The Departed (band)

The Departed
Origin Yukon, Oklahoma, USA
Genres Americana
Southern rock
Country rock
Alternative country
Roots rock
Red Dirt
Texas Country
Years active 2011-present
Labels Underground Sound
Associated acts Cross Canadian Ragweed,
ZZ Top
Jason Boland & the Stragglers
Wade Bowen
Stoney LaRue
Mike McClure Band
Jonathan Tyler and the Northern Lights
Website thedepartedmusic.com
Members Cody Canada, Jeremy Plato, Ross Smith, Eric Hansen
Past members Dave Bowen, Seth James, Steve Littleton, Chris Doege

The Departed (also known as Cody Canada and the Departed) is an American Red Dirt/Southern Rock band. The band was formed by Cross Canadian Ragweed frontman Cody Canada after Ragweed broke up in 2010. Canada’s longtime bassist Jeremy Plato followed and joined guitarist/vocalist Seth James, keyboard player Steve Littleton, and Drummer Dave Bowen. Chris Doege would eventually replace Bowen on drums. In December of 2014, Littleton and Doege left the band. Drummer Eric Hansen and keyboardist / rhythm guitarist Ross Smith played their first show with Cody Canada and The Departed on January 8, 2015 in Steamboat Springs, Colorado at The 2015 MusicFest.

History

Formation and This Is Indian Land

In 2011, Canada and fellow Ragweed musician Jeremy Plato formed a new band billed as Cody Canada & the Departed. The band consists of Canada (guitar/vocals), Plato (bass guitar/vocals), Seth James (guitar/vocals), Steve Littleton (keyboards) and Chris Doege (drums) who replaced original drummer, Dave Bowen. They released their first album in June 2011 titled This Is Indian Land through the band's own record label Underground Sound, consisting of covers written by Oklahoma songwriters.

Adventūs

On August 24, 2012, the band, now billing themselves as The Departed, announced through their website and social media that they would release their first original album titled Adventūs (Latin for Arrival). The album was released on November 13, 2012 through Underground Sound.

Leading up to the album's release, the band released the first single from Adventūs, titled "Worth the Fight." In February of 2013, the album's second single "Prayer For the Lonely" was announced, shooting for the music video also began.

Seth James Leaving and HippieLovePunk

In September 2013, Seth James announced that he intended to leave the band. James said in a statement: “After three years of great times and great music, I have decided to take a step down as a band member of the Departed. It has been an unbelievable ride and I am so grateful for the support and love along the way. My last show will be November 23 at Gruene Hall. I look forward to supporting these guys alongside you as they continue down the road.”[1] The band continued performing as a four-piece group.

In 2014, the band finished a new album, titled HippieLovePunk.[2] The album was released on January 13, 2015, and it debuted at No. 9 on the Top Country Albums chart, with 4,700 copies sold in the US in its debut week.[3]

2015 Lineup

Cody Canada and The Departed debuted a revamped band lineup at The MusicFest in Steamboat Springs, Colorado on January 8, 2015. Ross Smith, formerly of Wade Bowen's band, is on keyboards and rhythm guitars, while Eric Hansen is now on drums.

Discography

Studio albums

Title Album details Peak chart positions
US Country
[4]		 US
[5]		 US
Indie
[6]
This Is Indian Land
  • Release date: June 21, 2011
  • Label: Underground Sound
 13 68 11
Adventūs
  • Release date: November 13, 2012
  • Label: Underground Sound
 19 133 16
HippieLovePunk
  • Release date: January 13, 2015
  • Label: Underground Sound
 9 136 9

Music videos

Year Video Director
2011 "Staring Down the Sun"[7] Tony Gates
2012 "Worth the Fight"[8]
2013 "Prayer for the Lonely"[9]
2015 "Inbetweener"[10]

References

  1. ↑ Brandy McDonnell (September 16, 2013). "Cody Canada announces The Departed lineup changes, new solo acoustic live album due this fall". NewsOK.
  2. ↑ Jim Casey (July 21, 2014). "5 Minutes in Texas With Cody Canada". Rolling Stone.
  3. ↑ Matt Bjorke (January 21, 2015). "Country Album Chart Report For January 21, 2015". Roughstock.
  4. ↑ "Cody Canada Album & Song Chart History – Country Albums". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved July 31, 2012.
  5. ↑ "Cody Canada Album & Song Chart History – Billboard 200". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved July 31, 2012.
  6. ↑ "Cody Canada Album & Song Chart History – Independent Albums". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved July 31, 2012.
  7. ↑ "CMT : Videos : Cody Canada and The Departed : Staring Down the Sun". Country Music Television. Retrieved July 31, 2012.
  8. ↑ "CMT : Videos : The Departed : Worth the Fight". Country Music Television. Retrieved November 10, 2012.
  9. ↑ "CMT : Videos : Cody Canada & The Departed : Prayer for the Lonely". Country Music Television. Retrieved May 8, 2013.
  10. ↑ "Cody Canada & the Departed Return to Roots for ‘Inbetweener’ Video [Exclusive Premiere]". Taste of Country. Retrieved Feb 3, 2015.