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Band Timeline

1993

Formation of Filter in Cleveland, Ohio

Filter was formed in 1993 by Richard Patrick, formerly a touring guitarist for Nine Inch Nails, along with guitarist and programmer Brian Liesegang. Dissatisfied with his role in Nine Inch Nails, Patrick sought to start his own band focusing on a mix of rock and electronic music. The duo began recording together, establishing the core creative foundation of the band that would later achieve commercial success.
1995

Release of debut album Short Bus and breakthrough success

Filter released their debut album, Short Bus, in 1995 through Reprise Records. The album featured the hit single "Hey Man Nice Shot," which gained notoriety partly due to its controversial subject matter surrounding the public suicide of R. Budd Dwyer. The album received platinum certification from the RIAA, propelled by the raw energy and unique sound blending industrial rock with alternative elements. To support touring, Patrick and Liesegang recruited live musicians Geno Lenardo (guitar), Frank Cavanagh (bass), and Matt Walker (drums), solidifying the band's initial live lineup.
1996-1998

Lineup changes and increasing soundtrack contributions

Between 1996 and 1998, Filter became known for contributing tracks to notable soundtracks, including "Jurassitol" for The Crow: City of Angels and collaborations for The X-Files and Spawn movies. Band co-founder Brian Liesegang left in 1997 over creative differences, leaving Richard Patrick as the primary creative force. The band also released the home video Phenomenology showcasing live performances and interviews. Despite lineup shifts, Filter maintained momentum and released a cover of Harry Nilsson's "One" in 1998 for The X-Files film soundtrack.
1999

Release of second album Title of Record establishing mainstream success

In 1999, Filter released their second studio album, Title of Record, with members Geno Lenardo and Frank Cavanagh returning as full-time bandmates. The album produced successful singles such as "Take a Picture," which expanded the band's visibility beyond their industrial origins to a broader alternative rock audience. Title of Record was met with commercial and critical success, solidifying Filter's place in late 1990s rock music and continuing their blend of electronic textures with hard rock.
2002

Release of third album The Amalgamut and hiatus due to Patrick's rehab

Filter's third album, The Amalgamut, was released in 2002 amid growing struggles. Despite initial expectations, album sales stalled, and touring was impacted by Richard Patrick entering rehab for heavy alcohol and drug abuse. The band went on hiatus as Patrick took time to recover. The period marked a turning point for Filter, halting their commercial momentum but ultimately leading to Patrick's focus on health and future creative endeavors.
2005-2007

Formation and activity of side project Army of Anyone

During Filter's hiatus, Richard Patrick formed a new band, Army of Anyone, with members of the band Stone Temple Pilots. The group released a self-titled album during this period, exploring a different rock sound with multiple contributors. Army of Anyone's activity was relatively short-lived, and after its hiatus, Patrick returned his focus to Filter, revitalizing the band with fresh energy and new lineups.
2008-2013

Return of Filter and release of multiple albums with rotating lineups

Richard Patrick revived Filter after his Army of Anyone project went on hiatus. The band released several albums during this period: Anthems for the Damned (2008), The Trouble with Angels (2010), and The Sun Comes Out Tonight (2013). Despite frequent lineup changes and revolving musicians, Patrick remained the constant driving force. Each album reflected Patrick's evolving musical vision while maintaining the core Filter sound merging electronic and rock elements.
2016

Release of seventh studio album Crazy Eyes with new lineup

Filter released Crazy Eyes in April 2016, introducing yet another lineup alongside Richard Patrick. The album presented a reinvigorated rock style, blending industrial and alternative influences amid contemporary production. Crazy Eyes marked a significant artistic statement, reaffirming Patrick's commitment to the band and his continued experimentation within the Filter identity, despite the revolving membership.
2018

Brian Liesegang returns to work on new album reBus

In 2018, Brian Liesegang rejoined Filter to collaborate on reBus, intended as a musical follow-up to the acclaimed debut Short Bus. The reunion promised to bridge the band's origins with their present sound. However, complications arose due to the bankruptcy of PledgeMusic, the crowdfunding platform intended to support the album's release, which forced reBus to be shelved indefinitely.
2023

