Soulbender

Last updated
Soulbender
Soulbenderpromo2.jpg
Founding members Dave Groves, Wes Hallam, Nick Pollock, and Michael Wilton
Background information
Origin Seattle, Washington, U.S.
Genres Alternative metal, hard rock
Years active2002–2014 (on hiatus)
Labels
  • Licking Lava Records
  • Rat Pak Records
Past membersSee: Members

Soulbender is an American-Canadian hard rock band formed in Seattle, Washington, in 2002. [1] [2] The band independently released their album Soulbender in 2004, which they reissued with four additional tracks through Rat Pak Records under the title Soulbender II in 2014. Though the band underwent multiple lineup changes in that ten-year timespan, both releases featured the original five-piece incarnation of two Americans and three Canadians who previously played in several different bands respectively from Seattle and Vancouver: [1] [2] Nick Pollock (lead vocals), formerly of Alice N' Chains and My Sister's Machine; Michael Wilton (guitar) from Queensrÿche; Dave Groves (guitar), formerly of Tin Pan [3] [ deprecated source ] and Fallen Angel; Wes Hallam (drums), formerly of Assault [4] and Fallen Angel; and Marten Van Keith (bass guitar).

Contents

History

Soulbender has chiefly been noted as a side-project of Michael Wilton, borne out of his desire to return the heavy metal sound that his main band Queensrÿche had drifted away from. [1] [5] After completing 17 original tracks, Soulbender played their first live show opening for Queensrÿche vocalist Geoff Tate's solo band at the Experience Music Project in Seattle on June 22, 2002. [6] They also performed at the very first Layne Staley Tribute later that August. [7]

With the addition of bass player Marten Van Keith, who also hailed from Vancouver according to Wilton, [8] the group released their self-titled debut album through Licking Lava Records in 2004 and they immediately began to tour in support of the album. Prior to the release of the album, Sefany Jones of KNAC was given a demo CD of six songs. In her review, she wrote, "The overall feel of this album is entrancing, inasmuch as I would describe Tool." She also likened it to Marilyn Manson, Alice in Chains, and Michael Monroe. [9] Wilton said in an interview a year later that "a lot of people are apparently comparing it to Alice in Chains and Tool." Despite playing a couple sellout shows, the band has experienced much difficulty getting off the ground due to Wilton's Queensrÿche duties. Wilton compared this predicament to that of singer Maynard James Keenan, who pulls double duty with Tool and A Perfect Circle, saying "I'll do a little tour here with one band and a little tour there with the other band." [10] Van Keith was replaced in 2005 by bass player Chuck Miller, formerly of the band Peace and Silence. [11] [12]

In 2007, Pollock and Hallam stepped down from their respective roles as vocalist and drummer and replaced by Travis Bracht of Second Coming and for a brief spell Van Williams of Nevermore. Bracht had previously worked with Chuck Miller in Peace and Silence. [11] Later that year, Ray Hartman replaced Van Williams on drums and Soulbender released a song called "Loaded" on Unleashed 3, a compilation album of songs by various artists from Rat Pak Records. [13] They also performed at the sixth annual Layne Staley Tribute along with Daughtry in 2007. [14]

In 2008 and 2009, Wilton said he was "six songs into" finishing a second album. [12] By this time, he said that Tim "Ripper" Owens had assumed vocal duties. [12] In 2011, Wilton said, "I actually have 75% of the Soulbender 2 written so it will get finished I just don’t know when." [15]

In 2014, the original members of Soulbender reunited and signed a world-wide distribution deal with Rat Pak Records. [16] On September 30, 2014, they released Soulbender II, a remastered version of their original album with four new songs. [17]

In 2018, a GoFundMe campaign was set up for Marten Van Keith after he was diagnosed with throat cancer. On January 13, 2020, Queensrÿche announced on their Facebook page that Van Keith had died from the cancer.

Members

Discography

Studio albums
Other appearances
YearSongTitleLabelNotes
2007 "Loaded"Unleashed 3Rat Pak RecordsTravis Bracht sings on "Loaded".
2008 "Three Towers"Unleashed 4Taken from debut album.
2009 "Clockwork and Compass"Unleashed 5
2014 "Turn Anger Up"Soulbender IIOriginal Lineup with Michael Wilton, Nick Pollock, Dave Groves, Wes Hallam, Marten Van Keith
"Seraphim"
"Shoal"
"Slave to Reality"

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Queensrÿche</span> American progressive metal band

Queensrÿche is an American progressive metal band. It formed in 1982 in Bellevue, Washington, out of the local band the Mob. The band has released sixteen studio albums, one EP, and several DVDs, and continues to tour and record. The original lineup consisted of guitarists Michael Wilton and Chris DeGarmo, drummer Scott Rockenfield, bassist Eddie Jackson, and lead vocalist Geoff Tate.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Layne Staley</span> American rock musician (1967–2002)

