House of Heroes

House of Heroes
House of Heroes performing at Cruzan Amphitheater in West Palm Beach, Florida on Skillet and TobyMac's Awake Tonight Tour in March 2010
Background information
Origin	Columbus, Ohio, United States
Genres	Alternative rock, Christian rock
Years active	1998–present
Labels	Four Door Entertainment, Vanishing Point, Mono Vs Stereo, Gotee
Website	thehouseofheroes.com
Members
Tim Skipper Colin Rigsby Jared Rigsby A.J. Babcock Eric Newcomer Josh Dun

House of Heroes is an alternative rock band from Columbus, Ohio. They were also known by the name No Tagbacks. They are generally considered to be Christian rock, though their lyrics are not always transparently Christian.^[1] They have released four albums: "Ten Months" (2001 as No Tagbacks), What You Want Is Now (2003), House of Heroes (2005), The End Is Not the End (2008), and Suburba (2010). The band also re-released their self titled record under the name of Say No More. The band consists of brothers Colin Rigsby and Jared Rigsby, Tim Skipper, and A.J. Babcock (who does not tour).

Band history

The band got started in 1996 at Hilliard Davidson High School (Hilliard, OH), originally as a punk band called Plan B, with Tim Skipper, A.J. Babcock, and Nate Rothacker on drums. In 1998, Colin Rigsby replaced Nate Rothacker on drums and they changed their name to No Tagbacks, then later to House of Heroes. The band recorded early demos at Chris Lundquist's home studio LundquistAudio (formerly Lunkhead Studio). In 2003 they released their first album What You Want Is Now under the name House of Heroes.^[2]

Jared Rigsby replaced A.J. Babcock as the band's live bassist in December 2005, as Babcock had married and focused on a side project with his wife called "FlowerDagger". Babcock eventually rejoined the band as the live bassist and Jared Rigsby became an official member as the band's second guitarist. In 2009, Babcock stopped touring for the second time and has been replaced by a live bassist whose name is (according to one of their Vlogs) Eric "Do The Dew" Newcomer. He appeared playing the bass in the band's new video for "O Come, O Come Emmanuel." Babcock continues to be a part of the band, involved with songwriting and recording.

In March 2010 Colin Rigsby was replaced by Josh Dun on drums as Rigsby felt he needed to spend more time with his family. As of October 2010 Colin has resumed drumming duty.^[3]

Influences

According to drummer, Colin Rigsby, some of House of Heroes influences are: The Beatles, Queen, Bruce Springsteen, and The Clash. Tim Skipper also said that Muse is a source of influence.^[4] In his free time, Rigsby works on Art, and has his own website.^[5] He is currently working with Jon Schneck of Relient K on a graphic novel titled "En Carne."

Christian music

The band has discussed their part in Christian music. They mentioned that they did not exactly set out to be a Christian band and at the same time, they did not set out to not associate themselves with Christians. They also mentioned that, "The idea is that, if we just express ourselves and we have, you know, a real connection with Jesus, that things we express will be, you know, Him, hopefully."^[6] In their latest album Suburba, they embrace this idea, with songs such as "Salt in the Sea" and "Constant", which both can be seen as songs with Christian allusions and ideas.

Albums and EPs

Ten Months

Ten Months is the only album released under the name No Tagbacks. It was released by Four Door Entertainment.

What You Want Is Now

Being their first album, House of Heroes released this debut in 2003 under the label Vanishing Point Records, owned by Scott Stilletta formerly of Plankeye. It includes 13 tracks, two of which were later composed differently and released on their self-titled record. It was recorded in Columbus, Ohio.

After the release of this album, the band was signed to Gotee Records by its owner and founder, Toby McKeehan. They now release their albums on that label.

House of Heroes

This is their first album released under Gotee Records. It was released on April 26, 2005 and includes 11 tracks. During the same year, the group toured with several other bands such as Relient K, Rufio, and MxPx. The band made a music video around this time for their song "Serial Sleepers."

Say No More

Say No More, was released on May 2, 2006. It was a re-release of their self-titled debut album, and includes two bonus tracks ("The Invisible Hook," and "You Are the Judas of the Cheerleading Squad").^[7]

The End Is Not the End

In 2008, before the release of their next album, the band launched FreeHOH.com, a website where "In the Valley of the Dying Sun", "Sooner or Later", and "By Your Side" were offered as free downloads. The End Is Not the End was subsequently released on September 23, 2008.

The band said that this album was actually finished in 2007, but did not release until September of '08. They also had distribution issues when the album was first released. It was only available at live shows and online, but not in stores. It is NOW available in most retailers, but it must be bought through the stores' website, still because of distribution issues.

"The End Is Not The End" is really considered the band's breakthrough album, and most epic so far. AbsolutePunk.net has given the band much credit and praise for the album. It charted on the Billboard at #19 for "Christian Albums" and #9 for "Heatseekers Albums." From this album, the song "In The Valley Of The Dying Sun" was turned into a music video, and was #10 on TVU's Most Wanted of 2008. The video was also nominated for a Dove Award in 2009 for SHORT FORM MUSIC VIDEO. It is a featured music video on YouTube. "In The Valley of The Dying Sun" (the song) was #1 on RadioU's "2008's Most Wanted."

