Vertical Horizon

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Vertical Horizon
Vertical Horizon in 2010.jpg
Vertical Horizon performing in 2010
Background information
Origin Washington, D.C., U.S.
Genres
Years active1991–present
Labels
Members
Past members
  • Keith Kane
  • Sean Hurley
  • Ed Toth
  • Steve Fekete
  • Jenn Oberle
  • Seth Horan
  • Ryan "Chopper" Fisher
  • Jeffrey Jarvis
  • Corey McCormick
  • Jason Sutter
  • Eric Holden
  • Craig McIntyre
  • Richie Noble
  • Donovan White
  • Andrew O’Brien
Website verticalhorizon.com

Vertical Horizon is an American alternative rock band, formed in Washington, D.C. Vocalists and guitarists Matt Scannell and Keith Kane started the band in 1991 when they were students at Georgetown University. The band have undergone multiple line-up changes since their formation, with Scannell overseeing every iteration as the band's leader. Vertical Horizon are best known for their Billboard number one single "Everything You Want", the title track to their third studio album. Other notable singles from the band's career include "You're a God", "Best I Ever Had (Grey Sky Morning)", and "I'm Still Here".

Contents

History

Early years (1991–1998)

Vertical Horizon was formed in 1991 by Georgetown University undergraduate students Matt Scannell and Keith Kane. [1] In 1992, after graduating from Georgetown, the duo relocated to Boston and self-released their debut album There and Back Again . [2] Scannell and Kane toured as a duo for the next few years, mostly appearing with similar bands, such as Jackopierce. Their next album was 1995's Running on Ice , produced by John Alagia (Dave Matthews Band, John Mayer), Doug Derryberry, and Scannell. [1] Drummer Ed Toth joined the band in 1996. [3]

The band released a live album, Live Stages , in January 1997. [4] In 1998, bassist Sean Hurley was invited to join Vertical Horizon. [5] [6] The band's indie albums began to attract record executives from several record labels during the late 1990s. [1] The band signed with RCA Records in 1998. [1] RCA re-released Vertical Horizon's independent albums, with new packaging and graphics. [1] Before the RCA re-release, the band's first three albums had sold 70,000 combined units. [1]

Everything You Want (1999–2000)

The band's first album with a major label was 1999's Everything You Want . [7] It was a breakthrough album for the band. [8] Four singles were released from the album. [9] The album's first single was "We Are," [10] which reached the Modern Rock Tracks chart and peaked at no. 21. [11] The album's second single was "Everything You Want." The song became a massive hit, reaching number one at the Billboard Hot 100 chart and the Adult Top 40 chart and becoming Billboard's Most Played Single of 2000. [8] As of 2022, "Everything You Want" is Vertical Horizon's most successful single. [12] Two other singles from the album, "You're a God" and "Best I Ever Had (Grey Sky Morning)," were also hits; they peaked at 23 and 58, respectively, at the Billboard Hot 100 chart. [12]

The Everything You Want album was certified double platinum by the RIAA. [13]

Go and Go 2.0 (2001–2005)

Vertical Horizon's next album, Go , was released in September 2003. [14] Go was released while RCA was going through a major restructuring and as a result, the album received little support from the label. [15] The album's first single, "I'm Still Here," peaked at number 17 on the Adult Top 40. [16] [ better source needed ] RCA did little to promote the album [17] causing Scannell to state "Without the label behind us, it just floundered and sort of withered on the vine, which is just a heartbreaker." [15]

Burning the Days (2006–2010)

Matt Scannell performing at Borders in support of 2009's Burning the Days. Matt Scannell - Northridge February 2010.jpg
Matt Scannell performing at Borders in support of 2009's Burning the Days .

