Better Off
Better Off is an American rock band from Nashville, Tennessee, formed in 2011 under the name Friends. They changed their name in early 2013 to Better Off due to another group sharing the Friends name. They have released two albums, I'm Leaving and Milk, the latter of which charted on the Heatseekers Albums and Independent Albums charts. In March 2016, it was announced the group would be dropping off tour and "going silent for a while" following sexual assault and abuse allegtions against their then-bassist. On April 25, the band released a new single called "Bad Habit."
History
Friends and ''(I Think) I'm Leaving'' (2011–14)
Better Off began as Friends, before changing its name due to another band called Friends. While under the Friends moniker, the band's music was similar to that of Thirtyseven. They released the EP Better Off Alone on June 9, 2011 through Blood and Ink. On February 10, 2013, the band changed their name to Better Off.On June 11, 2013, it was announced the band had signed to 6131. On the same day, "The Price Is Never Right" was made available for streaming. On August 14, "A Fool Walks into a Bar and Cries Wolf" was made available for streaming. On August 28, "Keeping Watch" was made available for streaming. I'm Leaving was made available for streaming on September 15, and was released through 6131 and Blood and Ink on September 24. On October 24, a music video was released for "A Fool Walks into a Bar and Cries Wolf", directed by Andy Reale. The video features the band playing inside a house, while people outside are cliff-jumping. The band supported Rust Belt Lights and Carousel Kings in December.
The band went on tour, supporting Major League in February and March 2014. On October 2, it was announced the band had signed to Equal Vision. Vocalist/guitarist Luke Granered exclaimed that it was "excit to be teaming up with Equal Vision". On October 15, "Meth Head" was made available for streaming. This song was a part of a 7" vinyl, titled Meth Head, with "I Was Better 10 Years Ago" as the B-side. "I Was Better 10 Years Ago" was made available for streaming on October 23. Meth Head was released through Equal Vision on October 27. The band supported New Found Glory on the Glamour Kills Tour in October and November. On November 5, a music video was released for "Meth Head".
''Milk'' and hiatus (2015–present)
On July 31, 2015, the band's second album, Milk, was announced for release and "Whatever I Don't Care" was made available for streaming. In early August, the band toured with Basement, Whirr, and LVL UP. On August 13, "Dresser Drawer" was made available for streaming. On August 28, "This Day Will Never End" was made available for streaming. In late August and September, the band toured with Bayside and The Early November. Milk was released through Equal Vision on September 11. The album was produced by Saves the Day's Arun Bali. Granered described the album as "a landmark of maturation and solidarity" for the group. He also said the group wished to create "something class-sounding with big fuzzy guitars and interesting dynamics" within the songs. It charted at number 11 on the Heatseekers Albums chart, and at number 46 on the Independent Albums chart.In October and November 2015, the band supported Pentimento. On December 11, a music video was released for "Dresser Drawer". In March and April 2016, the band was set to support Mayday Parade and The Maine on their tour of the U.S. On March 11, it was announced they would be dropping off tour and "going silent for a while".
Style and influences
Better Off have been described as alternative rock and indie rock, influenced by Weezer, Foo Fighters, and Jimmy Eat World. They have been compared to bands such as Daisyhead and Balance and Composure. I'm Leaving has been described as alternative rock, emo, pop punk, pop rock, and power pop. Milk has been described as emo, grunge, pop punk, post-hardcore and rock. Brian Leak of Alternative Press called the album a mixture of Citizen's Youth and Brand New's Your Favorite Weapon. Mike Damante of Chron compared the album to Jimmy Eat World's Futures and Invented albums. Damante noted that album "could've been a genre-defining record, if it came out 10 years ago."Accolades
I'm Leaving was included on Rock Sounds "50 Best Albums of 2013" list at number 44. Milk was ranked at number 17 on AbsolutePunk's top albums of 2015 list.Discography
;Studio albums| Title | Album details |
| I'm Leaving | |
| Milk | |
| Reap What You Sow |
| Title | Album details |
| Better Off Alone |
|
| Title | Year | Album |
| "Meth Head" | 2014 | Non-album single |
| "Whatever, I Don't Care" | 2015 | Milk |
| "Dresser Drawer" | 2015 | Milk |
| "This Day Will Never End" | 2015 | Milk |
;Music videos
| Title | Year | Director |
| "A Fool Walks into a Bar and Cries Wolf" | 2013 | Andy Reale |
| "Meth Head" | 2014 | |
| "Dresser Drawer" | 2015 |
Band members
;Current members- Luke Granered – vocals, guitar
- Charles Miller – drums