House of Heroes

House of Heroes
House of Heroes performing a capella in Akron, Ohio. Left to right: Eric Newcomer, Colin Rigsby, Tim Skipper, Matt Lott
Background information
Origin	Columbus, Ohio, United States
Genres	Alternative rock, Christian rock
Years active	1998–2002 (as No Tagbacks) 2002-present (as House of Heroes)
Labels	Four Door, Vanishing Point, Mono Vs Stereo, Gotee
Associated acts	Saints Don't Grieve
Website	www.thehouseofheroes.com
Members	Tim Skipper Colin Rigsby A.J. Babcock Eric Newcomer Matt Lott
Past members	Jared Rigsby Josh Dun Nate Rothacker

House of Heroes is an alternative rock band from Columbus, Ohio. They have released five albums: What You Want Is Now (2003), House of Heroes (2005), The End Is Not the End (2008), Suburba (2010), and Cold Hard Want (2012). The band also released the album Ten Months (2001) under their original name, No Tagbacks, which had more of a punk sound than their releases as House of Heroes. They also re-released their self-titled record under the name of Say No More (2006). The band consists of Tim Skipper, Colin Rigsby, A.J. Babcock, Eric Newcomer, and Matt Lott.

Band history

The band got started in 1996 at Hilliard Davidson High School (Hilliard, OH), originally as a punk band called Plan B, with Tim Skipper, A.J. Babcock, and Nate Rothacker on drums. In 1998, Colin Rigsby replaced Nate Rothacker on drums and they changed their name to No Tagbacks, then later to House of Heroes (changing their punk style in the process). The band recorded early demos at Chris Lundquist's home studio LundquistAudio (formerly Lunkhead Studio). In 2003 they released their first album What You Want Is Now under the name House of Heroes.^[1]

Jared Rigsby replaced A.J. Babcock as the band's live bassist in December 2005, as Babcock had married and focused on a side project with his wife called "FlowerDagger". Babcock eventually rejoined the band as the live bassist and Jared Rigsby became an official member as the band's second guitarist. In 2009, Babcock stopped touring for the second time and was replaced by Eric Newcomer as the live bassist. After Babcock rejoined the band once more in 2012 as bassist, Newcomer became an official member as the band's second guitarist, involved in the writing and recording of Cold Hard Want. After only a brief touring stint in early 2012, Babcock stopped touring again and the band recruited Matt Lott (formerly of Wavorly) as touring bassist. Jared Rigsby did not appear in the band's "In The Studio" video for Cold Hard Want,^[2] nor is he featured in the band's press shot on the official page for Cold Hard Want.^[3]

In March 2010 Colin Rigsby was replaced by Josh Dun (of Twenty One Pilots) on drums as Rigsby felt he needed to spend more time with his family. In October 2010 Rigsby resumed drumming duty.^[4]

Influences

According to drummer, Colin Rigsby, some of House of Heroes influences are: The Beatles, Queen, Bruce Springsteen, and The Clash. Tim Skipper also said that Muse is a source of influence.^[5] In his free time, Rigsby works on Art, and has his own website.^[6] He is currently working with Jon Schneck of Relient K on a graphic novel titled "En Carne."

Christian music

Though they are sometimes considered to be Christian rock, their lyrics are not always transparently Christian. In an interview with Ransom.tv, Tim Skipper discusses their part in Christian music: "We didn't feel drawn to necessarily be in the church and be a praise and worship band, and we didn't feel drawn to just be outside of it. We kind of felt like we should straddle the line, and the big deal was to keep the integrity of the music intact and not to sacrifice any of the artistry." ^[7]

In another interview, bassist AJ Babcock said, "We never wanted to try to pander to a Christian audience by saying things that necessarily were just kind of, you know, lip service to people. We never want to do that unless it meant something, unless it was in context in a song." ^[8] In their fifth album Suburba, they embrace this idea, with songs such as "Salt in the Sea" and "Constant", which both can be seen as songs with Christian ideas.

In the same interview, Skipper summarizes their role in saying "We're Christian people, and we play rock and roll music." ^[8]

Albums and EPs

Ten Months (2001)

Ten Months is the only album released under the name No Tagbacks. It was released by Four Door Entertainment.

What You Want Is Now (2003)

Being their first album, House of Heroes released this debut in 2003 under the label Vanishing Point Records, owned by Scott Stilletta formerly of Plankeye. It includes 13 tracks, two of which were later composed differently and released on their self-titled record. It was recorded in Columbus, Ohio.

After the release of this album, the band was signed to Gotee Records by its owner and founder, Toby McKeehan. They now release their albums on that label.

House of Heroes (2005)

This is their first album released under Gotee Records. It was released on April 26, 2005 and includes 11 tracks. During the same year, the group toured with several other bands such as Relient K, Rufio, and MxPx. The band made a music video around this time for their song "Serial Sleepers."

Say No More (2006)

Say No More, was released on May 2, 2006. It was a re-release of their self-titled debut album, and includes two bonus tracks ("The Invisible Hook," and "You Are the Judas of the Cheerleading Squad").^[9]

The End Is Not the End (2008)

In 2008, before the release of their next album, the band launched FreeHOH.com, a website where "In the Valley of the Dying Sun", "Sooner or Later", and "By Your Side" were offered as free downloads. The End Is Not the End was subsequently released on September 23, 2008.

