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Alter Bridge
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Discography
Blackbird
Release Date: 10/9/2007 Universal Republic
(4 votes, average: 4.75)
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One Day Remains
Release Date: 08/10/2004 Wind-up Records
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Artist Info
- Genre(s):
Hard Rock, Alternative Metal - Formed:
2004 - Website(s):
http://www.alterbridge.com
http://www.myspace.com/alterbridge - Members:
Myles Kennedy - Vocals, Guitar
Mark Tremonti - Guitar, Backing Vocals
Scott Phillips - Drums
Brian Marshall - Bass
Artist Bio
After Alter Bridge launched their debut album in the fall of 2004, the last thing that Myles Kennedy, Mark Tremonti, Scott Phillips, and Brian Marshall could have expected was the need to start over yet again. Perhaps things do happen for a reason, because what could have been a curse turned out to be a blessing in disguise.
Alter Bridges first album, One Day Remains, was certified Gold by the RIAA and was met with critical acclaim. The band set off on tour in the fall of 2004, playing through the end of 2005 for fervent crowds all over the world. Simultaneously, however, cracks began to tarnish the relationship between the band and its label, Wind-Up Records. Believing that their label did not share the same vision, the band determined their only recourse was to ask to be released from Wind-Up. The label’s objections prompted Tremonti and Phillips, using their personal funds, to successfully negotiate and buy the band out of their contract.
Much of 2006 was spent writing new material and interviewing with potential labels. The band was eager to explore their newfound freedom and excited to start recording. After growing tired of waiting, they again dipped into their personal funds to create the album that they wanted and needed to make. For the first time in their careers, no one was looking over their shoulder. It was now just about Alter Bridge and their music.
Alter Bridge recruited producer Michael “Elvis” Baskette. The recording process began in Nashville in February 2007. We began negotiating our recording contract at the end of 2006, and knew it may take a while to come to mutual terms, Scott Phillips reflects, but the opportunity, and window of availability to work with Elvis made the decision easy for us to pay for this album ourselves. When all the stars aligned with us, as a band, a producer who could capture the essence of what we had become, and the songs we felt we had, it was agreed that this album had to be made right then and there. We knew we’d eventually have a great label to call home.
The band’s focus and determination was rewarded in June 2007, when they finally signed with Universal Republic Records. “We’re thrilled to be partnering up with Alter Bridge,” states Monte Lipman, President of Universal Republic Records. “They’re an incredible band, and they have a strong vision that we share together. When Tom (Mackay, SVP A&R) and I met with the group, we knew instantly that they were the type of talented people we’d want to be in business with.
Out of the chaos, tumult, and uncertainty, Blackbird, Alter Bridge’s sophomore album, was born. “We’re very excited about beginning this chapter in our lives and careers,” comments Mark Tremonti. “Universal Republic is a perfect home for us and we’re excited that our fans are finally going to hear all the new songs we’ve been working on for quite some time. This material is really aggressive and I think it’s the best work we’ve ever done. We can’t wait to get back in front of our loyal fans later this year.”
There are many differences between One Day Remains and Blackbird. Most notable is the full integration of Myles Kennedy as a guitarist and songwriter. One Day Remains was largely written before Myles came on board. This time around, it was a collaborative effort with Mark and Myles sharing the songwriting duties, while all four band members worked on the arrangements. ”It’s a natural evolution after three years of working together. We knew Myles was an amazing singer, that’s why we hired him. What we found out when we toured the first record was that he’s also an incredibly gifted guitar player and songwriter, as well as a vocalist. It would have been a crime not to utilize all that talent. We wanted to use every weapon we had in our arsenal for this album.” Mark states.
“Musically,” Myles says, “Mark and I really complement one another, especially when you juxtapose his powerful style with my dark and emotional approach. On top of that, we have a common goal, to find the best melody possible. This is really the first time in all my years of writing that I had the opportunity to do a true collaboration with someone. We make a fantastic team.”
Lyrically, the album touches on many themes. The subject of addiction is broached in the hard-hitting “Buried Alive” and the beautiful, yet melancholy, “Watch Over You.” “Having watched people around me suffer through this issue… It is the realization, from my perspective, that you really can’t help someone who refuses to help themselves,” Myles explains.
