Bullet for My Valentine

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Bullet for My Valentine
Bullet for My Valentine performing at Earthday Birthday, April 29, 2007 L:R: Michael Paget, Jason James, and Matthew Tuck
Bullet for My Valentine performing at Earthday Birthday, April 29, 2007 L:R: Michael Paget, Jason James, and Matthew Tuck
Background information
Also known as BFMV
B4MV
[citation needed]
Origin Bridgend, Wales, United Kingdom
Genre(s) Metalcore
Heavy metal[1]
Years active 1998–present
Label(s) Columbia (UK)
Trustkill Records (U.S.)
Gun Records/Sony-BMG
Jive Records (Present)
Associated acts 12 Pints of My Girlfriends Blood
Jeff Killed John
Website bulletformyvalentine1.com
Members
Matt Tuck
Michael Paget
Jason James
Michael Thomas
Former members
Nick Crandle

Bullet for My Valentine are a four-piece metalcore band from Bridgend, Wales. Originally known as 12 Pints of my Girlfriend's Blood, the band formed in 1998 and covered songs by Metallica and Nirvana. The band saw the band's name was too graphic for a mainstream audience, and renamed themselves Jeff Killed John. Financial difficulties marked a change in music direction and name for the band. Bullet for My Valentine was formed in 2002, and was offered a record deal by Roadrunner Records. That offer was turned down, and the band later secured a five album deal with Sony BMG.

Bullet for My Valentine's debut album The Poison was released on October 3, 2005 in the United Kingdom and February 14, 2006 in the United States. The album entered the Billboard 200 at number 128, and the Top Heatseekers chart at number 1, and has sold 375,000 copies in the U.S. as of February 6, 2008. The band made appearances at the Download Festival, Kerrang! XXV, and a United States tour with Rob Zombie, which the band were ultimately kicked off due to vocalist Matthew Tuck's comments on the band's message board. Bullet for My Valentine's second studio album Scream Aim Fire debuted at number 4 on the Billboard 200, with first-week sales of 53,000.[2]

Contents

[edit] Biography

Bullet for my Valentine was formerly known as "Jeff Killed John," they later abandoned the name and their original style.

Jeff Killed John members wanted to follow the nu metal trend set by bands such as Korn — Bassist Crandle left the band on the eve of entering the recording studio[citation needed]. The band recorded three songs (unmixed and unmastered) before quitting the project and subsequently split up. But despite this, they did get back together and they found a new bassist in the shape of Jason 'Jay' James. As nu metal had started to become less popular, the band gave it one final shot by changing their name to Bullet for My Valentine, a name which refers to the "fictional evil yet loving lyrical content".[3]

[edit] Record label signing

For six to ten months, Bullet for My Valentine played at concerts to attract the interest of record labels. At a show in London, Roadrunner Records showed interest and offered the band a deal. The label was ultimately turned down, and the band signed a five record deal with Sony BMG, and a United Kingdom licensing deal with Visible Noise. The choice to choose Sony as said by frontman Tuck was "We thought that a lot more doors would be open to us with the Sony deal".[4]

A self-titled EP was released on November 15, 2004 in the U.K., and November 30, 2004 in the United States. Produced by Colin Richardson and mixed by Andy Sneap, the EP featured five tracks and marked the band's first official release.[5] A second EP, titled Hand of Blood was released on August 22, 2005 through Trustkill Records, and was only available in the United States. The EP contained one extra track than the self-titled EP, "4 Words (To Choke Upon)". Decibel Magazine contributor Daniel Lukes responded to the EP negatively stating "The worst part is that the music itself isn’t all that bad, for the genre. 'Cries In Vain' even threatens to kick some major ass before drowning in vocal sub-Incubusisms"; commenting the band should be embarrassed about the release.[6] Zeromag.com editor Josh Joyce complimented the band on "how technical they can get without confusing the kids".[7]

[edit] The Poison

Bullet for My Valentine's debut album, The Poison, was released in the U.K. on October 3, 2005 and February 14, 2006 in the U.S. It entered the Billboard 200 at number 128,[8] attained a peak of number 2 on the Top Heatseekers, and number 11 on the Top Independent albums.[9] As of February 6, 2008, the album has sold 375,000 copies in the U.S.[10][11]

 Music sample:

"Tears Don't Fall"

Blabbermouth.net Reviewer Scott Alisoglu commented on "Tears Don't Fall"; "the twin lead work, thrashy romps, galloping tempos, and a hot solo launch the track out of mediocrity"[12]
Problems listening to the file? See media help.

