Brighten
is a pop rock band from Chico, California, consisting of brothers Justin
(guitar, lead vocals) and Jimmy
(drums) Richards
, and Alex Draper
(bass, backing vocals). The band has recently been on tour with This Providence, Cute Is What We Aim For, Eisley, and All Time Low. In 2007, their debut album, King vs. Queen
, was released on Carbon Copy Media, without the band's full knowledge.
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BRIGHTEN TICKETS
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History
Although the band has been playing together for nine years, they only formed a band in 2004. In high school, Brighten went by the name
Sincerely Me
, though after high school, due to minor conflict, they changed their name to
Brighten
.
They independently released their debut EP,
Ready When You Are
, on November 9, 2005. The EP was extremely well-received by critics
[1], and has since sold out.
In 2006,
Victory Records sued Carbon Copy Media, and in the resulting turn of events Brighten's debut album,
King vs. Queen
, could not be released. After selling a 9-track version independently at their concerts, Brighten discovered in March 2007 that the album had in fact been released.
In June 2007, Brighten began a tour with
Hawthorne Heights.
Brighten has shared the stage with:
The Maine,
From First to Last,
Taking Back Sunday,
Number One Gun,
The Junior Varsity,
Lydia,
Waking Ashland,
Eisley,
This Holiday Life, and more.
Brighten is represented by
Tim Kirch and
Tanner Radcliffe at
8123 Management.
In 2008 Jimmy Richards raised enough money to travel to Africa and minister African children. He has said that he will return to the band and play drums when he gets back to America. For a short time time Richards was replaced by ex-Parade the Day drummer Ben Spear, and also briefly by A Rocket to the Moon's Loren Brinton. Richards has since returned and participated in the band's most recent recording effort.
Justin Richards is now a full time touring member of
A Rocket to the Moon which has put Brighten on a temporary hiatus. However, Brighten announced via their myspace in May 2009 that the next month they would go into the studio in with producer
Jeff Schneeweis with hopes of recording new material.
The band has finished recording their next EP, set to release sometime this fall. However, they will not be touring to promote it due to A Rocket To The Moon's busy upcoming touring schedule. Justin has said that he won't stop doing Brighten, but it will be "just for fun."
Members
Justin Richards - Guitar,Vocals
Alex Drapper - Bass,Vocals
Jimmy Richards - Drums, Vocals
Former Members
Ben Spear - Drums
Austin Gibbs - Guitar
Discography
Studio albums
| Album Cover
| Date of Release
| Title
| Label
|
|
| March 20, 2007
| King vs. Queen
| Carbon Copy Media
|
EPs
| Album Cover
| Date of Release
| Title
|
|
|
| 2005
| Ready When You Are
|
| 2008
| Early Love
|