had an e-mail from Jared, who had heard we were looking for another guitarist. He started hanging around and learning the songs, and it just kind of clicked. Our live show has definitely improved, and it’s been nice having another capable guitarist in the band.”

Almost immediately after the Graap addition, On My Honor set up shop at The Soundlair, recording under the guidance of Miah. While the recording session lasted much longer than anticipated, the group feels its patience has paid off in creating a product that is just as the band intended. “The Good, the Bad and Getting By” is officially slated for a June 9 digital release, but physical copies will be for sale starting Friday at On My Honor’s CD release and tour kickoff extravaganza.

“We’ve grown into our own sound,” says Justice. “It’s probably a combination of the experiences you pick up as you tour, practice more and decide to pursue a full length album, but I think we’ve developed into something that isn’t exactly like anything else. I know every band says it, but I think as compared to the EP (2007’s “Lift Your Guns and Smile”), we sound much less like cookie-cutter pop-punk. It’s been crazy to really prep for a release like this too. The day after the CD release we’re on the road for two months. It’s been a lot of organizing at once — promotion, ordering merch, getting CDs pressed, booking, getting press and reviews. It’s been an intense amount of work since the beginning of ‘09, not to mention writing and recording the album itself.”

Included in On My Honor’s lengthy tour are a gig at Illinois’ Cornerstone Festival and a spot playing the Charlotte, N.C., stop of The Warped Tour, where the group will play alongside a number of its pop-punk idols. But first the band will show its appreciation for its local support by premiering the new album with a show at the all-ages Ritz venue. Promoting all-ages shows has been a staple of On My Honor, which hopes the tradition of having all-ages venues will be continued by a new generation of backers.

“Locally, The Ritz Theater has been a great place for us to host all-ages shows,” Justice says. “The owners are very cooperative and understand what it is that we’re trying to do. I grew up and went to high school in Clinton. My friends and I were lucky enough to still have places like Old City Java to see shows, even if we had to drive 30 minutes to Knoxville. Unfortunately the kids don’t even have that now, so we are just trying to make it available. I think that’s very important. I don’t know where I, the band, or local music in many cities would be without an all-ages outlet.”

Friday On My Honor will unveil its debut album and kick off its tour by playing a show at The Ritz. The bill also includes Aloretta, Furthest from Fame and Saves the City. Music is slated to begin at 7 p.m. Doors open at 6:30. The show costs $5 and welcomes all ages.

n CIDER HOUSE RULES: The Cider House (next to The Valarium) hosts ’80s Prom Friday night. The event features the music of ’80s tribute band Girlz, Girlz, Girlz and kicks off at 8 p.m. Admission to the event is $10.

n THEY TRAVEL IN PACKS: Scarla the Wolf joins Wolf Parade, Sea Wolf, Wolf Mother, Guitar Wolf, Steppenwolf, Peanut Butter Wolf and countless others in being a band with the word “Wolf” in its name. Scarla will also join The Book of Law and Lovers and Liars on stage at The Catalyst Saturday night. The show is scheduled for 8 p.m. and costs $5.

© 2009, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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