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Collective Soul

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Collective Soul

Collective Soul is an American rock band from Stockbridge, Georgia. They enjoyed popularity on alternative rock and mainstream rock radio throughout the early to mid 1990s, recording seven #1 mainstream rock hits.[1] They broke into mainstream popularity with their hit single "Shine" from their debut album Hints, Allegations, and Things Left Unsaid, released in 1993.

History

Early years

Prior to forming Collective Soul, Ed Roland studied songwriting/composing and guitar at Berklee College of Music in Boston. Ed began working at "Real 2 Reel Studios" in Stockbridge during the 1980s and of early 1990s, which was owned by Will Turpin's father. Ed did production and engineering work for local Atlanta artists. He also recorded his own demos and his independent solo album "Ed-E Roland" in 1991. Ed had been in garage bands and did some performing of his own. He had a pre-Collective Soul band in the late 80's/early 90's called "Marching Two-Step" which also included Shane Evans; they were a legitimate band for about 3 years.

Around 1992, Ed started to shift focus and began trying to secure contracts for his songwriting and publishing. However, these early attempts ended in rejection. That would change in 1993 when his song "Shine" from the Rising Storm label release of "Hints, Allegations, and Things Left Unsaid" became an underground hit on a College radio station in Orlando. It was around this time that Ed brought along Shane Evans, his brother Dean Roland, Will Turpin and Ross Childress. This would become the official line-up.

Ed Roland was reading Ayn Rand's The Fountainhead and come across the phrase "collective soul." Although author Ayn Rand actually uses the phrase in a negative connotation, using the "collective soul" as a threat to the main character's sense of individualism, Ed is quick to point out, "...we're not preaching Ayn Rand, objectivism, egoism, or anything...we just dug the name..." and "it [the band's name] could've come out of a Motorcycle Magazine.[1]

Atlantic Records took note of the popularity of "Shine" and subsequently signed the band.

Atlantic Records (1993–2001)

Hints, Allegations, and Things Left Unsaid (1993)

Collective Soul's notoriety grew from their hometown of Stockbridge, Georgia into international fame with 1994’s double-platinum Hints, Allegations, and Things Left Unsaid. The album, a collection of Ed Roland's early demos, was highlighted by the #1 hit song "Shine". The band was then invited to perform at the Woodstock 1994 festival.

Collective Soul (1994)

The group’s self-titled second album arrived the following year, was certified RIAA triple platinum, and logged a 76-week run on the Billboard 200. Notable singles from Collective Soul included US Rock Chart #1 hits "December," "Where The River Flows," and "The World I Know", #2 hit "Gel", and a top-ten hit "Smashing Young Man". They would go on to gain heavy rotation on MTV and Much Music.

Collective Soul was headlining their own club tour, their two albums had sold a combined 5 million copies, and yet, they were reportedly receiving a meager $150 a week to cover food expenses on the road. The band had allegedly received no royalties because their manager had claimed the publishing rights. ("December", off the self-titled album, was written when all of this began.) Following a nasty split with him, Collective Soul found their tour dates cancelled and were called into the courtroom to face a legal battle that would last well into 1996.

During this time, funds were frozen, and Collective Soul could not tour or record in a "real" studio. For a period, they weren't sure that they even owned the rights to their own band's name. While the legal battles continued, the band went to a tiny cabin, in the middle of 40 acres of cow pasture in Stockbridge, and begain recording. They recorded into a computer their impromptu rehearsals of the songs Ed wrote during this time. These songs would become known as Disciplined Breakdown, chronicling the bleak period and "directed at the emotions" they were feeling at the time. The legal case was eventually settled and both parties have been instructed not to discuss the outcome.

Disciplined Breakdown (1997)

Released in 1997, Disciplined Breakdown was inspired by the break up between the band and their manager, and did not sell as well as the band's previous records. It eventually went platinum, and #1 singles continued with "Precious Declaration" and "Listen". The album showcased a more progressive and melodic set of songs.

