Third Eye Blind

Third Eye Blind
Third Eye Blind performs at SUNY Geneseo on November 17, 2007
Background information
Origin	San Francisco, California, U.S.
Genres	Alternative rock, post-grunge, power pop
Years active	1993–present
Labels	Warner, Elektra, Sony RED Distribution
Associated acts	Bully, Apocrypha, Kevin Cadogan, Year Long Disaster, Radio Angel, Megasapien
Website	3eb.com
Members
Stephan Jenkins Brad Hargreaves Abe Millett Kryz Reid
Past members
Kevin Cadogan Arion Salazar Tony Fredianelli Michael Urbano Jason Slater

Third Eye Blind is an American alternative rock band formed in the early 1990s in San Francisco. The songwriting duo of Kevin Cadogan and Stephan Jenkins signed the band's first major label recording contract with Elektra records in 1996 resulting in two multi platinum albums. The band's lineup changed in 2000 ending the songwriting partnership of Kevin Cadogan and Stephan Jenkins. The band's current line-up is Stephan Jenkins (vocals, guitar), and Brad Hargreaves (drums, percussion). Guitarist Kryz Reid and bassist Abe Millett have replaced the departed Tony Fredianelli and Arion Salazar respectively.

After the success of their eponymous debut album in 1997, the band released one more album, 1999's Blue, before guitarist Kevin Cadogan was released under controversial circumstances.^[1] In 2003, the band released Out of the Vein. In 2008, the band released the digital EP Red Star. After a six-year hiatus from releasing a full-length album, Ursa Major was released on August 17, 2009. A fifth album is also being worked on, without a tentative release date.

The band is best known for the singles "Semi-Charmed Life", "How's It Going to Be", "Graduate", "Jumper" and "Never Let You Go".

History

Beginnings (1993–1996)

Third Eye Blind recorded their first demo in 1993.^{[citation needed]} In 1994 the band recorded its 2nd demo with band members: Kevin Cadogan on guitar, Steve Bowman on drums, Arion Salazar on bass, and Stephan Jenkins on vocals.^{[citation needed]} In late 1995 through early 1996 the band recorded its third demo with funds from RCA records to record with producer engineer Eric Valentine, which resulted in the band gaining major label attention, including that of Clive Davis, who invited the band to perform a showcase for Arista Records in New York City.^[2] During Third Eye Blind concerts at the time, it was customary for the band to have a piñata release candy above their mosh pits, yet at the showcase for the record executives, lead singer Stephan Jenkins released live crickets from the piñata instead.^[2] With regard to the name of the band, Jenkins indicated during a radio interview that the name came from the metaphysical idea of a mind's eye, a topic of a book he had read. The other group members liked it and chose it as the official name. In April 1996, after Jenkins had challenged Epic Records executive Dave Massey in a meeting, the band landed an opening gig for Oasis at the San Francisco Civic Auditorium.^[2] In an unlikely scenario for an opening act, the band was invited back for an encore after playing their initial set^[3] and was paid double by the concert promoter.^[4] In addition, Stephan Jenkins' production of The Braids' cover of Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" gained major-label attention.^[5] Afterwards, the band found themselves in a bidding war among record labels, and after a showcase in Los Angeles, Kevin Cadogan and Stephan Jenkins signed as artists professionally known as Third Eye Blind with Sylvia Rhone of Elektra Records because they believed it offered the most artistic freedom.^[4]

Success (1997–2000)

Third Eye Blind's first album, Third Eye Blind was released in 1997. The album had 5 singles: "Semi-Charmed Life", "Graduate", "How's It Going to Be", "Losing a Whole Year", and "Jumper". "Semi-Charmed Life" peaked at No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was number 1 on the Modern Rock Tracks for 8 weeks. The band also performed "How's It Going to Be" on Saturday Night Live. To date their eponymous debut has been the group's most successful album, selling 7 million copies in the U.S. alone.^[6] Smash Mouth drummer Michael Urbano played drums on 4 songs on the album. During this period they also opened a number of shows on U2's PopMart Tour.