In early June 2009, on Amazon.com, House of Heroes had the deal of the day. They made it to the second highest position (2nd place) on "Today's Top MP3 Artists" on June 17 with The End Is Not The End. Their ranking was higher than The Black Eyed Peas, Dave Matthews Band, Green Day and other famous musical names.

The Acoustic End EP

This digital EP was released on iTunes (and now AmazonMp3) on April 7, 2009. and includes the songs: "Ghost", "New Moon," and "If (Acoustic)." ("If" is also on the "The End Is Not The End.")

The title The Acoustic End EP refers to their album title The End Is Not the End.

The songs: "Ghost", and "New Moon" are bonus tracks on the physical release of "The End Is Not The End."

House of Heroes Meets The Beatles EP

During a show on March 20, 2009 in Columbus, Ohio, the band announced that they would be releasing a digital EP of The Beatles cover songs.

The three song EP, with the Beatle reference, House of Heroes Meets The Beatles, (referring to the Beatles album "Meet The Beatles!") which was released on June 9, 2009, features "Can't Buy Me Love", "It Won't Be Long" and "Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da".^[8]

The album artwork of this digital EP is set around The Beatles' "A Hard Day's Night." House of Heroes are fans of the Beatles, and might have dropped a clue on their Myspace about this digital EP. They noted at the time they wrote a blog they were listening to "Meet The Beatles!, by The Beatles.

The Christmas Classics EP

On November 10th, 2009, House of Heroes digitally released a three-song EP, for Christmas. The EP includes a cover of the Mariah Carey hit, "All I Want For Christmas Is You," and the classic Christmas hymns, "Silent Night," and "O Come, O Come Emmanuel." The EP has been given a very positive review from Absolutepunk.net

Suburba

The band entered Dark Horse Recording Studio on February 1, 2010 to record their 4th full length album.^[9] The album is called Suburba, and was released on August 3, 2010 by Gotee Records.^[10] Their first single is entitled "Elevator" and is currently playing on RadioU. They also released their song "God Save The Foolish Kings" on their Website and Youtube page. A second single, entitled "Constant" is currently playing on Air 1. On June 29, 2010, the band began offering the song "Independence Day for a Petty Thief" as a free download for Twitter users who posted a promotional message about the song.

On October 18, 2011, House of Heroes released a single entitled "Lovesick Zombie" digitally.^{[citation needed]}

Tours

House of Heroes have toured with many bands such as MxPx, Silverchair, Filter, Stryper, Phantom Planet, Family Force 5, Luna Halo, Relient K, Ludo, This Providence, Wavorly, Abandon Kansas, The Wedding, The Fold, Seabird and most recently, tobyMac and Skillet .

They headlined a tour titled "The Super Big Time All American Traveling Tour" from Fall-Winter of 2009, where they were supported by The Wedding and Abandon Kansas.

The band was on tour with Family Force 5, Remedy Drive, and All Left Out for the Family Force 5 Christmas Pageant Tour.

They joined tobyMac and Skillet in Spring 2010 on the Awake Tonight Tour.

They toured with tobyMac and Brandon Heath in January and February 2011 on the Winter Wonder Slam tour.^[11]

Members

• Tim Skipper – lead vocals, guitar (1998–present)
• Colin Rigsby – drums, backing vocals (1998–present)
• AJ Babcock – bass guitar, backing vocals, currently studio only (1998–present)
• Jared Rigsby – guitar, backing vocals (2005–present)
• Eric Newcomer – bass guitar, backing vocals, live only (2009–present)

Former

• Josh Dun – drums, backing vocals, live only (March - October 2010)

Discography

Albums

Year	Title	Label(s)	Notes
2001	Ten Months	Four Door Entertainment	As "No Tagbacks"
2003	What You Want Is Now	Vanishing Point Records	First full-length album
2005	House of Heroes	Gotee Records	Major label debut album
2008	The End Is Not the End	Gotee Records	Released as mp3s in 2008, released on CD in 2009
2010	Suburba	Gotee Records

Other releases

Year	Title	Label(s)	Notes
2006	Say No More	Mono Vs Stereo	Re-release of self-titled album
2009	The Acoustic End EP	Gotee Records	Acoustic versions of "If", "New Moon", and "Ghost".
2009	House of Heroes Meets The Beatles EP	Gotee Records	Covers of "Can't Buy Me Love", "It Won't Be Long", and "Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da"
2009	The Christmas Classics EP	Gotee Records	Covers of "All I Want For Christmas Is You" (Mariah Carey), "Silent Night" and "O Come, O Come Emmanuel"

• The B-Sides EP

An early version of the song "You Are the Judas of the Cheerleading Squad," was also featured on a compilation where 25 bands each had one hour to record and mix a song. The album was called 25 Hour Grand Prix.

