Blacklite District

Last updated
Blacklite District
Origin Spearfish, South Dakota, United States
Genres Rock
Years active
  • 2011–Present
Labels
Members
  • Kyle Pfeiffer
  • Justin Sundlin
  • Clinton Cunanan
Website blacklitedistrict.net

Blacklite District is an American rock band formed in Spearfish, South Dakota, and led by vocalist and producer Kyle Pfeiffer. The band also includes guitarist Justin Sundlin and bassist Clinton Cunanan. The band has four songs which have reached Top 40 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Chart , and has accumulated over a billion streams. [1]

Contents

Career

Formation & This is Where it Ends (2002-2013)

Kyle Pfeiffer formed a "band" with childhood friends as a pre-teen in 2002, and met Roman James in 5th grade, who soon joined the group as well. The two would often switch out members and change the parts they played until settling on James singing and Pfeiffer playing guitar and vocals since none of their friends could play. In 2011 Blacklite District met with producer Stephen Short, who produced the "This Is Where It Ends" demo EP at the Sonic Ranch in 2011.

Worldwide Controversy (2012-2014)

In 2012, they were discovered by Creed manager Jeff Hanson who signed them with Silent Majority Group. Hanson referred the band to former Creed bassist Brett Hestla, who produced their debut album.. They released the Singles "Take Me To The Grave" in 2012, followed by With Me Now on July 10, 2013. They released the EP "With Me Now" on October 13, 2013, which featured the first five songs from their debut album. They went on tour with the bands Saving Abel and Art of Dying. They released their debut album "Worldwide Controversy" the following year. [2] Their first charting single, "With Me Now", peaked at #34 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Airplay chart in 2013. [3] Pfeiffer considers the release of "With Me Now" and “Take Me to the Grave” a "turning point" for the band. [4]

To Whom It May Concern (2015-2016)

The band got into some legal trouble with the band causing them to cancel their tour and Pfeiffer to start the side project "Paradise Over" They released their second album "To Whom It May Concern" on October 7, 2016. Pfeiffer shifted to vocals and James switched to guitar and bass. The album leaned more towards hip hop and pop. Both "The Struggle" and "Broken Souls" received significant radio play across America.

On October 10, 2016, Rock Rage Radio interviewed Pfeiffer. [5] In the interview, Pfeiffer discussed the band's newly released album 'To Whom it May Concern' and the song 'The Struggle', saying that the meaning of it is about him losing his mother to a drug overdose when he was a little kid. He also discussed Nightcore versions of the band's songs, crediting them as significantly boosting the band's visibility. He emphasizes the band's commitment to authenticity and their global reach.

Instant Gratification (2017)

In 2017, Blacklite District released their third album, titled "Instant Gratification". Their single "Cold as Ice" reached #35 on Billboard Mainstream Rock Airplay in January 2018. The band collaborated with Minecraft animator Rainimator to produce animated music videos for their songs. The music video for Cold as Ice has over 78 million views on YouTube.

Through the Ages (2018)

The song "Hard Pill to Swallow" was released by the band on October 10, 2018, as the lead single for their forth album "Through the Ages", stating that the song ushered in a "new era" for Blacklite District. The 10-song album featured very little guitar work. The band also began working with DZFX Media for their live-action music videos. [3]

Souled Out (2019)

The band released "Never Came Around" on March 22, 2019, followed by "Me Against the World" [6] [3] on September 6, 2019, as the lead singles for their fifth album, titled Souled Out. The latter was featured on Sirius XM Octane.

You're Welcome (2020)

In early 2020, Blacklite District announced that Pfeiffer and James would be going their separate ways. On July 17, 2020, the band released "You're Welcome". The single "Falling" peaked No. 34 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock charts. It was accompanied by a Minecraft-themed music video which peaked at #3 trending on YouTube. [7] [2] [8]

1990 (2021)

Pfeiffer checked into drug rehab on January 6, 2021. While in rehab he continued to write songs. On December 31, 2021, Blacklite District released the album "1990", produced by Brett Hestla "Gotta Get Outta Here" was released on October 1 as the lead single. The song spent 16 weeks in the top-40 of the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart and garnered over 10 million combined streams.

Blacklite District - XL & You're Welcome - XL (2022-2023)

In mid 2022, the band announced that drummer Graham Spillman would be returning to record drums on the five bonus tracks of "1990 - XL". In November of the same year and January of the next, Pfeiffer and Spillman collaborated with long-time producer Brett Hestla and new guitarist Justin Sundlin to record remakes of old tracks, dubbed "XL" tracks. The band released "Blacklite District - XL" on June 9, 2023, and "You're Welcome - XL" on December 8, 2023.

You Can Do Better (2024-present)

In late 2023, Blacklite District began recording their eighth album in a studio jointly owned by them and the band Judd Hoos. The album is the first to feature new bassist Clinton Cunanan. The album was released on May 3, 2024. On Saturday, October 5, 2024, Blacklite District announced via social media platforms that "You Can Do Better" was the bands first single to be in the running for a nomination for "Best Alternative Performance" at the 2025 Grammy Awards.