In 1999 the band released their second album, Blue. Although not received as well as Third Eye Blind, the album sold 75,000 copies the first week of release and by 2003 had sold 1.25 million in the U.S.^[7] Four singles were released from the album, "Anything", "Never Let You Go", "10 Days Late", and "Deep Inside of You". In early 2000, shortly after the release of the album, Kevin Cadogan was released from the band. The controversial circumstances of Cadogan's departure stem from his allegations that Jenkins and he were to be partners of the corporation named Third Eye Blind Inc. Instead, Jenkins directed the bands manager Eric Godtland and the bands attorney Thomas Mandelbaum to issue Jenkins 100% of the shares to himself making Stephan Jenkins the sole owner of all Third Eye Blind assets. Kevin Cadogan claimed that he was told by the band attorney that shares had not been issued to anyone. Cadogan told the NY times in 1999 that he discovered 100% of the shares had in fact been issued to Jenkins as far back as 1996 when Cadogan and Jenkins signed the definitive record contract with Elektra. Cadogan states that upon learning that Jenkins owned 100% of the band he then refused to sign off on any more recording contracts and loans until shares were also issued to Cadogan. In 1999 Cadogan was asked to sign a 1 million dollar loan from Elektra records which would allow Third Eye Blind to record an EP and release it on its own label as a subsidiary of Elektra. Cadogan refused to sign the deal citing the fact that he would not own or have any control over the assets acquired from the deal. In November 1999 Elektra records issued the funds to the Stephan Jenkins owned Third Eye Blind corporation without Cadogan's signature as Elektra had previously required. Two months later in January of 2000, Kevin Cadogan and Third Eye Blind parted ways after a concert in Utah. Despite having received the $1 million from Elektra back in 1999, the band never delivered the EP which the funds were allocated for.^[8]Cadogan filed suit, alleging wrongful termination, adding that his production, recording, and songwriter royalties were withheld since being kicked out of the band.^[9] The lawsuit was settled out of court in June 2002, with the terms of the settlement undisclosed.^[10]

Later, it was revealed that the band's total legal costs for Cadogan's suit (including settlement and attorney's fees) totaled around $3 million.^[11] This was disclosed when the band sued their financial manager, Provident Financial Management, and their insurance broker, Near North Entertainment Insurance Services, for negligently procuring a liability insurance policy from North American Specialty Insurance (a Swiss Re subsidiary) that excluded coverage for the "entertainment business." Naturally, when Third Eye Blind tendered Cadogan's lawsuit and demanded a defense, North American Specialty denied coverage because they were in the "entertainment business." This forced the band to defend and settle Cadogan's lawsuit with their own funds. Third Eye Blind Inc, recouped its losses from the insurance company in 2009 through the appellate process.

Out of the Vein and A Collection (2001–2006)

After extensive international touring, the band took a break from performing, appearing only at charity events. They put on shows for the Tiger Woods Foundation and the Breathe Benefit Concert in Los Angeles after Jenkins' mother was diagnosed with breast cancer.^[12] During the four year gap between albums, the band also built a recording studio in anticipation of their next album.

In 2003 the band released Out of the Vein. Two singles were released from the album; "Blinded", and "Crystal Baller". Out of the Vein did not sell as well as its predecessors, with numbers estimated around 500,000 copies as of March 2007.^[13] Elektra Records was being absorbed into Atlantic Records at the time,^[14] and the only music video created from the album was for the single "Blinded". Due to the merger, the band found themselves without label support, as Jenkins said, "Our record company ceased to exist the month the record was released, Elektra Records imploded."^[13]

In May 2004, Warner Music cut Third Eye Blind, along with over 80 other acts, from its roster.^[14] While no specific reason was given for Third Eye Blind being cut, Atlantic co-chairman Craig Kallman said the cuts were made to get Atlantic's roster down to an appropriate size where "we can give each of our acts top priority."^[14]

It would be over six years after the release of Out of the Vein until the band would release another full-length album. In the meantime, the band did release "A Collection", in 2006. This album was a collection of songs from the first three albums. Jude Gold, associate editor of Guitar Player Magazine, recognized that the liner notes falsely credited guitarist Tony Fredianelli with the creative work of former guitarist Kevin Cadogan, who was completely omitted from the bands biography included in the liner notes, which state: "As always, the band profited from the musical interplay between Tony Fredianelli, Stephan Jenkins, Arion Salazar and Brad Hargreaves". In regards to this, Gold stated "Its like saying Gun's N Roses music always profited from the interplay between Axl Rose and guitarist Bucket Head".^[15]

Red Star and Ursa Major (2007–2009)

For the 10th anniversary of the release of Third Eye Blind's debut album, the band performed at the Fillmore on March 13 and 14, 2007. The shows were filmed for broadcast on HDNet on December 2, as well as normal broadcast and release on DVD and as a live album tentatively to be released in early 2008, as announced by Jenkins on November 9, 2007, on DC101's "Elliot In The Morning".^[16] However, as of early 2011, neither the DVD or live album have been released.