“Before Tomorrow Comes” became a personal mantra for Kennedy. “It definitely challenges my tendency to be apathetic at times. The line ‘We could be so much more than we are’ is meant to ask the questions: Have you reached your potential? Are you doing everything you can to make a difference? Regarding “Rise Today”" Kennedy states, “We are just asking the question: Could this world be a better place? It may be idealistic, but it’s from the heart. The last thing we want is for people to misinterpret this song as political in nature.”
Kennedy’s lyrics for the title track “Blackbird” were written for a friend of his who had been fighting an illness for some time. “As we were completing the music and arrangement of the song, I had received word that his struggle was coming to an end. Lyrically, this was a very difficult song to write. It was my wish for him to finally find some peace and move on to a better place.”
Bringing Kennedy into the fold as a guitarist allowed Mark Tremonti to shine throughout Blackbird. Whether it”s the soaring blues based solo on “Brand New Start” or the intense but tasteful lead on “Come To Life,” Tremonti shows his evolution as a player. On the title track, both Mark and Myles display their contrasting styles against a sonic tapestry that is sure to take the listener on an emotional journey.
“First and foremost, we’re a live band,” Mark exclaims. “We give it our all every single night no matter how many people we’re playing for. We love playing for the fans more than anything in the world. It’s why we make records.” Mark concludes that because of ownership rights and the transition between labels, there were no Alter Bridge sites, or MySpace sites, so what sustained our fan base was our fan sites. What sustained us was our fans. Our fans took over and carried us through these tough times. So to our fans, we say ‘Thank You!’”
Recent News
November 11, 2008 | Mark Tremonti says Myles Kennedy “deserves” Zeppelin gig
In recent weeks, guitarist Mark Tremonti has found his band Alter Bridge in more headlines than he’s seen in years. Only problem is, it’s because the group’s singer, Myles Kennedy, is strongly rumored to be Robert Plant’s... [...]
May 23, 2008 | ROCK ON THE RANGE ALTER BRIDGE INTERVIEW
April 8, 2008 | Alter Bridge on The Backstage Pass
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I love this band. They give an incredible live show (that I have seen twice) as well as being one of the most fan-oriented acts I have ever encountered. They are a voice in music today that will be reckoned with.
I LOVE this band! Myles Kennedy is the man with that great, strong, melodic, love making voice and that hard driven “get inside your head” guitar playing he does!
YES, this band rocks and I have seen them many times and will continue to support and follow them as long as they keep ROCKIN!
Flip ~ U Rock!
As always,
Love from San Diego!
Tee
Great interview guys, appreciate the effort you put in to spread the Alter Bridge name!
AB are amazing, i cant go a day without listening to them! Heres to the future!
Ben
Alter Bridge is the best band in music today! I love these guys so much - they are incredibly good to their fans and are just amazingly talented! I cannot wait until they come back to Southern California. I LOVE ALTER BRIDGE!!
~Mo
Thanks for the great interview!
Alter Bridge are just as amazing live as they are on this phenomenal new CD!
Not only are they talented beyond belief, and incredibly passionate about the music and their fans, they’re also some of the nicest guys around.
I’m with Mo… Can’t wait for them to come back to Cali! Alter Bridge ROCKS!!!
~Stace
Thanx for the great interview…
As always these guys are able to touch the inner cords of my heart
Waiting for a HOT June following them in some European dates
Serena
Great band. Everyone should know who these guys are if you’re into great rock music.
great interview…thanx a lot…
alter bridge ftv..
I have been completely knocked off my feet by this awesome band. Blackbird, their brilliant new disc, started my addiction with their music. They have the whole package…great song structure, amazing melodies, excellent musicianship by all four members, creative uplifting lyrics, exceptional showmanship, and they are all great looking guys on top of all that…so like I said- Alter Bridge have it all. My friend purchased Blackbird for me and I bought their first cd. I went back and bought more to send to my friends as gifts. I love all of their songs…they are humble people which really says so much as well.
Val
I highly recommend Alter Bridge for your next music purchase- you won’t be disappointed
These guys are ‘Myles’ ahead of anyone else in rock music at the moment, if you’ll forgive my excruciating pun.
