Information Source:
Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Beginnings (1993-1996)
Third Eye Blind recorded their first demo in 1993. The band gained major label attention after their second demo was released in 1995, including that of Clive Davis, who invited the band to perform a showcase for Arista Records in New York
City.] During Third Eye Blind concerts at the time, it was customary for the band to have a piņata release candy above their mosh pits, yet at the showcase for the record executives, lead singer Stephan Jenkins released live crickets from the piņata
instead.
In April 1996, after Jenkins had challenged Epic Records executive Dave Massey in a meeting, the band landed an opening gig for Oasis at the San Francisco Civic
Auditorium. In an unlikely scenario for an opening act, the band was invited back for an encore after playing their initial
set and was paid double by the concert promoter. In addition, Stephan Jenkins' production of The Braids' cover of Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" gained major-label
attention.
Afterwards, the band found themselves in a bidding war among record labels, and after a showcase in Los Angeles, signed with Sylvia Rhone of Elektra Records because they believed it offered the most artistic
freedom.] The contract was one of the largest ever given to an unreleased
artist.
Success (1997-2000)
Third Eye Blind's first album, Third Eye Blind, became an immediate success after its release in 1997. The album had 5 singles, "Semi-Charmed Life", "Graduate", "Losing a Whole Year", "Jumper", and "How's It Going to Be". "Semi-Charmed Life" hit as high as #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #1 on the Modern Rock Tracks for 8 weeks.
The band also played "How's it Going to Be" on Saturday Night Live. To date it has been the most successful Third Eye Blind CD, selling 6 million units worldwide. Smash Mouth drummer Michael Urbano also appeared on the album, playing drums on 4 songs. During this period they also opened a number of shows on U2's Popmart tour. Additionally, this album includes the track "Motorcycle Drive By" which despite receiving only limited radio play, has gained significant popularity especially amongst the band's close followers.
In 1999 the band released Blue. Although not received as well as Third Eye Blind, the album sold 150,000 copies the first month of release and 2 million total sales. 4 singles were released from the album, "Anything", "Never Let You Go", "Deep Inside of You", and "10 Days Late". In early 2000, shortly after the release of the album, Kevin Cadogan was released from the band.
Hiatus (2001-2002)
After extensive and exhaustive touring around the world the band took a break. The band took a year off, only playing for charity events. They put on shows for the Tiger Woods Foundation and the Breathe Benefit Concert in Los Angeles after Jenkins' mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. During the hiatus the band also built a recording studio in anticipation of their next album.
Out of the Vein (2003)
In 2003 the band released Out of the Vein. Two singles were released from the album; "Blinded", and "Crystal Baller". Despite positive reviews the album was a commercial disappointment, selling only 500,000 copies worldwide.
There were no music videos created for the singles and Elektra Records, who were being absorbed into Atlantic Records, did little to promote the album. Stephan Jenkins commented, "I worked really hard on Out of the Vein . . . Elektra was imploding as we were making it, so we didn't make a video and didn't do a marketing campaign, but as far as critics go, it was my best-reviewed album."
In April, 2003, the band embarked on the "Within Arms Reach" tour, targeting clubs and other smaller venues to promote their third album in a more intimate setting than in recent years. "The 'Within Arm's Reach Tour' means the audience and the band literally get within arm's reach of each other," Jenkins said.
An interesting fact about this album is that it came out right after the break up of Stephan Jenkins and actress Charlize Theron. During a concert Jenkins stated that the song "Forget Myself" is written for her and the lyrics reveal some interesting aspects of their relationship.
The Hideous Strength (unknown)
Third Eye Blind has announced a fourth studio album titled The Hideous Strength, which is claimed to be released in 2008 (previous release date was
2007). Recent live performances have revealed a majority of the new tracks being worked on.
Jenkins has revealed that this album will be "more political" than others they have done. Jenkins said the fourth album has taken so long to complete because he is having trouble finishing the lyrics. The album is named after the 1945 novel, That Hideous Strength, by C. S. Lewis.
Stephan Jenkins revealed during a show at Northern Lights in Clifton Park, New York that he has finished the lyrics for "The Hideous Strength" and that once their current tour is complete they will return home and begin recording the album.
A number of previously unreleased recordings were made available, including "Persephone", "Carnival Barker" (an instrumental), and numerous instrumental sessions declined by Jenkins for inclusion on the fourth album.
For the 10th anniversary of the release of Third Eye Blind's debut album, the band performed at the Fillmore on March 13 and 14. The shows were filmed for broadcast on HDNet on Dec. 2 as well as normal broadcast and release on DVD and as a live album tentatively to be released in early 2008, as announced by Jenkins on November 9, 2007, on DC101's "Elliot In The
Morning".
Between April and November of 2007, Third Eye Blind toured extensively throughout the US, playing dozens of sold-out shows as a build-up for the release of their new album. They toured with other 1990s acts such as Counting Crows, Live, and Collective Soul during the summer of 2007. They held a Fall 2007 tour in which they played nine shows, beginning on November 9, at the University of Maryland College Park (which sold out the presale and general sale in a matter of hours), and ending on November 18 at the University of Rhode Island Ryan Center. The band also toured in the winter of 2007. Several performances on the tour were recorded for possible use on a future live album.
Information Source:
Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
