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)

Travis Barker - Misfits ft. Steve Aoki

Travis Landon Barker (born November 14, 1975) is an American musician, producer, entrepreneur, and the drummer most noted for the American pop punk band Blink-182, as well as the alternative rock band +44, the rap rock band The Transplants, and the drummer for the alternative rock band Box Car Racer. He was a frequent collaborator with the late DJ AM, and together they formed TRV$DJAM.

After the split of his first band, Feeble, Barker began playing for The Aquabats in 1996 as The Baron Von Tito. He recorded one album with them, The Fury of the Aquabats!, in 1997. His career took off when he joined up with pop punk band Blink-182 in 1998. Barker has since established himself as a versatile drummer, producing and making guest appearances in music projects of numerous music genres including hip hop, alternative rock, pop and country. He has gained significant acceptance within the hip-hop community in particular and often collaborates with artists to compose rock-tinged remixes to their songs.[1]

He founded clothing company Famous Stars and Straps in 1999 and LaSalle Records in 2004. Companies such as DC Shoes and Zildjian cymbals have co-designed products in his name.

Barker collaborated with artists (including Game, Tom Morello, Raekwon, RZA, Slash, and other musicians) for his debut solo debut album, Give the Drummer Some, which was released on March 15, 2011.

Blink-182 was formed in 1992 by Mark Hoppus and Tom DeLonge. After recruiting drummer Scott Raynor, the band recorded three early demos and two studio albums: Cheshire Cat (1994) and Dude Ranch (1997). Hoppus and DeLonge fired Raynor midway through a U.S. tour in 1998 after a drinking problem became far too prevalent.[5] Hoppus and DeLonge asked drummer Barker of Blink-182's support band The Aquabats to fill in for Raynor for the remainder of the tour, and, after being impressed with Barker, asked him to join the band.
Barker (back) with Tom DeLonge and Mark Hoppus in Blink-182 Summer Tour, 2009.

Blink-182 released their breakthrough album Enema of the State in June 1999 to commercial success, fueled by successful singles "What's My Age Again", "All the Small Things", and "Adam's Song".[6] After releasing live album The Mark, Tom, and Travis Show (The Enema Strikes Back!) in November 2000, the band entered the studio and recorded their fourth studio album Take Off Your Pants and Jacket, released in June 2001. The album continued the band's commercial success and popularity.[6]

After performing with Box Car Racer for much of 2002, DeLonge and Barker rejoined the band to record their eponymous fifth studio album, released in November 2003. The album continued the commercial success that previous albums had endured, as well as being critically acclaimed: Blink-182 represented a more "mature" band than seen in the past,[7] with the band infusing experimentalist elements into their usual pop punk sound, inspired by lifestyle changes (the band members all became fathers before the album was released) and side-projects (Box Car Racer and Transplants).[8]

Tensions arose between the band members as DeLonge expressed his desire to cancel the tour and enter a half-year respite from touring in late 2004, and the band officially announced an "indefinite hiatus" in February 2005. DeLonge formed Angels & Airwaves while Hoppus and Barker continued playing music together in +44. In August 2008, the band's frequent producer Jerry Finn died of a cerebral hemorrhage,[9] and Barker barely survived a plane crash, sustaining second and third degree burns on his lower body and torso. Both events would be catalysts for the band reuniting; in 2010, DeLonge reflected, "If that accident hadn't happened, we wouldn't be a band. Plain and simple. That was fate."[10]

The band announced their reunion in February 2009 at the 51st Grammy Awards ceremony.[11] A well-received reunion tour took place in mid-2009, with a European leg performed in summer 2010. Currently, the band is recording their sixth studio album, which is planned to be released in June 2011.[12]


Relationships

Barker has been married twice. He first married his long time girlfriend, Melissa Kennedy, on September 22, 2001. The couple divorced August 6, 2002, after eleven months of marriage.

Barker married actress and First Runner Up Miss USA 1995 Shanna Moakler on October 30, 2004.[22] The couple had a Gothic-style ceremony inspired by the Tim Burton film, The Nightmare Before Christmas, which was held on the eve of Halloween.[23] Barker and Moakler have two children together, Landon Asher (born October 9, 2003) and Alabama Luella (born December 24, 2005). Atiana Cecilia de la Hoya (born March 29, 1999) is Moakler's daughter with former boyfriend Oscar de la Hoya. The family appeared in a reality television series, Meet the Barkers, which aired on MTV from 2005 to 2006.

