# Better Off

> Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Better_Off
> Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Better_Off.md
> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Better_Off
> Source revision: 1355623369
> License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)

For other uses, see [Better Off (disambiguation)](/source/Better_Off_(disambiguation)).

**Better Off** is an American [rock](/source/Rock_music) band from [Nashville, Tennessee](/source/Nashville,_Tennessee), formed in 2011 under the name Friends. They changed their name in early 2013 to Better Off due to [another group](/source/Friends_(American_band)) sharing the Friends name. They have released two albums, *(I Think) I'm Leaving* (2013) and *Milk* (2015), the latter of which charted on the [Heatseekers Albums](/source/Heatseekers_Albums) and [Independent Albums](/source/Independent_Albums) charts. In March 2016, while on tour with [Mayday Parade](/source/Mayday_Parade) and [The Maine](/source/The_Maine_(band)),[1] it was announced that the group would be dropping off tour and "going silent for a while" following sexual assault and abuse allegations against the bands former touring bassist, David Hobbs.[2] During the bands hiatus and dissolvement of all relations with the former member, Better Off apologized to those involved with the situation[3] and continued to quietly create and release their single "Bad Habit" on April 25, 2018.

## History

### Friends and *(I Think) I'm Leaving* (2011–2014)

Better Off began as Friends, before changing its name due to another band called Friends.[4] While under the Friends moniker, the band's music was similar to that of [Thirtyseven](/source/Thirtyseven).[4] They released the EP *Better Off Alone*[4] on June 9, 2011 through [Blood and Ink](/source/Blood_and_Ink_Records).[5] On February 10, 2013, the band changed their name to Better Off.[6]

On June 11, 2013, it was announced the band had signed to 6131.[7] On the same day, "The Price Is Never Right" was made available for streaming.[7] On August 14, "A Fool Walks into a Bar and Cries Wolf" was made available for streaming.[8] On August 28, "Keeping Watch" was made available for streaming.[9] *(I Think) I'm Leaving* was made available for streaming on September 15,[10] and was released through 6131 and Blood and Ink on September 24.[8] On October 24, a music video was released for "A Fool Walks into a Bar and Cries Wolf", directed by Andy Reale.[11] The video features the band playing inside a house, while people outside are cliff-jumping.[11] The band supported Rust Belt Lights and [Carousel Kings](/source/Carousel_Kings) in December.[12]

The band went on tour, supporting [Major League](/source/Major_League_(band)) in February and March 2014.[13] On October 2, it was announced the band had signed to [Equal Vision](/source/Equal_Vision_Records).[14] Vocalist/guitarist Luke Granered exclaimed that it was "excit[ing] to be teaming up with Equal Vision".[14] On October 15, "Meth Head" was made available for streaming.[15] This song was a part of a 7" vinyl,[15] titled *Meth Head*, with "I Was Better 10 Years Ago" as the B-side.[16] "I Was Better 10 Years Ago" was made available for streaming on October 23.[16] *Meth Head* was released through Equal Vision on October 27.[16] The band supported [New Found Glory](/source/New_Found_Glory) on the Glamour Kills Tour in October and November.[17] On November 5, a music video was released for "Meth Head".[18]

### *Milk* and hiatus (2015–2018)

On July 31, 2015, the band's second album, *Milk*, was announced for release and "Whatever I Don't Care" was made available for streaming.[19] In early August, the band toured with [Basement](/source/Basement_(band)), [Whirr](/source/Whirr_(band)), and [LVL UP](/source/LVL_UP).[20] On August 13, "Dresser Drawer" was made available for streaming.[21] On August 28, "This Day Will Never End" was made available for streaming.[22] In late August and September, the band toured with [Bayside](/source/Bayside_(band)) and [The Early November](/source/The_Early_November).[23] *Milk* was released through Equal Vision on September 11.[19] The album was produced by [Saves the Day](/source/Saves_the_Day)'s Arun Bali.[20] Granered described the album as "a landmark of maturation and solidarity" for the group.[20] He also said the group wished to create "something class-sounding [...] with big fuzzy guitars and interesting dynamics" within the songs.[24] It charted at number 11 on the [Heatseekers Albums](/source/Heatseekers_Albums) chart, and at number 46 on the [Independent Albums](/source/Independent_Albums) chart.[25]

In October and November 2015, the band supported [Pentimento](/source/Pentimento_(band)).[26] On December 11, a music video was released for "Dresser Drawer".[27] In March and April 2016, the band was set to support [Mayday Parade](/source/Mayday_Parade) and [The Maine](/source/The_Maine_(band)) on their tour of the U.S.[28] On March 11, it was announced they would be dropping off tour and "going silent for a while" following sexual assault allegations towards their touring bassist David Hobbs.[29]

### Return and *Reap What You Sow* (2018–2021)

In 2018, the band released their first new music since 2015 in the singles "Bad Habit" and "Head Down". The band would later release their third full-length record *Reap What You Sow* on March 9, 2019, rekindling the band and setting a new course for their legacy.