Critical response to the album was mixed. Stylus Magazine editor Dom Passantino commented the band's contribution to the world of music is "basically a slightly uglier, yet similarly polished take on their genre than Lostprophets", awarding a C- grade.[13] Blabbermouth.net reviewer Scott Alisoglu stated Bullet for My Valentine "is fairly good at what it does and at least half of the songs are better than average", although commented that the album "follows with several 'hey, it's predictable, but pretty rocking' moments".[12] Decibel Magazine contributor Kirk Miller commented "There’s zero in the originality department here", although praised the band's synchronised song structures compared to other bands.[14]

Four singles were released from The Poison including "4 Words (To Choke Upon)", the band's first single, followed by "Suffocating Under Words of Sorrow (What Can I Do)". "All These Things I Hate (Revolve Around Me)" peaked on the Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks at number 13 and number 30 on the Modern Rock Tracks. "Tears Don't Fall" peaked at number 24 on the Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks and number 32 on the Modern Rock Tracks.[15]

Main article: The Poison

Bullet for My Valentine played at the Download Festival in Donington Park for three consecutive years, first appearing at the 2004 festival on the Barfly stage.[16] The following year with increased popularity, Bullet for My Valentine played on the larger Snickers stage,[17] and in 2006 the band were moved to near the top of the main stage bill, playing on Sunday night below Guns N' Roses and Funeral for a Friend.[18] Other tours the band embarked on included opening for Metallica and Guns N' Roses for six weeks of the summer in 2006,[19] the Vans Warped Tour, Kerrang! tour, and Earthday Birthday on April 28, 2007. The band's performance at the Brixton Academy in London was filmed for the band's first DVD, The Poison: Live at Brixton.[20]

Paget and Tuck at Roskilde 2006
Paget and Tuck at Roskilde 2006

Bullet for My Valentine were removed as a supporting act on a 2006 tour with Rob Zombie after 17 shows. Tuck posted a message on the band's official message board, stating the band were not being treated well on the tour in response to fans who complained about t-shirt prices and sound quality.[21] Zombie made the band price match his merchandise ($40 a shirt), and were only allowed two pieces. Because the band were unable to use a dressing room, could not perform a sound check, Tuck referred to the headliner as "money-grabbing fucks". Tuck commented "Basically, we are shit to him, but fuck it — if this is what it takes to get a name over here, then it's gotta be done".[22] A few hours later, Tuck posted a message apologizing for his comments claiming they were "out of line and totally exaggerated". However, the band were kicked off the tour the following day for the comments. Vocalist of fellow support act Lacuna Coil, Andrea Ferro, attributed the behaviour due to inexperience; "Probably they got some different kind of success in the U.K. in the beginning and they think that they paid their dues, but I believe that they still have to pay their dues, like everybody".[23]

During June 2007, Tuck suffered from laryngitis which led to a number of shows being postponed until early January. A tonsillectomy was scheduled in mid July, although it was brought forward at the last minute at the advice of Tuck's doctor. Advised a minimum recovery period of four weeks, the band were forced to cancel several shows. This included supporting Metallica for three dates on their Sick of the Studio '07 tour on June 29 in Bilbao, Spain, July 5 in Vienna, Austria, and July 8 at the recently completed Wembley Stadium in London. Machine Head replaced the band as supporting act.[24] Although unable to speak, Tuck wrote that as soon as doctors cleared him he would be in the studio working on the band's next album.[25]

[edit] Scream Aim Fire

Main article: Scream Aim Fire

Bullet for My Valentine filmed a video for the title track "Scream Aim Fire" on November 17, which is from the band's album of the same name. Director Frank Borin described the video as "a social commentary about the facade of war and the deceitful tactics used to recruit the young men of our country".[26] This video was later scrapped, and a second was filmed in California. The album was recorded at Sonic Ranch Studios with production duties handled by Colin Richardson.[27] The album was released on January 28, 2008 and January 29 in the US.[28] Tuck commented on the album; "The biggest difference is probably the tempo and the aggression. It's a lot more uptempo, a lot more aggressive".[26] The album entered the Billboard 200 at number 4 with 53,000 copies sold in its first week.[2] The band has finished touring North America for the 2008 Taste of Chaos tour with the bands Atreyu, Idiot Pilot, Blessthefall and Avenged Sevenfold. They will also be performing at Rock am Ring and Rock im Park and the Download Festival in June 2008. Their new single "Waking The Demon" has now hit U.S. radio airways. They recently self-confirmed themselves for this years Reading & Leeds festivals.

