Breaking Benjamin

Breaking Benjamin was formed in 1998 by Benjamin Burnley (vocalist) and Jeremy Hummel (drummer). In 1999 they renamed themselves “Plan 9” In 2000 they went back to their original name. Aaron Fink and Mark Klepaski joined as guitarist and bassist. In 2001 the band signed onto Hollywood records. They had a great success with their independently released album named EP. On August 27, 2002 they released “Saturate”. Their first three single Polyamorous, Skin and Medicate did not receive mush air play and had little success. On June 24 2004 they released “We are not alone”. This album featured So Cold, Sooner or Later, and Rain as their singles. So Cold went as high as number 2 on the U.S. Billboard mainstream rock chart. Later in 2004 they released So Cold EP. This contained live recordings of So Cold, Breakdown, Away and Blow me Away. In 2006 they released “Phobia” their third album. “The Dairy of Jane” which was the first single went as high as number two on the Mainstream Rock Chart. The reason why I chose this band was because of the way the vocalist sings. He can really change his voice to the way the music is being played.

When Breaking Benjamin started playing around Wilkes-Barre, they were far from a carbon copy of Lifer -- instead, they favored a radio-friendly post-grunge approach that was aggressive and forceful yet melodic. The band's various influences include, among others, Live, Bush, Pearl Jam, Stone Temple Pilots, and Nirvana. Burnley has been quoted as saying that at age 14, he taught himself to play guitar by listening to Nirvana's seminal 1991 release Nevermind over and over. Korn and Tool have also been cited as influences, but unlike Korn, Breaking Benjamin doesn't have strong hip-hop leanings and isn't quite alternative metal -- hard alternative rock, certainly, but not quite alternative metal. However, that isn't to say that Breaking Benjamin hasn't been influenced by certain aspects of Korn's sound.

"Diary of Jane" Music Video



"Until End" Fantastic Four Music Video




The Diary Of Jane Lyrics

Track listing

The Diary of Jane
Breath
You
Evil Angel
Until the End
Dance with the Devil
Topless
Here We Are
Unknown Soldier
Had Enough
You Fight Me
Outro
The Diary of Jane [Acoustic]

Snow Patrol

Originally from Northern Ireland, Gary Lightbody (vocals, guitar) and Mark McClelland (bass, keyboards) first got together in Dundee, Scotland, where they were studying, prior to the addition of Jonny Quinn (drums), who completed the lineup. Signed to the U.K.'s Jeepster label in 1998, they released their debut album, Songs for Polar Bears, in August of that same year. The record was a large success across the U.K., where they also gained a large fan base for their live show. The British trio graduated soon after, and decided to move from Dundee to Glasgow in late 2000. Their second full-length, When It's All Over We Still Have to Clear Up, was released in April 2001. Quickly thereafter, guitarist Nathan Connolly was added to the group, and Snow Patrol found themselves a deal with Polydor. Producer Chris Lord-Alge signed on for the release of Final Straw, which appeared stateside in April 2004. With the success of singles such as "Chocolate," "Run," and "Spitting Games," Final Straw sold two million copies in their native U.K. It also became the 26th most popular British album of that year.

"Chasing Cars" Music Video



"Run" Music Video



Final Straw feels like a middle ground between these two bands, if not for the violins, xylophones, and percussion Lee layers into the mix. Thanks to extra ornamentation, "Gleaming Auction" steps into the swirling realm of Rollerskate Skinny, as wobbly dynamics add interest to punishing guitars.

Track listing

How to Be Dead
Wow
Gleaming Auction
Whatever's Left
Spitting Games
Chocolate
Run
Grazed Knees
Ways & Means
Tiny Little
Somewhere a Clock Is Ticking
Same


Snow Patrol Lyrics
Chasing Cars Lyrics

Circa Survive

Circa Survive was formed by former Saosin vocalist Anthony Green with guitarist Colin Frangicetto -- both of them veterans of the local emo and hardcore scenes looking to indulge in the rule-breaking freedom of the neo-progressive movement of the mid-2000s. After Green and Frangicetto discovered likeminded bandmates in second guitarist Brendan Ekstrom, bassist Nick Beard, and drummer Steve Clifford, Circa Survive recorded their debut album, Juturna (named after a Roman goddess), for Equal Vision Records in 2005. Lots of touring followed, including Warped Tour dates, and the album steadily sold close to an impressive 100,000 copies.

The name Circa Survive was chosen both because of the way it sounded and its meaning. The band was still nameless when they signed to Equal Vision, and they decided "to go with gut feeling" for this name. Though the decision was largely emotional, the band is satisfied with this fitting name.

"Act Appalled" Music Video



"All Your Friends are Gone" Live Video



The Inuit Sessions EP is Circa Survive's first release. It was released in 2005 by Equal Vision Records. Only 3,000 copies of it were made. The EP contains "Act Appalled" and "The Great Golden Baby", which are both on the Juturna album.

Track listing

"Act Appalled"
"The Great Golden Baby"
"Suspending Disbelief"
"Handshakes At Sunrise"


Act Appalled Lyrics