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Revision as of 22:04, 9 February 2012

Alex Band
Band in 2007
Band in 2007
Background information
Birth nameAlexander Max Band
Born (1981-06-08) June 8, 1981 (age 43)
Los Angeles, California
GenresAlternative rock, post-grunge
Occupation(s)Singer-songwriter, musician, producer
Instrument(s)Vocals, Guitar, Bass Guitar, Piano, Drums, Saxophone
Years active1993–present
LabelsRCA Records, Geffen Records, AMB/EMI Records
Websitealexband.net

Alex Band (born Alexander Max Band, June 8, 1981, Los Angeles, California) is an American musician and singer-songwriter, best known for his work in his former band The Calling and their signature song "Wherever You Will Go", which peaked at #3 on the Top 40 in 2001.[1]

Along with bandmate and fellow songwriter Aaron Kamin as part of The Calling, the pair achieved success with the release of their two studio albums; Camino Palmero (2001) and Two (2004). They also achieved top 40 chartings with singles "Adrienne", "Our Lives", and "Things Will Go My Way". As a solo artist he is well known for providing the vocals on the top 10 hit, "Why Don't You & I" with Carlos Santana in 2004. In 2008 he created his own record label, AMB Records and released a 5 song EP entitled, Alex Band EP.[2] Band later released his debut full-length album, We've All Been There in June 2010. He currently resides in Los Angeles.[3]

Early life

Alex Band was born into an entertainment family. His mother is Meda Band, and his father Charles Band is a well known horror film director. His grandfather Albert Band was also another well known director. Band's father is Jewish and his mother is Christian.[4] Both his parents were raised in Italy and they own a castle in Giove, Umbria.[5] Band explores spiritual themes in several of his songs though claims to be of no particular faith himself. Of the song "Please" Band said, "...I grew up with a Jewish Father who didn't practice and a Christian Mother whose only tie to Jesus was celebrating Christmas. Needless to say I had to find my own religion. And in this song I'm asking God what that should be...what should I believe? In a world so full of different religions and so many people fighting over whose belief is the correct one, it frustrates me to think that they all really boil down to the same thing."[4]

At a young age Band's parents divorced and his father remarried. He grew up with two of his half brothers Harlan and Zalman, and his sister Taryn. After his parents divorce his mother moved to Germany where she remarried and still resides. Band was about 8 at the time.[6] She had 3 sons after her move, who Band eventually met when he toured Germany. The single "Could It Be Any Harder" explains some of his feelings towards his mother's move.[4]

Growing up Alex made small appearances in his father's films. He grew up on Camino Palmero street which would later inspire his first album of the same name. He began playing guitar and song writing at the age of 8.[7]

Musically, Alex was influenced by Pearl Jam, Bon Jovi, Live, Train, and U2.[8]

He soon formed his first band with friend and filmmaker, Jethro Rothe-Kushel, called "Maybe Solitude". Rothe-Kushel also directed his first music video for a song called "Dormant Prayer". Several bands followed including one named "Generation Gap" that consisted of him, Aaron Kamin, a musician he met when Kamin began dating his sister, and a few much older musicians. The band has a brief cameo in Coyote Ugly. At the age of 14 he had a kokopelli tattooed on his wrist. This would later become a symbol for The Calling.[7]

Career

The Calling

At the age of 15 Alex signed with RCA Records with the band he had created with Kamin now named The Calling. At this time he dropped out of school though he later received a diploma through home schooling.[7]

The Calling released their first single "Wherever You Will Go" to much acclaim. The song soon reached #1 on the Billboard Hot AC charts for 27 weeks and peaked at #3 on the Hot 100 charts.[9] The band's first album Camino Palmero soon followed peaking at #36 on the Billboard Sales charts and eventually went Platinum.[10]

The band's next singles, "Adrienne" and "Could It Be Any Harder" soon followed charting in the AC top 40. However by 2004 the second album titled, Two failed to live up to expectations charting at #54 on Billboard Top 200.[11] The album suffered from a lack of label support though the singles fared slightly better. The first single, "Our Lives" was featured in the 2004 Olympics ceremony, and charted at #34 in the Billboard top 40.[12] A final single, "Anything" performed decently with little promotion, charting at #23 in the Adult Top 40.[12]

After the lack of label support with "Two", the band announced a hiatus. On June 4, 2005 they performed their last concert to date in Temecula, CA.[10]

The Calling has sold over 6 million record worldwide.

Their song "Wherever You Will Go" was named the #1 song of the decade on the Adult Pop Charts by Billboard magazine.