In 2020, the band released the acoustic EP *Redone*, including reworked versions of hits such as "Meth Head" and "The Price is Never Right".

### *Self-Titled* (since 2021)

On August 6, 2021, the band released the single "No Drama", followed by "Unreal" on August 27. The band announced their self-titled full-length record to be released on September 24, the day before their performance at [Furnace Fest](/source/Furnace_Fest) on September 25.

## Style and influences

Better Off have been described as [alternative rock](/source/Alternative_rock)[16] and [indie rock](/source/Indie_rock),[7] influenced by [Weezer](/source/Weezer), [Foo Fighters](/source/Foo_Fighters), and [Jimmy Eat World](/source/Jimmy_Eat_World).[30] They have been compared to bands such as Daisyhead and [Balance and Composure](/source/Balance_and_Composure).[31] *(I Think) I'm Leaving* has been described as [alternative rock](/source/Alternative_rock),[11] [emo](/source/Emo),[11][32] [pop punk](/source/Pop_punk),[33] [pop rock](/source/Pop_rock),[33] and [power pop](/source/Power_pop).[11] *Milk* has been described as emo,[34] [grunge](/source/Grunge),[33] [pop punk](/source/Pop_punk),[35] [post-hardcore](/source/Post-hardcore)[33] and [rock](/source/Rock_music).[33] Brian Leak of *[Alternative Press](/source/Alternative_Press_(music_magazine))* called the album a mixture of [Citizen](/source/Citizen_(band))'s *[Youth](/source/Youth_(Citizen_album))* (2013) and [Brand New](/source/Brand_New_(band))'s *[Your Favorite Weapon](/source/Your_Favorite_Weapon)* (2001).[36] Mike Damante of *[Chron](/source/Houston_Chronicle)* compared the album to Jimmy Eat World's *[Futures](/source/Futures_(album))* (2004) and *[Invented](/source/Invented_(Jimmy_Eat_World_album))* (2010) albums.[34] Damante noted that album "could've been a genre-defining record, if it came out 10 years ago."[34]

## Accolades

*(I Think) I'm Leaving* was included on *[Rock Sound](/source/Rock_Sound)'*s "50 Best Albums of 2013" list at number 44.[32] *Milk* was ranked at number 17 on [AbsolutePunk](/source/AbsolutePunk)'s top albums of 2015 list.[37]

## Band members

**Current members**

- Luke Granered – vocals, guitar (2011–present)
- Charles Miller – drums (2011–present)

**Former members**

- Jon Dalman – bass (2011–2016)
- Hunter Walls – guitar (2011–2016)

## Discography

**Studio albums**

Title Album details (I Think) I'm Leaving Released: September 24, 2013[8] Label: 6131/Blood & Ink (6131060) Format: CD, DL, LP Milk Released: September 11, 2015[19] Label: Equal Vision (2853) Format: CD, DL, LP Reap What You Sow Released: March 4, 2019 Label: No Sleep Records Format: LP, DL Better Off Released: September 24, 2021 Label: Parting Gift Records Format: LP, DL

**Extended plays**

Title Album details Better Off Alone["nb" 1] Released: June 9, 2011[5] Label: Blood and Ink Format: CS, DL Redone Released: September 18, 2020 Label: Self-released Format: DL

**Singles**

List of singles, showing year released and album name Title Year Album "Meth Head"[16] 2014 Non-album single "Whatever, I Don't Care"[38] 2015 Milk "Dresser Drawer"[39] "This Day Will Never End"[40] "Bad Habit" 2018-2019 Reap What You Sow "Head Down" "No Drama" 2021 Self-Titled "Unreal"

**Music videos**

List of music videos, showing year released and director Title Year Director "A Fool Walks into a Bar and Cries Wolf" 2013 Andy Reale[11] "Meth Head"[18] 2014 "Dresser Drawer"[27] 2015 "Bad Habit" 2018 "No Drama" 2021 Matthew DeLisi

## References

**Footnotes**

1. Released under the name Friends.

**Citations**

1. ["Mayday Parade Announces "The American Lines Tour" with The Maine • Digital Tour Bus"](https://digitaltourbus.com/news/mayday-parade-announce-a-co-headlining-tour-with-the-maine/). *Digital Tour Bus*. 2016-02-04. Retrieved 2021-04-02.

