Candlebox: A Seattle Grunge Legacy

Hailing from Seattle, Washington, Candlebox emerged in 1990, quickly establishing themselves as a force in the burgeoning grunge scene. Their self-titled debut album, released in July 1993, catapulted them to immediate success. Fueled by the powerful singles "Change," "You," "Far Behind," and "Cover Me," the album achieved quadruple platinum certification from the RIAA. "Far Behind," in particular, cracked the top 20 charts.

Following up with the gold-certified Lucy (1995) and Happy Pills (1998), Candlebox’s trajectory was unfortunately interrupted by label disputes, leading to their disbandment in 2000.

However, the Seattle sound wasn't silenced for long. The band reunited in 2006, proving their enduring appeal. Their post-reunion output includes five more studio albums: Into the Sun (2008), Love Stories & Other Musings (2012), Disappearing in Airports (2016), Wolves (2021), and their final album, The Long Goodbye, released August 25, 2023. Beyond these albums, their catalog also includes a compilation album and a CD/DVD release.

Early Days (1990-1992):

Initially comprised of vocalist Kevin Martin, guitarist Peter Klett, bassist Bardi Martin, and drummer Scott Mercado, Candlebox honed their craft in Seattle’s vibrant music scene. By 1992, they were regular fixtures in renowned clubs like RKCNDY and Farside, building a dedicated following. An eight-song EP caught the attention of Maverick Records, sealing their deal with the label and setting the stage for their breakthrough.

The Black Dahlia Murder, a melodic death metal powerhouse from Waterford, Michigan, exploded onto the scene in 2001. Their name, a grim nod to the infamous 1947 unsolved murder of Elizabeth Short, instantly set a dark and captivating tone. Initially fronted by the late Trevor Strnad, the band's lineup has seen significant changes over the years, with Brian Eschbach remaining a constant. Following Strnad's tragic passing in 2022, Eschbach assumed lead vocal duties, while Ryan Knight – the band's lead guitarist from 2009-2016 – stepped in on rhythm guitar. Current members also include Max Lavelle (bass), and Alan Cassidy (drums) along with Brandon Ellis (guitar).

Their journey began with a 2001 demo, What a Horrible Night to Have a Curse, and the A Cold-Blooded Epitaph EP in 2002, quickly gaining attention. This led to a pivotal signing with Metal Blade Records in 2003 and the release of their debut album, Unhallowed, the same year. Since then, they've unleashed nine studio albums, eight of which charted on the US Billboard 200, a testament to their enduring popularity. Their 2011 release, Ritual, reached a high of #31, solidifying their status as a leading force in contemporary American extreme metal. Their latest offering, Servitude, dropped on September 27th, 2024, continuing their reign of melodic death metal mastery.

Hailing from Gilbert, Arizona, Scary Kids Scaring Kids (SKSK) emerged in 2002, their name a nod to the Cap'n Jazz track of the same name. This post-hardcore quintet, originally featuring Tyson Stevens (vocals/bass), Chad Crawford (guitar), DJ Wilson (guitar), Steve Kirby (guitar), Pouyan Afkary (keyboards), and Peter Costa (drums), initially self-released their After Dark EP while still in high school. After a near-disbandment, they committed to music full-time, securing a deal with Immortal Records. This led to their breakthrough debut album, The City Sleeps in Flames (2005), establishing them as a force in the post-hardcore scene. With Stevens as the driving creative force, the band went on to release their self-titled second album in 2007 before disbanding in 2010 following a farewell tour. A highly anticipated reunion in 2019 culminated in the release of their third studio album, Out of Light, in 2022.

Hailing from Coral Springs, Florida, New Found Glory (initially A New Found Glory) exploded onto the pop-punk scene in 1997. The current lineup – Jordan Pundik (lead vocals), Ian Grushka (bass), Chad Gilbert (lead guitar, backing vocals), and Cyrus Bolooki (drums) – continues to deliver the goods, though longtime rhythm guitarist and lyricist Steve Klein departed in late 2013.

Since their inception, NFG have cemented their status as pop-punk titans, releasing a staggering catalog: twelve studio albums, a live album, two EPs, and four cover albums. Their journey began with 1999's Nothing Gold Can Stay, followed by their self-titled major label debut in 2000, which propelled "Hit or Miss" to #15 on the Alternative Songs chart.

The band achieved mainstream success with 2002's Sticks and Stones, featuring the hit single "My Friends Over You." Their momentum continued with 2004's Catalyst, earning a VMA nomination for "All Downhill From Here" in the Breakthrough Video category. 2006's Coming Home, spearheaded by "It's Not Your Fault," marked a stylistic shift towards alternative rock, a temporary departure from their signature pop-punk sound. This critically acclaimed album further solidified their place in the annals of rock history.

