Flyleaf
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| Flyleaf | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Belton, Texas[1] |
| Country | United States |
| Years active | 2000-present |
| Genres | Post-grunge Alternative Metal Alternative Rock |
| Labels | Octone (2004-present) J (2006-present) |
| Members | Lacey Mosley Sameer Bhattacharya Jared Hartmann Pat Seals James Culpepper |
| Website(s) | http://flyleafmusic.com/ |
Flyleaf is an Rock Metal Progressive band from Texas. The band and its members have previously played under several names including Listen, Sporos, The Grove, and Passerby. They became the most prominent in Texas under Passerby, but due to legalities, the name was changed to Flyleaf after they were signed. "A flyleaf is the blank page at the front of a book," explains Lacey Mosley, Flyleaf's vocalist. "It's the dedication page, the place you write a message to someone you're giving a book to. And, that's kind of what our songs are — personal messages that provide a few moments of clarity before the story begins."[citation needed]
Contents |
[edit] Band History
A few years ago, vocalist Lacey Mosley began playing music with drummer James Culpepper. Later, guitarists Jared Hartmann and Sameer Bhattacharya were recruited. "Sameer and Jared are really experimental with melodies and pedals, and we all had different influences that were all blending together with the same passionate and hopeful heart, and that brought out this beautiful feeling. It was magical," said Mosley.[citation needed] Bassist Pat Seals joined in 2002 after leaving his previous band The Grove.
As Passerby, the band released three EPs and played over 100 shows in Texas alone over the span of two years under the booking and promotion company Runt Entertainment. One of those shows was played with Evanescence at the Engine Room in Houston on March 4, 2004. At that time, the crowd of 800 people was the largest crowd that Passerby had ever played for, and they sold all 150 of their EPs.
In 2003, Passerby played a showcase for the president of RCA in New York City in hopes of getting signed. RCA turned the band down, but the president of Octone Records, who had been secretly invited to the showcase, was very interested in the band. They waited for a few days in their van at a truck stop for a phone call about an Octone showcase. They were signed after the showcase, and on January 7, 2004, Octone Records' website announced their arrival to the label.
In March of 2004, Flyleaf traveled to Seattle, Washington to record an EP with Rick Parasher (Pearl Jam, Blind Melon). Afterwards, they toured with Breaking Benjamin, Saliva, Trust Company, Staind, and 3 Doors Down to promote their self-titled EP. In October, the EP was released to stores.
In 2005, the band recorded their first full-length album with Howard Benson. On October 4, 2005, the record was released under the title Flyleaf. Appearances on the album include Dave Navarro of Jane's Addiction and Ryan White of Resident Hero. The first secular single from their debut album is "I'm So Sick", but it should also be noted that "All Around Me" has been released to Christian radio stations. "Fully Alive" is the second secular single released from the LP.
In early 2006, the band moved to J-Records as a part of an exclusive band development deal between J-Records, RCA, and Octone Records. The band is also distributed to Christian markets under SRE Recordings.
On April 12, 2006, Flyleaf performed live on television for the first time on Fuse TV's Daily Download. They did two songs: "I'm So Sick", which has been a Top 5 video on the station, and "All Around Me". On July 10, 2006, Flyleaf logged their first network television appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live where they performed their first two singles, "I'm So Sick" and "Fully Alive".
Their music is a mix of screamo-esque emotion-based vocals and hard rock instrumentals. The band cites influences such as Rage Against The Machine, Incubus, Soundgarden, The Smashing Pumpkins, and Nirvana.[citation needed] They have toured with P.O.D., Seether, and Shinedown and are headlining their own tour. The band will be playing on the revival of the Family Values Tour. The tour consists of Korn, Deftones, Flyleaf, Stone Sour, Dir en grey, Deadsy, 10 Years, Bury Your Dead, and Bullets and Octane.
[edit] Flyleaf passes RIAA Gold With Their Self-Titled Debut Album
The self-titled debut album by the first Texas-based band signed to Octone/J Records, crosses the RIAA gold plateau for U.S. sales in excess of 500,000 units, with the group out on the road for five weeks as part of the "Music As A Weapon Tour" with Disturbed and Stone Sour.
[edit] Discography
- Flyleaf EP (4 track) - 2004
- Flyleaf EP (6 Track) - 2005
- Flyleaf - 2005
[edit] Singles
- Flyleaf EP - "Breathe Today", "Red Sam", "Cassie"
- Flyleaf - "All Around Me", "Fully Alive", "I'm So Sick"
[edit] Videography
- "Breathe Today" (2004)
- "I'm So Sick" (2006)
- "Fully Alive" (2006)
[edit] Trivia
- The song "Cassie" references the Columbine High School massacre, beginning with the lyrics
-
- The question asked in order
- To save her life or take it
- The answer no to avoid death
- The answer yes would make it
- Make it
- and the chorus is
- Do you believe in God
- Written on the bullet
- Say yes to pull the trigger
- Do you believe in God
- Written on the bullet
- And Cassie pulled the trigger.
- However, according to some, Cassie Bernall was not questioned about her beliefs, but a similar question was put to Valeen Schnurr, who was spared by the gunmen. The investigation team that worked on the Columbine shooting came to similar conclusions.[2][3]
- The song "Fully Alive", according to singer Lacey Mosley on a Radiou.com interview, is about Layla Palmer, the wife of Kevin Palmer (lead vocalist of Amity Lane, formerly of Trust Company).
- Some fans believe that the band's first album is about Lacey Mosely's salvation experience.
[edit] References
- ^ Bio on Flyleafmusic.com retrieved 2006-07-12; other sources, including the band's MySpace page, say Temple, Texas instead.
- ^ Salon.com feature
- ^ TheDailyCamera.com report
