Tonic and Vertical Horizon

Formed by estranged childhood friends who serendipitously reunited at a pool hall in 1993, Tonic’s vocalist Emerson Hart and guitarist Jeff Russo later invited bassist Dan Rothchild and drummer Kevin Shepard to join their ranks. Initially wishing to perform under the moniker Radio Flyer, the band settled with the name Tonic before developing a proud reputation as a group of relentlessly gigging musicians. Tonic’s earliest output arrived in 1996 with the debut album “Lemon Parade”. Led by the singles “Open Up Your Eyes”, “If You Could Only See”, and “Soldier’s Daughter” the album spent 57 weeks on the Billboard 200, peaking at No. 28. Produced by Jack Joseph Puig, the album’s heavy, guitar driven sound would come to define Tonic’s sound on future albums.

Following the release bassist Rothchild was replaced by Dan Lavery and drummer Shepard began to reduce the role in the band. Throughout the late ‘90s Tonic contributed songs to the soundtracks of “Scream 2”, “Clay Pigeons” and “Gossip”, before releasing their sophomore album “Sugar” in 1999. Earning respectable reviews from the critical press “Sugar” peaked at No. 81 on the Billboard 200 aided by the singles “Knock Down Walls” and “You Wanted More”. The record marked the official departure of drummer Shepard with Peter Maloney taking over percussion responsibilities on the release. Following an intense period of touring Tonic returned to release “Head on Straight” in September 2002. The record earned two Grammy nominations for Best Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal (for the single “Take Me As I Am”) and Best Rock Album.

A hiatus ensued from 2004 where Hart released the solo album “Cigarettes and Gasoline”, Russo joined the band Low Stars, and Lavery played on tour with The Fray. Following an announcement in 2008, Tonic played their reunion gig in Antioch, Illinois ahead of their greatest hits compilation “A Casual Affair: The Best of Tonic” in 2009. The band’s eponymous fourth studio album “Tonic” was issued by 429 Records in May 2010. Led by the single “Release Me” Tonic supported the album with heavy touring until the tail-end of 2011.

The band was formed at D.C's Georgetown University by guitarists and vocalists Keith Kane and Matthew Scannell. The duo cut their teeth by playing sets consisting mainly of covers in places ranging from local bars and clubs to their own university campus' food court. By the end of 1992, the duo had graduated from Georgetown, relocated to Boston, Massachusetts and self-released their debut album “There And Back Again”. While their debut record was a stripped down, acoustic affair, the duo began to expand their sound over the next few years, incorporating several backing musicians and guests on their second record, 1995's “Running On Ice”. It was at this point that the band started to gain recognition outside of their adopted home state of Boston, with two of their songs appearing on Aware Records' second compilation album.

As a response to this, the duo decided to expand into a band full time in 1996, five years after their formation as an acoustic duo. Thanks to their nonstop touring schedule and their first full band live album “Live Stages”, they picked up a devoted cult following and signed a record deal with RCA in 1998. The band were all set for a major breakthrough, and after the release of their major label debut album “Everything You Want” in 1999, the band found it with their 2000 single of the same name, which was a number one hit on the Billboard Hot 100 after 26 weeks on the chart. Its parent album went on to sell over two million copies in the U.S alone and for a moment, Vertical Horizon were one of the biggest bands in the country. Very few bands could keep up that kind of momentum and unfortunately, Vertical Horizon weren't one of them.

However, the band have flourished as the beloved cult act that they made their name as, and even after Keith Kane left the band in 2010 to pursue a solo career, Vertical Horizon continue to impress with both their live shows and their studio albums. For have more genuine longevity than the vast, vast majority of their peers and remaining a vital rock band to this very day, Vertical Horizon come highly recommended.