Release of latest album The Algorithm

Following the shelving of reBus, Richard Patrick commenced work on a new Filter album titled The Algorithm. Released in August 2023, The Algorithm represents the band's most recent creative output, showcasing Patrick's continued evolution as a musician and Filter's resilience over three decades. The album reflects both the band's industrial roots and contemporary influences, underscoring Patrick's enduring presence as Filter's sole consistent member throughout its history.
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Members

Current

Name
Begin
Occupation

Greg Garman

2019

Drums (drum set)

Richard Patrick

1993

Lead vocals

Bobby Miller

2014

Guitar

Jonathan Radtke

2018

Background vocals

Guitar

Bobby Miller

2014

Keyboard

Steven Gillis

N/A

Jonny Radke

N/A

Guitar

History

Name
Begin
End
Occupation

Brian Liesegang

2018
2019

Keyboard

Jonathan Radtke

2011
2015

Guitar

Background vocals

Tim Kelleher

2013
2015

Bass guitar

Chris Reeve

2015
2019

Drums (drum set)

John Spiker

2008
2010

Bass guitar

Jeff Fabb

2013
2014

Drums (drum set)

Steven Gillis

1999
2002

Drums (drum set)

Brian Liesegang

1993
1997

Keyboard

Guitar

Phil Buckman

2010
2013

Background vocals

Bass guitar

Josh Freese

2007
2008

Drums (drum set)

Additional

Ashley Reeve

2015
N/A

Bass guitar

John 5

2008
2008

Guitar

Additional

Elias Mallin

2012
2013

Drums (drum set)

Frank Cavanagh

1995
2002

Bass guitar

Background vocals

Mika Fineo

2007
2012

Drums (drum set)

Rob Patterson

2010
2011

Guitar

Oumi Kapila

2015
2017

Guitar

Mitchell Ray Marlow

2008
2010

Guitar

Alan Bailey

2002
2002

Guitar

Additional

Geno Lenardo

1995
2002

Guitar

Brian Liesegang

2018
2019

Guitar

Matt Walker

1995
1997

Drums (drum set)

Story of Filter

Filter: A Rock Band Defined by Turmoil and Resilience

Filter, the American rock band hailing from Cleveland, Ohio, emerged from the ashes of Nine Inch Nails in 1993. Fronted by the enigmatic Richard Patrick, who'd previously served as NIN's touring guitarist, Filter burst onto the scene with a sound that was both melodically catchy and sonically abrasive.

Their 1995 debut, Short Bus, propelled them into the mainstream, achieving platinum status and fueled by the hit single "Hey Man, Nice Shot." While the album's success brought them wider recognition, it also marked the beginning of a tumultuous journey characterized by numerous lineup changes. Patrick, the sole constant member across their entire discography, found himself constantly rebuilding the band around him.

Following the departure of founding guitarist and programmer Brian Liesegang in 1997, Patrick recruited members from the Short Bus touring lineup, solidifying a new core. This lineup would bring forth their second album, Title of Record (1999), which replicated the success of their debut with the hit single "Take a Picture."

The band's third album, The Amalgamut (2002), arrived amidst a dark cloud. Patrick's struggles with alcohol and drug addiction escalated, leading him into rehab just as the album's tour commenced. This tumultuous period led to a hiatus for Filter as Patrick focused on his recovery and formed a new band, Army of Anyone.

After Army of Anyone's own hiatus, Patrick returned to Filter, releasing a string of albums – Anthems for the Damned (2008), The Trouble with Angels (2010), and The Sun Comes Out Tonight (2013) – each featuring a revolving cast of musicians.

The band continued their journey with a seventh studio album, Crazy Eyes (2016), recorded with yet another entirely new lineup. In 2018, a surprise reunion occurred when Brian Liesegang returned to the fold, collaborating with Patrick on a new album, reBus, intended to be a musical sequel to Short Bus. However, due to the bankruptcy of PledgeMusic, reBus was shelved.

Despite these setbacks, Patrick persevered, releasing The Algorithm in August 2023, demonstrating Filter's enduring spirit and Patrick's relentless pursuit of musical expression.

Filter's journey has been marked by instability, but their enduring presence in the rock landscape is a testament to the power of their music and Patrick's dedication to his craft.

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