Song: "Shine"
Artist: Avail
Album: "Reaching Out"
Year: 1990
Place Of Origin: Richmond, Virginia
Years Active: 1987 - present
WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:
I have no clue!! I can't find the lyrics anywhere on the net for this song and because it's such an early recording on a self-released album, the recording isn't quite clear enough to decipher what the lyrics are. What I do know about the song is that Tim Barry, the long-time Avail vocalist, is actually playing drums as the band's original singer, Brian Stewart, is laying down the vocals.
AVAIL DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):
1990 - Reaching Out (self-released)
1992 - Satiate (Catheter-Assembly Records)
1994 - Live At The King's Head Inn (Old Glory Records)
1994 - Dixie (Lookout! Records)
1996 - 4AM Friday (Lookout! Records)
1998 - Over The James (Lookout! Records)
1998 - Live At The Bottom Of The Hill In San Francisco (Lookout! Records)
1999 - 6/29/97 (Fireside Bowl - Chicago, IL) (V.M.L. Records)
2000 - One Wrench (Fat Wreck Chords)
2002 - Front Porch Stories (Fat Wreck Chords)
CURRENT STATUS OF AVAIL:
These hardcore legends from Richmond, Virginia formed as a band back in 1987. As I said earlier, Brian Stewart was the band's vocalist for their first self-released album, "Reaching Out". Soon, drummer Tim Barry stepped out from behind the kit to become the band's lead vocalist. By 1992, the classic line-up of Avail with Barry on vocals released what many deem their proper debut album, "Satiate". In 1994, Avail signed a deal with infamous punk rock label, Lookout! Records. If you're a Green Day fan then you know Lookout! from their very early material. Avail dropped three classic album while on Lookout! 1994's "Dixie", 1996's "4AM Friday" and 1998's "Over The James". This was the heyday for Avail as a band, but they were far from done. In 2000, they signed a deal with another epic punk rock label, Fat Wreck Chords. The band dropped two albums on Fat Wreck, 2000's "One Wrench" and 2002's "Front Porch Stories". After the latter release, Avail toured sporadically up until 2007. After 2007, the band was pretty much on an indefinite hiatus. They didn't officially break up, but all of the band members were focusing on other projects, most notably Tim Barry and his solo, Americana/folk career. In 2019, Avail reunited to play some select shows. There has been no news regarding if the band intends to create any new music at this time but it's good to see them playing some live shows. While Avail never became greatly successful as a band, they do have an aura of legendary status in hardcore punk circles. Their hometown of Richmond, Virginia has always championed this band and takes a lot of pride in calling Avail their own. I'm not so much torn on the fact that they are not as present as they were in the 90's and early 2000's. That's because I love Tim Barry's solo material. Of all the punk rock frontmen who have dabbled in the solo/acoustic/folksy type music, in my mind Tim Barry is right at the top of that mountain. His solo albums are excellent. But, for those that want their hardcore fix, you should definitely check out the music of Avail. If you like bands like Propagandhi, American Steel, Hot Water Music, Dillinger Four or Good Riddance, you would most likely enjoy the music of Avail.
TEN AVAIL SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:
1. Simple Song
2. Union
3. West Wye
4. Black And Red
5. August
6. Taken
7. Blue Ridge
8. Virus
9. Cross Tie
10. Beliefs Pile
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