Icon for Hire: Difference between revisions
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Icon For Hire was announced to be appearing all dates on [[Warped Tour|Van's Warped Tour]] 2014.<ref name="VansTour">{{cite web|title=Fit For A King, DJ Scout (Issues), Icon For Hire, Mod Sun and more announced for Warped Tour 2014|url=http://www.altpress.com/news/entry/fit_for_a_king_dj_scout_issues_icon_for_hire_mod_sun_and_more_announced_for|accessdate=June 19, 2014|author=Kraus, Brian}}</ref> While on the tour the band was bumped up to play main stage. |
Icon For Hire was announced to be appearing all dates on [[Warped Tour|Van's Warped Tour]] 2014.<ref name="VansTour">{{cite web|title=Fit For A King, DJ Scout (Issues), Icon For Hire, Mod Sun and more announced for Warped Tour 2014|url=http://www.altpress.com/news/entry/fit_for_a_king_dj_scout_issues_icon_for_hire_mod_sun_and_more_announced_for|accessdate=June 19, 2014|author=Kraus, Brian}}</ref> While on the tour the band was bumped up to play main stage. |
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October 1st, 2014 began their Rock and Roll Thugs North American tour with Fit For Rivals and Wounds. <ref>pic.twitter.com/SCMSkOwgSj</ref> November 9th, 2014 they will depart to Europe for a sold out tour as support for Hollywood Undead. |
October 1st, 2014 began their Rock and Roll Thugs North American tour with Fit For Rivals and Wounds. <ref>http://pic.twitter.com/SCMSkOwgSj</ref> November 9th, 2014 they will depart to Europe for a sold out tour as support for Hollywood Undead. |
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==Musical style and influences== |
==Musical style and influences== |
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Revision as of 16:49, 24 October 2014
Icon for Hire | |
|---|---|
 Icon for Hire at The Garage in 2011. From left: Shawn Jump, Adam Kronshagen, Ariel, Josh Kincheloe. | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Decatur, Illinois, United States |
| Genres | Alternative rock, pop punk, electronic rock |
| Years active | 2007–present |
| Labels | Tooth & Nail |
| Members |
|
| Past members |
|
| Website | www |
Icon for Hire is an American rock band from Decatur, Illinois. Formed in 2007, the band's current lineup consists of singer Ariel, guitarist Shawn Jump, bassist Josh Kincheloe, and drummer Adam Kronshagen. They released two EPs independently before signing to Tooth & Nail Records, through which they released their two Billboard-charting albums Scripted in 2011 and Icon for Hire on October 15, 2013. Bassist Josh Kincheloe has played with the band since 2011, but is not actively recognized as an official member for reasons unknown.
History
Origins (2007–2009)
The band was formed in Decatur, Illinois by vocalist Ariel Bloomer and guitarist Shawn Jump. When the two met in 2007, Ariel, upon discovering that Jump played guitar, initiated a musical collaboration between the two of them. When the need for a drummer arose, Jump recruited Adam Kronshagen, an old friend he had held jam sessions with as a member of the local party scene (Jump was six months clean at the time).[1] Bassist Joshua Davis joined and the band was officially formed in November of that year, choosing their name as a satirical comment on the state of the music industry.[2]
The band played their first show in a local club before an audience of family and friends, who gave them a positive reception even though, by the band's own admission, they gave a terrible performance. Ariel has been quoted as saying of the performance, "Our passion for music was there; whatever we lacked in sound we made up for with enthusiasm." Over the next two years, the band toured throughout the Midwest and released two EPs, the self-titled Icon for Hire EP in 2008 and The Grey EP in 2009.[3] During that same year, Davis left the band.
Tooth & Nail and Scripted (2009–2011)
In late 2009, the band was contacted by Tooth & Nail Records through Myspace. The label then sent representatives to one of the band's shows, and eventually signed them in July 2010.[3] "We are thrilled to be joining such an established and well-respected group at Tooth & Nail," shared the band upon their signing. "It's a label that has a history of consistently putting out good music and really working side by side with their artists. Because we've been doing this thing on our own for over two years, it feels great to partner with Tooth & Nail. We can't wait to record our debut full-length and see where this road takes us." They spent the last quarter of 2010 in the studio with producers Rob Hawkins and Aaron Sprinkle recording their first full-length album, Scripted, which was released by the label on August 23, 2011. The album made it on the US Billboard charts at No. 7 for Hard Rock Albums, No. 5 for Christian Albums, No. 16 for Alternative Albums, No. 22 for Rock Albums, and No. 95 on the Billboard 200. It also sold more than 4,300 units in the first week of release and broke the record for first week sales on a Tooth & Nail debut album.[4] The band also achieved success with the album's lead single "Make a Move", which peaked at No. 13 on R&R/Billboard's Christian Rock chart and had an accompanying music video exclusively released online by Guitar World magazine's website. Also in 2011, the band acquired current bassist Josh Kincheloe.
