The Juliana Theory

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The Juliana Theory is an American emo / rock duo from Greensburg and Latrobe, Pennsylvania. They signed to Tooth & Nail Records, and later to Epic Records for the release of the album Love. They released four studio albums before initially disbanding in 2006. The band has since reunited three times: once in 2010 for eight shows, again in 2017 for a tour celebrating their 20th anniversary, and finally in 2020 when The Juliana Theory announced signing with Equal Vision Records.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

The Juliana Theory has cited numerous bands as influences, including the Beatles, the Cure, the Smashing Pumpkins, U2, Rush,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Roger Waters, and Pink Floyd.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

History

Formation

The Juliana Theory was formed in 1997 by Joshua Fiedler and Neil Hebrank (formerly of the band Noisome) along with Chad Monticue (former singer for Pensive), Jeremiah Momper, and Brett Detar (who also split his time as a guitarist for Zao and Pensive at the time).Template:Citation needed

Detar and Monticue were childhood friends while Fiedler met Detar as classmates at a nearby high school. The members formed The Juliana Theory in 1997 as a side-project while they played in other bands. "We really started out as a joke," recalls Detar. "Slowly, we started to like the music we were making in The Juliana Theory more than the music we were making in our regular bands. Eventually, everyone committed to make this their full-time band".<ref name="auto">Template:Cite web</ref>

According to an interview on the website Tapout Zine, there was never a real concept behind the band's name. "We used to have an elaborate story that we told involving sociology students and a huge experiment involving music and people's responses to it, but we got tired of telling the story. The band was supposed to be a side project that wouldn't last and we just came up with a name before our first show. It has no meaning at all".<ref name="bedofnailz.com">Template:Cite web</ref> In an interview lead singer Brett Detar told Lina Lecaro of the Los Angeles Times that the band's name was "pretty stupid," adding, "Let's just say this: Every band has a name and for better or worse, this is ours".<ref>Los Angeles Times, February 27, 2003, p. E12.</ref>

Their first performance was at a concert at Saint Vincent College booked by Christopher Pecoraro, as an opening act, but their fame grew quickly.Template:Citation needed They were spotted by Brandon Ebel of Tooth & Nail Records on the Cornerstone Music Festival impromptu stage, which showcased unsigned talent. A split EP with the band Dawson High on Arise Records marked the band's recorded debut. Shortly after The Juliana Theory signed a multi-album deal with Seattle-based Tooth & Nail records.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

The Tooth & Nail Era

After spending time on the road touring, the band signed with the independent record label Tooth & Nail. The label released The Juliana Theory's debut studio album Understand This Is a Dream on March 23, 1999.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Around this time Joshua Kosker, originally of the group Dawson High, replaced Momper when he left the band after the band's first album was released. The following year The Juliana Theory and Tooth & Nail released the follow-up record Emotion Is Dead (2000). Together, the albums sold around 130,000 units.<ref name="auto"/>

After the release of Emotion Is Dead, Tooth & Nail and The Juliana Theory clashed heads in terms of creative and promotional areas of the group's marketing. "Most things that we asked them to do for us they couldn't do or didn't do. Now, almost everything we asked for at the time is just protocol for the label. They do all of the stuff we wanted them to do back then very well now." The group left to find a new label shortly afterwards.<ref name="bedofnailz.com"/>

The Epic Era

In 2001, the Juliana Theory signed a recording contract with Epic/Sony. Dates on the 2001 Warped Tour followed. On October 23, 2001, The Juliana Theory released six new songs as the Music from Another Room EP on Tooth & Nail Records.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

A change in the line up meant that original drummer Neil Hebrank was replaced by Josh "Chip" Walters before the recording of Love, the band's third-full-length album for Epic Records.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Recorded at locations in California and also at lead singer Brett's home Studio at Greensburg, Pennsylvania, Love was produced by Jerry Harrison of Talking Heads who also worked with successful acts Live and No Doubt.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Love sold over 100,000 albums with little radio or label support behind it.Template:Citation needed This led to over 260 tour dates the year of its release and the record debuted on Billboard 200 chart at No. 71 and remained in the top 200 for 5 weeks.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Around the time of the release of Love, the band co-headlined a tour with Something Corporate for tour dates which included New York, Los Angeles and many cities in between. Between January and March 2003 both the Juliana Theory and Something Corporate shared the stage, along with support act Vendetta Red all three groups had moved from independent to major record labels since the release of their previous records.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In a 2003 interview Brett Detar shared his thoughts about the group's time with Sony. "It's not nearly as good as we had hoped," he said. "We've never really had a great time at any record label we've been at".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

