Brokenhearted: 18 Visions Announce Breakup

"Eighteen Visions broke up." That was not the best news I could have heard from a middle of night phone call. I actually didn't believe it at first, because it made no sense. But alas, a little investigating on the WWW and I found the following:

The End Of Eighteen Visions
After 11 years of making music, Southern California harcore-punk band Eighteen Visions have broken up.

The news comes via online message in which the bands states: "After several years of touring and quite a few album releases we have decided that it is time to go our seperate ways. We have been a band for a very long time and feel good about everything we were able to accomplish. At this point in our lives and our careers we feel its time to move on to something fresh and new. Weither it be music, touring or just being at home to live and enjoy life. We would like to thank all of our fans, friends and families for all of the great support over the years. We would also like to thank all of the bands we have shared the stage with and everyone who has ever worked with the band, opened a door or reached out a hand. We will be playing our final two shows in April. One in San Diego and one in Orange County. Come rock with us one more time."

Eighteen Visions released five albums including their latest, Eighteen Visions, in 2006.

So there it is. Even though I'd still like to pretend it's not true because there's no official posting on the band's Web site or MySpace page. I mean, someone could have hacked into Trevor's profile and posted the bulletin, right? OK, wishful thinking.....

I'm glad I got to see them one last time, and that it was at The Stone Pony with Lostprophets. It was when 18 V and Lostprophets first toured together a few years ago, that I first discovered them, so it's sorta fitting.

This was one live band that I never wanted to miss. They were my only reason for even going to Warped Tour last year. And I must say, everyone in the band is super rad. Mickdeth and Keith even did an impromtu interview with me at Warped Tour last year and it's been a "lost" Planet Verge interview that I was waiting for the right time to transcibe. So I'm gonna do it now and do a whole 18 Visions proper send off for you all. I'll put up my interview with James Hart, who was one of my favorite people to interview.

Even if you didn't love them then, you should love them now.

Here's to the years of inspiration, adrenaline rush-filled performances, stage presence that will make any camera shutter, and music that stood for something and will last in hearts forever. Here's to 18 Visions and wherever life leads them next.

*Joelle, who thinks it is even sadder that 18 Visions are playing their final show on her birthday and wishes she was in California to see it.