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Sevendust

American rock band From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Sevendust
This article is about the band. For the computer virus, see SevenDust (computer virus). Not to be confused with Sevin dust.

Sevendust is an American rock band from Atlanta, Georgia, formed in 1994 by bassist Vinnie Hornsby, drummer Morgan Rose and guitarist John Connolly. After their first demo, lead vocalist Lajon Witherspoon and guitarist Clint Lowery joined the group. Following a few name changes, the members settled on the name Sevendust and released their self-titled debut album on April 15, 1997, which sold only 310 copies in its first week[1] but ultimately achieved gold certification.

Quick Facts Background information, Also known as ...
Sevendust
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Sevendust performing in 2010
Background information
Also known asRumblefish (1994)
Crawlspace (1994)
OriginAtlanta, Georgia, U.S.
Genres
Years active1994–present
Labels
Members
Past members
Websitesevendust.com
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Since formation, Sevendust have attained success with three consecutive RIAA gold-certified albums, a Grammy nomination, and have sold millions of records worldwide. The group has released a total of fourteen studio albums, as well as a reissue of their debut.[2]

History

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Early years and Sevendust (1994–1998)

In 1994, bassist Vinnie Hornsby joined drummer Morgan Rose in a band called Snake Nation. John Connolly, a drummer at the time, joined the group as guitarist. They recorded their first demo, but were displeased with the lead vocals and hired Lajon Witherspoon following a yearlong search. Around the same time, guitarist Lee Banks joined to complete the lineup, and the band renamed themselves Rumblefish. Shortly after, Banks became dissatisfied with the touring schedule.[3] The band subsequently replaced him with Clint Lowery.[1]

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Guitarist Clint Lowery in 1998. Lowery is one of Sevendust's primary songwriters.

Rumblefish were forced to rename themselves after discovering another band with the same name. They chose Crawlspace, and released "My Ruin" on the 1996 compilation album Mortal Kombat: More Kombat through TVT Records. However, the band had to change their name again after another group named Crawlspace sent notice that they wanted $2,500 in exchange for the naming rights.[citation needed] The band members elected to rename themselves Sevendust, inspired by the commercial insecticide brand "Sevin Dust".[1]

Sevendust released their self-titled debut, with partial production by former Twisted Sister guitarist Jay Jay French,[4] on April 15, 1997.[5] The album featured the song "Black", which became the opening song for nearly every Sevendust concert until 2004.[6] Sevendust appeared on the Billboard 200, remained there for sixteen weeks and peaked at 165 on April 4, 1998.[7] The album went gold on May 19, 1999.[8]

In 1998, Sevendust performed at Dynamo Open Air (May 29–31) and Ozzfest 1998 (July through August). In the same year they released a compilation called Live and Loud which featured live footage of the band's performance of September 16, 1998, at Chicago's Metro.

Home and Animosity (1999–2002)

In July 1999, Sevendust played on the last day at the infamous Woodstock '99 concert in Rome, New York. Drummer Morgan Rose recalled the band being escorted by numerous security guards to the stage for their set as attendees grew increasingly violent.[9] On August 24, 1999, Sevendust released their second album, Home, which peaked at 19 on the Billboard 200. Two singles from the album, "Denial" and "Waffle", which was played on the Late Night with Conan O'Brien show. That year the band gained European exposure by opening various shows in Germany for Skunk Anansie, whose vocalist Skin provided guest vocals on the track "Licking Cream" off Home. They also opened for Metallica, along with Kid Rock and Ted Nugent, on New Year's Eve in 1999 at the Pontiac Silverdome near Detroit, Michigan. In 2000, the band joined Slipknot, Slayer, Sepultura, Coal Chamber and others on the Tattoo the Earth Tour.