On August 8, 2006, Barker filed for divorce from Moakler after nearly two years of marriage.[24][25] The couple's divorce was made public as each used their MySpace pages to air their feelings on the matter.[26] During their separation, Barker had a brief fling with Paris Hilton in September 2006.[27]

Despite their pending divorce, reports surfaced in early 2007 that Barker and Moakler were "quietly trying to give it another go" as they were reportedly seen autographing a fan's book, with a heart around their names.[28]

In March 2007, Moakler revealed to People magazine that she and Barker (still married) were back together, but denied that she was pregnant.[29] This admission came after the couple were publicly affectionate at a surprise birthday Barker threw for his wife in Miami.[29] People.com later reported that the couple had separated again. No reason was given for the split. Barker and Moakler were seen together at the 2007 Video Music Awards kissing and holding hands. However, as of February 11, 2008, the couple's divorce had been finalized.[30]

Barker and Moakler were together during a DJ set Barker was playing with DJ AM in Las Vegas on January 7, 2009.[31] The couple attempted to rekindle their relationship in early 2009 but announced that they were no longer together on April 1, 2009, amid reports that police had been called to their home after a fight; no charges were filed against either party.[32]

Papa Roach is an American rock band from Vacaville, California.[1] Their first major-label release was the triple-platinum album Infest (2000). The group's success continued with their gold album Lovehatetragedy (2002), their platinum album Getting Away with Murder (2004), The Paramour Sessions (2006), and Metamorphosis (2009). The band's seventh album, Time for Annihilation, was released on August 31, 2010. Papa Roach has sold more than 10 million album copies worldwide, and are known for their hits "...To Be Loved" "Last Resort", "She Loves Me Not", "Scars", "Forever", and "Lifeline", among others.

The formation of Papa Roach began in January 1993, when lead singer Jacoby Shaddix and drummer Dave Buckner met on the Vacaville High School football field during an intense match, where the two ended up talking about music. They were later joined by trombonist Ben Luther and bass guitarist Will James. They decided to enter the school's talent show, where they performed a cover version of Jimi Hendrix's song "Fire", but they ultimately did not win the contest. In March 1993, trombonist Ben Luther was replaced by lead guitarist Jerry Horton from nearby Vanden High School. Horton was introduced to the band through his girlfriend, who was a fan. However, Jerry was at first apprehensive about joining the band because Jacoby, Buckner, and Will all went to different high schools. At this point, Papa Roach were practicing every day and touring on every gig they could get. Their first tour van was called Moby Dick, where Jacoby was inspired to come up with his first stage name "Coby Dick". The band's name comes from Shaddix's step-grandfather, Howard William Roatch, who was nicknamed Papa Roach. Roatch committed suicide in 1996. The band pay homage to him with The Paramour Sessions and during live performances of the song "Roses On My Grave".[2]

In 1994, Papa Roach released their first ever EP titled Potatoes for Christmas. Drummer Dave Buckner was temporarily replaced by Ryan Brown, as Buckner was spending the year in Seattle studying art. In 1995, they released a demo at Sound Farm Studios titled Caca Bonita. By this time Buckner was back. In 1996, they replaced original bass guitarist Will James, who had become heavily involved in a church summer camp, by Tobin Esperance, because James' absence would limit the band's summer practicing and touring. As Esperance had been with the band as a roadie for a while, the transition was an easy one.

On February 4, 1997, the band produced their first full-length album, entitled Old Friends from Young Years. Still touring heavily, they supported bands such as Incubus, Powerman 5000, Hed PE, Snot, Far and Static-X.

In 1998, they released an EP titled 5 Tracks Deep. It sold more than 1,000 copies in its first month of release. In 1999, they produced another EP, which would end up being their last independent release, titled Let 'Em Know. This was seen[by whom?] to be Papa Roach's best independent effort as a band, highlighting their distinctive sound. Its success caught the attention of Warner Music Group, who as part of a development deal provided a small amount of money for the production of a five-track promo-demo CD.[3] The band decided they wanted influential rock producer Jay Baumgardner on board to produce the record.[3] In an interview with HitQuarters, Baumgardner said, “At first I wasn’t really convinced it would work out, but then I saw a video of them performing at a club - I saw all these kids going wild, knowing the songs by heart - and that’s when I realized that they definitely had potential.”[3]

Warner Brothers was not convinced by the demo, however, and elected not to sign them.[3] The unreleased disc included the songs "Infest", "Last Resort", "Broken Home", "Dead Cell", and "She Loves Me Not" - the first four would later feature on their Infest album, and the last on Lovehatetragedy.

