Tenacity is the best word to describe Straightaway. The Paris-based melodic punk band started off in September 1999 and, despite a series of line-up issues, never called it quits.

After a few years of difficulty trying to fill the bass position, the band released its first EP «Emotions And Anger» in 2005 and embarked on a 5 week long European tour with Useless ID. «Emotions And Anger» was released in Europe, Japan and Australia, establishing Straightaway’s international popularity. With Fab on bass and the band complete, Straightaway started to write its first full length album. In Spring 2007, Democracy Of Spreading Poverty was released in Europe, Japan, Australia and Russia. The record received international recognition, and played a sold-out tour in Russia in March 2008. The success of DOSP and its hit single, Never Surrender, led to tours in over 17 countries throughout Europe, where Straightaway shared the stage with NOFX, No Use For Name, Lagwagon, Face To Face, Strung Out, Coheed And Cambria, The Flatliners, A Wilhelm Scream, Bigwig, The Lawrence Arms, Ten Foot Pole, and Belvedere, among others.

But while in the process of writing its new album, line-up troubles surfaced again for the band when it lost one of its original members. The band was restructured, with Fab taking over guitar, however things hit an all-time-low in early 2011 when Straightaway parted ways with its original drummer, Digo. Despite the band’s uncertain future, giving up was never an option. Two months later, the addition of Phil on drums breathed new life into the group. After some major ups and downs, Straightaway’s comeback album, Last Exit to Nowhere, showcased the band’s more diverse and mature sound. Even after 14 years, Straightaway hasn’t lost its passion for punk rock, and with its newly released album on Effervescence Records, it’s clear Straightaway will be here for many years to come!

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