The Sword, The Spoon Benders, and Red Fang

Prior to forming the Sword in 2003, vocalist and guitarist J.D. Cronise had written and recorded as a solo artist, before enlisting the help guitarist Kyle Shutt and drummer Trivett Wingo. With the later addition of bassist Bryan Richie in early 2004, the band made their performing debut at Austin’s Sound in March that year and recorded the EP entitled “Freya”. Following a well-received appearance at the South by Southwest in 2005, the Sword signed with Kemado Records, who issued the band’s debut album “Age of Winters” in February 2006. Comprised of mainly Cronise’s early material , the album earned the group a significant fan base and led to touring with Lacina Coil, Trivium, Nebula and Lamb of God.

The Sword subsequently released a split EP with the Swedish doom metal band Witchcraft, which included a Led Zeppelin cover, and released their sophomore album “Gods of the Earth” in April 2008. Like its predecessor, the album was well-received by critics and fans, and was their first charting album reaching No. 102 on the Billboard 200. In support of the album The Sword embarked on their ‘Gods of the Earth Tour’ with support provided by Machine Head, Lamb of God and Clutch.

Taking their musical inspiration from a more science fiction base, the Sword’s third full-length album “Warp Rider” was a concept album with a hard rock focus. The album debuted at No. 47 on the Billboard 200 and the band supported Metallica, for the third time, on a number of their Australian and Asian tour dates. In 2010 drummer Trivett Wingo departed the group and was replaced by Kevin Fender on tour and later by Santiago “Jimmy” Vela III. The band combined fantasy and metaphysics on their fourth studio album “Apocryphon” in 2012, which peaked at No. 17 on the Billboard 200.

Comprised of lead vocalist and bassist Aaron Beam, vocalist and guitarist Bryan Giles, guitarist David Sullivan and drummer John Sherman, Red Fang set out to produce records abiding by the spirit of classic rock, denouncing the proclivities for the progressive and placing the importance of riff-heavy driven rock and roll. Red Fang made their debut in 2007 with the EP “Tour E.P. 2”, followed-up by the split EP “Malverde/Favorite Son” with Tweak Bird in 2008.

Red Fang’s album debut came with their eponymously-titled released by Sargent House in 2009 and has subsequently been succeeded by the band’s 2011 release entitled “Murder the Mountains” released through Relapse Records. The album was produced by fellow-Portlandian Chris Funk, the producer and multi-instrumentalist for the Decemberists to rewarding results.

The release led to an impressive tour schedule across the U.S. with shows including 2011’s Metalliance tour alongside Crowbar and Helmet, at Mayhem Festival with the likes of Megadeth, Godsmack and Disturbed and Mastodon’s 2011 and 2012 tours.

In 2013 Red Fang releases the split EP “Red Fang/ASG split” and their third full-length debut album “Whales and Leeches”. The album peaked at No. 66 on the U.S. Billboard 200 and subsequently led the band to play on the Late Show with David Letterman as the show’s musical director was a big fan of the band.