The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus
The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus |
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The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus (also known as Red Jumpsuit Apparatus or RJA) is a band that formed in 2003 in Jacksonville, Florida. The band consists of lead vocalist Ronnie Winter, lead guitarist Elias Reidy, bassist Joey Westwood, guitarist Duke Kitchens, and drummer Jon Wilkes; all perform back-up vocals. Their debut major label album Don't You Fake It was released on July 18, 2006, and has since been certified platinum.
History
The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus started out as a local band in Middleburg, Florida, which is south of Jacksonville, according to The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus' official website. The name, "Red Jumpsuit Apparatus", was chosen by placing random words on a wall, and then blindfolding one of the members and choosing three words. The band was started by Ronnie Winter and Duke Kitchens after they had played together doing Blink-182 covers in Winter's home.
The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus released their demo, The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus in 2005. They then released a demo tour EP with "Ass Shaker", "Justify" and "Face Down" demo versions.[7] Later in 2006 they released their first LP, Don't You Fake It with the singles "Face Down", "False Pretense", "Your Guardian Angel", and "Damn Regret", which was certified gold on November 27, 2006 by the RIAA for sales shipments exceeding 500,000 copies.[8]As of February 2007, The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus took part in the US Take Action! Tour organized for the prevention of youth suicide, along with bands such as My Chemical Romance and Rise Against.[9] Their song "In Fate's Hands" (which is a remastered version of "Ass Shaker") is featured in the video game Madden NFL 07.
The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus Don't You Fake It Deluxe Edition (CD/DVD) was released on April 3, 2007. The CD features the album and two exclusive songs, an acoustic version of "Face Down" and a never released out of Australia bonus track "Disconnected".
In a 2007 interview with the Florida Entertainment Scene, The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus teamed up with Virgin Records to raise funds for the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. They also headlined the Take Action! Tour which sponsors awareness against teen suicide and against animal cruelty.
As of June 2007, according to Billboard.com, The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus have begun work on a second album that should be released in the summer of 2008.[10] The band pulled out of their confirmed appearances at the Australian Soundwave Festival Tour 2008 citing recording commitments.
As of April 2008, the band began an acoustic tour the east coast in various locations with the group Amaru, who is from the same home town. Ronnie said that the tour felt like they were "Getting back where we all started."
The Christian Label
Many fans have often mistaken Red Jumpsuit Apparatus as a Christian rock band. However, in an interview, the band explains that they are all Christians, but they don't feel like they fit into the Christian band category.[11].
Members
- Ronnie Winter - lead vocals
- Duke Kitchens - guitar, piano
- Elias Reidy - guitar
- Joey Westwood - bass
- Jon Wilkes - drums
Discography
Albums
Year | Title | Chart positions | U.S. Certification | U.S. Sales | Worldwide Sales |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2005 | The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus | None | None | N/A | N/A |
2006 | Ass Shaker/Justify/Face Down EP | None | None | N/A | N/A |
2006 | Don't You Fake It[12] | #25 U.S. | Platinum | 1,112,182 | |
2007 | AOL Sessions Undercover EP[7] | None | None | N/A | N/A |
2007 | Your Guardian Angel EP[7] | None | None | N/A | N/A |
2008 | Untitled 2nd studio album | None | None | N/A | N/A |
Singles
Year | Title | Album | Chart positions[13] | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
U.S. Hot 100 |
U.S. Pop 100 |
U.S. Mod. Rock |
U.S. Main. Rock |
New Zealand | |||
2006 | "Face Down"[12] | Don't You Fake It | |||||
2007 | "False Pretense" | ||||||
"Your Guardian Angel" | |||||||
2008 | "Damn Regret" |
Trivia
![]() | This article contains a list of miscellaneous information. (October 2007) |
- "In Fate's Hands" is used in Madden NFL 07 as well as the 2007 EVER OSL Starleague (Ongamenet). Additional songs used during that OSL season were "Waiting" and "Atrophy".
- The band has been seen on an episode of the MTV reality show The Hills. The band did a photoshoot at Teen Vogue with main characters Lauren Conrad and Whitney Port supervising.
- "Dont You Fake It" was written and performed originally by Ronnie Winter-singer, Duke Kitchens-guitar and previous band members, Tom Wurth-bass, Dan Wagler-drums, and Thomas Amason-guitar, all long time high school friends.
- The band is the first artist to top Billboard Philippines Hot 100. On chart date January 26, 2008, Your Guardian Angel was the first number one hit on the chart.
- The band is the first artist to score two number one hits on Billboard Philippines. They are also the first artist to self-replace their number one hit. On chart date February 9, 2008, Cat And Mouse replaced Your Guardian Angel on the top spot.
- On chart date, February 2, 2008 and February 9, 2008, the band simultaneously occupied the top two positions on the Billboard Philippines Hot 100.
- Ronnie Winter married long time girlfriend, Staci, in August of 2006 in Vegas. They had been together over 5 years at the time of their marriage.
- Joey Westwood and girlfriend, Laura, had a daughter August 2007.
- Elias Reidy and girlfriend Kirsten Storms became engaged on April 8th 2008 they've been together since about August 2006, and live together in Los Angeles.
- while chatting with fans in London, Ronnie Winter let it slip that he and his wife Staci are expecting a child together and she is due in November.
References
- ^ Don't You Fake It Album Review. Hybrid Magazine. Accessed February 11, 2007.
- ^ Don't You Fake It Album Review. IGN. Accessed February 11, 2007.
- ^ Jocelyn Vena, Red Jumpsuit Apparatus Biography. MTV News
- ^ The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus. BMI.com. Accessed April 18, 2007.
- ^ Don't You Fake It review. X-Press Online. Accessed April 18, 2007.
- ^ "The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus Biography". MTV.com. Retrieved 2007-02-16.
- ^ a b c The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, Google Music
- ^ THE RED JUMPSUIT APPARATUS Turns Gold: 'DON'T YOU FAKE IT' Is Certified Gold, PR Newswire
- ^ TICKETS: Dave Matthews Band to play MGM Grand on March 23-24, Las Vegas Review-Journal
- ^ Red Jumpsuit Apparatus Hoarding New Songs, Billboard.com
- ^ The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus <-RJAROX->
- ^ a b The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus discography, AOL music
- ^ Billboard, allmusic.com
- ^ RIANZ