If you are at all familiar with The Goodwill, then you are no doubt aware of the huge success - and even huger fanbase - created by the band over their 5 long years together. The Goodwill has been overly described as “melodic-post-hardcore-Long Island-punk,†however the sound created by this melting pot of pop-punk rockers and an ex-Dillinger Escape Plan guitarist is indescribable.
They have 2 nationally released albums, and have spent 4 years on the road with their own headlining tours and the Warped Tour. They have shared the bill with acts like My Chemical Romance, Fallout Boy, AFI, Simple Plan, The All-American Rejects, Underoath, and fellow Long Islanders Taking Back Sunday and Brand New.
Like many stories go, after countless praise from Alternative Press, Newsday and the like, The Goodwill decided to take the road less traveled – the road back home. For Goodwill guitarist and co-founder Travis Johnides, this change of lifestyle would prove to be one worthwhile.
Johnides had a vision for a musical venture he has entitled We’re All Just Passing Through. “I knew there was more within me,†said Johnides of the project, “I knew I had to take this opportunity to reach deep within myself and create the most honest and meaningful music I could. I began to write songs about everything I had experienced over the last 27 years of my life. I wasn’t too sure what I would do with this material, but I knew I needed to give it my full attention. And eventually I got to the point where I needed to bring this to life."
After enlisting, on a few select tracks, the help of drummer/percussionist Joe Manzione, cellist/bassist Sean Wakefield, and vocalists Alexa Johnides and Matt Johansen, We’re All Just Passing Through felt like more than just a vision to Johnides. “It felt like an already important chapter in my life,†Johnides said of his creation.
At first listen one might describe his music as ear-friendly pop-rock written on acoustic guitars, but with his storytelling lyrics and instrumentation that resembles a makeshift in-studio orchestra, Johnides achieves a personal sound that speaks to every individual.
Johnides adds “I am recording a few tracks that I hope everyone will give a listen to, and then I will take it from there. This whole process seems to have a mind of its own. So I plan on letting it take myself wherever it wants to go.â€
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Below is footage from We’re All Just Passing Through’s debut performance at Fontana’s in New York City on March 15, 2008. The song is titled ’Jason William’. Enjoy!
