Third Eye Blind

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Third Eye Blind is a post-grunge, alternative rock band formed in the early 1990s. The original members were Stephan Jenkins (singer, song writer, electric guitar), Tony Fredianelli (guitar), Adrian Burley (drums), and Jason Slater (bass guitar). The band's original line-up changed several times before the release of the group's debut album, and again shortly after the release of the band's second album Blue — at which point the band's main guitarist Kevin Cadogan was released from the band under circumstances that still elicit controversy among fans. Third Eye Blind's current line-up is Stephan Jenkins (vocals, electric guitar), Arion Salazar (bass guitar), Brad Hargreaves (drums), and Tony Fredianelli (electric guitar). For a time the band also featured ex-Smash Mouth drummer Michael Urbano and early Primus drummer Tim "Curveball" Wright.

1 History
2 Discography
3 Awards
4 External links

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History

Third Eye Blind recorded their first demo in 1993. Through a lot of recording and after opening a show in place of Oasis, the band finally signed with Elektra Records in June of 1996. Third Eye Blind's 14-track self-titled debut album Third Eye Blind was released on April 8, 1997. This album included the smash hit "Semi-Charmed Life" and others, including "Jumper", "How's It Gonna Be", "Graduate", "Losing A Whole Year", "Narcolepsy", and the fan favorite "Motorcycle Drive By". The album has since gone on to sell well over 6 million copies.

The biggest misconception about the band's biggest single "Semi-Charmed Life" is that it is a straight pop song. In interviews Stephan Jenkins has said that it is actually about the culture in San Francisco and the use of crystal meth. No one in the band has ever used crystal meth, but the song is reportedly about people Stephan Jenkins knew. Interestingly, Jenkins changed the lyrics from originally being "I want nothing else" to "I want something else." As can be heard in the demo of the song versus the final LP. When asked in an interview about the change, the question was dodged.

In 1999, the band began writing new material and recorded their 13-track album Blue, which was released on November 23, 1999. Despite the general agreement by the band's fans that as a whole Blue was a much moodier, darker album, the pop-esque "Never Let You Go" helped launch the album to selling well over 2 million copies.

In addition to being considered to be moodier and darker than it's predecessor, Blue is still considered to be an experimental album. Despite success from the first album, Third Eye Blind was looking to try out different material.

During the Band's tour shortly after the release of Blue, Kevin Cadogan was "released" from the band (allegedly following a vote by the band's other members). Tony Fredianelli, who had some limited experience with the band previously, joined the band shortly thereafter. Cadogan subsequently sued Third Eye Blind for breach of contract, with a settlement of an undisclosed amount permanently ending the relationship.

The band's third album Out of the Vein was released on May 15th, 2003. Despite a strong debut at #12 on the Billboard 200 and many quotes from the band remarking on their happiness with the album, Out of the Vein has largely been a commercial disappointment. The lack of professional music videos for the album's two singles "Blinded" and "Crystal Baller" have been lamented by fans.

In mid-2003, "Blinded" could be heard on mostly all pop radio stations in the United States. Despite the song's success, Out of the Vein lacked the original success from the band's debut album.

A fourth album is reportedly in the works set for a possible 2006 release. It has recently been posted that the new album is being recorded currently and that a greatest hits album is in the works. A short East Coast swing around the Baltimore and New Jersey area in early 2005 sparked some renewed interest in the band and this album, as four new songs were played. Two of these songs had been played at an earlier concert in Salt Lake City. These song titles are "In The Skin", "Summer Town", "Second Born", and "Don't Believe a Word". Fans feel that "Summer Town" is the most accessible. Speculation has it that this song could be the first single if and when the fourth album is released. Their manager Allison Clark was very instrumental in producing this album. Adrian Burley said that the band could not have done it without her. In the second half of 2005, the band played additional new material in concert. The songs were: "Lay Back (and the Water Will Hold You)," "Standing Up For You," "Red Star," and "Monotov's Private Opera."

An EP, Symphony of Decay, has also been completed. The band reportedly has a contractual obligation to deliver the EP and has leaked several tracks to fans. The leaked tracks are a full-accompaniment version of "My Time in Exile," the stripped down song that played on the menu of the DVD included with their third album, as well as two very different and instrumental songs, "Knife in the Water" and "Animal." Also included on this EP is the full version of an instrumental song from Blue, titled "Slow Motion." This has been available online since Blue's release because of its inclusion on international versions of Blue.

A common misconception is that the name of the band is a euphemism for penis. However, Stephan Jenkins indicated during a radio station interview that the band's name came from the metaphysical idea of a mind's eye, a topic of a book he had read. The other group members liked it and chose it as the band's name. In the past, Stephan has also joked about an Ouija board and vodka being the sources of the name.

It's also noteworthy that in their early days, Third Eye Blind has opened for popular bands such as The Rolling Stones and U2. Additionally, Third Eye Blind got their big break standing in for Oasis, who were opening for the Rolling Stones. It was widely expected that they would be booed off the stage by the demanding fans in attendance, however, they were warmly received as the crowd demanded they perform an encore. As a result of their amazing performance, the booking agent paid Third Eye Blind double what was originally promised them—a rare occurrence.

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Discography

Third Eye Blind (1997)
Blue (1999)
Out of the Vein (2003)

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Awards

1997 Win Billboard Music Award for Modern Rock Track of the Year ("Semi-Charmed Life")
1998 Nominated for 2 American Music Awards for Favorite New Artist - Pop / Rock, Favorite Artist - Alternative

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