It was announced on April 14, 2008 that the band would cut short their Canada tour in order to fly back home in support of bassist Jason 'Jay' James whose daughter has been hospitalised. They are currently touring Australia and New Zealand with their Taste of Chaos co-headliners, Avenged Sevenfold and Atreyu.[29] Starting in July they will headline the No Fear Music Tour across North America.

[edit] Style

Bullet for My Valentine claim to be influenced by bands such as Metallica, Annihilator, Pantera, Machine Head, Iron Maiden, Testament, Slayer, Stuck Mojo, Judas Priest and Megadeth. Paget classifies these influences as "old school thrash".[30] These bands inspire Bullet for My Valentine's "catchy vocals, aggressive riffs and melodies".[31] Reviewing The Poison, Blabbermouth.net reviewer Scott Alisoglu described the band's sound as "predictable" and the album as a "made-for-MTV breakout hit" comparing the harmonies to Swedish metal band In Flames. However, Alisoglu praised songs such as "Tears Don't Fall" for incorporating "twin lead work, thrashy romps, galloping tempos, and a hot solo".[12]

The members are not interested in modern music as Paget described it as "just about noise and smashing people's faces off for seven minutes, we're not into that just being loud for the sake of it".[30] Members of the band have stated they would not change their sound or image for a commercial approach. Tuck commented "Without sounding harsh, we're more interested in what our music sounds like than what our fucking hair looks like".[32] Kirk Miller of Decibel magazine praised the band for the effort in synchronised song structures.[14]

[edit] Awards

Bullet for My Valentine have received two awards from Kerrang!, 'Best UK single' for their track Tears Don't Fall in 2006, and 'Best British Newcomer' in 2005. As a result the band headlined Kerrang!'s 25 year anniversary tour of the U.K.[33] The band recorded a cover song for the magazine, Metallica's "Creeping Death", which is featured on the magazine's Higher Voltage complication disk.[34] Another Metallica cover, "Welcome Home (Sanitarium)", was featured on Metallica" Remastered.[35]

The band won the Welsh Music Award for "Best Newcomer" in 2004,[36] and according to The Sun, were 'booed' when receiving the 2006 Metal Hammer Golden God Award award for 'Best British Band'.[37] Bullet for My Valentine has received coverage in music magazines including being featured on the covers of Metal Hammer, Guitar World and Kerrang, and stories in Revolver, Outburn, Penthouse, Rock Sound, NME, Hit Parader, Total Guitar, Guitar One, Drummer Magazine and Alternative Press.[33]

[edit] Members

[edit] Current members

[edit] Former members

  • Nick Crandle – Bass

[edit] Discography

[edit] Albums

[edit] EPs

[edit] Singles

Year Single Chart positions Album
UK Singles Chart[38][39][40] UK Rock Chart U.S. Modern Rock[15] U.S. Mainstream Rock[15] German Singles Chart
2005 "4 Words (To Choke Upon)" 40 - - - - The Poison
"Suffocating Under Words of Sorrow (What Can I Do)" 37 - - - -
2006 "All These Things I Hate (Revolve Around Me)" 29 - 30 13 -
"Tears Don't Fall" - - 8 14 -
2007 "Scream Aim Fire" 34 1 26 16 58 Scream Aim Fire
2008 "Hearts Burst Into Fire" 66 - 209 - -
"Waking the Demon" - - - 40 -