The band said that this album was actually finished in 2007, but did not release until September of '08. They also had distribution issues when the album was first released. It was only available at live shows and online, but not in stores. It is NOW available in most retailers, but it must be bought through the stores' website, still because of distribution issues.

"The End Is Not The End" is really considered the band's breakthrough album, and most epic so far. AbsolutePunk.net has given the band much credit and praise for the album. It charted on the Billboard at No. 19 for "Christian Albums" and No. 9 for "Heatseekers Albums." From this album, the song "In The Valley Of The Dying Sun" was turned into a music video, and was No. 10 on TVU's Most Wanted of 2008. The video was also nominated for a Dove Award in 2009 for SHORT FORM MUSIC VIDEO. It is a featured music video on YouTube. "In The Valley of The Dying Sun" (the song) was No. 1 on RadioU's "2008's Most Wanted."

In early June 2009, on Amazon.com, House of Heroes had the deal of the day. They made it to the second highest position (2nd place) on "Today's Top MP3 Artists" on June 17 with The End Is Not The End. Their ranking was higher than The Black Eyed Peas, Dave Matthews Band, Green Day and other famous musical names.

The Acoustic End EP (2009)

This digital EP was released on iTunes (and now AmazonMp3) on April 7, 2009. and includes the songs: "Ghost", "New Moon," and "If (Acoustic)." ("If" is also on the "The End Is Not The End.")

The title The Acoustic End EP refers to their album title The End Is Not the End.

The songs: "Ghost", and "New Moon" are bonus tracks on the physical release of "The End Is Not The End."

House of Heroes Meets The Beatles EP (2009)

During a show on March 20, 2009 in Columbus, Ohio, the band announced that they would be releasing a digital EP of The Beatles cover songs.

The three song EP, with the Beatle reference, House of Heroes Meets The Beatles, (referring to the Beatles album "Meet The Beatles!") which was released on June 9, 2009, features "Can't Buy Me Love", "It Won't Be Long" and "Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da".^[10]

The album artwork of this digital EP is set around The Beatles' "A Hard Day's Night." House of Heroes are fans of the Beatles, and might have dropped a clue on their Myspace about this digital EP. They noted at the time they wrote a blog they were listening to "Meet The Beatles!, by The Beatles.

The Christmas Classics EP (2009)

On November 10, 2009, House of Heroes digitally released a three-song EP, for Christmas. The EP includes a cover of the Mariah Carey hit, "All I Want For Christmas Is You," and the classic Christmas hymns, "Silent Night," and "[[O come, O come, Emmanuel|O Come, O Come Emmanuel]]." The EP has been given a very positive review from Absolutepunk.net

Suburba (2010)

The band entered Dark Horse Recording Studio on February 1, 2010 to record their 4th full length album.^[11] The album is called Suburba, and was released on August 3, 2010 by Gotee Records.^[12] Their first single is entitled "Elevator" and is currently playing on RadioU. They also released their song "God Save The Foolish Kings" on their Website and YouTube page. A second single, entitled "Constant" is currently playing on Air 1. On June 29, 2010, the band began offering the song "Independence Day for a Petty Thief" as a free download for Twitter users who posted a promotional message about the song.

Cold Hard Want (2012)

House of Heroes entered Smoakstack Studios on December 12, 2011 in order to record their fifth album, Cold Hard Want.^[13] The band went with producer Paul Moak, who has produced artists such as Seabird, Lovedrug, Mat Kearney, after going with producer Mark Lee Townsend for the previous two albums.^{[citation needed]} As of February 22, 2012, the record has been completely recorded and mastered.^[14] On their Tumblr page, the band announced that the album would be out in July 2012, and that they would be releasing their first single, "Touch This Light", its music video, and a B-Side called "Dead" on April 24, 2012.^[15] The band also put up a teaser page for the album with a 1:41 teaser video which features brand new album art and of one of the album's songs, "Out My Way" ^[16]

On April 20, 2012, "Touch This Light" began playing on RadioU.^{[citation needed]}

The Knock-Down Drag Outs (2013)

As a contract wrap-up with Gotee Records, House of Heroes released The Knock Down Drag Outs, which is mostly a collection of previously released material. The b-sides include songs from House of Heroes Meet the Beatles and The Acoustic End EP, along with bonus tracks from their prior albums.^[17] In addition, the album included three new songs: "Choose Your Blade," "Hide," and "Your Casualty".^[18]

Untitled New Album (2014)

In September 2013, the band entered Playground Studios to record their sixth studio album.^{[citation needed]} This will be their first album since House of Heroes/Say No More recorded independently.^{[citation needed]}

Tours

They toured with tobyMac and Brandon Heath in January and February 2011 on the Winter Wonder Slam tour.^[19]