Chart History

Billboard US charting [9]

Memebers

Discography

Studio albums

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Collective Soul</span> American rock band

Collective Soul is an American rock band originally from Stockbridge, Georgia. Now based in Atlanta, the group consists of the brothers Ed and Dean Roland, Will Turpin (bassist), Johnny Rabb (drummer), and Jesse Triplett. Formed in 1992, the original lineup consisted of the Roland brothers, bassist David Neal, guitarist Ross Childress, and drummer Shane Evans. Collective Soul released their Hints, Allegations, and Things Left Unsaid album on the independent label Rising Storm Records in 1993. The band went from obscurity to popularity that year after the album's lead single "Shine" received regional radio play. Around the same time, Turpin replaced Neal on bass. The album was then re-released in 1994 by the major label Atlantic Records; thus, "Shine" became a national hit as it peaked at No. 1 on the Mainstream Rock and No. 4 on the Mainstream Top 40 chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Three Days Grace</span> Canadian rock band

Three Days Grace is a Canadian rock band formed in Norwood, Ontario, in 1992 originally as Groundswell. Groundswell played in various local Norwood backyard parties and area establishments before disbanding in 1995 and regrouping in 1997 under its current name.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Taproot (band)</span> American metal band

Taproot is an American alternative metal band from Ann Arbor, Michigan, formed in 1997. Its lineup consists of vocalist/guitarist Stephen Richards, bassist Phil Lipscomb, drummer Jarrod Montague, and guitarist Taylor Roberts. They are best known for their hit single "Poem", which peaked at No. 5 on the Mainstream Rock chart in 2002.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shinedown</span> American rock band

Shinedown is an American rock band from Jacksonville, Florida, formed by singer Brent Smith in 2001 after the dissolution of his previous band, Dreve. Smith, still under contract with record label Atlantic Records, recruited the band's original lineup of Jasin Todd as guitarist, Brad Stewart on bass, and Barry Kerch on drums. Consistent for the first two album cycles, several lineup changes followed in the late 2000s, eventually stabilizing with Smith and Kerch alongside Zach Myers on guitar and Eric Bass on bass. The group has released seven studio albums: Leave a Whisper (2003), Us and Them (2005), The Sound of Madness (2008), Amaryllis (2012), Threat to Survival (2015), Attention Attention (2018), and Planet Zero (2022).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kutless</span> American rock band

Kutless is an American Christian rock band from Portland, Oregon, formed in 1999. Since their formation, they have released multiple studio albums and one live album, Live from Portland. They have sold over 3 million records worldwide.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fell on Black Days</span> 1994 single by Soundgarden

"Fell on Black Days" is a song by the American rock band Soundgarden. Written by frontman Chris Cornell, "Fell on Black Days" was released as the final single from the band's fourth studio album, Superunknown (1994). The song peaked at number four on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart. The song was included on Soundgarden's 1997 greatest hits album, A-Sides and the 2010 compilation Telephantasm as the Superunknown version on the single disc version and the video version on the Deluxe Edition.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">MercyMe</span> American band

MercyMe is an American contemporary Christian music band founded in Edmond, Oklahoma. The band consists of lead vocalist Bart Millard, percussionist Robby Shaffer, bassist Nathan Cochran and guitarists Michael Scheuchzer and Barry Graul.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Save You (Pearl Jam song)</span> 2002 single by Pearl Jam

"Save You" is a song by American rock band Pearl Jam, released in February 2003 as the second single from the band's seventh studio album, Riot Act (2002). Although credited to all members of Pearl Jam, it features lyrics written by vocalist Eddie Vedder and music primarily written by guitarist Mike McCready. The song peaked at number 23 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart. The song was included on Pearl Jam's 2004 greatest hits album, rearviewmirror .

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Misunderstood (Mötley Crüe song)</span> 1994 single by Mötley Crüe

"Misunderstood" is a power ballad by the American heavy metal band Mötley Crüe, released on their 1994 eponymous album. The lyrics were written by vocalist/guitarist John Corabi and bassist Nikki Sixx, while the music was written by Corabi, Sixx, drummer Tommy Lee and guitarist Mick Mars. The song charted at number 24 on the Mainstream rock charts. It was the final song recorded with Scream singer John Corabi.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Never Too Late (Three Days Grace song)</span> 2007 single by Three Days Grace

"Never Too Late" is a song by Canadian rock band Three Days Grace. It was released on May 7, 2007 as the third single from the band's second album One-X.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hemorrhage (In My Hands)</span> 2000 song by the rock band Fuel

"Hemorrhage (In My Hands)" is a song by American rock band Fuel. It was released on September 14, 2000 as the lead single from their second studio album, "Something Like Human". It spent 12 weeks at number 1 on Billboard's Alternative Airplay chart, and a total of 40 weeks on the survey; in 2023, Billboard ranked "Hemorrhage" as the 12th largest hit in the chart's history. It also hit number two on the Mainstream Rock Tracks chart. To date, it is Fuel's highest charting single on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart, peaking at number 30. It also peaked number 17 on the Adult Top 40 chart and number 22 on the Mainstream Top 40 chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">My Darkest Days</span> Canadian rock band

