Anarbor

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Anarbor is an American rock band from Phoenix, formed in 2003. The group is led by Slade Echeverria (vocals and bass) and guitarist Danny Stravers. They started as Troop 101 before changing their name to Anarbor, inspired by a member’s family connection to Ann Arbor, Michigan.

The band began playing in Ahwatukee, a Phoenix suburb, and had their first show on July 17, 2003. They released their first EP, You Brought This On Yourself, in 2005. In 2008 they signed with Hopeless Records while still in high school. They released Hearing Colours, Seeing Sounds (self-released digitally in 2008) and The Natural Way on August 19, 2008. Bassist Jessica Myers left the band in October 2008 after touring a lot.

Over the next years, Anarbor released Free Your Mind (2009) and The Words You Don’t Swallow (2010). In 2011 they issued The Mixtape, an EP of covers and remixes. In 2012 they released two singles, Whiskey In Hell (Rough Cut) and Damage I’ve Done. On June 4, 2013, they put out Burnout, their next album, and guitarist Mike Kitlas left the band around that time.

The band announced a break in 2014 but said they were working on new music the following year. In 2016 they returned with a self-titled album, released independently after leaving Hopeless Records. Guitarist Daniel Stravers joined, replacing Kitlas, and this was the last studio album to feature original members Greg Garrity and Adam Juwig.

In 2017 drummer Tyler Hedstrom died by suicide at age 17; the band and his family raised funds for his funeral. They released new material in 2018 (an EP featuring Stravers on guitar) and in 2020’s Tangerine EP, signaling a new, more pop-influenced sound. In 2022 they released five singles ahead of their latest album, Love & Drugs.

Anarbor has seen songs and music videos gain exposure on TV and online, including ties to MTV shows and other media, and they have continued to tour and release music as an independent band.