3 (band)
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- For the 1980s progressive rock band, see 3 (1980s band).
3 | |
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Country | Woodstock, New York, USA |
Years active | 1994 – present |
Genres | Progressive Rock |
Labels | Metal Blade Records Planet Noise Records |
Members | Joey Eppard Billy Riker Daniel Grimsland Chris Gartmann Joe Stote |
Past members | Josh Eppard Joe Cuchelo Christopher John Bittner Jason Foster |
3 is an American experimental/progressive rock band formed in Woodstock, New York in the early 90s.
Contents |
[edit] History
The band was founded as a three piece: Joey Eppard on Guitar and Lead Vocals, Josh Eppard on Drums and Chris Bittner on Bass. They came to the attention of Universal Records after well-received performances at the Woodstock festival in 1994, eventually getting signed in 1998, but following an unstable relationship with the label through its series of corporate mergers, the band was left with little prospect of releasing their album. Eventually, the band decided to release it on Planet Noise Records, a small indie label, and thenceforth managed themselves independently, until their 2005 signing with Metal Blade, on whose label they re-released Wake Pig in late 2005. Their career has been marked by several line-up changes, most notably Josh Eppard's departure to join Coheed and Cambria (which he's no longer a member of), who are now regular touring partners. The band have toured nationally several times, as well as appearing on radio stations throughout the United States. Joey Eppard also has an active solo career, and released a solo album, Been to the Future, in 2002.
When questioned about the band's name in an interview with RockSomething.com, Joey Eppard stated that they considered changing the name of the band several times, but always decided to keep the name 3. According to the same interview, the name of the band originally stems from Joey Eppard's own "fascination" with the number: "It is a reference to the construct of our reality as having predominantly 3 aspects. For example, we live in a 3 dimensional universe on the 3rd planet from the sun, experiencing time as past, present and future in a form that consists of mind, body and spirit."
[edit] Style
The band themselves describe their music as "dark yet uplifting, spiritual without any connection to religion". Their music is punctuated by dark, sometimes incomprehensible lyrics, often rather detached from the accompanying music. Joey Eppard is considered a highly competent guitarist, with an unusual flamenco/slap hybrid guitar technique.
[edit] Personnel
- Joey Eppard - Vocals, Acoustic and Electric Guitars
- Billy Riker - Guitars, Effects
- Daniel Grimsland - Bass
- Chris Gartmann - Drums and Backing Vocals
- Joe Stote - Percussion, Keyboards
[edit] Discography
- Paint by Number (1999)
- Half Life (2001)
- Summercamp Nightmare (2003)
- Wake Pig (2004 - re-released on November 1, 2005 on Metal Blade Records)