Alter Bridge is an
American post-grunge[1]/
alternative metal[1] band based in
Orlando,
Florida. The band was formed in 2004 by
Mark Tremonti (lead guitar, vocals),
Brian Marshall (bass) and
Scott Phillips (drums), all former members of
Creed, with
Myles Kennedy (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), formerly of
The Mayfield Four.
History
Formation (2004)
The band was formed in 2004 by Mark Tremonti and Scott Phillips, both formerly of Creed, which had gone through a breakup due to issues with singer Scott Stapp. According to Tremonti, "Creed had taken its course," and both he and Phillips, after jamming shortly after Stapp's departure and attempt at a solo career, realized that they were anxious to start recording and performing music again.
They reunited with former bassist Brian Marshall, who had left Creed much earlier, and called up guitarist/vocalist Myles Kennedy, formerly of The Mayfield Four, a rock band that Creed had toured with earlier in the band's career before they made it big. Kennedy, Tremonti, Phillips, and Marshall started a new band, and soon, after juggling a few names (one of which was One Day Remains, which eventually became the title for their debut album), settled on the moniker Alter Bridge, which was named after a bridge in Detroit near Tremonti's home on Alter Road. The bridge led to a bad side of town, and the neighborhood children were not allowed to cross because of this. Thus, according to Tremonti, the name of the band symbolizes going over into the unknown and starting something new.
One Day Remains (2004-2006)
Alter Bridge released their debut album, One Day Remains, on August 10, 2004 along with their first single "Open Your Eyes", which was followed by "Find The Real" and "Broken Wings". "Find The Real" was used as theme music to the WWE 2005 Royal Rumble. The song "Metalingus" has been used since late 2004 as the theme song for WWE superstar Edge.
The album, which was certified Gold by the RIAA, was released by Wind-Up Records. After the release the band soon split from the label, and after numurous discussions with different record companies, they settled in with Universal Republic for the sophomore release. It is said that Wind-Up, which was also Creed's and Scott Stapp's record labels, was pressing for a Creed reunion, which was the main reason Alter Bridge decided to buy out their contract with the label.
In 2005, the band contributed a song, "Save Me," to Elektra: The Album, the soundtrack for the film Elektra. The song was also used as a B-side for "Open Your Eyes."
Blackbird (2006-2008)
After finishing up the final leg of the One Day Remains tour in mid-2006, Alter Bridge started recording their second album. In 2007, with Universal Republic, Alter Bridge released their second album, Blackbird, on October 9, 2007. The first single from the album, "Rise Today", was released on July 30, 2007, which was used as the theme song for WWE Unforgiven 2007; also, it was later used in the first preview commercial for the television series Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles. On January 2, 2008, "Watch Over You" was officially named the second worldwide single for Blackbird, the second single overall being "Ties That Bind", which was only released in the UK. After spending a short amount of time on the rock charts, "Watch Over You" was announced to being less promoted to rock charts due to being released to pop stations everywhere in the later part of April, making it the first Alter Bridge song released to pop radio. "Before Tomorrow Comes" was announced as the fourth single on April 1, 2008 and was released to radio airplay in the later part of that month.
The video for "Watch Over You" was released in mid-September 2008. A new version of the video, using clips from VH1's Celebrity Rehab, was released later that month, used to promote the series. There is also currently a duet version of the song featuring Cristina Scabbia of Lacuna Coil on the band's MySpace. In addition, the song debuted at #10 on the VH1 Top 20 Countdown and has since reached #3 on the countdown. Also, in mid-September, Alter Bridge went on tour with Disturbed, P.O.D. and Redline to Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch in New Zealand, as well as various cities in Australia.
Also, the band has recently shot their first live DVD, which contains footage from three concerts in Amsterdam, Italy, and the Brixton Academy in London. Dan Catullo of Coming Home Productions, who has worked with artists such as Godsmack, Nickelback, and the Smashing Pumpkins, produced the DVD. Alter Bridge concluded their Blackbird tour, during which they were supported by Logan, and Hot Leg for the UK leg of the tour, on December 10, 2008.
Band members