My Darkest Days was a Canadian rock band based in Peterborough, Ontario, consisting of lead vocalist Matt Walst, bassist Brendan McMillan, drummer Doug Oliver, guitarist Sal Costa, and keyboardist Reid Henry. They were discovered by Chad Kroeger of Nickelback, who signed them to his record label, 604 Records. They are best known for their 2010 single "Porn Star Dancing".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Counterparts (band)</span> Canadian melodic hardcore band

Counterparts are a Canadian hardcore punk band formed in 2007 in Hamilton, Ontario, that currently consists of vocalist Brendan Murphy, guitarists and bassists Tyler Williams and Jesse Doreen, and drummer Kyle Brownlee. Their two most recent albums, released through Pure Noise Records, have received critical acclaim from Rock Sound and Exclaim! magazines. They are among the most visible bands within contemporary melodic hardcore, while they are also considered one of the major powers of the metalcore revival wave.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Strap Me In</span> 1987 single by the Cars

"Strap Me In" is a 1987 song by the Cars, appearing on their sixth studio album Door to Door.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Prevail</span> American rock band

I Prevail is an American rock band formed in Southfield, Michigan, in 2013. They released their debut EP Heart vs. Mind (2014) and rose to popularity from releasing a metal cover of Taylor Swift's "Blank Space" as a single, which eventually was certified platinum in the US. The band has since released three studio albums: Lifelines (2016), Trauma (2019), and True Power (2022). The band found success with their original material as well, with the singles "Breaking Down" and "Hurricane" performing well on rock radio, the single "Bow Down" being nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance in 2019, and Trauma being nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Rock Album the same year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Warning (band)</span> Mexican rock band

The Warning is a Mexican rock band from Monterrey, formed in 2013 by the Villarreal Vélez sisters: Daniela, Paulina, and Alejandra. They have released four studio albums, two EPs, and fifteen music videos. Their most recent studio album, Keep Me Fed, was released on June 28, 2024.

"Rotting in Vain" is a song by American nu metal band Korn. Written by the band and produced by Nick Raskulinecz, it was featured on the band's 2016 twelfth studio album The Serenity of Suffering. The song was also released as the lead single from the album on July 22, 2016, reaching number 4 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Songs chart and number 26 on the UK Rock & Metal Singles Chart. It was nominated for Best Metal Performance at the 59th Annual Grammy Awards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ded (band)</span> American nu metal band

Ded is an American nu metal band from Tempe, Arizona made up of members from Greeley Estates and Man Made Machine. The band released its debut track "FMFY" in December 2016 with production by John Feldmann. Ded followed up with its first radio single "Anti-Everything" on February 3, 2017 with an exclusive premiere on Sirius XM Octane.

<i>Youre Welcome</i> (A Day to Remember album) 2021 studio album by A Day to Remember

You're Welcome is the seventh studio album by American rock band A Day to Remember. It was released on March 5, 2021, and is the band's first release under major label Fueled by Ramen after spending six years as an independent band after leaving and the eventual lawsuit against former label Victory Records. The album is also the first new release by the band in five years, marking the longest gap between two albums in their entire career. The album's producers include Colin Brittain, vocalist Jeremy McKinnon, Mike Green, Will Putney, and Dan Book. It was preceded by five singles: "Degenerates", "Resentment", "Mindreader", "Brick Wall", and "Everything We Need". It is also the final album to feature founding bassist Josh Woodard before his departure in October 2021.

"Killing Me Slowly" is a song by American rock band Bad Wolves. It was their first single off of their second studio album N.A.T.I.O.N.. It topped the Billboard Mainstream Rock Songs chart in January 2020.

References

  1. "Chart History: Blacklite District". Billboard. Retrieved December 21, 2022.
  2. 1 2 Monger, James Christopher. "Biography: Blacklite District". AllMusic . Retrieved December 21, 2022.
  3. 1 2 3 Rutherford, Kevin (October 10, 2018). "Blacklite District Begin 'New Era' With 'Hard Pill to Swallow': Song & Video Premiere". Billboard. Retrieved December 21, 2022.
  4. "INTERVIEW – KYLE PFEIFFER OF BLACKLITE DISTRICT". Cryptic Rock. January 16, 2018. Retrieved December 21, 2022.
  5. Blacklite District (2016-10-10). Rock Rage Radio Interviews Kyle Pfeiffer . Retrieved 2024-05-25 via YouTube.
  6. Johnson, Jasmine (July 21, 2020). "A Look at Blacklite District's Debut Album, 'You're Welcome'". Respect . Retrieved December 21, 2022.
  7. Thompson, Nathan (October 29, 2020). "Spearfish rocker's single reaches Billboard Top 40 list" . Rapid City Journal . Retrieved December 21, 2022.
  8. Joseph, Blake (November 12, 2020). "Blacklite District's music surges on multiple platforms". KOTA-TV . Retrieved June 3, 2023.
  9. "Blacklite District | Biography, Music & News". Billboard .
  10. District, Blacklite. "Blacklite District Website". Blacklite District. Retrieved 25 September 2024.