FAR CRY: Bio
FAR CRY
Brief Description
Far Cry is a blend of sounds from some of the greatest rock bands of past decades. They take on southern rock, blues, hard rock, and pop blending these styles and more with a new and exciting sound that still echoes classic rock. Their current project, "Unstable Ground", runs the gamut of their creativity and showcases the many faces of Far Cry. This comes after their highly successful first CD “Hurricane,” which is still getting lots of plays.
History/Biography
Far Cry, started in the late '80s by Mike and JT, began as a garage band where likeminded musicians got together to jam a couple of times a month. Mike and JT first met when they started working together and, after getting to know each other, they found out they shared a common passion for music. They started hanging out together, drinking several cold beverages, and jamming a couple of time a month. During these jams, other musicians would sometimes join them. They would set the drums, amps and PA system in JT’s living room and invite other musicians over for a free for all jam. Sometimes these jams went until 3 or 4 in the morning. The police were called out more than once for disturbing the peace. Over the years different musicians attended the jam sessions. Several years went by with the same musicians getting together, and over time, these guys started writing some good tunes and getting really tight as a group. In 2002 they decided that this rock should be shared with the rest of the world. Eric Battison joined the band in 2002 as the drummer, and Kent Northcutt started with the band in 2006.
Far Cry just finished their 2nd CD, "Unstable Ground". The band is currently planning their CD release party that will be late summer.
Eric Battison - Drums
Eric started playing the drums when he was 8 years old, and started playing shows at the age of 15. Eric has always been the young gun in the band. Although Dallas is his home, he has played a lot of shows in Austin area with the band, “The Victory Drive.” Eric started with Far Cry in 2002. When the band needed a drummer, Mike Dudley mentioned that his nephew played the drums. Mike said it had been a few years since he had heard Eric play, but felt he might be a good fit. Dudley made clear from the very beginning that Eric would not be shown any type of favoritism, but would instead be held to a higher standard. Eric attended one tryout, and was invited into the band. Eric was told that the following week the band would get together for practice; little did Eric know it was to be his first live show with Far Cry. “I thought I was showing up for band practice and found out it was a live show. During the show JT would turn around and kick me as the song changes where coming up,” Eric said. Dudley & JT said, “We were worried that if Eric knew it was a live show, he might back out. That’s why we failed to mention it.” When Eric was 8 or 9 years old he told his uncle Dudley, “One day you and I are going to play together in a rock band.” Little did they know, some 20 years later, that would be true.
Kent Northcutt - Bass
Kent is original from Irving, TX and met JT some 20+ years ago. JT said “I needed a snow skiing partner who can ski hardcore extreme terrain, a surfing partner who can surf Huntington Beach CA and a guy who likes to shoot down a white water river on a raft”. A friend of a friend called Kent’s brother Kyle of friend The Furbush brothers – Steve & Darin and said this guy is in. This guy was Kent Northcutt. JT said I had never met Kent before and we met at the airport for the first time and it was the first adventure trip of many. Kent told JT “if you are a friend of the Fusbush’s you’re a friend of mine.” Kent & JT would do some 50+ ski trips, surfing trips and white water rafting trips together over the years. After hanging out with JT and Dudley and attending some of the early band jams Kent decided he wanted to learn to play the guitar. JT said Kent called me one day and said he wanted to learn to play the guitar. After a few years on the guitar and jamming with other bands Kent moved over to the bass. When FAR CRY needed a bass player JT suggested Kent. JT said “I just felt Kent was the guy, it had been some time since I had heard Kent play bass but if anyone can pull it off its Kent Northcutt.” Kent is also a talented guitar player. JT says it rare to meet someone who says they want to learn to play the guitar or bass and within a few years they are a talented player.
Mike Dudley - Guitar, Vocals
UNDER CONSTRUCTION
Jimmy (JT) Terry - Guitar, Vocals
Jimmy Terry from Irving, TX was raised in a musical family. His parents were not musicians but they encouraged their children to play music. Jimmy says, “My sister has been an accomplished pianist for as long as I can remember. My brother plays guitar and is a singer/song writer.” JT grew up banging on the piano and strumming the guitar. His grandfather was the music pastor in his church, and his great-grandfather played the fiddle. As a kid JT would attend gospel music revivals with his grandparents. As JT got older he decided to learn to play the guitar so he hooked up with lifelong friend and future roommate Tim “Timmy Boy” Wren and they took guitar lessons together during junior high school. During these times his buddy Kyle Sheets, another lifelong friend and roommate would sit in on the banjo. Jimmy and his parents would travel around to blue grass festivals all over Texas and Oklahoma. JT says, “This was some of the best time learning to play music, just hanging out and jamming at bluegrass jams.” JT started to experiment with the banjo, mandolin, and fiddle. Jimmy has also been known to play the drums and bass. JT cites the biggest influence in his musical career as Mike Dudley. He says, “When I met Dud, I had not jammed in a while and when we got together and played for the first time it was magical. We each just knew what the other was going to do. Dud’s style of lead guitar and my style rhythm guitar just meshed. We still have the first recording from fifteen plus years ago and it sounds like we recorded it yesterday.” Dudley says, “Without a doubt JT is one of the most talented rhythm guitar players ever. His style, technique, and sound on the guitar are like no other”.