Soon after, Rodriguez was contacted by DreamWorks Records, offering the band a recording contract.

Papa Roach formed a friendship with Alien Ant Farm, a band from Southern California. The two bands shared their fans with each other, Papa Roach's being from North Cal while AAF's are from South Cal.



Band members

Current members

Jacoby Shaddix - lead vocals (1993–present)
Jerry Horton - lead guitar, backing vocals (1993–present)
Tobin Esperance - bass guitar, rhythm guitar, programming, backing vocals (1997–present)
Tony Palermo - drums, percussion, backing vocals (2007–present)

Former members

Will James - bass guitar, backing vocals (1993–1997)
Dave Buckner - drums, percussion (1993–2008)

Former session members

Ben Luther - trombone (1993)
Ryan Brown - drums, percussion (1994)
Mike Doherty - rhythm guitar, backing vocals (2002)

Limp Bizkit

imp Bizkit is an American rock band from Jacksonville, Florida. The band's lineup consists of Fred Durst (lead vocals), Wes Borland (guitar), Sam Rivers (bass), John Otto (drums) and DJ Lethal. Limp Bizkit has been nominated for three Grammy Awards and have won several other major awards. The band has sold an estimated 33 million albums worldwide.[1] Formed in 1995, the band achieved mainstream success with their second studio album Significant Other, released in 1999. Their third studio album Chocolate Starfish and the Hot Dog Flavored Water, released in 2000, continued the band's success. The album sold 1.05 million copies in its first week, making it the fastest-selling rock album ever, breaking the record held for 7 years by Pearl Jam's Vs.[2] Following the departure of Wes Borland in 2001, Mike Smith was brought in for the fourth studio album Results May Vary, released in 2003. Borland rejoined the band in 2005 for The Unquestionable Truth (Part 1), but departed again. He rejoined the band in February 2009. Limp Bizkit is due to release Gold Cobra in 2011.

Limp Bizkit was founded in 1995 in Jacksonville, after Fred Durst met Sam Rivers. Rivers introduced Durst to his cousin, John Otto, a drummer in Keystone Heights, FL. The three got together for a jam session and soon after started the band. The trio recruited guitarist Rob Waters and Limp Bizkit was established.[3] The band's first four-track demo, entitled Mental Aquaducts (which were remakes of previously written songs from Durst's previous bands Split 26 and 10Ft Shindig), was recorded with Rob Waters but left the band soon after.

The band's first full length recording Three Dollar Bill, Yall$, was released in 1997 on Interscope. The album fared poorly on the Billboard 200 at the time of its release, although it did sell steadily over time due to extensive touring. It wasn't until the Family Values Tour, the Trail of Tears, and Ozzfest, which helped the album to peak at number 22 on the chart. At Ozzfest in particular, the band made a memorable impression on viewers due to the original set they played on, which consisted of a giant toilet. The band climbed out from the toilet at the beginning of the show, with Durst saying lines during the show such as "We're coming straight to you from the sewer" and "I am a piece of shit and my band is a piece of shit". Borland's outlandish style started making impressions on fans as well.

Although their first released single was "Counterfeit", they rose to fame through a cover of George Michael's "Faith". The song appeared on the soundtrack of Peter Berg's 1998 movie Very Bad Things.[5] Later that year, Fred lent his vocals to Korn's third album on the song "All in the Family". The album featured a second disc, with four remixes of the demo for the song and multimedia featuring interviews between Durst, Borland and the rest of Korn. Another unique idea the band came up with was the Ladies Night in Cambodia tour. Fred had noticed that mostly young males went to their concerts, and wanted more women to come, so they let women in for free at this tour. The tour was a huge success, and many more women would appear at their future concerts.

