Dashboard Confessional
Feb 2002

Emo rock outfit Dashboard Confessional is in the radio.wazee spotlight this week with "Screaming Infidelities" from the one-man band’s second full-length album, 2001’s "Places You Have Come to Fear the Most."

From Boca Raton, Florida, Dashboard Confessional is chiefed by singer/songwriter Chris Carraba. At 15, Chris taught himself how to play the guitar his Uncle Angelo bought for him, but he didn’t become serious about music until the end of high school — he was too busy skateboarding. Right after high school, he started playing with the Vacant Andys, his first serious band. After several years with them and a one-album stint with the Agency, Chris went on to play with Further Seems Forever. While he was with FSF he started a solo side-gig and took a chance with an acoustic sound. Dashboard Confessional began when he recorded the "Drowning" EP for Fiddler Records.

The name Dashboard Confessional comes from one of Chris' songs, "The Sharp Hint of New Tears." The line "On the way home, this car hears my confessions" made the phrase Dashboard Confessional pop into his head. Chris didn't want to name his new act after himself because right from the start he wanted his fans to sing along and be a part of his performance. He thought a solo name might discourage his audience from being an integral part of the show.

While Dashboard Confessional’s studio recordings have connected with devoted fans across the country, Chris feels that the real Dashboard experience happens on the road. As Chris put it, "If you come to one of my shows, you're kind of expected to sing along as loud as I do, and it's just really like a team effort. It's almost organic how much the kids are involved. They are part of the band."

As a one-man band, Chris got a little help from his friends on "The Places You Have Come to Fear the Most." Additional female vocals were provided by Jolie Lindholm, lead singer of the Rocking Horse Winner, Dan Bonebrake of the Vacant Andys with played bass, and Mike Marsh from the Agency played drums.

Eulogy Recordings recently announced that it will release a four-song EP from Dashboard Confessional later this Spring, but a title, track listing and release date are not yet available.