Stone Sour

Stone Sour
Stone Sour in 2007. Shown from left to right: Corey Taylor, Roy Mayorga, Shawn Economaki.
Background information
Origin	Des Moines, Iowa, US
Genres	Hard rock, alternative metal, heavy metal, post-grunge[1]
Years active	1992 (1992)–1997, 2002–present
Labels	Roadrunner, Sony BMG
Associated acts	Slipknot, Soulfly, Black President, Isaac James, Amebix, Nausea
Website	stonesour.com
Members
Corey Taylor Jim Root Josh Rand Shawn Economaki Roy Mayorga
Past members
Joel Ekman

Stone Sour is an American rock band from Des Moines, Iowa. Since 2006, the group has been composed of Corey Taylor (lead vocals, guitar, piano), Jim Root (lead guitar, keyboard), Josh Rand, (rhythm guitar), Shawn Economaki (bass guitar) and Roy Mayorga (drums, percussion). Original drummer Joel Ekman left the group in 2006. The group formed in 1992, performing for five years, before disbanding in 1997 when Taylor and Root joined Slipknot. The group reunited in 2002.

To date, Stone Sour have released three studio albums Stone Sour (2002); Come What(ever) May (2006) and their latest album, titled Audio Secrecy, which was released September 7, 2010. They released a digital live album, Live in Moscow, in 2007.

Stone Sour earned the group two Grammy Award nominations, both for Best Metal Performance, for the singles "Get Inside", in 2003,^[2] and "Inhale", in 2004.^[3] The album went on to become RIAA certified Gold.^[1] In 2006, following the release of Come What(ever) May, the group received another Grammy Award nomination for Best Metal Performance for the single "30/30-150".^[4]

Band history

Formation and early years (1992–1997)

Stone Sour was founded by Corey Taylor, who eventually became the vocalist of Slipknot, and former drummer Joel Ekman. Taylor's long-time friend Shawn Economaki joined shortly after, and filled in as the bass player. The band had played clubs and bars with different guitarists, who often filled the position for just one show. During these formative years, Stone Sour recorded 2 demo tapes,^[1] in 1992 and 1994. Shortly after, in 1995, Jim Root, who is now also part of Slipknot with Taylor, joined the band. The group was complete, and in 1996 it recorded another demo tape, songs from which would later be used in 2002 on their self titled debut album, Stone Sour. The band was named after an alcoholic drink that consists of one part whiskey, one part orange juice, with a splash of sour mix.

In 1997 the band went on hiatus, during which Taylor and Root spent most of their time with Slipknot, who were another up-and-coming act in Des Moines and would soon earn a record deal. Root actually did not join the band until over a year after Taylor, and Economaki went on to become Stage left guitar tech. Ekman stayed in Des Moines and started a family.

Self-titled album (2002–2003)

Main article: Stone Sour (album)

After Josh Rand joined the band, the band recorded their debut self-titled album in Cedar Falls. Upon release, the album charted at number 46 on the Billboard 200.^[5] The song "Bother", which was featured on the Spider-Man soundtrack (credited only to Taylor),^[1] peaked at number 2 on the Mainstream Rock Chart as well as number 4 on the Modern Rock Tracks and 56 on the Billboard Hot 100.^[6] The next single, "Inhale", peaked at 18 on the Mainstream Rock chart.^[6] The group received two Grammy Award nominations for Best Metal Performance for the singles "Get Inside"^[2] and "Inhale"^[3] in 2003 and 2004 respectively. The album went on to achieve Gold certification.^[1] The band toured for six months with label mates Sinch and Chevelle before going on a temporary hiatus as Taylor and Root went back to join Slipknot for another album and tour.^[1]

Come What(ever) May (2005–2007)

Main article: Come What(ever) May

The band came back in 2006 to release their second studio album, Come What(ever) May. They parted ways with drummer Joel Ekman, currently drumming for Isaac James, who left to take care of his cancer-stricken son, and later recruited current drummer, Roy Mayorga (Soulfly, and later Amebix). The track "30/30-150" was recorded with Godsmack drummer Shannon Larkin.^[7] The album was released on August 1, 2006. It was met with positive reviews from critics, and sold 80,000 copies in the first week, allowing it to debut at number four on the Billboard 200.^[5] The band toured for the next year and a half, releasing the Live in Moscow album exclusively to iTunes on August 14, 2007.^[1] Corey Taylor and James Root returned to Slipknot to record their fourth full length studio album, All Hope Is Gone.^[1] Mayorga is now performing with the band Black President. While on the road with Slipknot, Taylor and Root are said to be writing for the next Stone Sour album.

