Pillar (band)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Pillar | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Background information | |
| Origin | Tulsa, Oklahoma, U.S. |
| Genre(s) | Nu metal Christian rock Hard rock Christian metal |
| Years active | 1998 – present |
| Label(s) | Sony BMG Essential Records (2007-Present) Flicker Records (1998-2007) |
| Associated acts | Stars Go Dim |
| Website | pillarmusic.com |
| Members | |
| Rob Beckley Noah Henson Lester Estelle, Jr. Michael Wittig (AKA Kalel) |
|
| Former members | |
| Brad Noone : Drums (left 2002) Travis Jenkins : Guitar (left 2001) Dustin Adams : Guitar (left 1999) Joey Avalos : Guitar (2006-07) |
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Pillar is a Grammy-nominated Christian rock band currently located in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Pillar has moved between different genres, including hard rock, rapcore, and nu metal.
Contents |
[edit] History
[edit] Formation and independent albums
Pillar started in Hays, Kansas in 1998, when Fort Hays State University roommates Brad Noone and Rob Beckley got together with friends Travis Jenkins, Dustin Adams, and Michael Wittig, known as Kalel. [1] In 1999, Pillar released their first album, Metamorphosis, on their own independent label, Shadrach Records. After some more touring in Kansas, they released their second independent album, Original Superman, in 2000. Around this time they relocated to Tulsa, Oklahoma, to try to find a larger fan base.
[edit] Flicker Records and Above
Soon after the release of Original Superman, Pillar became noticed by Flicker Records, who signed them in mid 2000.[2] After the signing, Pillar re-cut many of the tracks from Original Superman as well as a few new tracks for release on Above,their first major label album. [1] The album had medium success, selling almost 60,000 copies.[3] The song "Open Your Eyes" won a Dove Award in 2001 for Hard Music Song of the Year.
[edit] Fireproof
In 2002, Noah Henson took over guitar duties and Pillar released their breakthrough album, Fireproof. Fireproof sold over 300,000 copies, and launched national tours. It also won two Dove Awards. [2] Soon after the release of Fireproof, drummer Lester Estelle, Jr. joined the band.[4]
[edit] Where Do We Go from Here
In 2004, Pillar released their next album Where Do We Go from Here. Where Do We Go from Here was as an instant hit among Christian rock fans everywhere, capturing #1 on sales in the genre for weeks. The album featured multiple hits, including "Bring Me Down", and, "Frontline" which topped the charts for months. Not only did Christian shows and stations play "Bring Me Down", it was requested heavily on secular stations as well.
[edit] Nothing Comes for Free and The Reckoning
Pillar released an EP called Nothing Comes for Free in June of 2006. It featured 3 new songs (including "Everything") and 4 live tracks. The other two new songs, "Our Escape" and "Dangerous", are not available on their following album, The Reckoning. The EP was only available at live shows and at their webstore. A limited number of copies (10,000) were created.
Pillar then recorded their fourth album, The Reckoning, in early 2006. Travis Wyrick (P.O.D., We as Human, 10 Years, Disciple) produced the new album, as he produced all of their previous albums, and it was released on October 3, 2006. The Reckoning received a Grammy Award nomination December 6, 2007 for Best Rock or Rap Gospel Album. This was the first Grammy nomination that Pillar has ever received.[5]
[edit] For the Love of the Game to present
Pillar has played at both Cornerstone Festival and Creation Festival. It was revealed at Soulfest 2007 that the name of their next project would be For the Love of the Game, which was eventually released on February 26, 2008. They brought back the Pillar logo from "Where Do We Go from Here" and "Fireproof" for this album. ESPN used the new Pillar song, "For the Love of the Game," during montages highlighting the 2007 World Series on its program, Baseball Tonight. They have recently collaborated with Dave Mustaine of Megadeth on some upcoming songs.
Pillar recently helped Eowyn record her latest album "Silent Screams" with Beckley contributing vocals to the title track and Henson and Estelle also playing on the album. Pillar toured on the SHOUTfest tour with After Edmund and various other artists from September to November 2007. They also had a tour for For the Love of the Game from February to April 2008, with Brooke Barrettsmith, Wavorly, and Building 429.
