Society's Finest

**Labels:** | * Fury One Sixty One Records
* Godaleano Records
* Solid State Records
* Pluto Records
* Goodfellow Records
* Hand of Hope Records
* Alveran Records
* Deadself Recordings (Affiliated)
* Rescue Records (Affiliated)
* 316 Records (Affiliated)
 **Former members:** | Kris McCaddonTim LambesisNick NowellDaniel ClarkKevin RoddyLucas LaskarisGuy TurnerDaniel BartonJaymz AlainStephen PooleJoel BaileyRob PruettRandal WattsJordan BradyPete RoseKane KellyTyler BerryDavid CerezoJason RoeNick Sacy

**Society's Finest** is a metalcore band that began out of Dallas, Texas in the United States. The band began in 1997, being founded by Joshua Ashworth and Joel Bailey. The band originally broke up in 2003, reunited in 2004, broke up again in 2011, and reunited in 2014. The band has released three studio albums and three EPs through various record labels.

## History

### Origins, *The Journey...So Far*, and first breakup (1997-2003)

Society's Finest started in 1997, formed by Joshua Ashworth on Vocals and Joel Bailey on Bass. The two hired on Guitarists Rob Pruett and Kris McCaddon and Drummer Chad Wilburn. In 1998, the band recorded their debut release, a split release with My Spacecoaster. They were also featured on Deadself Records' compilation, *Blessed Be This Killing*. In 2000, the band also released an EP, titled *Private Conflicts and Suicides*. Following the two releases, the band signed with Solid State Records and released their debut album, *The Journey...So Far* in 2000.

That year, Pruett departed from the band, with the position being briefly filled by Kane Kelly (ex-Scaterd Few) and Tim Lambesis (As I Lay Dying) until it was officially filled by Daniel Clark. In 2001, the band released another split EP, *The Difference Between Us* with Rise Over Run. Following the release, Wilburn departed from the band and James Allain took over Drums until 2002. Bailey departed from the band for a brief time, being replaced by Pete Rose. In 2003, the band officially broke up. Ashworth would then go on to join Zao as a fill-in Vocalist.

### Second Reunion, *Love, Murder, and a Three Letter Word*, and *And I, the Drunkards* (2004-2011)

In 2004, the band reunited with Ashworth, Bailey, and multiple new members, Guitarists Eli Bowser, Guy Turner, Randy Watts, Nick Nowell, and Drummer Stephen Poole. The band recorded their sophomore album, Love, Murder, and a Three Letter Word, which featured two EPs put together - *Private Conflicts* and an EP titled the *Texas EP*. The entire lineup, save for Ashworth, Bowser, and Turner departed, with Wilburn returning to Drum for the band, and Daniel Barton joining on Bass. The album was released through Hand of Hope Records.

The band continued on, in 2006 recording their third record, *And I, the Drunkards*. The lineup consisted on Ashworth, Bowser, Jason Roe on Drums, while Wilburn was unavailable, Barton and Turner. The album was again released by Hand of Hope, alongside Alveran Records. The band continued on until 2011 when the band broke up for their second time.

### Third Reunion and upcoming EP (2014-present)

Society's Finest reunited in 2014 for a tribute show for Randall Watts, a former member, who had performed on *Love, Murder, and a Three Letter Word*, who had passed away due to an overdose. The lineup consisted of Ashworth, Roe, Tyler Berry on Guitars, and Jordan Brady on Bass. Brady departed from the band following the shows, with David Cezero took over on Bass. In 2016, the lineup departed from the band, save for Ashworth, with Bowser returning to the band. The two began to write a new EP for the band. In 2017, it was announced Wilburn had returned to the lineup of the band. The three are currently working on new material.

## Members

**Current**

* Joshua Ashworth - Vocals (1997-2003, 2004-2011, 2014-present)
* Eli Bowser - Guitars (2004-2011, 2016-present)
* Chad Wilburn - Drums (1997-2001, 2005-2011, 2017-present)

**Former**

* Kris McCaddon - Guitars (1997-2001)
* Rob Pruett - Guitars (1997-2000)
* Kane Kelly - Guitars (2000)
* Tim Lambesis - Guitars (2000-2001)
* Daniel Clark (2001-2003)
* Randall Watts - Guitars (2004-2005) (deceased 2014)
* Nick Nowell - Guitars (2005-2006)
* Guy Turner - Guitars (2004-2011)
* Tyler Berry - Guitars (2014-2016)
* Joel Bailey - Bass (1997-2003, 2004-2006)
* Pete Rose - Bass (2003)
* Daniel Barton - Bass (2006-2011)
* Jordan Brady - Bass (2014)
* David Cerezo - Bass (2014-2016)
* James Allain - Drums (2001-2002)
* Stephen Poole - Drums (2004-2005)
* Jason Roe - Drums (2006, 2014-2016)
* Lucas Laskaris
* Nick Sacy
* Kevin Roddy

## Discography

**Studio albums**

* *The Journey...So Far* (2000)
* *Love, Murder, and a Three Letter Word* (2004)
* *And I, the Drunkards* (2006)

**EPs**

* *Private Conflicts and Suicides* (2000)

**Split EPs**

* *My Spacecoaster & Society's Finest* (1998; split w/ My Spacecoaster)
* *The Difference Between Us* (2001; split w/ Rise Over Run)

## External Links

* Vasey, Karen (May 2000). "Society's Finest - From Texas of Course" (83). HM Magazine. Retrieved on November 8, 2018.
* McCready, Tim (September 2000). "Concert Review: Embodyment, Eso-Charis, Society's Finest" (45). HM Magazine. Retrieved on November 8, 2018.
* Allen, David (September 2004). "Society's Finest" (109). HM Magazine. Retrieved on November 8, 2018.
* Stagg, David (July 2006). "Society's Finest" (120). HM Magazine. Retrieved on November 8, 2018.

## References

1. ↑ Norris, Jarrod (July 5, 2015). "Jarrod Norris of Deadself". As The Story Grows Podcast. Interview with Travis Turner. Retrieved on November 8, 2018.
2. ↑ Wilson, Mackenzie. "Society's Finest". AllMusic. Retrieved on November 8, 2018.
3. ↑ "ZAO - The Lesser Lights of Heaven". Ferret Records. November 15, 2005. Directed by Ryan J. Downey. Retrieved on November 8, 2018.
4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Beard, Mason (January 10, 2017). "Interview: Joshua Kabe Ashworth of Society's Finest". Indie Vision Music. Retrieved on November 8, 2018.
5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Houston, Rob (July 3, 2014). "Society's Finest to reunite for one night in celebration of friend's life". HM Magazine. Retrieved on November 8, 2018.