[edit] DVDs

[edit] References

  1. ^ http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/music/sites/bulletformyvalentine/pages/poison_live_at_brixton.shtml
  2. ^ a b Hasty, Katie (2008-02-06). Keys Notches Fourth Week At No. 1. Billboard. Retrieved on 2008-02-07.
  3. ^ Bullet for My Valentine biography. bbc.co.uk. Retrieved on 2007-10-30.
  4. ^ Bullet for My Valentine Interview. Roomthirteen.com (2005-07-08). Retrieved on 2007-10-30.
  5. ^ Bullet for My Valentine. bbc.co.uk. Retrieved on 2007-10-30.
  6. ^ Lukes, Daniel what?. Screamocore takes a dump where it eats. Decibel Magazine. Retrieved on 2007-11-09.
  7. ^ Joyce, Josh. Bullet For My Valentine - Hand of Blood EP. Zeromag.com. Retrieved on 2007-11-09.
  8. ^ Chart Listing for the week of Mar 04 2006:. Billboard.com (2006-03-04). Retrieved on 2007-11-02.
  9. ^ Bullet for My Valentine - Albums. Billboard.com. Retrieved on 2007-11-02.
  10. ^ New Bullet for My Valentine Single A 'Benchmark' For Band. Blabbermouth.net (2008-01-15). Retrieved on 2008-01-15.
  11. ^ Bullet for My Valentine frontman says new album is 'a lot more uptempo, a lot more aggressive. Blabbermouth.net (2007-10-15). Retrieved on 2007-11-01.
  12. ^ a b c Alisoglu, Scott. The Poison. Blabbermouth.net. Retrieved on 2007-10-15.
  13. ^ Passantino, Dom (2005-11-01). Bullet for My Valentine Stylus Magazine. Stylus Magazine. Retrieved on 2007-11-06.
  14. ^ a b Miller, Kirk. Bullet for My Valentine - The Poison. Decibel Magazine. Retrieved on 2007-11-01.
  15. ^ a b c Bullet for My Valentine - Singles. Billboard.com. Retrieved on 2007-11-07.
  16. ^ Download Festival 2004 line-up. Downloadfestival.co.uk. Retrieved on 2007-11-07.
  17. ^ Download Festival 2005 line-up. Downloadfestival.co.uk. Retrieved on 2007-11-07.
  18. ^ Download Festival 2006 line-up. Downloadfestival.co.uk. Retrieved on 2007-11-07.
  19. ^ Bullet for My Valentine - Matt Tuck, Vocals/Guitars. smnews.com (2006-04-01). Retrieved on 2007-11-07.
  20. ^ Arto (2006-01-03). Bullet for My Valentine interview - Moose. HardcoreSounds. Retrieved on 2007-11-07.
  21. ^ Sirius Satellite Radio's Hard Attack interview with Matt Tuck and Michael Thomas. June 7, 2006
  22. ^ Bullet for My Valentine Frontman Slams Headliner Rob Zombie: 'We Are Shit To Him'. Blabbermouth.net (2006-04-06). Retrieved on 2007-11-07.
  23. ^ Interview with Lacuna Coil's Andrea Ferro. HeavyMetalSource.com (2006-05-08). Retrieved on 2007-11-07.
  24. ^ Machine Head Added To Metallica's Wembley Bill. Blabbermouth.net (2007-06-27). Retrieved on 2007-11-07.
  25. ^ Chris (2007-06-21). Bullet update. bulletformyvalentine1.com. Retrieved on 2007-11-07.
  26. ^ a b Bullet for My Valentine frontman says new album is 'More commerical than the last one, were all gonna cut our hair and wear more makeup'. Blabbermouth.net (2007-10-15). Retrieved on 2007-10-30.
  27. ^ Graff, Gary (2007-04-12). Bullet for My Valentine in the thick of new album. this was their biggest selling album of all time. it outselled the poison on its first week.. Billboard.com. Retrieved on 2007-11-31.
  28. ^ Bullet for My Valentine: New Album Details Revealed. Blabbermouth.net (2007-11-14).
  29. ^ BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE Cancels Seattle, Canada Dates - Apr. 14, 2008. Blabbermouth.net (2008-04-14). Retrieved on 2008-04-14.
  30. ^ a b Bullet for My Valentine Interview - Ultimate Guitar. Ultimate-Guitar (2005-10-20). Retrieved on 2007-11-01.
  31. ^ Bullet for My Valentine - Confident aiming at being the next classic metal band. metalrage.com. Retrieved on 2007-11-01.
  32. ^ Bullet for My Valentine Interview. popworld.com. Retrieved on 2007-11-01.
  33. ^ a b Bullet for My Valentine win Kerrang! award. Ultimate-Guitar (2006-08-29). Retrieved on 2007-10-31.
  34. ^ Machine Head, Trivium, Mastodon Pay Tribute to Metallica on 'Remastered' CD. Blabbermouth.net (2006-03-21). Retrieved on 2007-11-09.
  35. ^ Welsh Music Awards 2004. bbc.co.uk. Retrieved on 2007-11-07.
  36. ^ Mendoza, Nadia (2007-06-12). Bullet booed at Metal Awards. Thesun.co.uk. Retrieved on 2007-10-31.
  37. ^ top40-charts - Tears Don't Fall. top40-charts.com. Retrieved on 2007-11-08.
  38. ^ top40-charts - All These Things I Hate. top40-charts.com. Retrieved on 2007-11-08.
  39. ^ top40-charts - Suffocating Under Words Of Sorrow. top40-charts.com. Retrieved on 2007-11-08.

[edit] External links

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