Hailing from Southfield, Michigan, I Prevail emerged onto the scene in 2013. Their initial breakthrough wasn't from their own compositions, but rather a surprisingly successful metal reimagining of Taylor Swift's "Blank Space." Released in December 2014, this audacious cover climbed to #90 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #23 on the Mainstream Rock Songs chart, eventually achieving platinum certification. This viral hit propelled the band's 2014 debut EP, Heart vs. Mind, into the spotlight, showcasing their raw energy and distinct metalcore sound. Building on this unexpected success, I Prevail solidified their position with the release of three full-length studio albums: Lifelines (2016), Trauma (2019), and True Power (2022). Their original material proved equally potent, with tracks like "Breaking Down" and "Hurricane" dominating rock radio. The band's critical acclaim culminated in Grammy Award nominations for "Bow Down" (Best Metal Performance, 2019) and Trauma (Best Rock Album, 2019), cementing their status as a major force in the modern metal scene.

Taking Back Sunday, the Amityville, New York-bred emo rock titans, emerged from the ashes of 1999, forged by guitarist Eddie Reyes and bassist Jesse Lacey. While Lacey's departure that same year to form Brand New ignited a notorious, highly publicized feud with his former bandmates, Taking Back Sunday's story continued. Adam Lazzara stepped into the vocal role, replacing Antonio Longo, before the band’s 2002 debut, Tell All Your Friends. The lineup has seen its share of upheaval; John Nolan (guitar/vocals) and Shaun Cooper (bass) briefly departed in 2003 to launch Straylight Run, only to rejoin the fold in 2010. The band's explosive success truly took flight with 2006's Louder Now, propelled by the hit single "MakeDamnSure." This album shifted over 900,000 copies, peaking at #2 on the Billboard 200, eclipsing their previous #3 position with 2004's Where You Want To Be. With a revolving door of bassists (including Matthew Rubano) and guitarists/vocalists (Fred Mascherino and Matthew Fazzi), and current touring guitarist Nathan Cogan supporting the core of Lazzara, Nolan, Cooper, and drummer Mark O'Connell, Taking Back Sunday continue their legacy, releasing their eighth studio album, 152, in 2023.

Hailing from Las Vegas, Nevada, Escape the Fate emerged onto the scene in 2004, originally from the nearby town of Pahrump. The band's current lineup features vocalist Craig Mabbitt, guitarists Matti Hoffman and TJ Bell, bassist Erik Jensen, and drummer Robert Ortiz – the sole remaining founding member.

Their journey began with the 2006 debut album, Dying Is Your Latest Fashion, fronted by original vocalist Ronnie Radke. However, Radke's 2006 legal troubles led to his dismissal and replacement by Mabbitt (formerly of Blessthefall). This shift marked a turning point, resulting in This War Is Ours (2008), their first album with Mabbitt. The album debuted strongly at #35 on the Billboard 200, selling 13,000 copies in its first week.

Escape the Fate's self-titled third album (2010) reached a career high of #25 on the Billboard 200. Ungrateful (2013), their fourth studio album, further solidified their position, boasting "One for the Money," their highest-charting single on the US Mainstream Rock charts. The band's history is marked by both musical evolution and significant lineup changes, with Ortiz as the steadfast anchor through it all.

Chiodos (pronounced /ˈkjɔːdos/), the Davison, Michigan post-hardcore powerhouse, exploded onto the scene in 2001. Initially known as "The Chiodos Bros," the band's name—a tribute to the Chiodo brothers, creators of the cult classic Killer Klowns from Outer Space— foreshadowed their own brand of darkly comedic, intensely theatrical music.

Their debut full-length, All's Well That Ends Well, dropped on July 26, 2005, laying the groundwork for their explosive rise. The follow-up, Bone Palace Ballet (September 4, 2007), was a major success, charting at #5 on the Billboard 200 and #1 on the Independent Albums chart. Warner Bros. Records picked up the album for UK distribution in January 2009, solidifying their international presence.

2010 saw the release of Illuminaudio, their only studio album featuring Brandon Bolmer on vocals and Tanner Wayne on drums. However, the band's story concluded with the return of original vocalist Craig Owens and drummer Derrick Frost for their final album, Devil, released April 1, 2014.

History:

Inception and All's Well That Ends Well (2001-2005):

Hailing from Davison, Michigan, the original Chiodos lineup formed in high school during 2001. Their early gigs were honed at the Flint Local 432, an all-ages, substance-free venue that also nurtured other notable alternative acts like The Swellers and Empty Orchestra. This Flint scene provided the fertile ground for Chiodos' distinctive sound to develop before they unleashed it on a larger audience.

