Hybrid (A Course of Action album)
{{Infobox album
| name = Hybrid
| type = studio
| artist = A Course of Action
| cover = A_Course_of_Action_-_Hybrid_(2004_Album)_Covert_Art.jpg
| alt =
| released = November 7, 2004
| recorded = 2003-2004
| studio = Connelly Springs
| genre =
| length = 32:08
| label = Spire Records
| producer = Jonathan Bryd
| prev_title =
| prev_year =
| next_title = Now You See -EP
| next_year = 2006
| misc = {{Singles
| name = Hybrid
| type = studio
| single1 = Won't Be Long
| single1date = November 1, 2004
| single2 = A Million Miles
| single2date = April 14, 2005
}}
}}
Hybrid is a 2004 album by the American rock band, A Course of Action.{{cite web |title=A Course of Action / Hybrid (Band Info) |url=https://www.sonicbids.com/band/acourseofaction/ |website=Sonicbids |publisher=Staff |access-date=17 April 2025}} "Hybrid" was the band's very first release which also was when the band was named Hybrid before changing their name to A Course of Action in late 2006.{{cite web |title=Band Profile - January 30, 2009 |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090130050214/http://www.sellaband.com/acourseofaction/ |website=Sellaband |publisher=Sheree Burns |access-date=30 January 2009}}
Background and release
Formed in 2000 by guitarist Jonathan Byrd and original bassist Tony Hawkins after the breakup of their southern rock band, Copperhead fronted by singer Neil Carswell and had a record deal with Mercury Records during the 1990s.{{cite web |title=A Course Of Action Biography |url=https://www.discogs.com/artist/3848416-A-Course-Of-Action |website=Discogs |publisher=theoryofhinderback |access-date=12 April 2025}} Bryd and Hawkins searched for a lead singer until 2003 when hiring John Culberson whom had achieved some regional success with his previous band True To One.{{cite web |title=A Course of Action Official Site: Biography |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160318045530/http://acourseofaction.com/biography/ |website=A Course of Action |publisher=A Course of Action |access-date=18 March 2016}}
After recruiting drummer Okey Parsons in 2003, completing their lineup the band immediately got to work writing and recording music for their debut release.{{cite web |title=Broadjam: A Course of Action (Profile) |url=https://www.broadjam.com/acourseofaction |website=Broadjam |publisher=Staff |access-date=17 April 2025}}
"Hybrid" consists of eight original songs and was released independently through Spire Records on November 7, 2004.{{cite web |title=A Course of Action - Hybrid (2004) |url=https://www.broadjam.com/albums/acourseofaction/hybrid |website=Broadjam.com |publisher=Broadjam Staff |access-date=17 April 2025}}
The album featured two promotional singles, the first being "Won't Be Long" in November 2004 shortly before the album's release and "A Million Miles" which was released on April 14, 2005. Both singles were included in the band's setlist to be performed live in support of the album’s release along with a mixture of cover songs.{{cite web |title=North Carolina Rocks With A Course Of Action |url=https://www.mtsmanagementgroup.com/2013/10/north-carolina-rocks-with-a-course-of-action/ |website=MTS Management Group |publisher=MTS Management |access-date=17 April 2025}}{{cite web |title=Band History and Discography |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130527072854/https://profiles.sonicbids.com/artists/acoa |website=archive.org |publisher=Way Back Machine |access-date=27 May 2013}}
Hybrid helped establish the band's reputation in the Southeastern rock scene and led to increased visibility, culminating in their rebranding as A Course of Action. The album is regarded as a key entry in their discography and laid the foundation for future works, including their follow-up Now You See -EP in January 2006.{{cite web |title=A Course of Action (formerly Hybrid) - Now You See -EP |url=https://www.broadjam.com/albums/acourseofaction/now-you-see |website=www.broadjam.com |publisher=ACOA |access-date=17 April 2025}}
Critical reception and promotion
=Charts and commercial success=
"Hybrid" was distributed through multiple digital platforms and appeared on various indie charts, including Altsounds's hard rock charts where the band earned multiple No. 1 positions and over 48,000 listens in 2005.{{cite web |title=A Course of Action / Hybrid (History( |url=https://www.broadjam.com/acourseofaction#tab-responsive-fullbio |website=Broadjam |publisher=Spire Records |access-date=17 April 2025}}