A single, "Non-Dairy Creamer", was released in November 2008 and was part of the internet exclusive digital EP Red Star.

Third Eye Blind's fourth studio album titled Ursa Major was released on August 17, 2009.^[17] The album had been anticipated since mid-2007 and was previously expected to be named The Hideous Strength.^[18] The album was released under their own label Mega Collider Records.^[19]

On June 5, 2009, Third Eye Blind released their first single off Ursa Major, "Don't Believe a Word". The band later released a second single, "Bonfire". Neither were able to chart on any radio formats.

Also announced was a possible fifth album titled Ursa Minor,^[20][21] that is planned to follow Ursa Major. Jenkins said that Ursa Minor will consist of songs that did not make the cut for Ursa Major.^[21] It was later revealed that the title of the fifth album will not be Ursa Minor, and it will consist of new songs rather than songs that did not make the cut.

Fifth album (2010–present)

Long time guitarist Tony Fredianelli left the band in early 2010.^[22] According to an article which quotes a lengthy letter of his, Fredianelli "... is suing the band for apparently being denied songwriting credits and benefits that he allegedly was entitled to."^[23][24] Irish musician Kryz Reid played guitar on the 2010 tour.^[25]

Third Eye Blind co-headlined The Bamboozle Roadshow 2010 between May and June 2010. In an interview with Stephan Jenkins and Brad Hargreaves at The Rave in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Jenkins stated that Ursa Minor was going to be recorded in July, and would be released in 2011.^[26] During 2010 Bamboozle Roadshow, Jenkins elaborated on the expected sound of Ursa Minor in an interview with WreckedRadio.net, "In the third album, we probably had use of too much technology, and then on the fourth album, we got rid of the technology and went back to just recording things on tape. And, that's what we're going to do on the fifth album that we are going to do this summer." ^[27] According to a November 2010 blog by Jenkins, the fifth album will no longer be titled Ursa Minor.^[28]

On February 23, 2011, it was revealed that former guitarist Fredianelli had filed a federal lawsuit against Jenkins for over eight million dollars in damages for not giving him credit for past work in the band.^[29][30]

On March 16, 2011, a song entitled "Ladies and Gentlemen" was released on Japanese singer and actress Chiaki Kuriyama's debut album. The track was written by Jenkins and Reid.^[31]

On November 16, 2011, Third Eye Blind posted a new song, "If There Ever Was a Time", to their Facebook page, for free download.

Band members

Timeline

Awards

• 1998 - Kevin Cadogan and Stephan Jenkins won BAM Award best songwriters for their work on the debut album.
• 1997 - "Semi-Charmed Life" won the Billboard Music Award for Modern Rock Track of the Year.
• 1998 - Nominated for two American Music Awards for Favorite New Artist (Pop/Rock) and Favorite Artist (Alternative)

Discography

Main article: Third Eye Blind discography

• Third Eye Blind (1997)
• Blue (1999)
• Out of the Vein (2003)
• Red Star (EP) (2008)
• Ursa Major (2009)

