Formed in 1989, Side Over cut their teeth in the emerging Scranton/Wilkes-Barre scene that would become legendary. They quickly grew into a melodic hardcore powerhouse, contributing to the early nineties proto-emo scene. Northeastern PA was surging with new venues and bands, key factors in cross-pollinating with bands from other strong scenes, particularly Philadelphia, Morgantown, and Syracuse.
The band made a lasting impact despite only releasing two cassette demos. The 1991 demo was a live soundboard recording from Reading, PA's famed Unisound Club. Their 1993 demo was instigated and released by John Dudeck via his fledgling operation, Very Distribution. He was launching a new label, Edison Recordings (Starkweather, Coalesce, Overcast), with Side Over on deck for his first LP release. The band would end before the LP was recorded.
By 1994, Side Over was playing consistently in the mid-Atlantic region, with highlights including Turning Point's NJ reunion show, New Bedford Fest '94, and the infamous Life Of Agony show (which quite literally brought down the ceiling). Drummer Brian Craig left to tour with Turmoil, and the band went in separate directions with other projects, pausing work on their upcoming debut album indefinitely.
Side Over reunited in 2025 after the sudden death of co-founder Neil Husvar. They would perform their first show in over 30 years at Hardcore for Husvar in his memory, also honoring departed bandmates Brian Craig and Chris Pawloski. The show proved to be a reunion, a benefit, and an opportunity to re-ignite their passion for the music and community from where they began.
Side Over - Loves You preserves the ethos of those original cassette demos, spirit and purpose intact. With the addition of Scars, created from riffs from a 32-year-old practice tape, the record is an homage to the band's history and departed brothers while remaining firmly rooted in the present.