In November 2001, Sevendust released their third album, Animosity, which went gold thanks to the success of singles "Praise" and "Angel's Son", which peaked at 15 and 11, respectively, on the Mainstream Rock Tracks. "Angel's Son" was a tribute to Lynn Strait, the lead singer of the band Snot, whom the members of Sevendust were friends with. Strait had died in a car accident in 1998. In addition to being included on Animosity, the song was included on the compilation album Strait Up. The band made an appearance on the Late Show with David Letterman playing an acoustic version of "Angel's Son" featuring Paul Shaffer on keyboards.

Tragedy would strike again when Lajon Witherspoon's younger brother was shot and killed later that year. Due to his death, Sevendust went on hiatus in 2002.[10]

Seasons, Clint Lowery's departure and Next (2003–2005)

In 2003, Sevendust returned with their fourth album, Seasons. Featuring their highest-charting single (tied with "Driven"), "Enemy", which peaked at No. 10 on the Mainstream Rock Chart, the album debuted at No. 14 in the US, selling around 68,000 copies in its first week. "Enemy" was made the official theme song for WWE Unforgiven 2003.

In 2004, for the first time in the band's career, they released a live album on a CD/DVD double disk package titled Southside Double-Wide: Acoustic Live. Both the CD and the DVD include a cover of "Hurt" by Nine Inch Nails which is dedicated to Johnny Cash. This concert showcased a mellower side to the band with an acoustic performance.

On December 11, 2004, after playing a show in Columbus, Ohio, it was announced that Clint Lowery had left the band mid-tour, because he wanted to play with his brother Corey Lowery in his new band Dark New Day, who had reportedly just signed with Warner Bros. Records. A temporary guitarist was found for the rest of the dates, and Lowery was eventually replaced by Sonny Mayo (from Snot and Amen).[6] At roughly the same time, Sevendust and TVT Records parted ways.

On October 11, 2005, Sevendust joined forces with producer/engineer Shawn Grove and released their fifth studio album, Next, on the WineDark Records label, distributed by Universal Music. In the process, Sevendust also created their own record label, 7Bros Records. The album was actually recorded in a private house-turned-studio owned by a couple outside of the band's hometown of Atlanta, Georgia.[11] The first radio single off Next was the track "Ugly", released to radio August 9, 2005, followed by the music video. The track "Pieces" appeared on the soundtrack for the film Saw II.[12] Next debuted at No. 20 in the US, selling around 37,000 copies in its first week. After the release of Next, Sevendust's former label TVT Records released a greatest hits package for Sevendust, titled Best of (Chapter One 1997–2004), the label's final Sevendust release.[13]

A few months after the October 2005 release date of Next, the band was at odds with WineDark. "I had people come up to me and say, 'When is the record coming out?' And it had already been out for five months", Rose grumbles. "Basically, the main person that was in charge of the whole thing fell off the face of the earth. There were no more cheques coming in, and the money had not been paid in full."[1]

Alpha, Chapter VII: Hope & Sorrow and Clint Lowery's return (2006–2008)

In early 2006, the band themselves were considered bankrupt. WineDark Records had imploded, leaving them without distribution, tour support, or promised advance payments. The band owed money to crew members and other staffers and had a mounting credit card debt. In April, they expected that a tax refund from the US government would help ease the burden. Then, they found out their accountant hadn't paid their taxes and they owed $120,000 to the government. "We were beyond broke", says Morgan Rose. "We had a debt load close to a million dollars, and we were in a position where, no matter how much money we thought we were making, we were still having to pay and pay."[1]

Sevendust (with Shawn Grove again serving as producer and engineer), released their sixth studio album, Alpha, on March 6, 2007 via the Warner-affiliated Asylum Records. Debuting at No. 14 in the US, the band's highest chart position yet, and selling over 42,000 copies of the album in its first week of sale, the disc contained the album's preceding internet track "Deathstar", the Hot Mainstream Rock top 10 smash "Driven" and a further Active Rock radio top 40 hit in the form of "Beg to Differ". Alpha is the band's second album featuring Sonny Mayo on rhythm guitar and the first with him as part of the writing process. The band headlined a 57-date tour in early 2007 with Diecast, Invitro, and Red.[14]