See also

• List of bands from the San Francisco Bay Area

References

1. ^ Julian Guthrie. He can see clearly now
2. ^ ^{a b c} Whiting, Sam. Third Eye Blind Spots a Big Gig. San Francisco Chronicle, April 13, 1996. Retrieved 2008-03-29.
3. ^ Ganahl, Jane. Blind Faith. San Francisco Examiner, November 9, 1997. Retrieved 2008-03-28.
4. ^ ^{a b} Condon, Nadine. (2003). Hot Hits, Cheap Demos: The Real-World Guide to Music Business Success. pp. 148-149. San Francisco: Backbeat Books. ISBN 0-87930-762-5.
5. ^ Vaziri, Aidin. Rappers The Braids Get A Big Break. San Francisco Chronicle, October 27, 1996. Retrieved 2008-03-29.
6. ^ "Gold and Platinum Database Search". http://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?table=SEARCH_RESULTS&artist=Third%Eye%Blind&album=Third%Eye%Blind&go=Search&perPage=50. Retrieved 2009-07-08. 
7. ^ Hasty, Katey. "Marilyn Manson Posts 'Grotesque' At No. 1". billboard.com. May 21, 2003.
8. ^ Neil Strauss, Pop Life, A part of the Band As The Whole Band, New York Times, June 20, 2002<
9. ^ Martens, Todd. "Ex-Third Eye Blind Guitarist's Suit Heads to Trial". billboard.com. June 13, 2002.
10. ^ Martens, Todd. "Ex-Guitarist Settles with Third Eye Blind". billboard.com. June 19, 2002.
11. ^ Third Eye Blind, Inc. v. Near North Entertainment Insurance Services, LLC, 127 Cal. App. 4th 1311, 26 Cal. Rptr. 3d 452 (2005).
12. ^ Moss, Corey. "Third Eye Blind, Lil' Kim, Nikka Costa, Sugar Ray Do Breathe For Breast Cancer". mtv.com. October 29, 2001.
13. ^ ^{a b} Uhelszki, Jaan. "Third Eye Blind's Second Coming". San Francisco Chronicle. March 11, 2007.
14. ^ ^{a b c} Furman, Phyllis. "Warner Music Axing Artists". Daily News. May 14, 2004.
15. ^ Gold, Jude Third Eye Blind; A collection album review, Guitar Player Magazine, Aug, 2006
16. ^ Elliot In The Morning, November 2007
17. ^ "Ursa Major Release Date : Third Eye Blind". 3eb.com. http://3eb.com/news/727. Retrieved 2011-07-21. 
18. ^ Third Eye Blind: Louder and 'Political'^{[dead link]}
19. ^ "Third Eye Blind's Stephan Jenkins Talks Ursa Major, Fierce Fans | Rolling Stone Music". Rollingstone.com. 2009-08-11. http://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2009/08/11/third-eye-blinds-stephan-jenkins-talks-ursa-major-fierce-fans/. Retrieved 2011-07-21. 
20. ^ "Third Eye Blind". Facebook. http://www.facebook.com/pages/Third-Eye-Blind/34254940936. Retrieved 2011-07-21. 
21. ^ ^{a b} Benson, John. "Third Eye Blind Finds Second Life of Success". billboard.com. May 7, 2009.
22. ^ Cox, Jason. "Semi-Charmed, not Cursed: An Interview with Third Eye Blind". Washington City Paper. April 9, 2010.
23. ^ "Third Eye Blind Guitarist Sues Rest of Band | News". Kill Your Stereo. http://www.killyourstereo.com/news/5944/third-eye-blind-guitarist-sues-rest-of-band/. Retrieved 2011-07-21. 
24. ^ Lavery, Philippa (2010-02-24). "Music News & Interviews: Third Eye Blind sued by own guitarist". Thrash It Out Online. http://www.thrashitoutonline.com/2010/02/third-eye-blind-sued-by-own-guitarist.html. Retrieved 2011-07-21. 
25. ^ "Spring Tour". Third Eye Blind. http://thirdeyeblind.com/news/9991. Retrieved 2011-07-21. 
26. ^ "The Rave/Eagles Club - TheRave.TV - Exclusive Video Third Eye Blind Interview". Therave.com. 2010-06-14. http://www.therave.com/theravetv.asp?videoid=176. Retrieved 2011-07-21. 
27. ^ Paul, Jess. "Third Eye Blind - Stephan Jenkins Interview: WRECKED RADIO". June 28, 2010.
28. ^ "So nice to be back : Third Eye Blind". 3eb.com. http://3eb.com/users/stephanjenkins/blogs/493102. Retrieved 2011-07-21. 
29. ^ [1]^{[dead link]}
30. ^ http://www.thirdeyeblindlawsuit.com/
31. ^ "栗山千明 | Producer & Song Writer Artists". Chiakikuriyama.net. http://www.chiakikuriyama.net/producer/index.html. Retrieved 2011-07-21. 

External links

• Official website