The band soon parted ways with Epic Records after the release of the Love album and signed a deal with Rykodisc. In a MySpace blog written by Detar, he explains that after a change in management and direction of the label, "...at the last second we wormed our way out of the deal and headed into the studio with our own funds and with the help of Josh Karchmer, our manager."<ref name="myspace1">Template:Cite web</ref>

Paper Fist Era

Following the separation of the group from Epic Records the band subsequently began their own label affiliated with Abacus Recordings called Paper Fist (in reference to The Juliana Theory song, "To the Tune of 5,000 Screaming Children").<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Their fourth studio album Deadbeat Sweetheartbeat was released on September 13, 2005.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Deadbeat Sweetheartbeat was produced and recorded by John Travis and was co-produced by frontman Brett Detar. The album was recorded at Seedy Underbelly Studios, Valley Village California between November and December 2004 and also at Studio 66 in Greensburg, Pennsylvania between the months of December 2004 and January 2005.<ref>Deadbeat Sweetheartbeat Inlay Card, p.12</ref>

The limited edition release of Deadbeat Sweetheartbeat features a 25-minute making of documentary filmed by the band, Jeff Calhoun and Jason Hopkins. In the documentary Brett shared that around 30 pieces of music and 25 complete songs were made in preparation of the finished record.

In the documentary the band claim that the record is driven by the four songs, four pillars which hold the rest of record, the songs they specify include: "This Is a Lovesong... For the Loveless", "This Valentine Aint' No Saint", "French Kiss Off" and "Shotgun Serenade". The DVD also features four previously unreleased exclusive tracks only available with the limited edition set.<ref>Deadbeat Sweetheartbeat Making of Documentary</ref>

Chad shares in regard to the album "I can honestly say we made a record about love, cars, drinking, and drugs and sex and murder, all those things are elements of our record and I think that's pretty cool, what else do you want to listen to?, there's nothing better to listen to". Brett also shares that the record benefits from having "bite and venom" and that "the album lyrically packs a lot more punch".

Breakup

On February 9, 2006, the band announced they were breaking up.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Reasons cited for the group's disbandment include issues with record labels Tooth and Nail and Epic.<ref name="myspace1"/>

Post-breakup

An official MySpace blog posted on February 8, 2007, gave an update on Josh Fiedler starting new band Vesta and Josh "Chip" Walters playing drums in his new band called Crushing Ground.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

An August 16, 2009, Drive By Media story teased that The Juliana Theory may be reforming after comments left by the official Juliana Theory Twitter page suggested "good things are coming. we promise".<ref>[1]Template:Dead link</ref>

On October 5, 2009, former lead singer Brett Detar posted an announcement on his official website that a Juliana Theory Rarities & B-Sides Album was in the works and will be available sometime in the near future.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Vesta

In 2008 The Juliana Theory members Joshua Fiedler, Joshua Kosker and Chad Alan began writing and recording music with a new band called Vesta. The group played their first show on April 25, 2009, in Bowling Green, Ohio.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Around this time the group was working on their first album. The recording was done by Pittsburgh musician and recording engineer, Jonathan Gunnell.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

On October 6, 2009, Vesta, released their debut EP independently called 0.1 Daylight's Coming.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Once again Gunnell recorded and mixed the release, but mastering was completed by Garrett Haines at Treelady Studios.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 2010, two additional songs were added and the album was released by Paper Fist Recordings.

Reunion

On December 14, 2009, the band announced that they will be playing 2 reunion shows in the summer of 2010 to celebrate the 10 year anniversary of the release of Emotion Is Dead. They plan on playing the entire record, in order, as well as a selection of other fan favorites.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

A Facebook update on January 20, 2010, gave the seven final tour dates that the band would be playing.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

On January 25, 2010, a NYC show was announced at Highline Ballroom for Friday, August 20, 2010. The band played Emotion Is Dead as well as a greatest hits set.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

On March 23, 2010, Mightier Than Sword Records released Understand This Is a Dream on vinyl as the second installment in their 10th Anniversary Series.

In August 2010, the band released a 28-song B-sides and Rarities album for online purchase only.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The album was mastered by Jonathan Gunnell who had been working with Vesta on their debut release.

