Filter, Finger Eleven, and Local H

Prior to meeting through a mutual friend, vocalist, guitarist, bassist and drummer Richard Patrick had been a touring member of Nine Inch Nails on the band’s first tour, and programmer, guitarist, keyboardist and drummer Brian Liesegang had graduated in philosophy from the University of Chicago. Shortly after meeting the pair began recording their brand industrial rock that resulted in Filter’s debut album “Short Bus” in 1995. Recorded in a small room in Cleveland and released by Reprise Records, the album hit the mainstream aided by notable MTV rotation of the single “Hey Man, Nice Shot”.

In support of the album the duo enlisted the help of guitarist Geno Lenardo, bassist Frank Cavanaugh, and drummer Matt Walker and embarked on their first tour. Two years later in 1997, Liesegang left the group citing creative differences, however Patrick continued on and released “Title of Record” in 1999. Thanks again to significant radio air play and MTV rotation, the album proved another success, later being certified platinum, featuring the single “Take a Picture”. The album marked the departure of Walker who left to work with the Smashing Pumpkins and the arrival of Steve Gillis on drums.

In 2002 the band’s third full length “The Amalgamut" arrived, aided by the singles “Where Do We Go From Here?” and “American Cliché”. Alan Bailey was hired to perform guitar on the subsequent live tour, however it didn’t last long as Patrick voluntarily checked himself into rehab for alcohol and drug dependency. After getting himself clean Patrick was part of the supergroup The Damning Well and formed the other supergroup Army of Anyone, although neither found particular success and the band leader returned his focus to Filter.

Filter released their fourth studio album “Anthems for the Damned” in 2008 and in the same year the remix album “Remixes for the Damned”. The band’s fifth full-length “The Trouble with Angles”, produced by Bob Marlette, was eventually issued in 2010 and was notably much heavier and industrial then their previous releases. Working with Marlette again on the album “The Sun Comes Out Tonight” (2013) the album was led by the single “We Hate It When You Get What You Want” and was supported by a tour opening for the Stone Temple Pilots.

Originally formed under the moniker Rainbow Butt Monkeys, the funk fusion band generated significant local buzz and a devoted following during their early years. Having played an early show at Lester B. Pearson High School’s Christmas concert in 1990, the band won a rock contest for 97.7 CHTZ, and used the money to record a debut album “Letters from Chutney” in 1995. In 1996 the group began to be managed by Coalition Entertainment, and opted to take their music in a more serious direction, later changing the name to Finger Eleven.

Formed of vocalist Scott Anderson, bassist Sean Anderson, drummer Rich Beddoe, and a pair of guitarists James Black and Rick Jackett, the band released their sophomore album “Tip” in 1997. Markedly far-removed from their earlier releases the album features a hard rock sound and resulted in Finger Eleven touring alongside Creed and Fuel in support of the record. The full-length “The Greyest of Blue Skies”, like its predecessor was produced by Our Lady Peace’s Arnold Lanni, and released in July 2000. Whilst failing to cause a stir in the U.S, “The Greyest of Blue Skies” represented their biggest Canadian release to date with over 50,000 units sold. Peaking at No. 17 on the Canadian Albums Chart, the record earned positive reviews aided by the singles “First Time”, “Drag You Down”, and “Bones + Joints”.

The band’s subsequent album, 2003’s “Finger Eleven” represented the band’s mainstream breakthrough with over 500,000 albums sold in the U.S. alone. Aided by appearances on the TV series “Scrubs”, “Smallville”, and “Third Watch” the record significantly increased Finger Eleven’s international exposure, later peaking at No. 4 on the Canadian Albums Chart. Following an extensive touring period which included parts of Europe, Australia, and North America, the group issued their fifth studio album “Them vs. You vs. Me” in March 2007. Led by the single “Paralyzer”, which topped the Canadian Single Chart, the record cemented the group’s popularity, and later won the 2008 Juno Award for Rock Album of the Year. The studio album “Life Turns Electric” appeared in 2010, after which drummer Rich Beddoe left the group and was replaced by Chris Powell.

Originally formed whilst in high school, guitarist Scott Lucas and drummer Joe Daniels began jamming together and later invited John Sparkman and Matt Garcia to fill out the sound. Garcia and Sparkman left in the early ‘90s however, and Lucas and Daniels decided to continue on as a duo. After honing their skills as a novel two piece, with Lucas playing a six-string with added bass pick-ups, Local H signed with Island Records in 1995. The band made their debut the same year with “Ham Fisted”, which failed to create a stir with similarities drawn with high-flying Nirvana.

A year later however Local H made their mark as feedback wielding, cynical-lyric delivering rock Mid-westerners, with the 1996 album “As Good as Dead”. Aided by No. 5 single on the US Alternative Billboard chart “Bound for the Floor”, as well as the singles “Eddie Vedder” and “Fritz’s Corner”, the album was later certified gold and earned the band a considerable following. “Pack Up the Cats” was issued in 1998 and maintained the group’s alt-rock and hard rock appeal, however lacked some of the focus of its predecessor.

After Island Records’ parent company Polygram was bought out by Universal Music, the band were lost in the merger, which resulted in Daniels leaving the band, and Local H took three years off from recording music. Replaced by former Triple Fast Action drummer Brian St. Clair, Local H returned in 2002 and released “Here Comes the Zoo” on Palm Pictures Records. Featuring more frantic and aggressive drumming, and lyrics, cutting in their design, the album proved there was still life in the Local H beast. After supporting the album with an extensive touring schedule, the band followed the release with the EP “No Fun” in 2003.

Local H subsequently released their fifth studio album “Whatever Happened to P.J. Soles?” in April 2004, followed by a cover of Britney Spears’ “Toxic”, which earned the band significant publicity. The full-length concept album “Twelve Angry Months” appeared in 2008, and two years later their seventh studio album “Hallelujah! I’m a Bum” hit the shelves. 2011 brought the band first best-of compilation entitled “The Island Years” and in 2013 the EP “The Another February” found its release on Slimstyle Records.