Retrospective 2, a CD/DVD combo including two previously unreleased studio tracks, live concert footage never before seen, as well as the new music videos for the songs "Beg To Differ", "Ugly", "Pieces", and "Driven", was released on December 11, 2007..[15]

Sevendust joined Shawn Grove again, and returned to the studio at the end of November 2007 to finish their seventh studio album, Chapter VII: Hope & Sorrow. Released on April 1, 2008, the album debuted at No. 19 on the Billboard 200. The first single "Prodigal Son" peaked at No. 19 on the mainstream rock chart, followed by "The Past" and "Inside." On March 26, 2008, Sevendust announced that Lowery had quit his duties as guitarist for Dark New Day and would be returning to the Sevendust lineup in place of Mayo. On Lowery's return, Rose stated "This was extremely tough considering Sonny is our brother and has been amazing to work with. [Sonny] didn't do anything wrong at all; we just owe it to ourselves and all the folks that grew up with us to put our original band back together."[16]

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Sevendust performing at Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan

Cold Day Memory (2009–2011)

Sevendust toured with Black Stone Cherry in December 2008, Disturbed in January 2009, and performed multiple shows for US troops in Iraq and Afghanistan in the spring. They released a limited-edition box set in November 2008 entitled Packaged Goods. Each five-disc set is personally autographed by the entire band. The box set includes Next, Alpha, Retrospective 2 (CD + DVD), and Chapter VII: Hope and Sorrow.[17] Before heading into the studio to record their 8th studio album, the band headlined the End of Summer Scorcher held & sponsored by 98KUPD in Phoenix, Arizona on September 26, 2009.

October 2009, Sevendust began recording Cold Day Memory in Chicago with producer Johnny K. The band launched a newly designed website, promoting the new album. During the recording process the band posted daily videos on their official site and their YouTube channel; with updates on the new album, recording sessions in the studio and recording sessions from their new house. On February 6, 2010, the band leaked the song "Forever Dead" on their website. The single "Unraveling" was released through iTunes on March 2.[18] The band released its eighth album, Cold Day Memory, on April 20, 2010. It marked Sevendust's first studio recording with the band's original line-up since 2003's Seasons. The first official single, "Unraveling", hit No. 29 on The Rock Songs chart while the CD rocketed to No. 12 on The Billboard 200. The album includes two more singles, "Forever" and "Last Breath", both of which were welcomed by Active Rock radio.[19]

Sevendust toured with Chevelle, Shinedown, Puddle of Mudd, and 10 Years on the Carnival of Madness during the summer of 2010.[20] The band also re-released their self-titled debut album called Sevendust: Definitive Edition. The re-release contains five new songs. In November 2010, it was announced that Sevendust would play alongside Disturbed, Korn and In This Moment in the "Music As A Weapon 5" tour.[21] In February and March 2011, Sevendust toured in Australia with Iron Maiden, Slayer, Ill Niño and Stone Sour for the Soundwave Festival[22]

Black Out the Sun and Time Travelers & Bonfires (2012–2014)

On June 27, 2012, Sevendust announced that they would enter the studio for their next album on September 5, 2012.[23][24] They entered Architekt Music studios in Butler, New Jersey with engineer Mike Ferretti.[25] Sevendust has completed recording its ninth album for an early 2013 release.[26][27] In October 2012 interview, Lowery described the album as "...a basic Sevendust record", stating "There's nothing, like, too completely different than anything we've done before. It's got a darker vibe to it. We've got a good amount of the programming element in there. It's a lot of what we do. it's heavy and it's got its melodic element in it". Additionally, he discussed the possibility of touring in early 2013 with Lacuna Coil.[28] Sevendust announced they will release the album Black Out the Sun on their own 7Bros. Records label (through Warner Music Group's Independent Label Group) on March 26, 2013. The album's debut single, "Decay" was released to radio and retail outlets on January 22, 2013.[29][30]

Black Out The Sun landed at number one on the "Top Hard Music Albums" in the first week of its release and is the band's best selling album in its first week of release since 2007's Alpha.[31] Sevendust later released another single, "Picture Perfect", to rock radio stations.