In 1999, Limp Bizkit found major worldwide success with their second album Significant Other, which debuted at number 1 on the Billboard 200 and received mostly positive reviews from mainstream media. The album sold 834,000 copies in its first week and has sold over 16 million copies worldwide. The first single "Nookie", was an enormous hit on rock radio, reaching the top 10 in both rock and rap charts. The band followed-up the single with three simultaneously released singles – "Break Stuff", "Re-Arranged" and "N 2 Gether Now" (featuring hip-hop artist Method Man). "N 2 Gether Now" has been cited as an example of Fred Durst's attempt to work for unity rather than rivalry between rock and hip-hop, blurring the distinction between the two genres of music.[6] The album features the songs "Nobody Like You" with vocals by Jonathan Davis of Korn and Scott Weiland of Stone Temple Pilots and "No Sex" with vocals by Aaron Lewis of Staind.


Musical style and influences

Limp Bizkit's musical style has predominately been described as nu metal, rapcore and rap metal.[38][39] The band has stated that their primary influences include Hed PE,[40][41] Korn, Faith No More, Nirvana, The Sugarhill Gang, Public Enemy, Run-DMC, Eric B. & Rakim, De La Soul, House of Pain, Grandmaster Flash, Kiss, Suicidal Tendencies, Jane's Addiction, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Rage Against the Machine, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Black Sabbath, Primus, Tool, Esham and Deftones.


Band members

Current members

Fred Durst – lead vocals
Wes Borland – guitars
Sam Rivers – bass
John Otto – drums, percussion
DJ Lethal – turntables, keyboards, samples, programming, sound development


Former members

Mike Smith – guitars

Session members

Scott Borland – keyboards (1995–2000)
Brian 'Head' Welch – guitars (2002–2003)
Sammy Siegler – drums, percussion (2005)

Rob Zombie

Zombie's follow-up to Educated Horses was still unnamed as of May, 2008. Zombie posted an update on his website stating: "Well, we have for the first time ever written more songs than we need for an album. Everything isn't 100% finished, but everything is moving along great. No release date yet." In August 2008, a new instrumental song entitled "Tyrannosaurus Rex" , featuring John 5 on guitar, was uploaded onto Zombie's MySpace music page. In an interview published in December 2008, Zombie spoke about his new band lineup (John 5, Piggy D, and Tommy C), and how happy he was with his new band members, saying, "I've never had a band that I could call my good friends until now.[2]" Meanwhile, also in December 2008, Zombie's new single "War Zone" was featured in the soundtrack to Punisher: War Zone.

Rob Zombie appeared on "The Howard Stern Show" on August 18, 2009, saying the new album is complete, although he has not yet set a title, and scheduled for release on November 10. That release date would later change to November 17, according to his MySpace blog. Eventually, the release date would be pushed back to February 2010.

On October 3, Zombie posted a link to preview the track, "Sick Bubble-Gum" on his Twitter page. The first new single "What?" was released on October 13. Zombie released the next new song, "Burn" for Rock Band, as well as two old tracks, "Dragula" and "Superbeast" on October 27. They are available via Xbox Live and PlayStation Network as well as the Rock Band Store.

On October 29, 2009, Zombie began the Hellbilly Deluxe 2 World Tour in support of the Hellbilly Deluxe 2: Noble Jackals, Penny Dreadfuls and the Systematic Dehumanization of Cool (despite the fact it was not to be released until over 3 months later).

Zombie has commented that Hellbilly Deluxe 2 may be his last physical record release due to the growing popularity of iTunes and other methods of music downloading, but stated he will continue to make music. Hellbilly Deluxe 2 was set to be his last album released through Geffen Records, but in late October, Zombie announced that he had signed on to Roadrunner Records and will be instead releasing Hellbilly Deluxe 2 under that label in early 2010.[4]

On January 22, he announced that he would be touring with Alice Cooper for the "Gruesome Twosome" tour.

Tommy Clufetos recently left the band to perform with Ozzy Osbourne on drums. He replaced drummer Mike Bordin who is on tour with his current band Faith No More. Joey Jordison has since replaced Clufetos and was announced to be drumming with Zombie for his upcoming summer tour dates.[5] [6] Rob Zombie was bothered that Clufetos was the second member to leave his solo band and join Osbourne after bassist Rob "Blasko" Nicholson left in 2006. Zombie commented, "if my guys that I have wanna go play with other people, that's fine; I don't own them. But I think there's ways to do things in a respectful way and there's ways to just be shitty, and I feel that the way things have gone down lately has been pretty shitty."[7]

Rob Zombie performed at Edgefest in Little Rock, Arkansas as the co-headliner along with Godsmack on May 8, 2010. He also played on the main stage on the second day of the Rock on the Range festival in Columbus, Ohio on May 23. It was widely reported that much of the crowd left after his performance, despite the fact that Limp Bizkit was still scheduled to take the stage.[8][9]

