Shinedown

Shinedown’s debut album Leave a Whisper was released in July 2003, immediately introducing the band’s melodic rock sensibilities to a large audience. Featuring the singles “Fly from the Inside,” “Burning Bright,” and “45,” the album charted at No. 53 on the Billboard 200 and has since been certified platinum. Following the release, the band embarked on an extensive touring schedule, which lasted until the end of 2004.

Shinedown’s sophomore album Us and Them arrived in October 2005, led by the No. 1 Active Rock Chart single “Save Me.” Subsequent singles included “Heroes” and “I Dare You,” the latter of which was used by the WWE in promotion of “WrestleMania 22.” In support of the record, the band toured on the 2006 SnoCore Tour alongside Seether and Flyleaf, as well as with Trapt on the Equinox tour.

Following Us and Them, Shinedown underwent considerable membership changes. The 2008 lineup consisted of Brent Smith, Barry Kersh, guitarists Nick Perri and Zach Meyers, and bassist Eric Bass.

The group’s third full-length release Sound of Madness appeared in July 2008, after which guitarist Nick Perri left the band. The album was produced by Rob Cavallo, known for his work with the Goo Goo Dolls and Green Day, and peaked at No. 8 on the Billboard 200. While it was led by the single “Devour,” the subsequent Billboard Top 10 single “Second Chance” proved a real breakthrough for the band, earning triple platinum certification.

The full-length Amaryllis followed in March 2012, charting at No. 4 on the Billboard 200. Marking Shinedown’s most successful release to date, the album earned strong reviews from critics and spawned the singles “Bully,” “Unity,” and “Enemies.”

In addition to playing incredible shows and releasing a steady supply of innovative music, Shinedown also continues to use their voice for good. Viewing fans as family, Shinedown’s artists leverage their fame to help support notable charities, give-back programs, and organizations dedicated to bringing awareness to inequalities. Organizations that Shinedown helps support through proceeds include Ecologi, the American Red Cross, ASPCA Animal Rescue, DC Strong, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, Direct Relief, Backline, National Alliance on Mental Illness, and Heal Autism Now.

The vast number of programs that Shinedown partners with showcases the band’s dedication to making the world a better place. From fighting climate change to improving access to healthcare for musicians, Shinedown is far more than just a group of performers. This is just one of the many reasons for the strong bond between Shinedown and their dedicated fan base.

Though Black Stone Cherry did not technically form until 2001, lead vocalist/guitarist Chris Robertson and drummer John Fred Young started up jam sessions in their early teens. The duo were eventually joined by the group’s remaining members: rhythm guitarist Ben Wells and bass guitarist Jon Lawhon. Drummer John Fred Young’s father Richard Young is a member of “The Kentucky Headhunters” and through him the band was able to receive some insight about the music business and use the Kentucky Headhunter’s practice space as their own.

The group jumped straight into recording, releasing their first CD demo “Rock N’ Roll Tape” in 2003 and began gigging in local venues around this time. The group was picked up by New York record label Roadrunner and released their self-titled debut in 2006. The band’s first album was a good mix of drawn-out southern grunge and stoner metal and managed to sell 110,000 copies. After this release Black Stone Cherry were considered local heroes and coasting of this success they played their old high school gym filled with 1500 people.The band developed a rather large following in the UK and went on to record and release their first live album in Astoria, London, UK. The live album was highly limited and at one point it was fetching £200 online.

The band’s next album “Folklore and Superstition” was produced by Bob Marlette, who had previously worked with Alice Cooper and Ozzy Osbourne and it was recorded in Martina McBride’s studio. The album did very well on the charts peaking to No. 1 on the UK Rock Album Chart and No. 50 in Sweden.

The band’s third studio album “Between the Devil & the Deep Blue Sea” was released on 31 May 2011. It entered the Billboard 200 charts at No. 29 and the Florida Georgia Line cover of their song “Stay” became a huge hit. This release saw the band opening up for Alter Bridge, Theory of a Deadman, and Chickenfoot. The group also embarked on a sold-out headlining tour of the UK with Rival Sons.

The band’s follow up studio album “Magic Mountain” came out on 6 May 2014 and made it to No. 22 on the Billboard 200, No. 5 on the UK Album Chart, and all the way to No. 1 on the UK Rock Album Chart. The band would go on to promote this album with a European tour.

Rising from the ashes of their former band Toxic Parents, Claudio Sanchez (lead vocals) and Travis Stevers (rhythm guitar) experimented with a host of genres influenced by the likes of: Led Zeppelin, Misfits, Pink Floyd, At The Drive-In and Iron Maiden. Originally known as Shabutie, the band released their debut EP “Plan to Take Over the World” in 1999 through Wisteria Records and followed later that year with “The Penelope EP”.

With the new millennia came new direction encapsulated in the release of their third EP “Delirium Trigger” (2000) with many of the tracks based on science fiction comic series Sanchez had been penning, initially known as “The Bag.On.Line Adventures” and later became “The Amory Wars”. It would be these works which would evoke a recurring theme which would inspire future material for the band starting with the name change to Coheed and Cambria after the two main characters.

Having signed with Equal Vision Records, the band went on to release their debut full length album “The Second Stage Turbine Blade” in 2002, taking its concept from the comic series. Later in the year the band connected with a man who take their career to unprecedented heights, Blaze James who would become their manager. Spending the next few years relentlessly touring playing alongside: Linkin Park, The Used, Slipknot, AFI and Trivium unleashed them into the public as they saw their fanbase known as Children of the Fence (another comic reference) increase tenfold.

It was the release of their second album “In Keeping Secrets of Silent Earth: 3” in 2003 which really got the ball rolling. Certifying platinum in the US, it caught the attention of Columbia Records and in 2005 they signed a multi-album deal. Five top 10 albums later, line-up changes, a fine selection of festival appearances across the globe, Coheed and Cambria continue pushing genre divides while remaining true to the very essence of what they’ve created.