1. Sound, Stitched (2016-03-12). ["Better Off Drop Off Tour Following Sexual Allegations"](https://stitchedsound.com/better-off-drop-off-tour-following-sexual-allegations/). *Stitched Sound*. Retrieved 2021-04-02.

1. ["Album Review: Better Off - 'Reap What You Sow' // Killyourstereo.com"](https://killyourstereo.com/reviews/1106540/better-off-reap-what-you-sow/). *Killyourstereo.com*. Retrieved 2021-04-02.

1. Houston, Rob (October 12, 2013). ["Better Off - '(I Think) I'm Leaving'"](http://hmmagazine.com/blog/album-reviews/better-think-im-leaving/). *HM Magazine*. Retrieved October 21, 2015.

1. Blood and Ink Records. ["Better Off Alone | Blood and Ink Records"](https://bloodandink.bandcamp.com/album/better-off-alone). *Blood and Ink Records*. Retrieved October 21, 2015.

1. Better Off (February 10, 2013). ["Friends is now called Better Off."](https://web.archive.org/web/20151021004216/http://blog.bttroff.com/post/42735012464/friends-is-now-called-better-off). *Better Off*. Archived from [the original](http://blog.bttroff.com/post/42735012464/friends-is-now-called-better-off) on October 21, 2015. Retrieved October 21, 2015.

1. Kraus, Brian (June 11, 2013). ["Better Off sign to 6131 Records, stream lead single "The Price Is Never Right""](http://www.altpress.com/news/entry/better_off_sign_to_6131_records_stream_lead_single_the_price_is_never_right). *Alternative Press*. Retrieved October 23, 2015.

1. Beringer, Drew (August 14, 2013). ["ABSOLUTExclusive: Better Off Song Premiere"](http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=3359751). *AbsolutePunk*. Retrieved October 20, 2015.

1. Beringer, Drew (August 28, 2013). ["Stream New Better Off Song "Keeping Watch""](http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=3390211). *AbsolutePunk*. Retrieved October 20, 2015.

1. Stagg, David (September 15, 2013). ["Better Off releasing new tracks for stream"](http://hmmagazine.com/blog/the-jump/better-releasing-new-tracks-stream/). *HM Magazine*. Retrieved October 21, 2015.

1. Martins, Chris (October 24, 2013). ["Better Off Would Rather Be Cliff-Jumping in 'A Fool Walks Into a Bar and Cries Wolf' Video"](http://www.spin.com/2013/10/better-off-a-fool-walks-into-a-bar-and-cries-wolf-video/). *Spin*. Retrieved October 21, 2015.

1. Stagg, David (November 15, 2013). ["Better Off and Strengthen What Remains start respective tours"](http://hmmagazine.com/blog/the-jump/better-strengthen-remains-start-respective-tours/). *HM Magazine*. Retrieved October 21, 2015.

1. Kraus, Brian (December 19, 2013). ["Major League announce winter tour with Have Mercy, Seaway and Better Off"](http://www.altpress.com/news/entry/major_league_announce_winter_tour_with_have_mercy_seaway_and_better_off). *Alternative Press*. Retrieved October 23, 2015.

1. Sharp, Tyler (October 2, 2014). ["Better Off sign to Equal Vision Records; announce seven-inch, 'Meth Head'"](http://www.altpress.com/news/entry/better_off_sign_to_equal_vision_records_announce_seven_inch_meth_head). *Alternative Press*. Retrieved October 23, 2015.

1. Tate, Jason (October 15, 2014). ["Better Off Stream "Meth Head""](http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=3710586). *AbsolutePunk*. Retrieved October 20, 2015.

1. ["Better Off, "I Was Better 10 Years Ago" song premiere"](http://www.altpress.com/features/entry/better_off_i_was_better_10_years_ago_song_premiere). *Alternative Press*. October 23, 2014. Retrieved October 20, 2015.

1. Crane, Matt (August 5, 2014). ["New Found Glory release "Selfless" video; announce tour with We Are The In Crowd, Fireworks, more"](http://www.altpress.com/news/entry/new_found_glory_release_selfless_video_announce_tour_with_we_are_the_in_cro). *Alternative Press*. Retrieved October 20, 2015.

1. Ilvonen, Keagan (November 5, 2014). ["Better Off Share "Meth Head" Music Video"](http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=3711995). *AbsolutePunk*. Retrieved October 20, 2015.

1. Nassiff, Thomas (July 31, 2015). ["Good News: Better Off to Release 'Milk' in September, Stream "Whatever, I Don't Care""](http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=3730043). *AbsolutePunk*. Retrieved October 20, 2015.

1. Kraus, Brian (August 3, 2015). ["Better Off announce new album 'Milk' on Equal Vision—stream "Whatever, I Don't Care""](http://www.altpress.com/news/entry/better_off_announce_new_album_milk_on_equal_visionstream_whatever_i_dont_ca). *Alternative Press*. Retrieved October 23, 2015.