Burning the Days was released on September 22, 2009, and was the group's first release after a five-year hiatus. [18] Singer/songwriter Matt Scannell has said that Burning the Days marks a shift in his songwriting, both musically and lyrically. [19] According to Scannell, "There is a lot more variety and quite a few different artistic moods on this record - almost different sonic landscapes... a lot of these songs feel like a faster tempo than anything we’ve ever done before." [19]

The late Neil Peart of the Canadian rock band Rush played drums on three songs on the album, "Save Me From Myself," "Welcome to the Bottom," and "Even Now." "Even Now" was co-written by Scannell and Peart, with Peart writing the lyrics and Scannell writing the music. [18] [20] [21]

On June 3, 2010, Keith Kane confirmed his departure from the band. [22]

Echoes from the Underground and The Lost Mile (2011–present)

Vertical Horizon announced in June 2011 that they had begun recording new material for a new album. [23] The album, Echoes from the Underground, was released on October 8, 2013. [24]

In June 2017, Scannell announced at a concert in Fairfax, Virginia, that another album was forthcoming. The band's seventh album, The Lost Mile , was released on February 23, 2018. [25]

Members

Current

Former

Former touring musicians

Timeline

Vertical Horizon

Discography

Studio albums

Related Research Articles

<i>There and Back Again</i> (Vertical Horizon album) 1992 studio album by Vertical Horizon

There and Back Again was the first album by Vertical Horizon, released independently in 1992, and later re-released in 1999 by RCA Records. At the time, the band consisted solely of Matthew Scannell and Keith Kane, who together did all the writing, singing, and producing for the album, as well as playing all instruments used. The name was taken from the subtitle of The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien.

<i>Running on Ice</i> 1995 studio album by Vertical Horizon

Running on Ice is the second album by Vertical Horizon, released independently in 1995, and later re-released by RCA. It was produced by John Alagia, Doug Derryberry and Matt Scannell. Though still technically a duo and acoustic based, Running on Ice featured many guest musicians, giving the album more of a full band sound. Derryberry also contributed keyboards and vocals. Two of the album's songs appeared on the 2nd Aware Compilation.

<i>Live Stages</i> 1997 live album by Vertical Horizon

Live Stages is a live album by Vertical Horizon, released by Rhythmic Records in early 1997, and later re-released by RCA Records. This album was recorded live at Ziggy's in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. It featured mostly songs from the band's second album, Running on Ice,, as well as new material. This was the first Vertical Horizon album to feature Matt Scannell more prominently on electric guitar, and also the first to include drummer Ed Toth. Ryan Fisher played bass.

<i>Everything You Want</i> (Vertical Horizon album) 1999 studio album by Vertical Horizon

Everything You Want is the third studio album by Vertical Horizon and its first major label effort. Released in 1999, it was a breakthrough album for the band. Four singles were released from the album. The second single, "Everything You Want", became one of the most played singles of 2000, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100. In 2001, the album was certified double platinum by the RIAA, having sold two million copies in the United States, making it the band's best selling album.

<i>Go</i> (Vertical Horizon album) 2003 studio album by Vertical Horizon

Go is the fourth studio album by alternative rock band Vertical Horizon. The album, a follow-up to the band's double platinum Everything You Want, continues to expand upon the band's alternative and pop rock sound while moving into more hard rock directions as well. Recorded in early 2002, the album was ready as early as that August, but was instead delayed extensively due to restructuring at the band's label, RCA Records. The album was released over a year later on September 23, 2003. The singles off the album were "I'm Still Here", "Forever", and "When You Cry".

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Radford are an American alternative rock band from Los Angeles. Formed in 1997 by frontman Jonny Mead, Chris Hower (guitar), Bobby Stefano (bass), and Kane McGee (drums), the band has undergone several line-up changes since its formation. The current lineup features Mead, McGee, guitarist Sean Woolstenhulme, and bassist Soloman Snyder.

<i>The Sound of Madness</i> 2008 studio album by Shinedown

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<i>Duo</i> (Richard Marx and Matt Scannell album) 2008 studio album by Richard Marx and Matt Scannell

Duo is an acoustic album by Richard Marx and Vertical Horizon vocalist Matt Scannell. The disc was released on May 12, 2008, exclusively through RichardMarx.com, and was later made available for sale at their concerts together as well. Marx and Scannell exhibit both of their acclaimed works. Marx remade a version of "Always On Your Mind," for his 2008 album Sundown. The disc is predominantly done on acoustic guitar aside from the track "Give You Back" performed on piano.