Layne Thomas Staley was an American singer and songwriter who was the original lead vocalist of Alice in Chains, which rose to international fame in the early 1990s as part of Seattle's grunge movement. He was known for his distinctive vocal style as well as his harmonizing with bandmate Jerry Cantrell. Prior to his success with Alice in Chains, Staley was also a member of the glam metal bands Sleze and Alice N' Chains. He was also a part of the supergroups Mad Season and Class of '99.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jerry Cantrell</span> American guitarist, singer and songwriter

Jerry Fulton Cantrell Jr. is an American guitarist, singer, and songwriter. He is best known as the founder, lead guitarist, co-lead vocalist, and main songwriter of the rock band Alice in Chains. The band rose to international fame in the early 1990s during Seattle's grunge movement and is known for its distinctive vocal style and the harmonized vocals between Cantrell and Layne Staley. Cantrell started to sing lead vocals on Alice in Chains' 1992 EP Sap. After Staley's death in 2002, Cantrell took the role of Alice in Chains' lead singer on most of the songs from the band's post-Staley albums, Black Gives Way to Blue (2009), The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here (2013), and Rainier Fog (2018), with DuVall harmonizing with him in the new songs and singing Staley's vocals in the old songs in live concerts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sean Kinney</span> American drummer

Sean Howard Kinney is an American musician, best known as the drummer and co-founder of the rock band Alice in Chains. Kinney also founded the short-lived supergroup Spys4Darwin, and has collaborated with other artists such as Johnny Cash and Metallica. He played drums for his Alice in Chains bandmate, Jerry Cantrell's first solo album, Boggy Depot (1998). Since 2009, Kinney has been co-owner of The Crocodile club in Seattle. He was a guest drummer on NBC's Late Night with Seth Meyers in September 2018. Kinney has earned nine Grammy Award nominations as a member of Alice in Chains.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mike Inez</span> American bassist

Michael Allen Inez is an American rock musician and bassist. Since 1993, Inez has been the bassist of the American rock band Alice in Chains. He is also recognized for his work with Ozzy Osbourne from 1989 to 1993. Inez also has connections with Slash's Snakepit, Black Label Society, Spys4Darwin, and Heart. Inez has earned seven Grammy Award nominations as a member of Alice in Chains.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Michael Wilton</span> Musical artist

Michael F. Wilton also known as The Whip, for how fast his fingers "whip" around the guitar fretboard, is an American musician, best known for being a guitarist and songwriter in the progressive metal band Queensrÿche, which he co-founded in 1982.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">My Sister's Machine</span> American rock band

My Sister's Machine was an American rock band from Seattle, Washington, formed in 1989. Its members were Nick Pollock, Owen Wright (guitar), Chris Ivanovich, and Chris Gohde (drums).

<i>Tribe</i> (Queensrÿche album) 2003 studio album by Queensrÿche

Tribe is the eighth studio album from the American progressive metal band Queensrÿche, released on 22 July 2003. It was self-produced by Queensrÿche, with Scott Olson engineering and Adam Kasper mixing the album.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mike Stone (musician)</span> American heavy metal guitarist (born 1969)

Mike Stone is an American guitarist, best known for his involvement in the progressive metal band Queensrÿche. He joined Queensrÿche for their 2003 Tribe tour, and made his first appearance on the 2003 album Tribe, with writing credits for the song "Losing Myself". He parted ways with the band in 2008, but rejoined initially in 2018 as a touring guitarist for then guitarist Parker Lundgren, and full-time in 2021. Stone was the guitarist for the rock band Speed-X, and currently the guitarist and backup vocalist of the alternative punk rock band, The Stick People.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Second Coming (band)</span> American rock band

Second Coming was an American rock band formed in Los Angeles, California, in 1990. They relocated to Seattle, Washington, around 1992 and released their debut album L.O.V.Evil in 1994. This band underwent several lineup changes throughout its existence with drummer James Bergstrom and bassist Johnny Bacolas ostensibly being the nucleus of the band, as they were the only members who appeared on every album. The two of them have been friends since childhood and they had also formed the rhythm section in an early incarnation of Alice in Chains that also consisted of vocalist Layne Staley and guitarist Nick Pollock; they called themselves Alice N' Chains.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ronny Munroe</span> Musical artist

Ronny Munroe is an American singer, most noted as the lead vocalist of the heavy metal band Metal Church from 2003 until the band broke up in 2009. His second tenure with the band lasted from 2012 when the group reunited until 2014, where he left to "pursue other interests". He also had a brief stint as the vocalist for Lillian Axe. He was also the lead singer of progressive rock band Presto Ballet. In October 2011 Munroe joined the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, as a vocalist. In 2022, Munroe became the lead vocalist of Vicious Rumors. and Munroe's Thunder Project in 2016

