Truly is an American rock band from Houston, Texas, formed in 1998 by singer and guitarist Dustin Welch. The band is composed of Welch, lead guitarist Nick Murley, bassist Juill Delgado and drummer Gezol Simons.
Truly has had numerous personnel changes throughout its career, starting out with only Welch as a member. Throughout their career, the band's lineup has included noted guitarists such as Steffon Aarricendal, Walter Clevenger and Gabriel Keenan, and keyboardists such as Meredith Goodall and Corwin Gibbs. The core lineup has been together since 2004, with guitarist Simons joining in late 2007 and Delgado in 2014.
The band's style has been described as a mix of "big rock, indie tendencies, soul, tejano and punk rock". Their music, characterized by intense, angsty vocal delivery, catchy melodies and danceable rhythms, has also been compared to bands such as Weezer and early Foo Fighters.
Truly began recording and performing demos of their original material in 1998. In 2001, they released their debut album, 'That Isn't Storming the Castle', which was recorded on a software program. The album was praised by local Houston press and the band began to play live gigs and regional tours.
Their sophomore album, 'For This Machine', arrived in 2003. This album, recorded at runner studios, is considered to be the breakthrough album, as well as a fan favorite. It was followed up with 2004's 'We Are the Autumn People', which garnered significant radio airplay.
Truly followed this up with 'The Theory of Everything' in 2006, which was critically-acclaimed and supported with an extensive tour of the US. This album included the hit songs 'Learn to Lose', 'Mescalero' and 'Sacrifice'. The band also made appearances on talk shows such as 'Late Show With David Letterman' and 'Jimmy Kimmel Live'.
The band's fifth album, 'Strange Religion', was released in 2009. This album featured a darker, heavier sound than previous efforts and was recorded live to analog tape. The songs "Black Candles" and "Pink Eye" were featured in the feature film 'Spider man 4'.
In 2010, the band released their sixth album, 'Abandonment'. This album was described as a "return to form" as it marked the return to the band's classic sound and was well-received by critics. In 2012, the band released their seventh and final full-length album, 'Game Over', which included the singles, 'Control' and 'The Only Ones'.
Throughout their career, Truly has toured with artists such as Bush, Audioslave, Pearl Jam, Nickelback, and the Goo Goo Dolls. They have additionally performed in festivals such as SXSW, Bonnaroo, and the Vans Warped Tour.
Truly has earned a massive fan base over the years, thanks to their passionate and intense live performances. They are also highly respected by their peers and have been praised for their independence, heartfelt song-writing, and commitment to their music.
Truly officially disbanded in January 2014, leaving behind a huge body of work that will forever define them as one of the biggest names in modern American rock and influence many of the rising stars of today.