1994-1996

Effort was a group of high school friends growing up in Orange Park, FL, a suburb of Jacksonville. Inspired by punk bands from the Bay Area, CA, and the burgeoning scene in nearby Gainesville, they decided to make their first attempts at songwriting.

With songs being written and no vocalist, they posted a flyer in a local music shop. A young, pre-Limp Bizkit Fred Durst answered the call. Unsurprisingly, he lasted only a couple of practices and was dismissed due to a "conflict of personalities". Dave and John decided to take matters into their own hands and began writing lyrics and handling vocals for the first time. This was something they had never contemplated, but necessity breeds creativity. As things progressed, they booked a two-hour recording session at a local studio. The finished product was a live recorded 6-song demo tape. They passed it out to friends and fellow musicians, with the hope of booking their first gigs.

Life moves though, and unfortunately Justin (the original drummer) moved along to other adventures. After multiple failed auditions for a new drummer, a friend recommended his little brother. Matt, just 15 years old and still living with mom and pops at the time, filled that much-needed role. What became an everlasting friendship that remains until this day.

Effort played numerous shows in Jacksonville, Gainesville, and the surrounding areas (sometimes sneaking Matt out from his bedroom window, against his parents' will). They opened for some of the very bands who inspired them to begin with.

More recording sessions followed, and more cassettes were dubbed on their home stereos and passed along. Effort began in early 1994 and ended sometime in 1996 (and that’s a matter of debate among this group). They moved on to different cities, new bands (Twelve Hour Turn, Old Growth, The Volume Four, Danava, etc.), and other stages of life. But you don't forget your first band, and that bond remains to this day. Thanks for listening and keeping this alive.

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Twelve Hour Turn  -  Old Growth  -  Danava