Close to Home was an American post-hardcore band from Cincinnati, Ohio, United States, that was formed in 2005. They have released two EPs (three mixed, one demo) and three full-length albums, Picture Perfect; their major label debut, Never Back Down, which was released on February 15, 2011; and their most recent effort, Momentum, which was released July 31, 2012 via Artery Recordings. Close to Home has toured across the United States and Europe with bands such as Silverstein, Emery, Dance Gavin Dance, In Fear and Faith, We Came as Romans, and Electric Callboy. They have also participated in 2010 and 2012's Scream It Like You Mean It tours. On December 10, 2010, they signed with Artery Recordings; however this contract has been fulfilled. The band was previously managed by Outerloop Management. Close to Home is commonly depicted as CTH.
History Formation and Basement Recordings Picture Perfect, One Chance, One Time (Pre-2005–2006) In 2005, brothers Josh and Justin Wells formed the band "Close to Home" with their friend, bassist Brad Andress in Cincinnati, Ohio. Prior to label involvement, or a record release, Close to Home was invited to perform three western United States dates (Montana, Denver, and Salt Lake City) on the Vans Warped Tour 2005. In 2006, while on their first non-festival tour, Andress was diagnosed with cancer (in Seattle). While Andress was hospitalized, Close to Home was again invited to perform three southern United States dates (Orlando, Miami, and Tampa) on the Vans Warped Tour 2006. In October 2006, Andress died.
Legends Live On, Standby, and Let It Be Known EPs (2006–2009) After the death of bassist Brad Andress, Close to Home spent most of 2006 getting their members to today's lineup (minus vocalist changes): Josh Wells (Guitar), JJ Cooper (Guitar), and Travis Hartman (Drums). It has been confirmed that guitarists Josh Wells and JJ Cooper have recorded all the bass lines since the death of Brad Andress. "Legends Live On" EP was released via iTunes April 7, 2008 and was the last live show that bassist Brad Andress played before his death. According to guitarist Josh Wells "The remaining four tracks on the record are about Brad Andress and losing someone." Wells also stated that because of Andress' death, "Close to Home does not have a permanent bass musician". In 2007, Close to Home won the United States, Ernie Ball "Battle of the Bands". This allowed Close to Home to play one night on the acclaimed Taste of Chaos Tour. According to guitarist Josh Wells, they "played for 13,000 people, sharing the stage with The Used, 30 Seconds To Mars, Chiodos, Senses Fail, Saosin, Aiden, and Evaline, and were given prizes such as a drum set, bass rig, among items." In 2007, Close to Home became a three-peat performer on Vans Warped Tour, performing at Vans Warped Tours 2007 and 2008 in Cincinnati. "Standby" EP was released via iTunes on April 29, 2008. Shortly after, Close to Home embarked on the "V-Neck and Shaved Chest" Tour (June 2008) with We Came as Romans. Let It Be Known EP features vocalist Shane Told of Silverstein on "Promise"; and following this release, the band toured a leg with Poison The Well and The Sleeping. During this time, the band were also spokespeople for Sexy Hair products.
Tour Activity (2009–2010) Close to Home appeared on a mini-tour (September - October 2009) with I Am Abomination. Close to Home also embarked on the "Scream It Like You Mean It 2010" Tour (July - August 2010) with Silverstein, Emery, Dance Gavin Dance, I Set My Friends on Fire, Sky Eats Airplane, Ivoryline, and We Came as Romans. Andy Glass from We Came as Romans filled in on bass for the complete tour.
Never Back Down (2010–2011) Excerpt from the band's MySpace blog:"Never Back Down is our first label debut album! We spent all of 2010 creating this record and getting everything in place to release it! I just wanted to take a moment to tell you a little about the process of making this record and what the concept for it was. When we were first told we would be doing a full-length we sat down and put a lot of thought in what direction we wanted to go with it, musically and lyrically. We have always tried our best to be real in everything we do and write what is real to us so the concept of the record formed there. We decided to make a record that would be an exact reflection of our lives, in a way that any one can appreciate. For those who have been supporting us for a long time you know about the struggles we have gone through personally and business wise in pursuit of what we love. It has never been an easy journey but we have always been relentless and 'DIY' in our efforts. The album title and artwork are fairly simple in what it portrays. Being the underdog and coming up against something massive in front of you. The content of the record itself is something we are all very proud of. Musically it is influenced by everything we have ever loved and we believe will take the listener on a journey. It shows the good and the bad of going after what you love and sacrificing everything. We tried to show that also musically as much as lyrically. Some songs are a lot more fun and tell the good side of our lives. The friendship, traveling, partying, creating memorable moments in life worth fighting for and just a love for the people and music itself. The other side to that is some of the heaviest music we have wrote yet and portrays the downsides and struggles. Always being gone and slipping away from understanding what it will ever be like to be 'normal' again. The strain it puts on friendships and all relationships in life. The people who want to pollute the music, talk shit, and infect it with impure intentions. We shot a music video to the song 'All We Know' which is a summary of what the record is about. The album name Never Back Down comes out of this song. We wanted the record to be something anyone who has ever pursued what they love in life, sacrificed or overcome great obstacles could appreciate. Can't wait for people to give it a listen from beginning to end! To hear it as one total work and give us feedback". - Close to HomeThe album was often compared to A Day to Remember because of the similar vocal style and genre, combining elements of heavy post-hardcore and metalcore with pop punk, leading to a melodic hardcore sound.
On February 25, 2011, "All We Know" was released as the first official single from Never Back Down, along with a music video.
Close to Home appeared on the Downtown Battle Mountain Tour (March - April 2011) supporting Dance Gavin Dance, Iwrestledabearonce and In Fear and Faith in support of Never Back Down. According to a Facebook post by the band on June 6, 2011, bassist Derek Foust was officially named the current tour bassist for Close to Home during this time. Close to Home performed on the Arkaik + MerchNow + Artery "Summer Partery" Tour (July - August 2011) in support of In Fear and Faith and Vanna.
On February 16, 2012, it was revealed that the opening track on Never Back Down entitled "Intro" was used in the Chinese multinational personal technology company Lenovo Group Limited's 0:33-second commercial entitled "The Jetpack: When Do Gets Done".
Momentum (2011–2013)