Too Close to Touch

Too Close to Touch is an American rock band from Lexington, Kentucky, United States, formed in 2013. Both their debut EP, Too Close to Touch, and their debut full-length, Nerve Endings, were released through Epitaph.

Too Close to Touch
OriginLexington, Kentucky, United States
Genres
Years active2013–present
LabelsEpitaph Records
Associated actsSecrets, Hands Like Houses, I the Mighty, coldrain, Thousand Below
Websitetooclosetotouch.com
MembersKeaton Pierce
Mason Marble
Kenneth Downey
Past membersThomas Kidd
Travis Moore

History

Formation and Too Close to Touch (2012–2014)

In an interview with Highlight Magazine, guitarist Mason Marble stated that though the band first started playing together in 2012, he and drummer Kenny Downey had been playing together since 2008. "Kenny and I have been playing together for about seven years now. We just started jamming out in his basement—Improv kind of stuff. Eventually we started getting into constructing songs, which was when we decided to look for people to start a band. We had a bunch of different people who would come and go, and Kenny and I would just carry on. Eventually we met Travis. We began playing with him consistently. Then, through mutual friends we got in contact with Keaton, who lived four hours away at the time... Then, Thomas actually sought us out. He was looking for bands in the area after just moving from Tucson, Az. to Kentucky, so we brought him up to Lexington one weekend to the studio to see what he had going on. Everything just sort of fit." [1]

The band had been shopping the record out with multiple labels before finally being signed to Epitaph in 2014. Their label debut, the eponymous EP Too Close to Touch, was released digitally on October 21, 2014. Upon release it was met with generally positive reviews. The band supported Emarosa on their CD Release Tour alongside PVRIS and Sink the Ship.

Nerve Endings and Haven't Been Myself (2015–2017)

The band worked with producer Erik Ron on their full-length debut, Nerve Endings.

Of the album, Pierce said, "It's an album with a message. It's an album that any instrument that you hear played, every vocal on the record is full of emotion and purpose. I guess it's just exciting showing the world our message. Not to sound cliché, but I want it to help people. It's a very brutally honest record. I opened up about a lot of stuff that I've never talked about before the album. I want to be able to change people like they changed me".[1]

Since the album's release the band has toured extensively in support. In March 2015 they accompanied I Prevail on their The Heart vs Mind Tour with Chasing Safety. That summer they supported I the Mighty on their Connector Tour with fellow opening acts Hail the Sun. In November 2015, the band supported Hands Like Houses on the North American leg of their Dissonants Tour.

The band released a new track "Heavy Hearts" for free download on February 12, 2016. Later that month they embarked on tour with Secrets on their Everything That Got Us Here Tour.

On March 22, it was announced the band would be a part of the 2016 Vans Warped Tour on the Cyclops Stage with Against the Current, Ghost Town, and Chunk! No, Captain Chunk!. That same month they were nominated for the Alternative Press Music Award for Best Underground Band, which the band would later win.[2][3]

On July 18, the band announced their second album, Haven't Been Myself would be released on September 23. The album's lead single, "What I Wish I Could Forget" was released that same day, along with an accompanying music video.[4]

On June 1, 2017 the band was announced to take part in Fearless Records compilation series Punk Goes Pop Vol. 7. It was also announced that the band would be covering Martin Garrix and Bebe Rexha's hit song "In the Name of Love" for the compilation. The album and song were released via Fearless on July 14, 2017.

