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Drowning Pool

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Band Timeline

1996

Formation of Drowning Pool

Drowning Pool was formed in Dallas, Texas, by guitarist C.J. Pierce and drummer Mike Luce who relocated from New Orleans. They recruited bassist Stevie Benton to complete the lineup. For several years, the band performed as an instrumental trio before adding vocalist Dave Williams in 1999, marking the true start of the band's original sound and future success.
2001

Breakthrough with debut album Sinner and Ozzfest appearance

Drowning Pool gained significant attention in 2001 with the release of their debut album 'Sinner,' produced by Jay Baumgardner. The album achieved platinum status within six weeks, driven by the energetic alternative metal sound and hit singles. They also performed at Ozzfest 2001, a major rock festival, increasing their visibility. Additionally, tracks from Sinner were used in high-profile events such as WWE programming and the Dragon Ball Z: Cooler's Revenge soundtrack, embedding the band in early 2000s rock culture.
2002

Tragic death of vocalist Dave Williams

In August 2002, lead singer Dave Williams was found dead from an undiagnosed heart condition, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, inside his tour bus. His sudden death shocked the band and fans worldwide. Williams had contributed significantly to the band's identity, and his passing left unreleased songs rumored but never officially published. His death was a pivotal and somber moment that led the band to seek a new vocalist and continue their musical journey with care and respect to his legacy.
2003-2005

Jason Jones era and release of Desensitized

After Williams' death, Jason 'Gong' Jones joined as the new vocalist in 2003. With Jones, the band released their second album 'Desensitized' in 2004. While the album featured the popular single "Step Up," it failed to replicate the success of 'Sinner.' Despite some commercial success, tensions arose, and in June 2005 it was publicly announced that Jones had left the band due to irreconcilable differences, leading to another search for a stable frontman.
2005-2008

Ryan McCombs joins and release of Full Circle

In 2005, Ryan McCombs, formerly of the band SOiL, was chosen as Drowning Pool's new vocalist and announced at Ozzfest in Dallas where the band performed on the main stage. This period saw the band part ways with Wind-up Records in 2006 and sign with Eleven Seven Music. Their song "No More" featured on the Saw III soundtrack marked their first release with McCombs. The album 'Full Circle' came out in 2007, marking the first time Drowning Pool did not change vocalists after a single album. The song "Rise Up" was notably used as the WWE SmackDown theme during this era, highlighting their continued relevance in mainstream rock and entertainment.
2010-2011

Self-titled album and McCombs' departure

Drowning Pool released their fifth studio album, 'Drowning Pool,' in 2010 with Ryan McCombs on vocals. The album continued the band's heavy rock style with consistent fan interest. However, McCombs left the band in 2011 to rejoin his former band SOiL, prompting another change in the lineup and challenging the band to maintain their momentum with a new vocalist once again.
2012-2022

Jasen Moreno era and multiple album releases

Jasen Moreno became the lead vocalist in 2012, bringing a new energy to Drowning Pool. Under his tenure, the band released three studio albums: 'Resilience' (2013), 'Hellelujah' (2016), and 'Strike a Nerve' (2022). This period was marked by sustained creative output and touring, showcasing the band's persistence and adaptability in the heavy metal and hard rock scenes while maintaining their core identity through evolving music styles and lineup changes.
2023

Return of Ryan McCombs

In March 2023, original vocalist Ryan McCombs returned to Drowning Pool, reuniting with the band after more than a decade since his last departure. This reunion brought renewed enthusiasm and anticipation for future projects. It marked a significant full-circle moment for the band, harkening back to one of their most stable and productive phases, while generating excitement among longtime fans for the band's continuing evolution.

Albums

drowning-pool_1st_album
Sinner
11 tracks
2001
drowning-pool_2nd_album
Desensitized
11 tracks
2004
drowning-pool_3rd_album
Full Circle
13 tracks
2007
drowning-pool_4th_album
Drowning Pool
11 tracks
2010
drowning-pool_5th_album
Resilience
13 tracks
2013
drowning-pool_6th_album
Hellelujah
13 tracks
2016
📷
No Image
Strike a Nerve
11 tracks
2022
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Members

Current

Name
Begin
Occupation

Stevie Benton

N/A

Bass guitar

Mike Luce

N/A

Drums (drum set)

CJ Pierce

1996

Guitar

History

Name
Begin
End
Occupation

Ryan McCombs

2004
2011

Dave Williams

N/A
2002

Lead vocals

Story of Drowning Pool

Drowning Pool: A Rollercoaster Ride Through Rock & Roll

Drowning Pool, the Dallas-born rock band, burst onto the scene in 1996, their name a nod to the 1975 film "The Drowning Pool." The band's core lineup, a dynamic trio featuring guitarist C.J. Pierce, drummer Mike Luce, and bassist Stevie Benton, has remained constant, while the vocalist position has seen a revolving door of talented musicians.

Their debut album, "Sinner" (2001), catapulted them to fame, but tragedy struck when original vocalist Dave Williams was found dead in 2002. Jason Jones took the reins in 2003, delivering "Desensitized" (2004), but departed in 2005 due to creative differences. The band then recruited Ryan McCombs from SOiL, a Chicago-based band, marking a turning point. McCombs' tenure saw two albums, "Full Circle" (2007) and "Drowning Pool" (2010), breaking the band's pattern of switching vocalists after each album. However, McCombs' departure in 2011 to rejoin SOiL left Drowning Pool seeking a new frontman once again.

Jasen Moreno stepped in as vocalist in 2012, leading the band through three albums: "Resilience" (2013), "Hellelujah" (2016), and "Strike a Nerve" (2022). The band's chemistry with Moreno proved solid, but the tides turned in 2023 when McCombs rejoined the band, bringing a full circle to the band's musical journey.

The Early Years (1996-2000):

Before their rise to prominence, Drowning Pool's roots were planted in New Orleans. Pierce and Luce, the driving force behind the band's signature sound, relocated to Dallas, where Drowning Pool took shape. They quickly began honing their raw, powerful sound, laying the foundation for the band's future success.

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