Seven Years Past
Following the end of several of Southwest Florida's most popular regional modern
rock bands, Seven Years Past was born in 2008 when singer Lisa Larkin teamed up
with guitarist Mark Medeiros and drummer Brett Jones to begin the next chapter
of their musical destinies. After the recent departure of their former bassist,
the group enlisted Bret Calltharp - who had been in bands previously with Medeiros
and Jones - to become its new bass player and the current lineup of Seven Years Past was in place.
No strangers to the spotlight, the members of Seven Years Past individually
have storied histories which include performances at Hard Rock Live Orlando,
House of Blues Orlando, the USF Sun Dome, the Ford (now 1-800 Ask Gary)
Amphitheatre, Jannus Live, Floyds in Tallahassee and the House of Blues -
Sunset Strip in Hollywood. Gaining experience from every new venue,
every different opportunity, the four musicians have performed with
such notable acts as Puddle of Mudd, Rob Zombie, Breaking Benjamin,
Three Doors Down, Yellowcard, Sevendust, New Found Glory and Alter Bridge.
Seven Years Past has built upon this foundation to bring its high
energy brand of modern rock to venues throughout Florida, landing
the band a showcase slot at the 2010 Florida Music Festival in Orlando.
They have the distinction of winning "Battle of the Bands" competitions
in cities ranging from Port Charlotte and St. Pete to their home base of Sarasota.
The group was selected to provide direct tour support for Silent Majority
Group recording artists Tantric during their summer 2010 tour.
This opportunity allowed Seven Years Past to introduce themselves to
fans in New York, Michigan, Illinois, Indiana and Ohio.
Described as an "invigorating post-rock entity" by the Sarasota
Herald Tribune, Seven Years Past features a blend of heartfelt,
emotional lyrics and raw musical power. "It's definitely
edge-of-your-seat style. That's what we're trying to go for." Larkin said.
"We are mainstream rock - not too heavy, not too light - just right."
Larkin's soulful lyrics originate from a number of sources, as she told New York's
"Tool & Die" Magazine. "Inspiration comes from other peoples' mistakes.
Mistakes that affect my friends, thus affecting me. People that I love.
It's sick. I watch them break up, make up, and I write about it all.
Music, it's almost like a photograph for me. It can tell me where I've been."
The band left Florida for the serenity of RadioStar Studios in
Northern California to record their first full length CD.
Produced by multi-platinum producer Sylvia Massy
(TOOL, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Sevendust, Johnny Cash)
and mastered by Tom Baker of Precision Mastering (Velvet Revolver/30 Seconds to Mars/Beastie Boys),
"24 Days in May" features such crowd favorites as the hard hitting "Knots,"
the soaring ballad "Recent Tragedy" (featuring backup vocals by Massy)
and the pop infused introspection of "You Said." Reviewer Gigi Gautier of
"Tool & Die" stated, "Lisa Larkin sings with passion few possess and many desire.
She strikes out fearlessly with a wave of raw emotion ... there isn't an uncomfortable
musical moment on the CD." Since releasing the CD this past May, Seven Years Past
has been featured on radio stations such as WTMY 1280 AM, "The Rock Show" on 96.5
WSLR, 105.9 the Buzz and 106.9 WSRQ.
The band was selected in October 2010 as one of ten finalists for Tampa's WSUN-FM 97X
"Next Big Thing" contest and is currently competing to win an opening slot at the station's
"Next Big Thing" Concert featuring My Chemical Romance, Chevelle, Switchfoot,
Finger Eleven and others. They were the only band selected that is not from the immediate Tampa Bay area.
