Whatever Happened To...#18: American Fangs

 I only saw American Fangs perform once in concert. They were one of the opening acts for Sevendust at a show at the Myth in Maplewood, MN a few years back. I remember that they had a lot of energy onstage. I also noticed one of their rather beat-up amps and realized that not everyone can make a comfortable living in the music industry.

The group called Houston, Texas home when they began in 2008. They released a self-titled EP in 2009, to be followed by the Pomona EP in 2013. A full-length self-titled disc in 2013 and their second album, Dirty Legs, would be issued in 2015. Their lineup was made of Kenyon Punteney and Chris Goodwin on guitars, Kyle Shimek on bass guitar, drummer Micah Miller and lead singer Gabriel Cavasos. 

American Fangs toured with Sevendust, Papa Roach, Fall Out Boy, Hollywood Undead, and others. It wasn't uncommon to see them performing at festivals such as Carolina Rebellion, SXSW, Rock on the Range, ShipRocked, Rocklahoma, and several more before their breakup in 2016. The song "Pomona" was probably their best-known tune. In 2013, the group garnered some notoriety after it was reported that a crazed fan who claimed to be a vampire put a barricade through American Fangs' tour bus window and assaulted one of the group's members during a show at the La Crosse Center in Wisconsin. 

Even though I didn't know much about this band, I was surprised to learn that they weren't around anymore. They had a brief but entertaining history. I don't know what the band members are doing right now, but it wouldn't surprise me if they're busy following their dreams, whether they're making music or pursuing other ventures. 

Well, that's all for now. Next time, I'll cover Crash Kings-the only rock group that I've seen to date that didn't have a guitarist in their lineup. Until then, have a great weekend, everyone!

Whatever Happened To...#17: American Head Charge

 American Head Charge was a Minnesota staple. I admired this group for years before I got to see them live in concert. I even wrote about them in one of my first fiction efforts almost two decades ago. I was fortunate enough to see them a few times in MN and WI, and that doesn't include seeing founding member Chad Hanks guest for a friend's band in St. Cloud a few years before his passing. 

The group went by names such as Warsaw Ghetto Pussy, Gestapo Pussy Ranch, and Flux during their formative years in the late 1990s. They finally agreed on the name American Head Charge, not knowing that there was another band that existed with the similar sounding name African Head Charge. AHC released their debut album Trepanation in 1999. At that time, the lineup consisted of singer Cameron Heacock, guitarist/bassist Chad Hanks, drummer Peter Harmon, guitarist David Rogers, and keyboardist Chris Emery. 

American Head Charge underwent a few lineup changes that year as Harmon soon left the group. Emery slid over to drums as Justin Fowler joined them on keyboards along with sampler Aaron Zilch and guitarist Wayne Kile. The group signed a deal with the Columbia Records imprint American Recordings in 2000 after System of a Down bass guitarist Shavo Odadjian recommended them to Rick Rubin.

Their first American Recordings effort, The War of Art, was released in August 2001. It did well until the events of 9/11/2001. AHC were regulars on the third stage of Ozzfest that year. They went on to tour with Coal Chamber, Otep, Static-X, Mudvayne, Hatebreed, and others before Kile left the band in 2002. He would eventually be replaced by former Black Flood Diesel guitarist Bryan Ottoson.

Drug addiction took over the lives of several band members in the first few years of the 21st Century. American Head Charge signed with DRT Entertainment in 2004 after being granted a release from their American Recordings contract by Rubin. Their third full-length disc, The Feeding, was released in February 2005. Album tracks "Cowards" and "Loyalty" were soon issued as singles.

An accidental prescription drug overdose took the life of Ottoson on April 19, 2005. The guitarist was found dead on a bunk of the group's tour bus shortly before they were scheduled to perform on one of their tour dates with Mudvayne. They soldiered on for a couple more years and issued their first-ever DVD, Can't Stop the Machine on the Nitrus Records label in 2007. AHC would go on hiatus soon thereafter. 

A press release saying that American Head Charge had broken up was released in August 2009. The statement cited Heacock's inability to keep writing and making music as the reason for the group's demise. AHC received hundreds of submissions from potential replacement singers, but none of them were deemed to be up to their standards. In January 2011, their MySpace page added new content for the first time in years. A few months later, Hanks announced on Twitter, that AHC was back together. He, Fowler, Heacock, Emery, and guitarist Karma Cheema were the quartet that made up their updated lineup.

A five-song EP entitled Shoot debuted in July 2013. AHC released the EP themselves without a record label and had already toured with Dead Horse Trauma, Gabriel and the Apocalypse, and other groups before its release. Sin Quinn had joined American Head Charge as a second guitarist during their smaller tours before the EP release.