Rob Zombie finished recording four new songs in July 2010 with John 5, Piggy D., and Joey Jordison. The new music, expected to be released in September 2010, was described by Zombie as "some of the fastest and heaviest tracks we have recorded in a long, long time."[10] Former White Zombie member, and drummer for Rob Zombie's first two studio albums, John Tempesta was rumored to have recorded at least one song titled "Loving the Freaks" for this release.[11] While Rob Zombie did confirm that this collaboration was planned, his schedule was too busy and these recording sessions never took place. Working with Tempesta again in the future was not ruled out.[12] These newly recorded tracks were incorporated into a special edition reissue of Hellbilly Deluxe 2 which was released on September 28, 2010.[13]

For the first time in 12 years, Zombie will return to the United Kingdom to play a string of six dates in support of the album Hellbilly Deluxe 2.

On March 4, 2011, Rob Zombie said that he would record a CD after he completes his upcoming film The Lords of Salem.

Rob Zombie will embark on a North American tour with Slayer and Exodus called "Hell on Earth" tour starting July 20th and ending on August 6th.

It was announced on April 22nd on Rob Zombie's official Twitter account that the new drummer is Ginger Fish.
Zombie is featured as a backing vocalist on the Lynyrd Skynyrd album God & Guns for the song "Floyd".

Zombie supplied the vocals for Drowning Pool's song "Man Without Fear" for the soundtrack to the 2003 film "Daredevil" starring Ben Affleck.

Rob Zombie also lent his vocals to the Powerman 5000 song "Blast Off to Nowhere" on their 1999 breakthrough album Tonight the Stars Revolt!, singing along side his brother Spider One (who is the front man of Powerman 5000).[14]

On May 23, 2010 Zombie's new comic book series, Whatever Happened To Baron Von Shock?, about a fictitious horror host began. The first print sold out in less than a week.[15]

On March 14, 2011 praising him for inventing the rock show, glam rock and punk rock Zombie inducted Alice Cooper into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Feature-length films

House of 1000 Corpses (2003)
The Devil's Rejects (2005)
Halloween (2007)
Halloween II (2009)
Lords of Salem (2011)
Tyrannosaurus Rex (TBA)


Animated films

The Haunted World of El Superbeasto (2009)

TV work

Pee-wee's Playhouse (production assistant, unknown episodes)
Headbangers Ball (guest, numerous episodes)[30]
Space Ghost Coast to Coast (guest, 1 episode, 1997)
CSI: Miami (director, 1 episode, 2010)
WWE Raw (Raw Guest Host, 1 episode, 2010)
Extreme Makeover Home Edition (Guest, Season 8 - Episode 6, 2010)

Other

Metal: A Headbanger's Journey as himself (interview)
Werewolf Women of the SS (2007)

Solo
For a more comprehensive list, see Rob Zombie discography.

Hellbilly Deluxe (1998)
The Sinister Urge (2001)
Educated Horses (2006)
Hellbilly Deluxe 2 (2010)

[edit] Composer

Twisted Metal III (1998) (video game)
Gran Turismo 2 (1999) (video game)

BAND MEMBERS
Rob Zombie – vocals (1997–current)
John 5 – guitar, vocals (2005–current)
Piggy D. – bass guitar, backing vocals (2006–current)
Ginger Fish - drums, percussion (2011-current)

Box Car Racer was a short-lived American post hardcore band from San Diego, California, formed in 2002. The band was a side-project of guitarist/vocalist Tom DeLonge and drummer Travis Barker of Blink-182, along with lead guitarist David Kennedy of Hazen Street, and touring bassist Anthony Celestino. Driven by a more mature and introspective sound than previous Blink-182 recordings, DeLonge was the primary lyricist of the group and created the group in order to experiment with ideas that were not "Blink-friendly".

DeLonge and Barker formed the band in late 2001 during a break from touring for Blink-182. After recruiting Kennedy, the three recorded their first and only studio album, the eponymous Box Car Racer. The album was a success and the band toured throughout 2002. Tom DeLonge has stated that Box Car Racer "has run its course" and is now defunct; DeLonge’s band Angels & Airwaves has been proclaimed a continuation of Box Car Racer.[

The band was originally supposed to be named "The Kill" and the cd was to be titled Et Tu, Brute.

