The recent decline of rock music has been a slow and insidious cancer that Four Trips Ahead banded together nearly four years ago to combat. A closer look into their back catalogue and even more recent studio recordings reveals powerful material showcasing interesting melodies and sophisticated chord arrangements that many believe could be just what the doctor ordered. Four Trips Ahead dates back to 1996, when guitarist Brian Eisenpresser and bassist Dan Cassidy, friends since middle school in Long Island, formed the rock band, Need. Brian, Dan and drummer Dan Walsh all quickly achieved notoriety, critical acclaim and a steady fan base. Need grew to the level of accompanying established artists at prestigious venues, including Carnegie Hall, and grew as songwriters after producing three records independently. “Even as far back as the late nineties, we began to see the beginnings of what we are now dealing with in the rock genre/format, Brian remembers.” “There weren’t many rock bands that left a lasting impression on me…except one,” he adds. That other band was Smile Orange, fronted by booming tenor Peter Wilson. Smile Orange had also grown to a similar plateau. They gained an East Coast following and industry recognition through independently releasing three EPs, working with producers such as Steve Thompson (Guns n’ Roses, The Rolling Stones, Korn, Blues Traveler, Butthole Surfers) and all together selling thousands of copies through consistent touring and college radio airplay. Seeking a new direction, Brian decided to form a side project with Dan Cassidy and Dan Walsh from Need. Brian recalls, “We were getting a lot of recognition for our ability to incorporate various styles of music, but we wanted a more focused sound.” By this time, Peter’s group had disbanded and he was writing solo material. A phone call and a few rehearsals later, Four Trips Ahead was born. For the past four and a half years, Four Trips Ahead has been bringing their high-energy show to audiences in New York City and throughout the tri-state area. The band has become an instant club favorite, playing to packed houses at Crash Mansion, Don Hill's, The Cutting Room, The Delancey and the much-missed CBGBs as well as performing in the 2004 CMJ Music Marathon. After independently releasing and co-producing three EPs, “Beginnings” in 2003, "The 505 Sessions" in 2004 and "“39th Street Lullabies” in 2005 with Nick Cipriano (Dream Theater, Erasure), as well as receiving considerable college radio play, Four Trips Ahead tightened up and grew up. They will self-release their stunning debut album Winter '08 on 505 Records. Read more on Last.fm. User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License; additional terms may apply.