On Saturday September 11, 2010, the band said one final goodnight at The Altar Bar (since closed) in Pittsburgh where they donated all of the ticket sales to the Mario Lemieux Foundation.<ref>Template:Cite webTemplate:Dead link</ref>

On August 19, 2016, American record label Mind Over Matter Records re-issued Deadbeat Sweetheartbeat as a double LP with four bonus tracks.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

On April 17, 2017, the band announced a North American summer reunion tour, celebrating their 20th anniversary.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The tour also included the Vans Warped Rewind at Sea, sailing from New Orleans to Cozumel October 28 through November 1, 2017.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Equal Vision Records Era

On November 20, 2020, the band announced they had signed with Equal Vision Records and released new single "Can't Go Home".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

On January 1, 2021, The Juliana Theory released a new track titled "Better Now", which premiered on YouTube.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

They released their first album since 2005, A Dream Away, on March 26, 2021, via Rude/Equal Vision Records, which included "Better Now" as well as re-imagined versions of several earlier hits including "Into the Dark" and "If I Told You This Was Killing Me, Would You Stop?".<ref>The Juliana Theory to release new album "A Dream Away" on March 26th 2021</ref>

In the summer of 2022, The Juliana Theory played select dates on Dashboard Confessional and Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness's Hello Gone Days tour.<ref>Dashboard Confessional and Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness Announce 2022 Co-Headlining Tour</ref>

In summer 2023, the band toured as an acoustic duo, supporting select dates for The Rocket Summer on their Shadowkasters tour.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Band members

Current members<ref>(2003), Masley. Ed, https://old.post-gazette.com/ae/20030207julianaaep1.asp Template:Webarchive, Retrieved, February 7, 2003</ref>

  • Brett Detar – lead vocals, rhythm guitar, keyboards, programming (1997–2006, 2010, 2017–present)
  • Joshua Fiedler – lead guitar, backing vocals (1997–2006, 2010, 2017–present); bass (2017–present)
  • Ryan Seaman - drums (2021-present)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Former members

  • Chad Alan – bass, backing vocals (1997–2006, 2010, 2017)
  • Joshua Kosker – rhythm and lead guitar, backing vocals (1999–2006, 2010, 2017)
  • Josh "Chip" Walters – drums (2001–06, 2010, 2017)
  • Jeremiah Momper – rhythm and lead guitar (1997–1999)
  • Neil Hebrank – drums (1997–2001)

Timeline <timeline> ImageSize = width:800 height:auto barincrement:22 PlotArea = left:100 bottom:90 top:10 right:15 Alignbars = justify DateFormat = mm/dd/yyyy Period = from:01/01/1997 till:{{#time:m/d/Y}} ScaleMajor = increment:2 start:1997 ScaleMinor = increment:1 start:1997 TimeAxis = orientation:horizontal format:yyyy Legend = orientation:vertical columns:3 position:bottom

Colors= 

id:vocals     value:red          legend:Lead_vocals,_keyboards,_programming
id:bvocals    value:pink         legend:Backing_vocals
id:lead       value:teal         legend:Lead_guitar
id:rhythm     value:brightgreen  legend:Rhythm_guitar
id:bass       value:blue         legend:Bass
id:drums      value:orange       legend:Drums
id:studio     value:black        legend:Studio_album
id:Ep         value:gray(0.5)    legend:Extended_play
id:bars       value:gray(0.95)

LineData= 

layer:back
at:03/23/1999 color:studio
at:08/29/2000 color:studio
at:10/23/2001 color:Ep
at:02/04/2003 color:studio
at:09/13/2005 color:studio
at:03/26/2021 color:studio

BackgroundColors= bars:bars

BarData= 

bar:Brett     text:"Brett Detar"
bar:Fiedler   text:"Joshua Fiedler"
bar:Jeremiah  text:"Jeremiah Momper"
bar:Kosker    text:"Joshua Kosker"
bar:Chad      text:"Chad Alan"
bar:Neil      text:"Neil Hebrank"
bar:Chip      text:"Josh Walters"
bar:Ryan      text:"Ryan Seaman"