Icon for Hire (2011–present)
In December 2011, Ariel stated that, while the band had been focusing on extensive touring rather than writing new music, she had "a feeling that we'll start piecing together some demos shortly."[5] In a later interview with TVU Music channel, she revealed that the band was in the early stages of writing songs for a second album.[6] In an interview with KHRT-FM, the band expressed their desire for the album to be "heavier....more aggressive", with more bubblegum pop production and possible hip hop elements.[7] On August 15, 2013, Icon for Hire premiered their new single "Cynics and Critics" via lyric video and announced their second album, the self-titled Icon for Hire.[8] The album was released on October 15, 2013, whereupon it reached number 66 on the Billboard 200 and received largely positive reviews.
Touring
Icon for Hire supported Red on their "Kill the Machine" tour in October 2011.[9] They also participated in that year's Christmas Rock Night festival in Ennepetal, near Düsseldorf, Germany, along with Red and Skillet.[10] The band toured with Jamie's Elsewhere and These Hearts in early 2012,[11] and toured with Emery's "Emery and Friends Tour" with I Am Empire and Sent By Ravens in March 2012.[12] They have announced a May 2012 tour with P.O.D, Red, and Love and Death.[13]
Icon for Hire toured on LiveNation's "Ones to Watch" tour in 2013 along the side of Redlight King.[14] Later that year, the band kicked off the "Evening With Icon for Hire" tour. The shows featured music, fashion, a pre-concert acoustic set, and an intimate Q&A with the group.[15]
Icon For Hire was announced to be appearing all dates on Van's Warped Tour 2014.[16] While on the tour the band was bumped up to play main stage.
October 1st, 2014 began their Rock and Roll Thugs North American tour with Fit For Rivals and Wounds. [17] November 9th, 2014 they will depart to Europe for a sold out tour as support for Hollywood Undead.
Musical style and influences
The band's sound combines pop punk and alternative metal elements with strings and electronics.[18] Jamie Maxwell of Cross Rhythms describes them as a punk band, but notes that "the electronic influence evident in some of their tracks is a definite nod to the likes of Linkin Park and others in the nu metal mould."[19] In describing the band's sound, lead singer Ariel has said that the band is "first and foremost just a rock band. That's where our roots are and where our hearts are. But a few years ago we started really getting into synths and programming. We love the combination of brutal, in-your-face riffs, with the fun candy of pop production sprinkled all over it."[1]
Influences cited by the band have included hard rock bands like Linkin Park, Breaking Benjamin, Pantera, Mötley Crüe, and Rage Against the Machine, as well as pop- and hip hop-oriented artists such as Skrillex, The Black Eyed Peas, Dessa, and Lady Gaga.[2][5]
Band members
- Ariel Bloomer – lead vocals (2007–present)
- Shawn Jump – electric guitar (2007–present)
- Adam Kronshagen – drums (2007–present)
- Josh Kincheloe – bass guitar (2011–present)
- Former members
- Joshua Davis – bass guitar, unclean vocals (2007–2009)
Discography
Studio albums
| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions | Sales | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US [20] |
US Rock [21] |
US Christ [22] |
US Indie [23] | |||
| Scripted |
|
95 | 22 | 5 | — |
|
| Icon for Hire |
|
66 | 20 | 4 | 11 | |
Extended plays
- Icon for Hire EP (2008)
- The Grey EP (2009)
Singles
| Year | Title | Chart Peak | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| Christian Rock [citation needed] | |||
| 2011 | "Make a Move" | 13 | Scripted |
| "Get Well" | 24 | ||
| "The Grey" | — | ||
| "Off With Her Head" | 8 | ||
| "Fight" | 1 | ||
| 2013 | "Cynics & Critics" | 12 | Icon for Hire |
| "Sugar & Spice" | — | ||
| 2014 | "Counting on Hearts" | 14 | |
| "Sorry About Your Parents" | 33 |
- Music videos
| Year | Song | Director |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | "Make a Move"[citation needed] | Van Alan Blumreich |
| "Get Well"[citation needed] | ||
| 2012 | "Off with Her Head"[citation needed] | Daniel Quinones |
| 2014 | "Cynics & Critics" |
- Compilation contributions
| Year | Compilation | Label | Song |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Tooth & Nail Records Summer Sampler 2011 | Tooth & Nail Records | "Make a Move" |
| Now Hear This! 7.0 | Sparrow Records | ||
| A Very Tooth & Nail Christmas Sampler | Tooth & Nail Records |
- Non-album songs[25]
- "Conversation with a Rockstar"
- "Sno"
References
- ^ a b Brooks, Jessica (August 26, 2011). "Interview: Icon For Hire's Ariel On New Album, Her Conversion Story, and More". BREATHEcast. The Christian Post. Retrieved March 9, 2012.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ a b "Icon For Hire". Interlínc (interview). Interviewed by Fasig, Jacob. Retrieved April 22, 2012.