Songwriting

During and after his time in The Calling, Band and Kamin co-wrote all of the band's songs. They also wrote songs for several other artists as well as for several movie soundtracks, most of which Band would perform on. One of the first such tracks was the single, "For You" which appeared on the Daredevil soundtrack. The OST peaked at #9 on the Billboard Top 200.[13]

A cover of "Keep Your Hands to Yourself" was recorded for the movie Sweet Home Alabama. Band recorded a song "Take Hold of Me" for use in his wife's movie Fish Without a Bicycle in which he has a small part.[14] He also Appeared on the Bratz: Motion Picture Soundtrack.

Solo career

Band's solo career started long before the hiatus of The Calling. He was personally chosen by Chad Kroeger to perform on the Carlos Santana single "Why Don't You & I" in 2003. Originally, Kroeger wrote and sang on "Why Don't You & I" for Santana's Shaman. However, when Arista Records decided to release the song as a single, Kroeger's record label refused permission, citing concerns that Kroeger appearing on a "high-profile single" that could conflict with his own newly released comeback album.[15][16][17]

Band's version became extremely successful charting at #3 on the Billboard Top 40, and #8 on the Billboard Top 100. It was also recently named the #5 song of the decade on the Adult Pop charts by Billboard. It reached #1 on the AC charts and continues to be played on AC stations to this day. Band's version appears on Santana's special release album, Ceremony: remixes & rarities and Ultimate Santana.

Band also contributed the song "The Truth" to the soundtrack of the 2005 movie "Doll Graveyard" which was directed by his father.

In November 2005 it was announced Band had signed as a solo artist with Ron Fair as part of Geffen Records. A new album had been recorded and was said to be released in late 2007, but was delayed several times. Alex left the Geffen label in 2008.[10]

During this time Band had a few releases. One of his songs titled, "It Doesn't Get Better Than This" for Bratz: The Movie soundtrack. Band performed and co-wrote the song, "Coming Home" which was featured in the film, The Final Season in late 2007.

In October 2007 Band performed at the first Alex Band's Donate Life Rocks charity concert for "Donate Life America" in Los Angeles, CA. The concert was taped and will air on DISH Network. Band also taped an appearance on The Real World: Hollywood which filmed at the concert. The second Alex Band Donate Life concert was held in Richmond, VA on August 21, 2008.

First music video in his solo career was again directed by lifelong friend and director / producer, Jethro Rothe-Kushel, for a song called "Only One".[18]

New music from Alex's debut solo album was featured on Melrose Place and Vampire Diaries.

Alex has begun a Radio Promo Tour starting in Florida on February 11 and running through June leading up to the album release in June. He also opened for Sister Hazel, Carbon Leaf and Jonny Lang.

Alex's first US Headlining tour began on the West Coast on July 14, 2010 and ended on the East Coast on August 8, 2010.

Alex's debut solo album was released in the US on June 29, 2010 and in Germany on September 26, 2010. In many other countries, including Canada, the CD became available on August 24, 2010.

Indie Label

Band expressed displeasure with the continued delayed release of his debut album.[19] On April 16, 2008 Band announced via his official fan site that he had left Geffen and created his own label called AMB Records under which the album in the US will be released. He will work with EMI for the international release.[20] "I've been working on leaving my label for a while now, and moving to somewhere else to put this record out finally and give it the push it deserves...and I'm happy to announce that I will be putting the record out ON MY OWN! With help from good friends in the business and an amazing team, I'm putting together my own Label. This gives me the freedom to make my own decisions, to invest in myself, and to do what I want, when I want. This is the way to go these days in the music business and I am sooooooo lucky to be able to do it. There are no firm details as to when exactly the record will be released, but I am doing everything in my power to make the process as speedy as possible. I will let you all know of course as soon as I find out more."[20]

On April 25, 2008 Band released a 5 song EP titled, "Alex Band EP". The EP contained 4 new songs in addition to the song "Coming Home". The EP is sold via his official fan site. A new version of the EP was created for his tour in Brazil. On May 13 it was announced that the track, "Only One" would be the official single, for Brazil only, with both single and video available through Band's official fan site.[21]

The long delayed full length album has yet to be given a release date though several songs have appeared on various official sites. Two short clips of "Tonight" and "Please" appear on his official MySpace. The song "Only One" has been added as well. Other clips have leaked on his official fan site as well. Clips of the entire album can be heard on www.blackstarbracelet.com.

In addition to the album release Band has begun to tour as well. He began college area shows in April 2008, and has several shows scheduled throughout the US during the year. In June and July 2008 he completed a very successful 13 show tour of Brazil along with numerous TV and Radio appearances in Brazil.

Alex decided to go solo and created his own record label AMB Records and saw that the music industry was depleting and together with Robin Sydney created a new way to release music, on a Black Star Bracelet. Each bracelet purchased comes with a free song download. After 5 years, his new album "We've All Been There" will be releasing first on these bracelet in 2009.