In 2014, AHC introduced an Indiegogo fundraiser for their fourth full-length album. VIP access to American Head Charge concerts, being on the band's guest list for life, having contributors' names appear in the record's liner notes, and performing with the group were some of the perks that were offered as part of the campaign. They far exceeded their initial goal, and the group went on to tour with Powerman 5000, Hed PE, Combichrist, Coal Chamber, and others before Tango Umbrella was issued in March 2016 on the Napalm Records label. 

Chad Hanks passed away on November 12, 2017, at 46 years of age after a lengthy undisclosed illness. Two weeks later to the day, a memorial concert was held for him at First Avenue in Minneapolis. Many current and former bandmates and friends from the local music scene attended and performed to honor their fallen friend. In April 2018, Heacock was arrested in Costa Mesa, CA for driving a stolen van that contained stolen merchandise, including multiple guitars. The group had scheduled several shows in 2020 with a revamped lineup, but those concerts were later canceled as the Covid-19 pandemic disrupted almost everything around the globe.

I attended AHC's last Minnesota show at the Skyway Theater in downtown Minneapolis before Hanks' death. I remember being so close to the guys at a show in a small venue in WI once that I almost fell forward onto one of the guitarists when the crowd behind me surged forward. I still have a few of their guitar picks, and I'll be sure to look for their star on the outside of First Avenue when I visit the building again in a few weeks. AHC may or may not reform once more, but if they do, it won't be the same. That's okay because I still have the memories of several great shows to keep me happy. 

Well, that's all for this article. Next up is the group American Fangs. Until then, have a great weekend, everyone!

Whatever Happened To...#16: Emphatic

 Emphatic was a band I saw live in concert a few times in MN and WI. The first show was as a support act for Theory of a Deadman and Alter Bridge at the MN State Fair Grandstand during the Carnival of Madness Tour several years ago. Some of the band members are now performing in the band known as Through Fire.

Lead guitarist Justin McCain started Emphatic back in 2004. They released a self-titled debut disc the following year. Their first EP, Goodbye Girl, was issued in 2008. When the band signed a deal with De Goot Entertainment in 2009, it consisted of McCain, bass guitarist Alan Larson, and singer Patrick Michael Wilson. Their first album on a major label, Damage, was released in 2011. By then, the band had added drummer Dylan Wood and guitarist Lance Dowdle. 

Emphatic started on the Carnival of Madness tour later that year, but McCain had to call on the services of his friend Grant Joshua Kendrick to help out on vocals after Wilson suffered a fractured larynx. Dev Electric vocalist Bryan Scott also sang for the group on the road while Wilson recovered. When Wilson was healthy enough, he rejoined Emphatic as they toured with Halestorm. However, he left the band for good after the tour due to the birth of his son. Larson and Dowdle also departed Emphatic shortly thereafter.

In 2013, McCain sought out guitarist Bill Hudson, bassist Jesse Saint, and singer Toryn Green to complete the new lineup of the band. He also secured another record deal, this time with Epochal Artist Records/Capitol. Emphatic's second major label album, Another Life, debuted in October of that year.

The next year, Emphatic started touring once more, this time with bands such as Gemini Syndrome and Red. This time, the group went on stage with Green and Hudson being replaced by Kendrick and Dowdle. McCain announced in 2014 that Emphatic had signed with Pavement Records and would be working on new music. Several new songs were previewed for several hours in 2015, but they were the last tunes that the public would hear from the group while they were still known as Emphatic. 

Emphatic was renamed as Through Fire in December 2015. It was intended to be a completely different band, although some of its previous members were still around. Through Fire has released three full-length albums to date: Breathe in 2016, All Animal in 2019 and Devil's Got You Dreamin' this month. McCain and Hendrick are its lead guitarist and lead vocalist, and they are joined by twins Zach and Tyler Halvorson on drums and bass guitar.

I haven't been following Through Fire as much as I did Emphatic, but I'm glad that they're making music and that as far as I know, all of the past and present band members are still enjoying life to the fullest. Time will only tell what happens in their futures.

Next time, I'll write about American Head Charge, a great MN rock band. Until then, have a great weekend and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

Whatever Happened To...#15: Failure Anthem

 Failure Anthem was a fun rock band that I got to see live in concert a couple of times. The first time I met the band members after a Nonpoint show in a now-closed venue that used to be a bowling alley in south St. Paul. The second time was at Rock USA in Cadott, WI. I enjoyed their sets, but it doesn't look like the group will be releasing any new music or hitting the road any time soon.

