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Crossfade

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Band Timeline

1991

Formation of the band as The Nothing

Crossfade began their journey in 1991 in Columbia, South Carolina, originally under the name The Nothing. The founding members included Ed Sloan on lead vocals and guitar, and Mitch James on bass and backing vocals. They were soon joined by Brian Geiger on drums in 1992 and Tony Byroads on percussion and backup vocals in 1996. During this period, the band developed their initial sound and released two records, 'The Nothing' in 1994 and 'Numb' in 1998.
1999

Name change to Sugardaddy Superstar and studio recordings

By 1999, the band renamed themselves Sugardaddy Superstar, signifying an evolution in their musical style and image. They recorded songs in Sugardaddy Studio, a home studio built by Ed Sloan. These recordings attracted the attention of the Los Angeles A&R company Taxi and Doug Ford, co-founder of HitPredictor and head of FG Records/Earshot, which led to a record deal with Columbia Records' division FG Records/Earshot.
2002

Rebranding as Crossfade and recording debut album

The band changed its name again to Crossfade and began working on their debut album. They added two new songs to their previous recordings from Sugardaddy Studio. Drummer Brian Geiger left before the album's release and was replaced by James Branham. The band solidified their sound under the Crossfade name, preparing for a breakthrough in the mainstream rock scene.
2004

Release of debut album 'Crossfade' and mainstream breakthrough

Crossfade released their self-titled debut album on April 13, 2004. The lead single, 'Cold,' brought significant mainstream exposure. Following singles 'So Far Away' and 'Colors' in 2005 further boosted their popularity. The album was certified Gold by February 2005 and Platinum by August the same year. 'So Far Away' notably held the longest duration on a major radio show's Cage Match competition, cementing the band's presence in rock music.
2005

Lineup changes and increased popularity

In 2005, percussionist Tony Byroads left the band following personal changes and creative differences. Despite this, Crossfade continued to climb in popularity with their successful singles and album certifications. Their presence was strongly felt on rock radio across the United States, highlighting their growing fan base and influence.
2006

Release of second album 'Falling Away' and lineup expansion

On August 29, 2006, Crossfade released their second album, 'Falling Away.' The album featured singles like 'Invincible,' 'Drown You Out,' and 'Already Gone.' Needing an additional guitarist for tours, Les Hall joined as a touring member, later becoming an official member and contributing to songwriting. Although the album sold 200,000 copies, it marked a decrease compared to their debut but showed the band's evolving sound and dynamics.
2008

Dropped from Columbia Records and lineup changes

In 2008, Crossfade was dropped from Columbia Records, a significant setback for the band. They signed with Eleven Seven Music afterward. Drummer James Branham left the band and formed a new group. The band brought in Will Hunt as a temporary drummer for recording purposes, indicating ongoing lineup instability but also a determination to continue producing music.
2009

Release of 'We All Bleed' demo and new musical direction

On January 2, 2009, Crossfade released a demo track titled 'We All Bleed' previewing their upcoming album. The band announced their intent to release the album later in the year and hinted at a darker, more mature sound compared to earlier work. This period marked a significant reinvention for Crossfade musically.
2011

Release of third album 'We All Bleed' marking a comeback

After a five-year hiatus since their last album, Crossfade released their third studio album 'We All Bleed' on June 21, 2011. This album represented a fresh start, created with no pressure from major label expectations. Co-led by Les Hall, who played guitar and keyboards and co-produced the album, the record featured a darker tone reflecting Ed Sloan's personal struggles and renewed artistic vision. Receiving improved critical reception, 'We All Bleed' included singles such as 'Killing Me Inside,' which achieved notable chart positions, signifying the band's resilient return to the rock scene.

Albums

📷
No Image
Numb
10 tracks
1998
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No Image
Ride
10 tracks
2001
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No Image
Cold
10 tracks
2002
crossfade_4th_album
Crossfade
10 tracks
2004
crossfade_5th_album
Falling Away
11 tracks
2006
crossfade_6th_album
We All Bleed
10 tracks
2011
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Members

Current

Name
Begin
Occupation

Mitch James

N/A

History

Name
Begin
End
Occupation

Mark Castillo

2010
2012

Drums (drum set)

James Branham

N/A
N/A

Tony Byroads

N/A
N/A

Story of Crossfade

Hailing from Columbia, South Carolina, Crossfade emerged onto the rock scene in 1991, initially under the moniker The Nothing. This foundational lineup featured Ed Sloan on lead vocals and guitar, and Mitch James on bass and backing vocals. They later expanded, adding Brian Geiger on drums (1992) and DJ Tony Byroads on percussion and backing vocals (1996). The Nothing released two albums, The Nothing (1994) and Numb (1998), the latter containing the track "Breathing Slowly," which would later see a re-recording on their major label debut. By 1999, the band had rebranded themselves as Sugardaddy Superstar, honing their craft in a garage studio built by Sloan himself. Finally settling on the name Crossfade in 2002, the band catapulted to wider recognition with their self-titled debut album in 2004, followed by Falling Away in 2006. The current lineup boasts Sloan (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), James (bass, backing vocals), and Les Hall (lead guitar, keyboards, backing vocals). Their discography also includes the 2011 release, We All Bleed. A true testament to their longevity and evolution, Crossfade`s journey showcases a band that persevered through name changes and lineup shifts to solidify their place in the rock world.

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