1. Tate, Jason (August 13, 2015). ["Better Off Stream "Dresser Drawer""](http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=3730885). *AbsolutePunk*. Retrieved October 20, 2015.

1. Tate, Jason (August 28, 2015). ["Better Off Stream "This Day Will Never End""](http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=3731844). *AbsolutePunk*. Retrieved October 20, 2015.

1. Caruso, Drew (June 25, 2015). ["Bayside, The Early November, Better Off announce tour"](http://www.altpress.com/news/entry/bayside_the_early_november_better_off_to_embark_on_tour). *Alternative Press*. Retrieved October 23, 2015.

1. Bird, ed. 2015 (205), p. 28

1. ["Milk - Better Off | Awards"](https://www.allmusic.com/album/milk-mw0002865709/awards). *AllMusic*. Retrieved October 20, 2015.

1. Beringer, Drew (August 28, 2015). ["Pentimento Announce "I, No Longer"; Fall Tour with Better Off"](http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=3731936). *AbsolutePunk*. Retrieved October 20, 2015.

1. Tate, Jason (December 11, 2015). ["Better Off Post "Dresser Drawer" Video"](http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=3746080). *AbsolutePunk*. Retrieved December 12, 2015.

1. Sharp, Tyler (December 16, 2015). ["Mayday Parade, the Maine announce co-headlining tour"](http://www.altpress.com/news/entry/mayday_parade_the_maine_announce_co_headlining_tour). *Alternative Press*. Retrieved December 17, 2015.

1. Ralph, Caitlyn (March 11, 2016). ["Better Off drop off tour following allegations"](https://www.altpress.com/news/better_off_drop_off_tour_following_allegations/). *Alternative Press*. Retrieved March 11, 2016.

1. Rayfield, Nicholas (August 13, 2015). ["SoundCheck: Better Off's intimate and inspiring new single 'Dresser Drawer'"](https://college.usatoday.com/2015/08/13/soundcheck-better-offs-dresser-drawer/). *USA Today*. Retrieved October 23, 2015.

1. RENALDO69 (September 4, 2015). ["Better Off - Milk"](https://www.punknews.org/review/13868/better-off-milk). *Punknews.org*. Retrieved January 8, 2016.

1. Patashnik, ed. 2014, p. 17

1. Djamoos, Zac. ["Better Off - Milk - Album Review"](http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=3732596). *AbsolutePunk*. Retrieved October 21, 2015.

1. Damante, Mike (September 11, 2015). ["New record roundup: Motion City Soundtrack, the Wonder Years, Better Off"](https://web.archive.org/web/20151021095244/http://blog.chron.com/miked/2015/09/new-record-roundup-motion-city-soundtrack-the-wonder-years-better-off/). *Chron*. Archived from [the original](http://blog.chron.com/miked/2015/09/new-record-roundup-motion-city-soundtrack-the-wonder-years-better-off/) on October 21, 2015. Retrieved October 21, 2015.

1. Djamoos, Zac (December 3, 2015). ["Zac Djamoos - Article"](http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=3744099). *AbsolutePunk*. Retrieved January 7, 2016.

1. Leak, Brian (August 28, 2015). ["Better Off stream third 'Milk' single, "This Day Will Never End""](http://www.altpress.com/news/entry/better_off_stream_third_milk_single_this_day_will_never_end). *Alternative Press*. Retrieved October 23, 2015.

1. LaGambina, Aj (December 2, 2015). ["AP.net Staff List - Article"](http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?p=133300411). *AbsolutePunk*. Retrieved January 7, 2016.

1. ["Whatever, I Don't Care (2015) | Better Off"](https://www.7digital.com/artist/better-off/release/whatever-i-dont-care). *7digital*. Retrieved February 22, 2016.

1. ["Dresser Drawer (2015) | Better Off"](https://www.7digital.com/artist/better-off/release/dresser-drawer). *7digital*. Retrieved February 22, 2016.

1. ["This Day Will Never End (2015) | Better Off"](https://www.7digital.com/artist/better-off/release/this-day-will-never-end). *7digital*. Retrieved February 22, 2016.

**Sources**

- "Exposure". *Rock Sound*. '***(205). London: Freeway Press Inc. October 2015. [ISSN 1465-0185](https://www.worldcat.org/issn/1465-0185)***
- "50 Best Albums of 2013". *Rock Sound*. '***(182). London: Freeway Press Inc. January 2014. [ISSN 1465-0185](https://www.worldcat.org/issn/1465-0185)***

## External links

- [Official website](https://www.bttroff.com/)

---
Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Better Off](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Better_Off) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Better_Off?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.