The group originated in 2013 in Greensboro, NC. Guitarist Kile Odell and singer JD Eubanks had the initial desire to start working together. They took their talents to Hollywood and enlisted the assistance of drummer Zane Frye, bassist Ryan Nimmo and guitarist Wil Andrews. They formed Failure Anthem, which was signed to Sony Music Entertainment's subsidiary Razor & Tie.

Failure Anthem released their full-length album First World Problems in January 2016. They soon went on tour with Like A Storm, Megadeth and Shinedown to support the record. The title cut and the song "Paralyzed" were the only singles from the album. The group also underwent a few personnel changes while they were on the road. Chris Pierson replaced Eubanks in June 2016, followed by the departure of Andrews and Frye (who would be eventually replaced by drummer Troy Surratt). 

There hasn't been anything new posted by the band since 2017 and I know that Odell has since gone on to work on other projects. This leads me to believe that Failure Anthem is no more, but that's not to say that they might never reform again. The album is still quite enjoyable and I have the memories and photos to look back on whenever I want.

Next up will be Emphatic, a group that is still around...but not as it once was. I'll explain in more detail in that article. Until then, have a great weekend, everyone!

Whatever Happened To...#14: Neverset

 Neverset was another band I saw open for Sevendust at the Myth in Maplewood, MN in 2008 along with Overscene and Black Stone Cherry. They were another Texas band that had a great stage presence. Unfortunately, much like Overscene, Neverset didn't last for very long. 

Guitarist/singer Ryan Ray and vocalist Shawn Hamm were two members of Neverset. They are not to be confused with the Canadian pop-rock group Neverest which was active from 2007 to 2014. The band originated in Dallas in 2004. They released the EPs For The Pain in 2004 and Outta Control in 2009 along with a full-length album, Behind Every Door, in 2006. The group toured locally and nationally before finally breaking up officially in 2015. 

This is another group with limited information on the Internet. I will update this post as new details are made available. especially if I learn more about the band members and if the group reunites at some point. For now, their fans will still have their albums and concert memories to return to whenever they want. 

Well, this wraps up my synopsis of Neverset for now. Next up is Failure Anthem, a group I was lucky enough to see live in concert a few times and even meet once at a Nonpoint show at a venue that was formerly a bowling alley. I'll tell you about that next time. Until then, have a great weekend!

Whatever Happened To...#13: Overscene

 Overscene was an up-and-coming rock band I saw open for Sevendust at the Myth in Maplewood, MN in 2008. It was one of Clint Lowery's first shows back with the band shortly after the group released their Chapter VII: Hope and Sorrow album. I never did see Overscene live in concert again, but their performance was still rather memorable. 

The group started in the Dallas/Fort Worth area of Texas back in 2001. The lineup changed a few times before they made a splash on the national scene. Its most noteworthy lineup consisted of guitarists Aaron Korta and Justin Hold, bassist Rrin Dennis, drummer Michael Glass, and singer JR Munoz. A ten-song album entitled The Moment of Change was released in 2008. An EP called Bringin' All My Friends debuted in 2010.

Overscene toured in support of bands including Sevendust, Chevelle, Three Days Grace, and Trapt through at least 2013. There isn't a lot of information online about the band, so I have to assume that they have called it quits. Time will tell if they ever reform, but if they do, I'm sure their followers will welcome them back with open arms.

Well, that's all for this article. Next up is the band Neverset. Until then, have a great weekend, everyone!

Whatever Happened To...#12: Eye Empire

 Eye Empire was another fun, short-lived band I was fortunate enough to see live in concert. I only saw them once, when they opened for Sevendust at the Myth in Maplewood, MN, but it was a memorable show. Sevendust members Lajon Witherspoon and Clint Lowery contributed to the group's first album, and Lowery played guitar for a bit with Eye Empire during their set. I also remember waiting for Sevendust's post-show VIP hangout and chatting with bassist Corey Lowery for a few minutes. 

The group formed not long after Dark New Day went on hiatus. Dark New Day was created by Clint and Corey Lowery, Will Hunt, Brett Hestla, and Troy McLawhorn. Guitarist BC Kochmit replaced McLawhorn in 2008. When Dark New Day went on hiatus in 2009, Corey Lowery and Kochmit joined forces with drummer Dan Richardson and vocalist Donnie Hamby to form the band Violent Plan. The new quartet eventually recorded a nine-song demo.

At the same time, Kochmit and Lowery also started working on another project, this time with guitarist Dixie Duncan and former Submersed members Garrett Whitlock and Donald Carpenter. This new group would be known as Eye Empire. Eye Empire was announced in November 2009, along with the breakup of Violent Plan.