The single "Sillyworld" peaked at number 2 on the Mainstream Rock charts in 2006. "Through Glass" proved to be successful peaking at number 1 on the Mainstream Rock Chart,^[6] 2 on the Modern Rock Tracks,^[6] 12 on the Adult Top 40^[6] and 39 on the Billboard Hot 100 also in 2006.^[6] They released two more singles in 2007, "Made of Scars" and "Zzyzx Rd.", which managed to peak at numbers 21 and 29 on the Mainstream Rock charts respectively.^[6] In 2006 they received a Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance nomination for the single "30/30-150".^[4]

Audio Secrecy (2009–present)

Main article: Audio Secrecy

Corey Taylor talked to Rock Sound magazine about the future of Stone Sour. "We are already starting to put together demos for Stone Sour. Our new stuff sounds really melodic but really dark, it is way darker than the first two albums and way more cohesive. I don't know what it is, I'm still flushing shit out."^[8]

Taylor told Noisecreep that Stone Sour's third coming album will be "darker than Come What(ever) May, but a lot more melodic, a lot stronger, a lot more mature, and the lyrics that are coming out of me are really good. I'm really excited." He also stated that they were to enter the studio in January 2010 "for two or three months" with the band having "ten tunes fully written" as well as another 15 they are still working on.^[9][10]

Audio Secrecy,^[1] was recorded at the Blackbird Studios in Nashville, Tennessee with producer Nick Raskulinecz, who was the producer for the band's second album Come What(ever) May.^[11] and released on September 7, 2010 .^[12] Taylor stated that “Audio Secrecy is the summation of everything we want, everything we crave and everything we fight for...The dimensions go further than anything we've ever tried before. It's metal, rock, slow, soft, hard, fast, bitter, beautiful and most importantly, it's real. You can't get an album like this out of a band that doesn't exist. We're throwing caution out the damn window.”

Stone Sour played the first annual Rockstar Energy Drink Uproar Festival with Avenged Sevenfold and Disturbed as headliners. Also on the tour were Hellyeah, Halestorm and Hail the Villain among others.^[13] Stone Sour set the release date of Audio Secrecy as September 7.

On the August 5, 2010, Stone Sour were announced to be part of the Soundwave Festival in late February/early March in Australia 2011.^[14]

Stone Sour are currently^[when?] headlining The Avalanche Tour, supported by Theory of a Deadman, SKILLET, Halestorm and Art of Dying.^{[citation needed]}

It was also announced that a Stone Sour live DVD will be released, filmed at The Brighton Centre in the United Kingdom.^{[citation needed]}

As of January 2011, the band is touring with Avenged Sevenfold, New Medicine and Hollywood Undead on the "Nightmare After Christmas Tour" 2011.^{[citation needed]}

The band performed at Soundwave in Australia in February and March 2011.^{[citation needed]}

On April 16, 2011, it was announced that bassist Shawn Economaki had left the tour for personal reasons. Filling in for the tour is bassist Jason Christopher, who has played with Corey Taylor previously during his solo performances and with the Junk Beer Kidnap Band.^{[citation needed]}

On May 17, 2011, Stone Sour made this announcement "It is with regret that we have decided to cancel the remaining dates on our current headline tour. Our friend and drummer, Roy Mayorga suffered a minor stroke a couple of nights ago after our show in Des Moines. He’s doing great and is expected to make a 100% recovery. We apologize to all the fans and look forward to getting back out on the road with Roy in the coming months."^[15]