Singles Series and I'm Hard to Love, But So Are You (2017–present)

On September 19, 2017, the band released a new song titled "Leave You Lonely", the first in a series of three. On November 27, 2017, the band released the second song of the set, titled "Before I Cave In". On January 30, 2018, they completed the set of songs with the release of "Burn". About the 3-song series, the band said on their Facebook, "It explores the abrupt absence of someone you care about in life — be it romantic or otherwise. First comes the initial moment of clarity; realizing you're better off without them. Next comes the relapse; you can't get them out of your head, questioning if you ever had control in the first place. Lastly, finding yourself wanting nothing more than to rid your memories of what’s left and leave it all behind. I’ll leave you lonely before I cave in and watch us burn." [5]

On April 17, 2018, the band released a statement confirming that they had parted ways with lead guitarist Thomas Kidd and bassist Travis Moore, and would continue as a trio for the foreseeable future.[6]

On January 18, 2019, they released a surprise EP titled I'm Hard to Love But So Are You, Vol 1.[7]

On July 12, 2019, they released a surprise EP titled I'm Hard to Love But So Are You, Vol 2.[7]

On November 12, 2019, they released a surprise EP titled I'm Hard To Love But So Are You, Vol 3.[8]

On December 4, 2020 after a long period of inactivity, the band released another surprise EP titled I'm Hard to Love But So Are You, Vol 4.[9]

Artistry

The band's visual appearance is just as important to them as their actual music. In developing their aesthetic, the band have taken cues from indie bands like The 1975, Walk the Moon, and The Neighborhood.[10] But at the same time, individuality is equally important to the band.

Marble has said of the band's sound and image, "From day one we always have been a band where we knew what we wanted to do. We've always written music that we wanted to write—never conforming to a specific genre. Not to say we don’t have influences. We definitely do. It's just more meaningful for us to write without boundaries. We didn't have to conform to any sort of style. We write the music that makes us feel something."[1]

Writing for AllMusic, James Christopher Monger described the band as, "a post hardcore quintet with a knack for infusing might with melody... offering up an explosive mix of indie rock, cool, and punk blasted emo pop energy in the vein of Sleeping with Sirens and The 1975. The band have honed their chops on the road with like-minded rockers Emarosa and A Lot Like Birds".[11]

Band members
  • Keaton Pierce – lead vocals (2013–present)
  • Kenneth Downey – drums, percussion (2013–present)
  • Mason Marble – rhythm guitar (2013–present), lead guitar, bass (2018–present)

Past Members

  • Thomas Kidd – lead guitar (2013–2018)
  • Travis Moore – bass (2013–2018)

Timeline

Discography

Studio albums

  • Nerve Endings (2015)
  • Haven't Been Myself (2016)

Extended plays

  • Too Close to Touch (2014)
  • I'm Hard To Love, But So Are You, Vol. 1 (2019)
  • I'm Hard To Love, But So Are You, Vol. 2 (2019)
  • I'm Hard To Love, But So Are You, Vol. 3 (2019)
  • I'm Hard To Love, But So Are You, Vol. 4 (2020)

Compilation appearances

References
  1. Nick Yacovazzi. "Interview: Too Close To Touch". Highlight Magazine. Retrieved May 5, 2016.
  2. "And the nominees for the 2016 APMAs are..." Alternative Press. Retrieved May 5, 2016.
  3. Rabab Al-Sharif. "Here's a list of winners from the 2016 Alternative Press Music Awards". Alternative Press. Retrieved July 18, 2016.
  4. Maggie Dickman. "Too Close To Touch announce new album, premiere new track-listen (exclusive)". Alternative Press. Retrieved July 18, 2016.
  5. "Facebook post accompanying the release of 'Burn'". Facebook.com. Retrieved March 9, 2018.
  6. Redrup, Zach (April 19, 2018). "NEWS: Too Close To Touch lose two members; to continue as trio!". DEadpress.com. Retrieved October 3, 2020.
  7. "Too Close To Touch – "The Fear Of Letting Go" (Full Album Stream)". YouTube. Retrieved January 18, 2019.
  8. "Too Close To Touch - I'm Hard To Love, But So Are You, Vol. 3". Epitaph.com. Retrieved November 12, 2019.
  9. "Too Close To Touch - I'm Hard To Love, But So Are You, Vol. 4". Epitaph.com. Retrieved December 4, 2020.
  10. "Too Close To Touch Bio". Epitaph.com. Retrieved May 5, 2016.
  11. James Christopher Monger. "Too Close To Touch – Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved May 5, 2016.
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