Album Notes

"Wearing This Life" is not only the title of Gainesville, Florida's Fifth Year Crush first full-length release, it is the state of affairs with members Jason Walls (vocals/guitar), Guy Nicolette (electric guitar/vocals), and Kevin King (drums). The band doesn't just talk about music, or put on "stage personas". The life they've chosen is literally worn every day. And this record offers a glimpse of this life - a gamut of musical and lyrical inspiration from the straight ahead rock single "Devastated," to the melodically hooky, pop-rocker "Madison," through the alt-country infused "Next Fall," the softly tragic "Hollywood Ending," all the way to the emotionally charged "Waiting Room."

Their previous accomplishments include opening for such acts as Dishwalla, Sister Hazel, FeFe Dobson, Ashlee Simpson, Lenny Kravitz, the Indigo Girls, Sugar Ray, Our Lady Peace, Sheryl Crow, Goo Goo Dolls; selection for national sponsorships through Budweiser (True Music) and Amp Energy Drink (Mountain Dew); charted #1 on Alternative Addiction.com's Unsigned Top Ten; selection as one of only 200 bands nationwide to participate in the 2002 Jim Beam Rock Band Search and being named "Band of the Week March 13th, 2002"; invitations to showcase at numerous industry conferences (the New Nashville Music Conference, the 2002 Axis Florida Music Festival, 2002 EAT-M Conference in Las Vegas, NV.); being featured on numerous compilation releases and recently in an independent film ("A Joyce Story" by Pete Guzzo);

While reminiscent of Toad the Wet Sprocket/matchbox twenty/Nine Days, Fifth Year Crush are establishing themselves as part of the next generation of song-driven rock. Fifth Year Crush recorded "Wearing This Life," at the A Room in Atlanta, GA, spending three weeks in early 2003 with renowned producer Don McCollister (Indigo Girls, Sister Hazel, Shawn Mullins). With it's release, Fifth Year Crush is poised to build upon its success as one of the Southeast's best bands.