Up-and-coming alternative rock group out of Lexington, Kentucky, Too Close To Touch is Keaton Pierce (lead vocals), Kenneth Downey (drums), Mason Marble (guitar), Thomas Kidd (guitar), and Travis Moore (bass). Although they’ve only been together for a few years, the group’s tireless work ethic, hard-hitting compositions and wild live shows have built up a loyal following, earning them the attention of Epitaph Records, which signed them fresh off the plane from Kentucky.
“We want it to hit hard, and not just in a music aspect, but meaning wise too. Every transition of song, every word, every note that’s played, we want people to feel something from it,” says lead singer, Keaton Pierce.
The band released their debut album, “Nerve Endings,” on Epitaph Records in March. Good Times caught up with Pierce ahead of the band’s Friday, July 24 show at The Catalyst Atrium.
How did you come together as a band?
KEATON: We have been playing music together for a little over four years. Naturally, we would get together and jam things out all the time. We wrote a few songs and built chemistry together, but we never really had a defined direction. When we formed Too Close, we all finally had the same vision and knew this is what we wanted to do with our lives. It was time to really go for it, 110 percent, and we did just that.
Since forming in 2013, you have signed to Epitaph Records, toured with Emarosa, and recorded with some of the biggest names in your genre like Kellin Quinn of Sleeping with Sirens.
KEATON: We have all sacrificed significant things in our lives to get to the point we are now. But at the end of the day, we have this unquenchable thirst to create. We’ve understood from the very beginning that It wouldn’t be an easy road to get to where we are, and we still have miles and miles to go. It’s the love and passion we have for music that has allowed us to persevere and make it here. You either give up, or push forward, and we refuse to give up.
What are some memorable moments since you embarked out of Lexington?
KEATON: In this industry, you have to be able to loosen up and just sort of roll with it. Otherwise, you end up stressed and hating the one thing you truly love to do. One of our most memorable moments thus far would be the first time we played in Toronto with I the Mighty and Hail The Sun. It was nearing the end of an exhausting eleven day stretch from California to Canada, and after the show the venue had this thing called, “punk night.” We got to hang out and get to know the guys in the other two bands while belting out words to our favorite songs from our adolescent years. You just had to be there; it was a special night.
What was the music scene like in Lexington, Kentucky?
KEATON: The punk scene was pretty big growing up, and with that came a growth in the skating culture. We would go to shows, skate, just kind of hang out, you know? There’s not a whole lot to do in Kentucky. A few of us played sports growing up, but other than that our options were limited. Two local favorite bands growing up were, Gentle Franks and In Endeavors, and of course, our buds in Emarosa.
You put together a pretty insane live show, and your fans love to come and get wild.
KEATON: We get into our live shows and take great pride in them. People pay money to see a rock show, and that’s exactly what we want to give them.
Info: Too Close To Touch, with I the Mighty and Hail The Sun. 8 p.m. Friday, July 24. The Catalyst Atrium. Tickets: $10/$15. Photo credit: Graham Fielder.