Sevendust recorded an acoustic album in early 2014 and supported it with an acoustic tour.[32][33][34] Time Travelers & Bonfires, was released on April 15, on 7Bros. Records, in conjunction with ADA Label Services. On April 1, the band hit the road for their first U.S. headlining tour of the year, entitled "An Evening With Sevendust."[35][36][37] The album's first single is the acoustic version of "Black (acoustic)" which was added on radio stations on March 25, 2014.[38] The album sold around 15,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 19 on The Billboard 200 chart.[39]

In an April 13, conversation with Metalholic.com, guitarist Clint Lowery said the band hopes to release a live DVD with both standard and acoustic concerts as well as a historical retrospective of the band for an early 2015 release.[40] Guitarist John Connolly confirmed on his Facebook page that the live DVD recording was on hiatus due to business decisions and would likely be something the band would still pursue.

Kill the Flaw (2015–2017)

It was reported that the band had finished recording their new album in late March 2015.[41] The record, Kill the Flaw, was self-produced, recorded at Architekt Music studio in Butler, New Jersey and was released on October 2, 2015, via 7Bros. Records with ADA/Warner Brothers distribution. The album debuted at No. 13 on the Billboard 200 Chart, selling over 21,000 units in the first week of release.[42] On July 24 the band released their new single "Thank You" to various rock radio stations around the US, with its official release of July 27.[43][44][45] Sevendust also announced as direct support on the upcoming Godsmack tour, which began on September 23, 2015.[46][47] Sevendust traveled to Australia and New Zealand in March 2016. The tour marked the band's first trip down under in six years after their slated 2014 Soundwave Festival appearance was controversially cancelled. The band suffered considerable backlash from Australian fans who lay the blame on the band for the last minute cancellation.[48][49] The song "Thank You" was nominated for Best Metal Performance for the 2016 Grammy Awards.[50] On January 27, 2016, the band announced a U.S. headliner tour with Trivium and Like a Storm as direct support.[51][52] Sevendust would also embark on another headlining tour of North America including Canadian dates in August.[53]

Sevendust released the Live in Denver acoustic set on DVD on December 14, 2016.[54][55]

All I See Is War and Blood & Stone (2017–2022)

On March 1, 2017, Sevendust announced that they were writing and demoing for a new album.[56] On July 6, 2017, guitarist John Connolly posted a live video on the Sevendust Facebook page stating that the band would go into the studio in November 2017 with producer Michael Baskette, with a tentative release in the spring of 2018. Additionally he announced that the band had signed a deal with Rise Records.[57]

Sevendust's 12th album, All I See Is War, was announced on February 28, 2018. The album's first single, "Dirty", and was released on March 16, along with a music video.[58] The album was released on May 11, 2018, via Rise Records.[59] On April 20, the band began a headlining tour with support from Memphis May Fire, Fire from the Gods and Madame Mayhem.[60] In early 2019, Sevendust toured the US with Tremonti and Cane Hill.[61] In April, 2019, the band played an Australian leg of All I See Is War tour.[62]

The band's 13th album, Blood & Stone, was released on October 23, 2020, through Rise Records.[63] It was preceded by singles "The Day I Tried to Live", a tribute to the late singer Chris Cornell's band Soundgarden, released on June 26, 2020;[64] "Blood from a Stone", released on August 28, 2020, and "Dying to Live", released on October 20, 2020, along with a music video.[65] On October 23, 2020, the band also played its first livestream concert called "Sevendust: Live In Your Living Room".