[edit] Members
- Rob Beckley: Vocals
- Kalel (Michael Wittig): Bass
- Lester Estelle II: Drums
- Noah Henson: Guitar
Former Members
- Brad Noone : Drums (left 2002)
- Travis Jenkins : Guitar (left 2001)
- Dustin Adams : Guitar (left 1999)
- Joey Avalos : Guitar-touring only (2006-2007)
[edit] Awards
[edit] Winner
- Dove Awards of 2001 for "Hard Music Album of the Year" - Above by Pillar (Travis Wyrick; Flickerrecords.Com)
- Dove Awards of 2002 for "Hard Music Recorded Song of the Year" - "Live For Him" by Pillar (Rob Beckley, Travis Jenkins, Brad Noone, Michael Wittig)
- Dove Awards of 2003 for "Hard Music Album of the Year" - Fireproof by Pillar (Travis Wyrick; Flicker USA)
[edit] Nomination
The following are nominations that did not result in a win for Pillar, or those nominations that a winner has not yet been announced:
- 2003 Dove Award Nominee for "Hard Music Recorded Song of the Year" - "Fireproof" from the album Fireproof by Pillar (Rob Beckley, Michael Wittig, Brad Noone, Noah Henson; Flicker USA)
- 2008 Grammy Award for "Best Rock or Rap Gospel Album" for The Reckoning by Pillar.
[edit] Discography
[edit] Albums
| Released | Title | Label(s) |
|---|---|---|
| 1999 | Metamorphosis | Shadrach Records |
| 2000 | Original Superman | Shadrach Records |
| 2000 | Above | Flicker Records |
| 2002 | Fireproof | Flicker Records |
| 2004 | Where Do We Go from Here | Flicker Records |
| 2006 | The Reckoning | Flicker Records |
| 2008 | For the Love of the Game | Essential Records |
[edit] EPs
| Year | Title | Label(s) |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | Broken Down: The EP | Flicker Records |
| 2006 | Nothing Comes for Free | Flicker Records |
[edit] Singles
| Year | Song | Album |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | "Open Your Eyes" | Above |
| 2002 | "Fireproof" | Fireproof |
| 2002 | "Further from Myself" | Fireproof |
| 2004 | "Bring Me Down" | Where Do We Go from Here |
| 2004 | "Frontline" | Where Do We Go from Here |
| 2006 | "Everything" | The Reckoning |
| 2006 | "Wherever the Wind Blows" | The Reckoning |
| 2006 | "When Tomorrow Comes" | The Reckoning |
| 2008 | "For the Love of the Game" | For the Love of the Game |
[edit] Related bands and side projects
- Godspeed (1992 - 1994): In high school, Michael Wittig (Kalel) was the founding member of the band Godspeed. They had one album, Godspeed, which was recorded December 1993 and released in a limited edition of 200 copies in January, 1994 in cassette format only. It contains 3 tracks: "Searching" (written by Michael Wittig), "Your Life" (written by Michael Wittig), and "Her Tears" (written by Robert Brouhard and Michael Wittig). The band's name changed from Q: The Source (named after the Q document) to Godspeed during the recording of this 3 song EP. Band Members at the time of the recording included: Michael Wittig on guitar and bass, Mahlon Tobias on bass, Robert Brouhard on vocals, and David Shawn Valcárcel on drums.
- Stars Go Dim (2007 - current) is a current side project band that Lester Estelle Jr., Michael Wittig, and Joey Avalos are a part of. Sweet Memorial's frontman, Chris Cleveland, is the lead singer. They have released three songs on iTunes ("Come Around," and "Crazy," and "Walk On," which are also available on limited edition promo CDs). Stars Go Dim are currently recording a full length album.
- Eowyn's 2008 song "Silent Screams" features Rob Beckley on guest vocals.
[edit] References
- ^ a b Pillar. Rhythmstx Magazine. Retrieved on 2008-05-15.
- ^ a b Pillar Biography. Sing365.com. Retrieved on 2008-05-15.
- ^ Pillar. allmusic.com. Retrieved on 2008-05-15.
- ^ Biography. LesterDrums.com. Retrieved on 2008-05-15.
- ^ 50th Annual Grammy Awards Nominations List. The Recording Academy (2007-12-06). Retrieved on 2007-12-07.
[edit] External links
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