The name of the band, Box Car Racer, was originally the name of a band Barker was in shortly after high school. DeLonge liked the name, but was uneasy after learning the origin: the term was a reference to the B-29 Bomber which dropped the second wartime atomic bomb on Nagasaki, Japan – the plane’s name was "Bockscar". The plane’s name was commonly misspelled as "Boxcar", and, due to Barker’s desire for the band name to be three words, was spelled out as Box Car Racer.[1]

The band began recording their first and only album in December 2001.[3] Jerry Finn, longtime producer of Blink-182, was hired to produce the album. The band soon turned to be an outlet for DeLonge’s lyrics that were not "Blink-friendly" – e.g., fast-paced, goofy pop punk. Instead, the band’s material was promised to be a tribute to DeLonge’s post-hardcore influences, such as Fugazi, Quicksand, and Refused.[3][4] According to DeLonge in interviews, the album’s recording sessions were difficult for him because of constant back problems. The depression that came from being in constant pain influenced the lyrics of the album largely.[1]

With DeLonge playing bass for the album, a bassist went unannounced until the band made their live debut with touring bassist Anthony Celestino on April 1, 2002.[4] They continued with a string of live shows in California until Blink-182 set out on tour with Green Day and Jimmy Eat World for the Pop Disaster Tour on April 17.[5]

The eponymous Box Car Racer album was officially released on May 21, 2002 to commercial success – the album reached number 12 on the Billboard 200, and "I Feel So", the first single release, was already climbing the charts. Critics praised the new direction DeLonge and Barker had taken; as such, the album received positive reviews. Slant magazine called the album a "much needed departure from the banality of Blink-182" and "the perfect union of pop punk riffs and instrumentation that spans all genres of rock from indie to folk."[6]

The band performed "There Is" on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno September 3, 2002 and on The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn on October 17, 2002.[7] It was announced that August that the band would be headlining their own tour with supporting act The Used; the tour began October 25, 2002.[8] Although Box Car Racer had written and performed a new song during the tour, the band’s final show was played December 17, 2002, with DeLonge stating that he would like to like to experiment more with Box Car Racer one day, "an every-other-year type thing."[9] Barker and DeLonge agreed in an interview that Box Car Racer was a "learning experience", DeLonge adding "It makes me excited to start the new Blink record."[9] Blink-182, the next album released by the band, was both praised and criticized for its’ change in musical atmosphere and darker tone. In an interview with MTV News shortly after the "indefinite hiatus" of Blink-182 was announced, DeLonge stated:

DeLonge admitted that there was still unfinished material from Box Car Racer, some of which eventually became Angels & Airwaves’ debut studio album We Don't Need to Whisper.[10] Notwithstanding the fact that both DeLonge and Kennedy are in Angels & Airwaves, Angels & Airwaves has been called a "continuation of Box Car Racer". It is also well known among enthusiastic followers of DeLonge's work that a song that DeLonge wrote for the album but never added to the final track list called 'Dance With Me' was sometimes played at Boxcar Racer shows. Angels & Airwaves covered Box Car Racer’s "There Is" at their very first live performance, and has performed various Box Car Racer songs live since.[11] A sequel to a song originally found on Box Car Racer, “Letters to God Part II” can be found on Angels & Airwaves’ 2010 album Love.


Band members
Tom DeLonge - Lead vocals, rhythm guitar, bass (performed bass in studio only) (2002–2003)
David Kennedy - Lead guitar (2002–2003)
Travis Barker – Drums, percussion, keyboards, piano (2002–2003)
Touring Members

Anthony Celestino – Bass (2002–2003)

T Mills

Biography
22-year-old Travis Tatum Mills, better known as T. Mills, is a hybrid artist from Riverside, CA: his sound stems from a variety of influences ranging from Wu Tang Clan to Blink-182; Bone Thugz and Harmony to The Dream; Rusko to Wiz Khalifa — a true testament to the “Playlist Generation” unbound by genre. In 2010 Mills released an EP, a full length titled, “Ready, Fire, Aim!”, on Uprising Records. He performed on the Warped Tour, as well as Bamboozle. He recently sold out his first headlining show at The Troubadour in Los Angeles, and plans to release a mixtape in early June featuring production by J Hawk, Matt Squire, Rusko, Colin Munroe, Hit Boy, The Stereotypes and more.