New Found Glory

New Found Glory (formerly A New Found Glory)[2] is an American rock band from Coral Springs, Florida. Formed in the summer of 1997, founding members were lead vocalist Jordan Pundik, guitarists Chad Gilbert and Steve Klein, bassist Ian Grushka and drummer Joe Moreno. Current drummer Cyrus Bolooki replaced Moreno after only a handful of shows and the lineup has since remained unchanged.[3] Their brand of music is drawn from influences such as punk revivalists Green Day and NOFX, to hardcore acts like Hatebreed and Madball.[4][5] The band is noted for their blend of pop melodies with the energy and fast tempos of classic punk rock.[2] Subsequently, they are widely considered key pioneers of pop punk.[6][7][8][9][10] Indeed, Allmusic have credited the band for "practically serving alongside the work of Blink-182 as the blueprint to the entire genre for the early 2000s."[11] Also renowned for their energetic live performances,[12][13][14] the fivesome have garnered a devout following over the course of their career.

After releasing the home-recorded EP, It's All About the Girls in 1997, the band were able to build a cult following after a rigorous touring schedule of the East Coast area and the release of debut album Nothing Gold Can Stay (1999). The album was distributed on independent label Eulogy Recordings and sold over 300,000 copies. The following year, debut single "Hit or Miss" charted on the US Modern Rock Chart and exposed the band to a wider audience. Their subsequent three studio albums; New Found Glory (2000), Sticks and Stones (2002), and Catalyst (2004) all charted on the Billboard 200 and achieved gold certifications by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

After a break from touring, the band worked with Thom Panunzio on their critically acclaimed fifth album, Coming Home (2006). The record drew influences from classic rock and marked a departure from the band's earlier work. After a spell without a contract, the band signed with independent label Bridge Nine Records and released a new EP titled, Tip of The Iceberg (2008) which paid homage to their melodic hardcore influences. Their sixth and most recent studio album, Not Without a Fight (2009), was recorded and produced by Mark Hoppus before they signed with current label Epitaph Records.

The origins of the band date back to the summer of 1997 when Jordan Pundik (vocals) had met Stephen Klein (guitars) at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School and the pair began writing music together. Pundik later stated the band name was created whilst he and Klein were working in Red Lobster together; "We came up with A New Found Glory, we wrote it on a napkin. I think we pulled some of it from "A Newfound Interest in Massachusetts" by the Get Up Kids".[16] They recruited friend Ian Grushka on bass, who they had previously played with in a band named "Inner City Kids". Practicing in his garage, they later invited Joe "Taco Joe" Moreno to play drums. Shortly thereafter, Chad Gilbert (lead guitar), former vocalist of Shai Hulud, joined to complete the quintet.[16]

Members
L-R: Ian Grushka, Cyrus Bolooki, Jordan Pundik, Chad Gilbert and Steve Klein

Jordan Pundik — lead vocals (1997—present)
Chad Gilbert — lead guitar, backing vocals, composer (1997—present)
Steve Klein — rhythm guitar, lyricist (1997—present)
Ian Grushka — bass guitar (1997—present)
Cyrus Bolooki — drums, percussion (1997—present)


Former members

Joe Moreno — drums, percussion (1997)

Touring members

Michael Bethancourt — keyboards, synths (2007—present)
Anthony Raneri — guitar (2010)
James Dewees — keyboards, synths (2003—2005)