Members

• Tim Skipper – lead vocals, guitar (1998–present)
• Colin Rigsby – drums, backing vocals (1998–present)
• AJ Babcock – bass guitar, backing vocals,(1998–present)
• Eric Newcomer – bass guitar, guitar, backing vocals, (2009–2011 as live bassist, 2012–present as guitarist)
• Matt Lott - touring bassist (2012-present)

Former

• Josh Dun – drums, backing vocals, live only (March - October 2010)
• Jared Rigsby – bass guitar, guitar, backing vocals (2005–2011)

Discography

Albums

Year	Title	Label(s)	Notes
2003	What You Want Is Now	Vanishing Point Records	First full-length album
2005	House of Heroes	Gotee Records	Major label debut album
2008	The End Is Not the End	Gotee Records	Released as mp3s in 2008, released on CD in 2009
2010	Suburba	Gotee Records
2012	Cold Hard Want	Gotee Records

Other releases

Year	Title	Label(s)	Notes
2001	Ten Months	Four Door Entertainment	As "No Tagbacks"
2006	Say No More	Mono Vs Stereo	Re-release of self-titled album
2009	The Acoustic End EP	Gotee Records	Acoustic versions of "If", "New Moon", and "Ghost".
2009	House of Heroes Meets The Beatles EP	Gotee Records	Covers of "Can't Buy Me Love", "It Won't Be Long", and "Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da"
2009	The Christmas Classics EP	Gotee Records	Covers of "All I Want For Christmas Is You" (Mariah Carey), "Silent Night" and "O Come, O Come Emmanuel"
2010	The B-Sides	Gotee Records	Packaged with pre-orders of Suburba

An early version of the song "You Are the Judas of the Cheerleading Squad", was also featured on a compilation where 25 bands each had one hour to record and mix a song. The album was called 25 Hour Grand Prix.^{[citation needed]}

Singles

• "Mercedes Baby" (from What You Want Is Now)
• "Kamikaze Baby" (from What You Want Is Now)
• "Serial Sleepers" (from House of Heroes and Say No More) – No. 9 on the Radio & Records Christian Rock Chart
• "Buckets for Bullet Wounds" (from House of Heroes and Say No More) – No. 6 on the Radio & Records Christian Rock Chart
• "The Invisible Hook" (from Say No More)
• "In the Valley of the Dying Sun" (from The End Is Not the End) - No. 1 on the Radio & Records Christian Rock Chart; No. 1 on CWR radio chart
• "Silent Night" (from the digital-only Silent Night single)
• "Lose Control" (from The End Is Not the End) - No. 2 on the Radio & Records Christian Rock Chart; No. 1 on CWR radio chart"
• "Code Name: Raven" (from "The End Is Not the End.")
• "Field of Daggers" (from "The End Is Not the End." Announced on September 3, 2009, on lead singer's, Tim Skipper's Twitter^[20])
• "Elevator" (from Suburba radioU exclusive)
• "Constant" (from Suburba)
• "God Save the Foolish Kings" (from Suburba)
• "Lovesick Zombie" (from the digital-only Lovesick Zombie single)
• "Touch This Light" (from Cold Hard Want)

Music videos

• "Ten Months" (2001) as No Tagbacks
• "Vital Signs" (2001) as No Tagbacks
• "Mercedes Baby" (2003)
• "Serial Sleepers" (2005)
• "In the Valley of the Dying Sun" (2008)
• "O Come, O Come Emmanuel" (2009)
• "God Save the Foolish Kings" (2010)
• "So Far Away" (2011)
• "Touch This Light" (2012)

Compilation appearances

• 2004: "Mercedes Baby", The Revolution Will Begin in the Blink of an Eye Vol. 1 (Mono Vs Stereo)
• 2005: Tim Skipper has been featured in John Reuben's album, "The Boy Vs. the Cynic" on the song "So Glad."
• 2005: "Serial Sleepers", The Revolution Will Begin In the Blink of An Eye Vol. 2 (Mono Vs Stereo)
• 2005: "Serial Sleepers", X2005', (BEC)
• 2006: "The Invisible Hook", X2007 (BEC)
• 2006: "Day by Day", Freaked! A Gotee Tribute to dcTalk's "Jesus Freak" (Gotee)
• 2009: Tim Skipper contributed vocals on the songs "Forget and Not Slow Down" and "Sahara" and "Savannah" from Relient K's Forget and Not Slow Down

No Tagbacks

The band was known as "No Tagbacks" before they were House of Heroes.

Members Tim Skipper - lead vocals, guitar AJ Babcock - bass guitar, backing vocals Colin Rigsby - drums, backing vocals

Discography Ten Months (2001)

Music Videos "Ten Months" (2001) "Vital Signs" (2001)

References

External links

• Official website
• Music Faith House of Heroes Profile
• House of Heroes on Pure Volume

v t e House of Heroes Tim Skipper Colin Rigsby AJ Babcock Eric Newcomer Main albums What You Want Is Now (2003) House of Heroes (2005) The End is Not the End (2008) Suburba (2010) Cold Hard Want (2012) Other releases Ten Months (2001) Say No More (2006) The Acoustic End EP (2009) House of Heroes Meets The Beatles EP (2009) The Christmas Classics EP (2009)