His debut solo album "We've All Been There" was released on June 29, 2010. The first single "Tonight" was released on February 15, 2010.

Acting career

Band appeared in the movie Coyote Ugly as a musician on the stage of the club.

Band also appeared on the CSI: NY episode "Help", which aired January 14, 2009. Band played a drugged-out musician who is the suspect in a murder case. The songs he performed were his own (as did fellow guest star Bonnie McKee). He has said there will be more acting in the future.[22]

Personal life

Band married girlfriend Jennifer Sky on July 25, 2004. The couple split in 2008 and became legally divorced in 2009. Alex became engaged to Kristin Blanford in February, 2010, and they married on May 1, 2011. She appears in his music video for the song "Tonight". "I’d say one of my favorite parts of the video would be when the rose color changes and when I bite my lady (who just happens to be my fiancé as well!). It turned out exactly as I wanted it to and I am very proud of it,"[23]

Charity work

Band has worked with several charities. After an illness his ex-wife dealt with, Band became a supporter of organ donation, working closely with the charity Donate Life America. Annually he performs at "Alex Band's Donate Life Rocks Concert" to raise money and awareness for the cause.

Each year Debbie Hagerman, who runs his official fan site, organizes a birthday charity project in Band's name asking in lieu of gifts that fans donate to a charity instead. In addition a calendar is produced each year showcasing Alex in concert. All proceeds go to The Alex Band Education Fund for Donate Life America. The projects have raised over $30,000 in honor of Band.[24]

Discography

Main article: The Calling

Albums

Year Title Charts
US US Heat GER AUT SWI
2010 We've All Been There — 42 12 17 46

EP

US Edition Date on May 2008
Brazil Edition Date on June 2008

Singles

Year Single Peak chart positions Album
US US 40 Main US AC US Adult Pop GER AUT
2008 "Only One" — — — — — — Alex Band EP
2009 "Silent Night" (digital release) — — — — — — Silent Night - Single
2010 "Tonight"[25] — — — 31 27 37 We've All Been There
"Without You" — — — — — —
"Only One" (European release) — — — — 66 —
2011 "Euphoria" (German release) — — — — — —
Year Single Peak chart positions Album
US US 40 Main US AC
Ad.
Cont.
 US Adult Pop GER NZ
2003 "Why Don't You & I" (Santana feat. Alex Band) 8 3 16 1 76 21 Shaman
2009 "In Your Heart, I'm Home" (Yasmin Lucas feat. Alex Band)[note 1] — — — — — — Bela, a Feia: Soundtrack[26]
Notes
  1. ^ Only released in Brazil

References

  1. ^ allmusic ((( Camino Palmero > Charts & Awards > Billboard Singles )))
  2. ^ http://alexmaxband.com/alexmaxband/frame.html
  3. ^ The Calling - Urge Music Downloads - VH1.com
  4. ^ a b c Song Meanings
  5. ^ HitLab: "Alex Band 20 THINGS INTERVIEW" June 29, 2010
  6. ^ Facts
  7. ^ a b c "Facts" - Alexmaxband.com
  8. ^ Lazy Rocker INTERVIEW WITH ALEX BAND (EX-THE CALLING)
  9. ^ Allmusic Singles - Allmusic
  10. ^ a b c Timeline
  11. ^ allmusic ((( The Calling > Charts & Awards > Billboard Albums )))
  12. ^ a b allmusic ((( The Calling > Charts & Awards > Billboard Singles )))
  13. ^ allmusic ((( Daredevil > Charts & Awards > Billboard Albums )))
  14. ^ Fish Without a Bicycle at IMDb
  15. ^ "Nickelback's's Record Company Explains Chad Kroeger Ban on Santana Single" - Roadrunner Records - July 2, 2003
  16. ^ "Nickelback's Kroeger Not Allowed on Santana Single" - Foundry Music
  17. ^ "Carlos Santana Says Label Politics Forced Chad Kroeger/Alex Band Change On New Single" - Yahoo! Music
  18. ^ Music Video Download Site
  19. ^ Q & A Frame
  20. ^ a b Home Frame
  21. ^ This coincided with the Brazil tour. Store Frame
  22. ^ [1] - alexband.net
  23. ^ "Interview: Alex Band". The Sound Alarm. Retrieved 3 December 2011.
  24. ^ Alex's Charity Birthday Project
  25. ^ http://popdirt.com/alex-band-tonight-video/77821/
  26. ^ http://yasminoficial.blogspot.com/2009/05/yasmin-prepara-dueto-com-alex-band-ex.html

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