Training for Utopia
| Training for Utopia | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Sacramento, California, US |
| Genres | Metalcore,[1] mathcore, hardcore,[2] Industrial metal,[1] Noisecore[2] |
| Years active | 1996–2000 |
| Labels | Solid State, Tooth & Nail |
| Associated acts | Demon Hunter |
| Past members |
Ryan Clark Don Clark Steve Saxby Morley Boyer Rob Dennler Carlos Colón |
Training for Utopia (TFU) was a metalcore band which existed from 1996–2000.[3]
History
The band first signed with Tooth & Nail Records and was later moved to Solid State Records, the Tooth & Nail imprint that promotes heavy Christian music. Training for Utopia subsequently became popular in the Christian metal[4] scene during its active years, although its music was not specifically religious.
Their brief existence included a tour with Zao and at the time the upcoming band Spitfire, as well as Warlord.[5] It was during this time that the band hired Carlos Colón (later to join The Deadlines) for their 1998 tour providing synthesizers & live guitar to their live show. Immediately following the tour Carlos left the band to pursue other aspirations. After a temporary hiatus the band returned with their second full length "Throwing a Wrench into the American Music Machine". After a small tour of the material the band disbanded.
At the demise of Training for Utopia, members Ryan (formerly of Focal Point) and Don Clark announced that they were starting a new project called The American Spectator which never was realized. Don and Ryan Clark started "Asterik Studio" in Seattle, a graphic design shop where they completed many projects, including album artwork for former label-mates. In 2000, they founded the Christian metal band Demon Hunter.
Members
Final line-up
- Ryan Clark – vocals, guitar (1996-2000) (currently with Demon Hunter)
- Don Clark – guitar (1996-2000) (played with Demon Hunter)
- Steve Saxby – bass guitar (1996-2000) (currently with Out of Place)
- Morley Boyer – drums (1996-2000) (played on An Angle)
Former
- Rob Dennler - vocals (1996) (played with The Roots of Orchis)
Touring
- Carlos Colon - synthesizers (1998) (later joined The Deadlines)
Don Clark has stated that Training for Utopia originally began with musician Rob Dennler as its lead vocalist, though Dennler was replaced by Ryan Clark before the band recorded its first demo.
Timeline
Discography
| Title | Release date | Notes | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Falling Cycle EP | 1997-07-29 | Tooth & Nail | |
| Plastic Soul Impalement | 1998-03-03 | ||
| Split EP | 1998-08-18 | Split with Zao | Solid State |
| Throwing a Wrench into the American Music Machine | 1999-11-02 | ||
| Technical Difficulties | 2004-04-20 | Best of |
References
- 1 2 "Training for Utopia". Jesus Freak Hideout. Retrieved October 31, 2015.
- 1 2 Gramlich, Chris (December 1, 1999). "Training for Utopia - Throwing a Wrench Into the American Music Machine". Exclaim!. Retrieved October 31, 2015.
- ↑ "TFU IS DEAD 1996-2000". Training for Utopia. 2001-01-20. Archived from the original on 2001-01-10.
- ↑ DaRonco, Mike. "Training for Utopia". AllMusic. Retrieved October 31, 2015.
- ↑ Patterson, Eric (October 6, 2007). "Brian Fletchner (Quiver Society, Pilgrims, ex-Warlord)". Indie Vision Music. Retrieved October 28, 2015.
External links
- Training for Utopia at AllMusic
- Interview with Don Clark, circa 2000
- Post-TFU interview with Don Clark, circa 2001
- SHZine interview with Ryan Clark (February 2000)
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