- ^ a b Cummings, Tony (January 2012). "Icon For Hire: The rockers bemused by the Paramore and Evanescence comparisons". Cross Rhythms. Retrieved January 14, 2012.
- ^ Kim Jones (September 2011). "Icon for Hire Touring With RED and Brian "Head" Welch". About.com. Retrieved February 12, 2012.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ a b "Shatterproof Celebrity: Ariel of Icon For Hire" (Interview). Interviewed by Taneica Phillips. December 28, 2011. Retrieved August 17, 2011.
{{cite interview}}: Unknown parameter|program=ignored (help) - ^ Icon for Hire (February 3, 2012). "Icon for Hire on TVU's Most Wanted (Pt. 2)" (Video interview). Interviewed by Jared. Retrieved August 17, 2012.
{{cite interview}}: Unknown parameter|program=ignored (help) - ^ Icon for Hire (December 14, 2011). "Icon For Hire: The ATO Interview Pt. 2" (Interview). Retrieved August 17, 2012.
{{cite interview}}: Unknown parameter|callsign=ignored (help); Unknown parameter|program=ignored (help) - ^ Bird, Michele (August 16, 2013). "Icon For Hire release new song, "Cynics & Critics"". Alternative Press. Retrieved August 17, 2013.
- ^ "Red – Kill The Machine Tour October 7–26, 2011". Fusemix.com. October 26, 2011. Retrieved February 8, 2012.
- ^ "CRN 2011" (news report). Cross Rhythms. November 2011. Retrieved February 16, 2012.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ Alex DiVincenzo (January 4, 2012). "These Hearts Video Teaser & Tour Dates" (news). Absolute Punk. Retrieved February 16, 2012.
- ^ Jason Tate (February 14, 2012). "Emery and Friends Tour announced!" (news). Absolute Punk. Retrieved February 16, 2012.
- ^ "Icon For Hire Out With POD, Red & Love And Death Ft. Brian Head Welch!" (news). March 20, 2012. Retrieved March 26, 2012.
- ^ "Ones To Watch Presents: Redlight King & Icon For Hire". August 20, 2013. Retrieved June 19, 2014.
- ^ "Icon For Hire Announce 'An Evening With Icon For Hire' Set To Launch Nationwide Sept. 19th 2013". ContactMusic.com.
- ^ Kraus, Brian. "Fit For A King, DJ Scout (Issues), Icon For Hire, Mod Sun and more announced for Warped Tour 2014". Retrieved June 19, 2014.
- ^ http://pic.twitter.com/SCMSkOwgSj
- ^ "pizzamachine" (Contributor). "Scripted". Sputnikmusic. Retrieved July 30, 2012.
{{cite web}}:|author=has generic name (help) - ^ Jamie Maxwell (November 2011). "Scripted". Cross Rhythms. Retrieved January 14, 2012.
- ^ "Icon for Hire". Retrieved October 16, 2014.
- ^ "Icon for Hire". Retrieved October 16, 2014.
- ^ ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:85%;"|
- ^ "Icon for Hire". Retrieved October 16, 2014.
- ^ Kim Jones. "Icon For Hire". About. Retrieved October 16, 2014.
- ^ "Exclusive Interview: Ariel from Icon For Hire!" (interview). The Indie Christian Music Scene. October 17, 2011. Retrieved March 9, 2012.