Demo versions of the songs "More than Fate" and "Victim" were released on MySpace and Eye Empire started touring with Sevendust in late 2010 and early 2011. After that tour, the tracks "Ignite" and "I Pray" were also released on MySpace as the band resumed touring. Work soon began on their debut album Moment of Impact. Sevendust drummer Morgan Rose wound up playing drums on multiple tracks on the record after drummers Whitlock and Hunt departed the band. Duncan also left the group before the record was released in 2010.

Drummer Ryan Bennett joined Eye Empire before they went on tour with Wayne Static in 2011. A two-disc edition of their debut album (known as Impact) was issued in 2012. It contained all of the songs from the initial release along with acoustic and Iive versions of several album tracks. 

Eye Empire's second disc Evolve was released in 2013. The group announced that Carpenter was no longer in the group in 2014. They later went on to say that they had planned to continue on as a group with Carpenter as their frontman. However, nothing new has happened with the group since. Carpenter has recorded new music with the band Apollo Under Fire and as a solo artist. Bennett is currently the drummer for Mark Tremonti's solo band, Lowery is the second guitarist in Seether and Kochmit went on to be the lead guitarist for Nonpoint before retiring from touring. 

Even though an Eye Empire reunion sounds unlikely with all of the band members' current commitments, we still have the memories and recordings to return to whenever we need a bit of nostalgia. The next article in this series will concentrate on the group Overscene. Until then, have a happy and healthy holiday weekend, everyone!

Whatever Happened To...#11: Revis

 Hi everyone,

I'm back after a winter hiatus. I broke my right ankle after I fell on solid ice on my driveway in December and decided to take a break from blogging until I was fully healed. I had surgery right before New Year's and had a pair of splints, a cast, a removable boot, and flexible wrap on the ankle during my recovery. It was a long, cold winter here in Minnesota, but it seems like spring is finally here. Now it's time to resume this series with Revis, a band I saw perform and met at a Mississippi Music Fest in St. Cloud a few years ago. I still have the set list and a signed DVD copy of the song "Caught in the Rain" from that show in my memorabilia collection.

Revis was formed in Carbondale, Illinois in 1999. The group originally went by the name Orco. Drummer Marcus D'Marco, guitarists Nathan Cox and Robert Davis, bassist Dan Scronce and singer Justin Holman rounded out the initial roster. The group relocated to Los Angeles in 2001 and had to find a suitable replacement for Scronce. That spot was soon filled by Bob Thiemann. 

The band recorded demo versions of the songs "Straight Jacket Labels," "Seven" and "A Gift" with producers Jeff Pilsen and Tommy Henriksen. Revis also employed John Zagata as their manager. More demos were soon recorded for the tracks "Caught in the Rain" and "Spin" before the group signed a contract with Epic Records in 2002. Revis became the band's new name while they worked on their debut record after finding out that a European group had already been performing under the Orca moniker for longer than theirs. They settled on the name Revis as a way to financially compensate their guitar tech and good friend Jason Revis.

Revis' debut album Places for Breathing debuted in May 2003. It plateaued at #115 on Billboard's Top 200 chart. "Caught in the Rain" was the first single from the album. It was also included in the Daredevil movie soundtrack. The second single "Seven" wasn't quite as popular, but both songs helped the band land spots on the Nintendo Fusion tour and concert stops with Evanescence, Oleander, and other similar rock bands.

The group had intentions of recording a sophomore album in 2004. However, they were dropped by Epic Records before that could happen. Another complication was the fact that their current drummer David Pribauer and Davis had decided to join the group Hensley. Cox and Holman returned to their home state in 2005 to start writing and recording new Revis tunes. The duo had at least a dozen songs completed with Henriksen before the news surfaced before the end of that year that Revis was no more.

The band members participated in different projects following the breakup. Thiemann went on to start the groups Deep Space Radio, Dove Lane, and TJ Brown. Holman participated in the group Aujalyn and Cox and Davis formed a group called Maryandi, which would later be renamed The Yelling.  In 2010, stories surfaced regarding a reunited Revis (without Thiemann and Cox). The group reportedly planned on releasing a full-length album entitled Gone So Long after issuing an EP called Fire and Ice. Neither release happened, but the group did create an album entitled Do We Have to Beg? in 2012. 

"Are You Taking Me Home" and "A Better Day (Relief) were released in advance of the album. The first single from Do We Have to Beg? was "Save Our Souls." Unfortunately, touring issues prevented Revis from hitting the road to support the album. Legal problems also prevented the new album from being properly advertised and marketed. 

The song "Fire and Ice" was the last single released before the group disbanded once more. Contractual concerns with the record label and a need to re-record the sophomore disc complicated matters for the musicians. It remains to be seen whether or not Revis will return in some format, but the group was an energetic onstage presence during their heyday. 

Well, that's all for now. The next article in this series will focus on the group Eye Empire. Until then, have a great weekend, everyone!