Reviews from local publications such as The News Herald and Hickory Daily Record praised the band's energy and professional sound.{{cite web |title=Local Band Signs Record Deal Backed By UMG |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250412105329/https://hickoryrecord.com/life_entertainment/the_buzz/local-rockers-to-go-nationwide/article_fc9ed2dc-0546-11e5-8ef1-cffbef3e0466.html#.VWeNHm2fQKo.facebook |website=Hickory Record |publisher=Hickory Record Staff |access-date=17 April 2025}} Hybrid was also spotlighted in Operation: Dinner Out Magazine, which noted their arena-level rock presentation in a local setting. In submission feedback via TAXI, reviewers praised the band’s strong songwriting, passionate vocal performance, and tight musicianship. One submission was forwarded for live TV showcasing.{{cite web |title=A Course of Action / Hybrid (Band Info) |url=https://www.sonicbids.com/band/acourseofaction/ |website=Sonicbids |publisher=Staff |access-date=17 April 2025}}
=Promotion=
Following the album’s release, the band became active in the Southeastern U.S. rock scene, performing regularly at venues allover North Carolina, including Legends in Morganton and Sgt. Pepper's in Hickory.{{cite web |title=Band Profile: A Course of Action |url=https://www.music2deal.com/us/EsG_5FuGUgHUAGfrhD7Cpl9yhUs_?locale=en |website=Music2Deal |publisher=Management |access-date=14 September 2012}} Local radio stations such as Charlotte's 106.5 WEND added tracks into rotation, and the band competed in the 2005 Zippo Hot Tour, reaching the semi-finalist stage.{{cite web |title=Zippo Hot Tour 2006 |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060626051331/http://www.thehybridband.com/ |website=The Hybrid Band |publisher=Tony Hawkins |access-date=26 June 2006}} They also showcased at the Mid-Atlantic Music Conference and secured placements on internet radio stations and compilation CDs.{{cite web |title=A Course of Action / Hybrid (Band Info) |url=https://www.sonicbids.com/band/acourseofaction/ |website=Sonicbids |publisher=Staff |access-date=17 April 2025}}
Track listing
{{Track listing
| all_writing = John Culberson, Jonathan Byrd, Tony Hawkins, Okey Parsons{{cite web |title=A Course Of Action – Hybrid |url=https://www.discogs.com/release/33644169-A-Course-Of-Action-Hybrid |website=Discogs |publisher=Spire Records |access-date=17 April 2025}}
| title1 = Won't Be Long
| length1 = 3:45
| title2 = A Million Miles
| length2 = 4:10
| title3 = Broken Pieces
| length3 = 4:00
| title4 = Over Now
| length4 = 4:22
| title5 = Torn
| length5 = 3:55
| title6 = Echoes
| length6 = 3:35
| title7 = Fade Away
| length7 = 4:05
| title8 = Final Hour
| length8 = 4:16
| total_length = 32:08{{cite web |title=A Course Of Action (Hybrid) Debut Album |url=https://open.spotify.com/album/3xwwo76EkqDPKxUVS2HGXd |website=Spotify |publisher=Hybrid |access-date=14 April 2005}}
}}
Personnel
=Band members=
- John Culberson – lead singer, rhythm guitar{{cite web |title=Meet The Band - TheHybridBand.com |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031218231545/http://www.thehybridband.com/bio.asp |website=thehybridband.com |publisher=Jonathan Bryd |access-date=19 December 2003}}
- Jonathan Byrd – lead guitar{{cite web |title=A Course of Action Artist Bio |url=https://www.last.fm/music/A+Course+of+Action/+wiki |website=last.fm |publisher=Zero Left |access-date=3 April 2013}}
- Tony Hawkins – bass guitar{{cite web |title=Bands Across the Country |url=http://www.backstagelosangeles.net/id60.html |website=BackStage: Los Angeles |publisher=B.A.C.-STAGE |access-date=17 April 2025}}
- Okey Parsons – drums{{cite web |title=North Carolina Band, A Course of Action (Hybrid) |url=https://www.prweb.com/releases/north_carolina_band_a_course_of_action_headed_to_rocklahoma_2014/prweb11752163.htm |website=A Course of Action |publisher=Sheree Bryd |access-date=11 April 2014}}
Style and composition
The album incorporates hard-edged guitar riffs with melodic vocals and rhythmic structures. While the band cited influences such as Nickelback, Sevendust, Tool, and Chevelle.{{cite web |title=About: A Course of Action aka HYBRID |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130527145226/http://www.reverbnation.com/artist_1663401/bio |website=Way Back Machine |publisher=Archive.org |access-date=27 May 2013}} The album exhibits a range from upbeat rock to melancholic ballads. Songs like "Broken Pieces" and "Over Now" highlight their dynamic musical direction, combining aggressive instrumental passages with emotive lyrical content.{{cite web |title=A COURSE OF ACTION / HYBRID |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081001114858/http://www.sellaband.com:80/acourseofaction/ |website=Archive.org |publisher=Internet Archive |access-date=1 October 2008}}