U.P.O.
| U.P.O. | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Los Angeles, California, US |
| Genres | Hard rock post-grunge |
| Years active | 1997–2004 |
| Labels | Epic, DRT Entertainment |
| Associated acts | Hollywood Rose, Five Finger Death Punch |
| Members | |
| Shawn Albro Chris Weber Ben Shirley Tommy Holt |
|
| Past members | |
| Zoltan Bathory Philippe Mathys |
|
U.P.O. was an American rock band from Los Angeles, California, formed in 1997. Since 2004, the band's line-up has included Shawn Albro (lead vocals), Chris Weber (guitar), Ben Shirley (bass) and Tommy Holt (drums). Previous members include Zoltan Bathory (now of Five Finger Death Punch) and Philippe Mathys.
To date, U.P.O. have released two studio albums – No Pleasantries (2000) and The Heavy (2004).
Contents |
[edit] History
[edit] Formation and No Pleasantries (1997–2001)
After meeting in the mid '90s,[1] at the Reading Festival[1] in England, Weber and singer Shawn Albro began working on material that eventually gained some major label interest.[1] They recruited bassist Ben Shirley and drummer Tommy Holt,[1] forming U.P.O., and going on to sign a record deal with Epic Records.[1] They released their debut album, titled No Pleasantries, in 2000,[1] produced by Rick Parashar,[2] with the album peaking at number 19 on the Billboard Heatseekers Chart[3] while the singles "Godless" and "Feel Alive" peaked at number 6[4] and 25[4] on the Mainstream Rock Chart respectively. "Feel Alive" appeared on the soundtrack to the film Book of Shadows: Blair Witch 2[5] while the group toured with the likes of Slipknot, Slayer, Mudvayne and Sepultura as part of the Tattoo The Earth tour with the song "Dust" being included on the live album Tattoo The Earth: The First Crusade.[6] After further touring in support of the album, the group went on hiatus with Albro audtioning for "The Project" (later known as Velvet Revolver) during this time.[7]
[edit] The Heavy and Hiatus (2004–present)
The group returned in 2004, recording and releasing The Heavy,[1] working again with producer Rick Parashar,[8] the same year through DRT Entertainment/Nitrus Records. The group toured in support of the album, however, after an October concert later that year, however, Weber suffered a seizure before being rushed to a hospital.[9] It was soon revealed that he had a meningioma brain tumor[9] for which Weber underwent successful surgery on November 17, 2004.[10] The group seemed to go on hiatus soon afterwards with bassist Zoltan Bathory,[11][12] who had replaced Ben Shirley, going on to form Five Finger Death Punch.[12]
[edit] Discography
- No Pleasantries - (2000)
- The Heavy - (2004)
[edit] Band members
- Shawn Albro - vocals
- Chris Weber - guitar
- Ben Shirley - bass
- Tommy Holt - drums
[edit] Former members
- Zoltan Bathory - bass
- Philippe Mathys - drums
[edit] External links
[edit] References
- ^ a b c d e f g Phares, Heather. "U.P.O. Biography". Allmusic. http://www.allmusic.com/artist/p433731. Retrieved September 15, 2010.
- ^ (2000) Album notes for No Pleasantries by U.P.O. [booklet]. Epic Records.
- ^ "U.P.O. Album Charts". Allmusic. http://www.allmusic.com/artist/p433731. Retrieved September 15, 2010.
- ^ a b "U.P.O. Singles Charts". Allmusic. http://www.allmusic.com/artist/p433731. Retrieved September 15, 2010.
- ^ Basham, David (October 6, 2000). "Manson Covers "Suicide Is Painless" For "Blair Witch 2"". MTV. http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1431680/20001006/marilyn_manson.jhtml.
- ^ Mancini, Robert (September 21, 2000). "Slipknot, Sevendust, Slayer Churn Out "Tattoo" Live CD". MTV. http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1433943/20000921/sevendust.jhtml.
- ^ "Canadian Singer Confirms Audition With Ex-GUNS N' ROSES Members". Blabbermouth.net. January 4, 2003. http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=8641.
- ^ (2004) Album notes for The Heavy by U.P.O. [booklet]. DRT Entertainment.
- ^ a b "U.P.O. Guitarist Diagnosed With Brain Tumor". Blabbermouth.net. November 16, 2004. http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=29268.
- ^ "U.P.O./Ex-HOLLYWOOD ROSE Guitarist Undergoes Brain Surgery". Blabbermouth.net. November 20, 2004. http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=29436.
- ^ "U.P.O. Bassist: DIMEBAG Was 'Somebody Who Inspired All Of Us'". Blabbermouth.net. December 10, 2004. http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=30240.
- ^ a b Christopher Monger, James. "Five Finger Death Punch Biography". Allmusic. http://www.allmusic.com/artist/p848811. Retrieved September 15, 2010.