Corey Taylor announced on Facebook that there will be a new Stone Sour album. At the premier of the Ozzy Osbourne documentary, "God Bless Ozzy Osbourne," Taylor also said that it may end up becoming a concept album and or a double album and will be coming in 2012.^{[citation needed]}

The band played their last show of 2011 at the second day of the Rock in Rio IV festival, which took place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, between September 23–October 2. Drummer Roy Mayorga was not present at the show as he was expecting his first child back home, and filling-in for him was ex-Dream Theater and current Adrenaline Mob drummer Mike Portnoy.^[16]

Band members

• Corey Taylor - lead vocals, rhythm guitar, piano (1992–present)
• Shawn Economaki - bass guitar (1992–present)
• Jim Root - lead guitar, keyboards (1995–present)
• Josh Rand - rhythm guitar (2001–present)
• Roy Mayorga - drums, percussion (2006–present)

Former members

• Joel Ekman - drums, percussion (1992–2006)

Touring members

• Jason Christopher - bass (2011)
• Mike Portnoy - drums, percussion (2011)

Recording members

• Shannon Larkin - drums (30/30-150), (2006)

Discography

Main article: Stone Sour discography

Studio albums

• Stone Sour (2002)
• Come What(ever) May (2006)
• Audio Secrecy (2010)

References

1. ^ ^{a b c d e f g h i} Torreano, Bradley. "Biography". Allmusic. http://www.allmusic.com/artist/p532826/biography. Retrieved August 18, 2010. 
2. ^ ^{a b} "Grammy Awards Nominees Announced!". Blabbermouth.net. January 7, 2003. http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=8702. 
3. ^ ^{a b} "Metallica, Evanescence Among Winners At 46th Annual Grammy Awards". Blabbermouth.net. February 8, 2004. http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=19024. 
4. ^ ^{a b} "SLAYER, LAMB OF GOD, STONE SOUR Among GRAMMY Nominees". Blabbermouth.net. Dec. 7, 2006. http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=63432. 
5. ^ ^{a b} "Album Charts & Awards". Allmusic. http://www.allmusic.com/artist/p532826/charts-awards. Retrieved August 18, 2010. 
6. ^ ^{a b c d e f g} "Single Charts & Awards". Allmusic. http://www.allmusic.com/artist/p532826/charts-awards/billboard-singles. Retrieved August 18, 2010. 
7. ^ (2006) Album notes for Come What(ever) May by Stone Sour [booklet]. Roadrunner Records.
8. ^ "Sonisphere 09: Corey Taylor Talks Stone Sour". Rock Sound. August 2, 2009. http://www.rocksound.tv/news/article/sonisphere-09-corey-taylor-talks-stone-sour. 
9. ^ Baltin, Steve (November 23, 2009). "New Stone Sour Is 'Darker,' Says Corey Taylor". Noisecreep. http://www.noisecreep.com/2009/11/23/stone-sour-corey-taylor-darker. 
10. ^ "STONE SOUR To Enter Studio In January". Blabbermouth.net. November 23, 2009. http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=130881. 
11. ^ "STONE SOUR Once Again Working With Producer NICK RASKULINECZ". Blabbermouth.net. January 12, 2010. http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=133291. 
12. ^ "Stone Sour Working On New Album For August 2010 Release". Icon vs. Icon. January 12, 2010. http://www.iconvsicon.com/2010/01/12/stone-sour-working-on-new-album-for-august-2010-release/. 
13. ^ "Lineup 2010". Rockstar Energy Drink Uproar Festival. http://www.rockstaruproar.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=section&id=5&Itemid=56/. Retrieved August 18, 2010. 
14. ^ "Lineup 2010". Soundwave Festival. http://www.soundwavefestival.com/. Retrieved August 18, 2010. 
15. ^ "Stone Sour". Stone Sour. http://www.stonesour.com/board_posts/remaining-us-shows-cancelled. Retrieved 2011-10-13. 
16. ^ "Rock in Rio 2011 - Stone Sour - Full Concert (Show Completo) 24/09/11". YouTube. 2011-09-25. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Adh3gCmVIsU. Retrieved 2011-10-13. 

External links

• Official website