Bowling for Soup, the Wichita Falls, Texas natives, burst onto the scene in 1994. The band's current lineup features Jaret Reddick (lead vocals, guitar), Chris Burney (guitar, backing vocals), Gary Wiseman (drums), and Rob Felicetti (bass guitar, backing vocals). Known for their catchy pop-punk anthems, they've scored hits with "Girl All the Bad Guys Want," their cover of SR-71's "1985," "Almost," and the eternally relatable "High School Never Ends." Their contributions extend beyond their own catalog; they also penned the theme song for the Disney Channel's hit show, Phineas and Ferb.

History:

Bowling for Soup's roots run deep in Wichita Falls. Founding members Jaret Reddick and original drummer Lance Morrill connected in 1976. Reddick's musical journey began in 1985 at the tender age of 13. He and guitarist Chris Burney, who met in high school (1986), grew up immersed in the commercially successful heavy metal of Quiet Riot, RATT, and Mötley Crüe, but also found inspiration in the faster-paced punk rock of the Ramones and later Green Day. Burney's family owned "The Refuge," a local coffeehouse with a music stage, where he played with his band The Persecuted. It was there, in the early 1990s, that he, Reddick, bassist Erik Chandler, and drummer Gary Wiseman (who wouldn't officially join Bowling for Soup until 1998) crossed paths. Burney and Chandler later formed the Folkadots, while Wiseman pursued his own project, Gary & the Wiseman.

Trivium, the Orlando, Florida-bred heavy metal titans, exploded onto the scene in 1999. The quartet—vocalist/guitarist Matt Heafy, guitarist Corey Beaulieu, bassist Paolo Gregoletto, and drummer Alex Bent—have since carved a formidable path through the metal landscape.

Their debut album, Ember to Inferno (2003), a seminal release via Lifeforce Records, established their raw talent. A swift signing to Roadrunner Records in 2004 cemented their ascent, a relationship that continues to this day. Over the subsequent years, Trivium unleashed a blistering ten studio albums and over twenty singles, solidifying their position as a major force in the genre. Their latest offering, In the Court of the Dragon (2021), further demonstrated their evolution and continued mastery. The band's impact is undeniable, boasting over one million albums sold worldwide and a Grammy nomination for Best Metal Performance ("Betrayer") at the 61st Annual Grammy Awards in 2019.

Early Days: From Talent Show to Ember to Inferno

The band's origins trace back to a 1999 eighth-grade talent show, where a young Matt Heafy's Metallica cover ("No Leaf Clover") caught the eye of singer Brad Lewter. Lewter subsequently invited Heafy to audition for his band, igniting the spark that would become Trivium.

Daughtry, the American rock band fronted by Chris Daughtry (a season five American Idol finalist), exploded onto the scene with their self-titled debut album in November 2006. This record wasn't just a success; it was a phenomenon, hitting #1 on the Billboard 200 and selling over six million copies in the US, earning a 6x Platinum certification from the RIAA. Billboard crowned it the best-selling album of 2007, a testament to its status as the fastest-selling debut rock album in Nielsen SoundScan history. Four singles from the album cracked the Billboard Hot 100's top 20, including the top five hits "It's Not Over" and "Home."

The band's momentum continued with their second album, Leave This Town, which also debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 in July 2009. Selling over 1.3 million copies and achieving Platinum status, the album's lead single, "No Surprise," added another top 20 hit to their impressive catalog. While subsequent albums, Break the Spell (2011, Gold certification), Baptized (2013), Cage to Rattle (2018), and Dearly Beloved (2021), may not have replicated the initial explosive success, Daughtry has maintained a significant presence in the rock world, selling over nine million albums and 25.6 million digital tracks in the U.S.

Early Years (2005-2008): From American Idol to Chart-Topping Success

After his fourth-place finish on American Idol in 2006, Chris Daughtry rejected an offer to become the lead singer of Fuel, instead opting to form his own band. This decision proved to be pivotal, launching Daughtry's meteoric rise to rock superstardom.

Hollywood Undead, the Los Angeles-based rap-rock quintet, burst onto the scene in 2005. Known for their enigmatic stage personas – all members use pseudonyms and formerly sported distinctive goalie-mask-inspired headgear – the band solidified their place in the genre with a string of successful albums. Their debut, Swan Songs, dropped in September 2008, followed by the live CD/DVD Desperate Measures in November 2009. Subsequent studio albums include American Tragedy (April 2011), Notes from the Underground (January 2013), Day of the Dead (March 2015), Five (October 2017), and New Empire, Vol. 1 (the release date for which is missing from the original text). The band's current lineup features J-Dog, Funny Man, Johnny 3 Tears, Charlie Scene, and Danny. Their 2017 album Five saw the release of the lead single "California Dreaming" in July of that year.