<i>Emotional Remains</i> 2008 studio album by Richard Marx

Emotional Remains is the eighth studio album by Richard Marx which was released digitally on October 31, 2008 on Marx's website. Emotional Remains was released simultaneously with Sundown and was re-released exclusively through Amazon.com on September 22, 2009 with two new tracks.

<i>Burning the Days</i> 2009 studio album by Vertical Horizon

Burning the Days is the fifth studio album from the band Vertical Horizon, released on September 22, 2009.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Everything You Want (Vertical Horizon song)</span> 1999 single by Vertical Horizon

"Everything You Want" is a song by American alternative rock band Vertical Horizon, the title track and second single from their third studio album. First released to alternative radio in October 1999, the single reached the top of the US Billboard Hot 100 on July 15, 2000, following a commercial release on June 27, 2000. It also peaked atop the Billboard Adult Top 40 and was Billboard's "Most Played Single" of 2000. It remains the band's most successful single.

<i>Smoke & Mirrors</i> (Lifehouse album) 2010 studio album by Lifehouse

Smoke & Mirrors is the fifth studio album by American alternative rock band Lifehouse. It was released on March 2, 2010, by Geffen Records. Lifehouse began to work on the album with record producer Jude Cole in the fall of 2008 at Cole's Ironworks Studio. The band collaborated with American singer-songwriter Kevin Rudolf and Chris Daughtry of the band Daughtry while working on the album.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Damned Things</span> American heavy metal band

The Damned Things was an American rock supergroup most recently consisting of Fall Out Boy's Joe Trohman and Andy Hurley, Anthrax's Scott Ian, Every Time I Die's Keith Buckley, and Alkaline Trio's Dan Andriano. The band's name is inspired by the lyrics in Ram Jam's 1977 version of "Black Betty".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">You're a God</span> 2000 single by Vertical Horizon

"You're a God" is a song by American rock band Vertical Horizon from their third studio album, Everything You Want. The single reached No. 23 on the US Billboard Hot 100. Two versions of the song exist: one featured on the album, the other featured in the music video and radio version, dubbed the "Pop Mix," mixed by Tom Lord-Alge.

<i>Duo Live</i> 2010 compilation album by Richard Marx and Matt Scannell

Duo Live is a live album by Richard Marx and, Vertical Horizon band member, Matt Scannell. Marx and Scannell exhibit both of their acclaimed works and share lead vocals on three songs, including a never before released song.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Matt Scannell</span> American singer

Matthew Bennett Scannell is an American singer, songwriter, guitarist and multi-instrumentalist. Scannell is the lead vocalist, lead guitarist, primary songwriter, and founding member of the alternative rock band Vertical Horizon.

<i>Echoes from the Underground</i> 2013 studio album by Vertical Horizon

Echoes from the Underground is the sixth studio album from the band Vertical Horizon, released on October 8, 2013. "Broken Over You" was released as the lead single. Rush drummer Neil Peart played drums on two of the album's tracks.

<i>The Lost Mile</i> 2018 studio album by Vertical Horizon

The Lost Mile is the seventh studio album by Vertical Horizon. The album was released exclusively on digital platforms on February 23, 2018. It was released by Outfall Records, the independent label headed by frontman Matt Scannell.

References

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  12. 1 2 "Vertical Horizon". Billboard. Retrieved January 27, 2022.
  13. "Vertical Horizon Gets Ready To 'Go'". Billboard.com. July 2, 2022.
  14. "Vertical Horizon Ready To Reacquaint Fans With 'Go'". Billboard. Archived from the original on May 17, 2017. Retrieved November 29, 2016.
  15. 1 2 "Vertical Horizon Plans New Album". www.alternativeaddiction.com. November 21, 2008
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  17. "Vertical Horizon And Pat McGee to Re-Release". Alternative Addiction. May 5, 2005.
  18. 1 2 "Vertical Horizon Reveals Tracklisting". Alternative Addiction. July 11, 2009.
  19. 1 2 "Vertical Horizon Ready August Release". Alternative Addiction. July 6, 2009.
  20. Peart, Neil. "News, Weather, and Sports". NEP.com. June 17, 2006.
  21. Mover, Jonathan. "Matt Scannell on Neil Peart Artist P.O.V.". Drumhead Magazine. date unknown.
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