<i>Take Cover</i> (album) 2007 studio album by Queensrÿche

Take Cover is the tenth studio album by Seattle-based progressive metal band Queensrÿche, released on November 13, 2007. It consists of cover versions. The idea to release an album of cover songs came from a game of "name the riff" guitarists Michael Wilton and Mike Stone would play during sound checks. The band members agreed to each choose two songs to record for the album. Its release was announced by the band on August 28, 2007. After its first week of release the album entered the Billboard Top 200 chart at No. 173, with sales of 5,500 copies. Their cover of Pink Floyd's "Welcome to the Machine" was released as the album's only single.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alice N' Chains</span> American glam metal band

Alice N' Chains was an American glam metal band from Seattle, Washington, formed in 1986 by former members of Sleze. Toward the end of their run as Sleze, discussions arose about changing their name to Alice in Chains. However, due to concerns over the reference to female bondage, the group ultimately chose to spell it as Alice N' Chains. They performed under this moniker over about a 12-month period and recorded two demos before breaking up on friendly terms in 1987. One of its members, Layne Staley, ultimately took the name that he and his former bandmates had initially flirted with when he joined a different group a few months later that became known as Alice in Chains.

Nicholas Pollock is a Seattle-based singer, guitarist, and songwriter best known for his work with the grunge band My Sister's Machine. He has also played in various bands with other notable musicians, including Alice in Chains singer Layne Staley and Queensrÿche guitarist Michael Wilton. He graduated from Lindbergh High School in 1986.

<i>Soulbender</i> (album) 2004 studio album by Soulbender

Soulbender is the only studio album by the American-Canadian metal band of the same name. Originally released in 2004, it was re-released with additional recordings in 2014.

Travis Bracht is a Seattle-based singer and guitarist best known for his work with the post-grunge band Second Coming.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Todd La Torre</span> American singer and drummer

Todd La Torre is an American singer and multi-instrumentalist. He is the lead singer for progressive metal band Queensrÿche, and a former lead vocalist of the bands Crimson Glory and Rising West. Originally from St. Petersburg, Florida, he learned to play the drums at a young age.

<i>Queensrÿche</i> (album) 2013 studio album by Queensrÿche

Queensrÿche is the thirteenth studio album by American heavy metal band Queensrÿche, and the first to feature new singer Todd La Torre. It was released during a time when there were two different versions of the band, the other led by former singer Geoff Tate, who would give up his rights to the name in an amicable settlement in 2014.

<i>Condition Hüman</i> 2015 studio album by Queensrÿche

Condition Hüman is the fourteenth studio album by American heavy metal band Queensrÿche. It was released on October 2, 2015, through Century Media. It is the second studio album recorded with vocalist Todd La Torre, after Geoff Tate was fired from the band and gave up the rights to the name after a two-year lawsuit regarding the rights to the Queensrÿche brand was amicably settled.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Heaton, Brian J. (1 October 2002). "EYES OF A STRANGER – Michael Wilton Discusses the Future of Queensrÿche" (PDF). Anybody Listening. Retrieved 22 April 2022.
  2. 1 2 Dean, Mark (1 October 2014). "Interview With Michael Wilton (Guitars) (Soulbender And Queensryche)". My Global Mind. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
  3. ↑ "Tin Pan at Rate Your Music". Rate Your Music. Retrieved 25 April 2022.
  4. ↑ "Wes Hallam at Discogs". Discogs. Retrieved 25 April 2022.
  5. ↑ "Soulbender". The BNR Metal Pages. Retrieved 26 April 2022.
  6. ↑ "QUEENSRYCHE Guitarist Teams Up With Ex-MY SISTER'S MACHINE Singer In SOULBENDER". Blabbermouth. 3 May 2002. Retrieved April 19, 2016.
  7. ↑ "KNAC.COM – News – Pure Rock Newswire". Knaclive.com. Retrieved 19 November 2020.
  8. ↑ Interview with Michael Wilton at Metalshrine Archived 2013-04-18 at archive.today
  9. ↑ "Log In or Sign Up to View". Facebook.com. Retrieved 19 November 2020.
  10. ↑ "Soulbender Guitarist Happily Does Double Duty". Straight.com. 12 August 2004. Retrieved 19 November 2020.
  11. 1 2 "Peace And Silence at Discogs". Discogs . Retrieved 14 July 2012.
  12. 1 2 3 "Welcome to Dave's On Tour!!". Davesontour.com. Retrieved 19 November 2020.
  13. ↑ "Unleashed 3 – Three-Year Anniversary Compilation CD". Discogs . Retrieved 24 April 2022.
  14. ↑ "Layne Staley benefit". Blog.seattlepi.com. 24 August 2007. Retrieved 19 November 2020.
  15. ↑ "SarkoTalk Interview – Michael Wilton 05.01.11". Sarkophag-rocks.com. Retrieved 19 November 2020.
  16. ↑ "QUEENSRŸCHE Guitarist MICHAEL WILTON's SOULBENDER To Release New Album". Roadrunnerrecords.com. 17 August 2014. Retrieved 2014-08-18.
  17. ↑ "Michael Wilton". Ratpakrecordsamerica.com. Retrieved 19 November 2020.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.