For the past 16 years, they have gone through what would destroy most bands a hundred times - major label deals gone south, a manager's death, divorce, drugs, depression, band member departures and more - but when faced with the worst, three-piece Athens, Ga.-based rock outfit FIVE EIGHT has always managed to survive. Now, with their new self-titled album, FIVE EIGHT proves they have not only survived but have managed to thrive like never
before.
Mixed by the masterful John Agnello (Dinosaur Jr, The Breeders, Jay Farrar) and co-produced by FIVE EIGHT and Geoff Melkonian (of the Josh Joplin Group), the 12-song recording is the band's sixth album release, but for
band members MIKE MANTIONE (guitar, vocals, lyrics), DAN HOROWITZ (bass), and MIKE RIZZI, this is the first real FIVE EIGHT album ever.
‘Five Eight’ received considerable praise and attention months ahead of its national debut on August 24, after being released locally this past May in the band's home turf of Athens and Atlanta, Ga.,. Rock radio heavy 99X first added the album's single, "Square Peg," to heavy rotation (a rarity for unsigned act these days), and The Atlanta Journal Constitution quickly declared, "Five Eight has made one of its best albums and perhaps the most consistent
and satisfying rock record of the year.†(Nick Marino, May 4, 2004). VH1 then picked FIVE EIGHT as its featured "Hear Music First" artist in May, while NPR prominently highlighted FIVE EIGHT on its 'All Songs Considered"
program.
On the road, FIVE EIGHT has not missed a step, and in fact, performances at Atlanta's massive Music Midtown festival and 99X's Upstart Festival with Polyphonic Spree have proven that on stage FIVE EIGHT has never been better. Now, FIVE EIGHT has been given the honor of supporting Athens musical brethren R.E.M. during the band's 2004 tour, and while it wouldn't be nice to say FIVE EIGHT is stealing the show, let's just say FIVE EIGHT is doing what it does best, amassing loyal supporters one gig at a time and staking their claim as one of America's best live rock 'n' roll acts.