PlotData = 

width:11 textcolor:black align:left anchor:from shift:(11,-4)
bar:Brett     from:01/01/1997  till:07/01/2006    color:vocals
bar:Brett     from:01/01/1997  till:07/01/2006    color:rhythm  width:3
bar:Brett     from:08/20/2010  till:08/29/2010    color:vocals
bar:Brett     from:08/20/2010  till:08/29/2010    color:rhythm  width:3
bar:Brett     from:07/29/2017  till:end           color:vocals
bar:Brett     from:07/29/2017  till:end           color:rhythm  width:3
bar:Jeremiah  from:01/01/1997  till:03/23/1999    color:rhythm
bar:Jeremiah  from:01/01/1997  till:03/23/1999    color:lead    width:3
bar:Kosker    from:03/23/1999  till:07/01/2006    color:rhythm
bar:Kosker    from:03/23/1999  till:07/01/2006    color:lead    width:7
bar:Kosker    from:03/23/1999  till:07/01/2006    color:bvocals width:3
bar:Kosker    from:08/20/2010  till:08/29/2010    color:rhythm
bar:Kosker    from:08/20/2010  till:08/29/2010    color:lead    width:7
bar:Kosker    from:08/20/2010  till:08/29/2010    color:bvocals width:3
bar:Kosker    from:07/29/2017  till:11/01/2017    color:rhythm
bar:Kosker    from:07/29/2017  till:11/01/2017    color:lead    width:7
bar:Kosker    from:07/29/2017  till:11/01/2017    color:bvocals width:3
bar:Fiedler   from:01/01/1997  till:07/01/2006    color:lead
bar:Fiedler   from:01/01/1997  till:07/01/2006    color:bvocals width:3
bar:Fiedler   from:08/20/2010  till:08/29/2010    color:lead
bar:Fiedler   from:08/20/2010  till:08/29/2010    color:bvocals width:3
bar:Fiedler   from:07/29/2017  till:end           color:lead
bar:Fiedler   from:11/01/2017  till:end           color:bass    width:7
bar:Fiedler   from:07/29/2017  till:end           color:bvocals width:3
bar:Chad      from:01/01/1997  till:07/01/2006    color:bass
bar:Chad      from:01/01/1997  till:07/01/2006    color:bvocals width:3
bar:Chad      from:08/20/2010  till:08/29/2010    color:bass
bar:Chad      from:08/20/2010  till:08/29/2010    color:bvocals width:3
bar:Chad      from:07/29/2017  till:11/01/2017    color:bass
bar:Chad      from:07/29/2017  till:11/01/2017    color:bvocals width:3
bar:Neil      from:01/01/1997  till:03/25/2001    color:drums
bar:Chip      from:03/25/2001  till:07/01/2006    color:drums
bar:Chip      from:08/20/2010  till:08/29/2010    color:drums
bar:Chip      from:07/29/2017  till:11/01/2017    color:drums
bar:Ryan      from:03/01/2021  till:end           color:drums

</timeline>

Discography

Studio albums

List of studio albums, with selected chart positions
Title Album details Peak chart positions
Billboard 200
<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>
Understand This Is a Dream —
Emotion Is Dead —
Love 71
Deadbeat Sweetheartbeat —
A Dream Away —

Live albums

List of live albums
Title Album details
Live October 13, 2001
Troubadour – West Hollywood, CA 11.3.05
Scrappy's – Tucson, AZ 11.8.05
Downtown Brewing Co. – San Luis Obispo, CA 11.2.05
Neckbeard's – Tempe, AZ 11.7.05
Chain Reaction – Anaheim, CA 11.5.05

Extended plays

List of extended plays
Title Album details
Music from Another Room
Still The Same Kids Pt. 1

Compilation albums

List of compilation albums
Title Album details
A Small Noise
28 B-Sides and Rarities

Split albums

List of split albums
Title Album details
The Juliana Theory / Dawson High
  • Released: October 8, 1998 Template:Small<ref name="discography" />
  • Label: Arise
  • Formats: CD
Three-Way Split

Singles

List of singles
Title Year Album
"Understand the Dream Is Over" 2001 Emotion Is Dead
"Do You Believe Me?" 2002 Love
"Can't Go Home" 2020 Non-album single
"Better Now" 2021 A Dream Away

Other appearances

List of other appearances
Title Year Album
"Bring It Low"<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 2002 MTV Road Rules: Don't Make Me Pull This Thing Over – Volume 1
"Can't Suspend It"<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 2005 Drive-Thru Records and Purevolume.com

Music videos

Title Year Director(s)
"Do You Believe Me?" 2002
"My Heart Is A Soldier" 2004
"This Is A Lovesong... For the Loveless" 2005 Travis Kopach<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
"Can't Go Home" 2020 Brett Detar<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
"Better Now" 2021 Jesse Korman
"We're At The Top Of The World (Reimagined)"
"Playback '99 (Burn The Cassette Deck)" 2022
"Less Talk" Eric Angelo
"Constellation" 2024

References

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Template:The Juliana Theory

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