Their studio albums are fantastic and the live show, its not a KISS extravaganza, there are no fireworks or fancy gimmicks, they just plug in their guitars, crank up the volume and sing and play their asses off, which is how its meant to be done.
When AB play live, you don’t need gimmicks.
Truly superb music from a top band.
They are absolutely amazing live- you can feel the vibe right down to your soul. If you haven’t seen them live, you have no idea what you’re missing…
Um yeah I seen Alterbridge in the fall of 2004 in ST.LOUIS..MO. it was an awesome show….It was the best show I have ever seen….I also got to meet the band, Miles, Mark, Brian, and Scott… They was the nicest group of poeple ive met….I wish they would come back to the STL…..They are loved here…..Keep up the bad ass work guys,,,,
I MUST SAY JUST WHEN I THINK I COULDN’T BE ANYMORE OF AN AB FAN:MY MIND IS CHANGED.. THESE GUYS NOT ONLY HAVE THE HUGE AMOUNTS OF TALENT THAT WE ALL KNOW AND LOVE, THEY PUT ALL THEY HAVE INTO THEIR LIVE SHOWS AND LEAVE YOU BEGGING FOR MORE AT THE END OF THEM.(HONESTLY,THEY PROBABLY HAVE 9 OR 10 MORE ENCORES THAN I HAVE EVER SEEN A GROUP COME OUT AND DO)!!! BUT HERES THE KICKER:THEY ARE AS EVERYONE SAYS A FANS BAND-I WROTE A COMMENT TO ONE OF MYLES BLOG POSTS AND I ACTUALLY GOT A REAL HEARTFELT PRIVATE MESSAGE SENT BACK TO ME FROM HIM. I CAN’T TELL YOU WHAT IT MEANT JUST TO HEAR FROM SOMEONE LIKE HIM, GIVING ME SOME GOOD ADVICE AND JUST SHOWING THAT HE GIVES A RATS ASS ABOUT HIS FANS LIVES & THATS NOT IT THE BAND AB HAS SENT ME MSGS AND COMMENTS B-4. YOU KNOW THAT IS RARE B-CUZ SOME BANDS DONT EVEN READ THEIR MSGS SENT TO THEM. IT’S JUST NICE TO HAVE A BAND WHO HAS IT ALL BUT STILL KNOWS THAT WHAT HAS PUT THEM THERE IS TALENT,HARDWORK,UPS AND DOWNS, AND THEN THE FANS. THESE GUYS EVEN THOUGH THEY R NOT UR NEXT DOOR JOE NEIGHBOR, U WOULD NEVER EVEN KNOW BETTER IF U DIDNT KNOW HOW MUCH THEIR MUSIC ROCKED. THEY RELATE TO ALL OF US IN SOME WAY AND THEIR LYRICS AND ATTITUDE PROVE IT. SO THNX GUYS FOR GIVING US MUSIC THAT ISN’T CRAP AND GIVING US A BAND THAT LOVES TO AND DOES WHAT OTHERS SHOULD: THAT IS GIVE BACK TO THE PEOPLE WHO MATTER-YOUR FANS…. MUCH LOVE AND PEACE:JAMIE-NASHVILLE,TN
i love ab,they have a unik sound,there is no words to describe,its amazing,ab rulezzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
I just saw these guys last night in Chicago at the House of Blues, and they were totally amazing. They have an awesome live show and are the most humble group of guys. I have never posted anything anywhere about anything, but this deserves a comment. The guys have amazing energy and loads of talent. If you have a chance to catch these guys in concert, go and see them, you will not be disapointed!!!
These guys are an amazing band. I saw the ONLY live show they did in Toronto, Canada in the fall of 2004. It was the best concert I have ever seen and also got to meet and chat with tbe band after the show. The new disk is amazing, they have grown so much from the first disk to the second. PLEASE PLEASE come back to Toronto so we can see the new album rocked out live!!!
This group is awesome live!!! I was front and center watchin Mark jam on that guitar and Myles rockin the mike the concert was unreal!!!!! It got even better when they joined with Another Animal to do AC/DC at the end! Hopin they make it back to Boston soon…
AB is by far the best band in the world - right up there with the legends… I’ve never been to a better concert than their last one i Copenhagen (despite the fact that Myles was ill) and I can’t wait to go to the one coming up.
Keep up the good work, guys. Denmark loves you!