Singles

• "Mercedes Baby" (from What You Want Is Now)
• "Kamikaze Baby" (from What You Want Is Now)
• "Serial Sleepers" (from House of Heroes and Say No More) – No. 9 on the Radio & Records Christian Rock Chart
• "Buckets for Bullet Wounds" (from House of Heroes and Say No More) – No. 6 on the Radio & Records Christian Rock Chart
• "The Invisible Hook" (from Say No More)
• "In the Valley of the Dying Sun" (from The End Is Not the End) - No. 1 on the Radio & Records Christian Rock Chart; No. 1 on CWR radio chart
• "Silent Night" (from the digital-only Silent Night single)
• "Lose Control" (from The End Is Not the End) - No. 2 on the Radio & Records Christian Rock Chart; No. 1 on CWR radio chart"
• "Code Name: Raven" (from "The End Is Not The End.")
• "Field Of Daggers" (from "The End Is Not The End." Announced on September 3, 2009, on lead singer's, Tim Skipper's Twitter^[12])
• "Elevator" (from Suburba radioU exclusive)
• "Constant" (from Suburba)
• "God Save the Foolish Kings" (from Suburba)
• "Lovesick Zombie" (from the digital-only Lovesick Zombie single)

Music videos

• "Ten Months" (2001) as No Tagbacks
• "Vital Signs" (2001) as No Tagbacks
• "Mercedes Baby" (2003)
• "Serial Sleepers" (2005)
• "In the Valley of the Dying Sun" (2008)
• "O Come, O Come Emmanuel" (2009)
• "God Save the Foolish Kings" (2010)
• "So Far Away" (2011)

Compilation appearances

• 2004: "Mercedes Baby", The Revolution Will Begin In The Blink of An Eye Vol. 1 (Mono Vs Stereo)
• 2005: Tim Skipper has been featured in John Reuben's album, "The Boy Vs. the Cynic" on the song "So Glad."
• 2005: "Serial Sleepers", The Revolution Will Begin In the Blink of An Eye Vol. 2 (Mono Vs Stereo)
• 2005: "Serial Sleepers", X2005', (BEC)
• 2006: "Invisible Hook", X2007 (BEC)
• 2006: "Day By Day", Freaked! A Gotee Tribute to dcTalk's "Jesus Freak" (Gotee)
• 2009: Tim Skipper contributed vocals on the songs "Forget and Not Slow Down" and "Sahara" and "Savannah" from Relient K's CD "Forget and Not Slow Down"

No Tagbacks

The band was known as "No Tagbacks" before they were House of Heroes.

Members Tim Skipper - lead vocals, guitar AJ Babcock - bass guitar, backing vocals Colin Rigsby - drums, backing vocals

Discography Ten Months (2001)

Music Videos "Ten Months" (2001) "Vital Signs" (2001)

References

1. ^ Jared Johnson. "House of Heroes review". Allmusic. http://www.allmusic.com/album/r738694. Retrieved 2009-02-17. 
2. ^ "House of Heroes, "What You Want Is Now" Review". Jesus Freak Hideout. http://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/cdreviews/WhatYouWantIsNow.asp. Retrieved 2009-04-07. 
3. ^ "Colin'S Back!!! And The Suburba (N) Vagabonds Tour Is Coming Soon!!!". Facebook. http://www.facebook.com/notes/house-of-heroes/colins-back-and-the-suburba-n-a-tour-is-coming-soon/482477147348. Retrieved 2011-10-26. 
4. ^ "House of Heroes – Tim Skipper". Beehave.fr. http://www.beehave.fr/interview/house-of-heroes-tim-skipper-aout-2010.html. Retrieved 2011-10-26. 
5. ^ Hard Labor^{[dead link]}
6. ^ "HOH talk Christianity in music". Youtube.com. 2009-04-03. http://youtube.com/watch?v=AkFMWI2C0DQ. Retrieved 2011-10-26. 
7. ^ Josh Taylor (2006-05-01). "House of Heroes, "Say No More" Review". Jesus Freak Hideout. http://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/cdreviews/SayNoMore.asp. Retrieved 2009-04-07. 
8. ^ Kaj Roth (2009-03-26) House Of Heroes Get Set For Release Of Acoustic End Ep Melodic.net
9. ^ "House of Heroes". Facebook. http://facebook.com/houseofheroes. Retrieved 2011-10-26. 
10. ^ ""Suburba" Album Teaser #1". Youtube.com. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4cZMOatDj88. Retrieved 2011-10-26. 
11. ^ "Winter Wonder Slam in 2011". TobyMac. 2010-11-17. http://www.tobymac.com/2010/11/17/winter-wonder-slam-in-2011/. Retrieved 2011-10-26. 
12. ^ "timhoh (@timhoh) op Twitter". Twitter.com. http://twitter.com/timhoh. Retrieved 2011-10-26. 

External links

• House of Heroes on Myspace
• Music Faith House of Heroes Profile
• House of Heroes on Pure Volume
• Mono Vs. Stereo (Their Record Label)
• Video Tour Blog by Tubopopcorn
• Two Live Videos
• Soundcrank Podcast Hosted by House of Heroes
• Tim Skipper's Twitter
• House of Heroes Tour Vlog 3