In January, 2021, the band held a livestream event from Opav in Orlando, Florida, where Animosity was performed in its entirety, and in March, 2021, played the Animosity 21st Anniversary Tour with support from Tetrarch and Dead Poet Society.[66] Sevendust played two special back-to-back livestream events where they performed the albumsSeasons and Home in their entirety on April 10 and 11, respectively.[67] In June–July, 2021, the band played a socially-distanced US tour.[68]

A deluxe edition of Blood and Stone was released on December 10, 2021, via Rise Records.[69]

Truth Killer (2023–present)

On April 12, 2023, the band announced their fourteenth studio album Truth Killer, revealed its cover and tracklisting, and released its first single, "Fence", along with a music video.[70] On May 11, Sevendust released the second single "Everything", and on June 22, the third single "Holy Water".[71][72]

Truth Killer, produced by Michael Baskette, was released on July 28, 2023, via Napalm Records.

In August 2023, the band supported Alter Bridge on the summer leg of the "Pawns & Kings" tour with Mammoth WVH and MJT.[73] Sevendust has since completed a US co-headline tour with Static-X and Dope in the fall of 2023, titled "Machine Killer".[74]

Musical style and influences

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Sevendust at Nova Rock Festival 2009

Sevendust has played genres like alternative metal,[75][76][77][78] nu metal,[6][79][80][81] hard rock,[75][82][83][84] heavy metal,[75][82] industrial metal,[85] and post-grunge.[86] Guitarist John Connolly was asked what the band defined their genre as. Connolly said:

"I don't know. I've been trying to figure that out. It was back in the day. People, for five minutes called us progressive, and then it was nu-metal. Then, all of a sudden, we were playing alternative metal. We are some kind of heavy and some kind of rock and some kind of metal."[87]

According to AllMusic, Sevendust became one of the rising acts in late 1990s heavy metal with an aggressive blend of bottom-heavy riffs and soulful, accessible melodies.[88] The band's lead singer, Lajon Witherspoon, has been praised for his soulful vocals.[89] Mark Jenkins of Washington Post states, "Witherspoon is more flexible than most heavy-rock vocalists, capable of lilting as convincingly as he growls."[90] Ultimate Guitar mentioned, "He has a fairly distinct voice for metal, which originally helped the band stand out".[91] A major part of the Sevendust sound has always been guitar player Clint Lowery.[92] He is the main contributor to the band's style and sound and is known for his raw melodies and empowering riffs.[93] Lowery incorporates ultra-low baritone tunings, and creative 6-string tunings.

Sevendust's influences include Metallica, Anthrax, Testament, Ozzy Osbourne, Pantera, Van Halen, Steve Vai, Iron Maiden, Ronnie James Dio, Nine Inch Nails, and Suicidal Tendencies.[94][95][96][97][98] Frontman Lajon Witherspoon said he is influenced by "so many" genres of music, "from R&B, to rock, to jazz, and classical." Witherspoon then said he is "influenced by everything."[99]

Side projects

Other appearances

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Lajon Witherspoon (left) and Morgan Rose in 2008

On September 16, 2010, Sevendust filmed a video for "Falcons on Top", the official theme song of the Atlanta Falcons football team. Written by Joel Wanasek of JTW Studios. The video shoot took place at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta and included an appearance by the Atlanta Falcons cheerleaders.[104]

Band members

Current members

  • Vinnie Hornsby – bass (1994–present), backing vocals (2014–present)
  • Morgan Rose – drums, backing vocals (1994–present), lead vocals (1994)
  • John Connolly – rhythm guitar (1994–2005, 2008–present), backing vocals (1994–present), lead guitar (1994, 2005–2008)
  • Lajon Witherspoon – lead vocals (1994–present)
  • Clint Lowery – lead guitar, backing vocals (1995–2004, 2008–present)[105]

Former members

  • Lee Banks – lead guitar (1994–1995)[3]
  • Sonny Mayo – rhythm guitar (2005–2008)

Timeline

Discography

Main article: Sevendust discography
Studio albums

References

External links

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