Dosage (1999)

The band’s fourth album, 1999’s platinum-certified and critically acclaimed Dosage saw Collective Soul further its run as rock radio superstars. The first single "Heavy" set a new high mark for 15-weeks at #1 on the Mainstream Rock chart. Singles such as "Run", "Needs", and "Tremble For My Beloved" also gained notable positions on the rock charts. The album displayed more of a pop-rock vibe, combining loops, electronic effects and a more polished and glossy sound, partially due to their first pairing with producer/omni-instrumentalist Anthony J. Resta, known for his work with Duran Duran and others. The band also performed at the Woodstock 1999 festival, where they performed "Heavy" [2] and a cover of Ozzy Osbourne's song "Crazy train" [3]

Blender (2000)

The group released its fifth studio album, Blender in 2000. It did not fare as well as their other albums, although the first single "Why, Pt. 2" reached #2 on the mainstream rock chart. They also had additional radio hits with "Vent" and "Perfect Day," the latter being a duet between Ed Roland and Elton John. Eventually the album was RIAA certified Gold. Rolling Stone gave Blender a very positive review as did many other critics. This was their second effort with producer Anthony J. Resta. Similar to Dosage, the band decided to experiment with loops, electronic effects and computer based studio production, such as Digidesign's Pro Tools. Collective Soul was criticized, however, for the direction this album took, away from their rock roots and more toward adult-oriented pop. The song "you speak my language" is a remake of a song that was written by Mark Sandman,who formed the band "Morphine" in 1989. The song is on Morphine's 1992 CD titled "Good". Collective Soul did a remake of this song in memorial of Mark Sandman who collapsed on the stage of the Nel Nome del Rock festival at the Giardini del Principe in Palestrina, Italy on July 3,1999. He was soon pronounced dead of a heart attack and Morphine immediately disbanded.

7even Year Itch: Greatest Hits 1994–2001 (2001)

In 2001, Collective Soul released their greatest hits compilation, 7even Year Itch: Greatest Hits 1994-2001, which featured the new tracks "Next Homecoming" and "Energy." . The record marked the end of the group's contract with Atlantic Records.

El Music Group (2004–present)

After completing their contract with Atlantic Records, the band went on hiatus for 2 years (2002-2004), but still played several dozen shows. This also marked the departure of original lead guitarist Ross Childress, who remained a friend of the band. The band then promoted their longtime guitar-tech, Joel Kosche, to be the new lead guitarist. This marked the beginning of their independent label, El Music Group.

Youth (2004)

In November 2004, they released their long-awaited sixth studio album, Youth. It was re-recorded a couple of times over two years. The album debuted at #66 on the Billboard 200. "Counting the Days" became a Top 10 rock hit. The record was still along the lines of pop/rock, but was more balanced than Blender. The second single, "Better Now" received heavy airplay on Adult Top 40 radio. The U.S. tour lasted nearly 2 years, including shows in Canada. The third single "How Do You Love" became a Top 20 hit on Adult Top 40 radio. The album sold over 225,000 copies in its first year of release, as a result of steady sales, which is considered a commercial success after a long hiatus.

From the Ground Up (2005)

In May 2005, they released an eight song acoustic EP compilation titled From the Ground Up, which had acoustic versions of past favorites, plus a new track, "Youth".

The original drummer Shane Evans left the band during this period. Session/studio drummer Ryan Hoyle has been the drummer during touring, and is credited with playing on eight of the 11 songs on "Youth". Later, Hoyle was officially named as the band's drummer on the Collective Soul website.

Home: A Live Concert Recording With The Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra (2005)

Collective Soul performed two shows with the Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra on April 23 and 24, 2005. A DVD and CD of the performances, entitled Home: A Live Concert Recording With The Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra was released in February 2006.

Afterwords (2007)

Collective Soul's seventh studio album, Afterwords was released on August 28, 2007. The album is co-produced by Anthony J. Resta (Duran Duran, Shawn Mullins, Nuno Bettencourt, Satellite Party).

The band made a deal with Target stores, making it the "exclusive physical retailer" of Afterwords, for one year.[2] The album was immediately available in digital form on iTunes. The song "Hollywood" was released as the first single in May. The second single from the album, "All That I Know", was released in November.

Afterwords debuted at # 25 on the Billboard Comprehensive Albums Chart and # 5 on the Billboard Top Internet Albums Chart. The band made an appearance on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno on August 31 to promote the album and they performed "Hollywood". They were also the musical guest on The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson on March 4, 2008.

Lineup

Former members

Discography

Studio albums

  1. Hints, Allegations, and Things Left Unsaid (March 22, 1994) - Atlantic Records - US # 15, Double-Platinum
  2. Collective Soul (March 14, 1995) - Atlantic - US # 23, Triple-Platinum
  3. Disciplined Breakdown (March 11, 1997) - Atlantic - US # 16, Platinum
  4. Dosage (February 9, 1999) - Atlantic - US # 21, Platinum
  5. Blender (October 10, 2000) - Atlantic - US # 22, Gold
  6. Youth (November 16, 2004) El Music Group US # 66
  7. Afterwords (August 28, 2007) - El Music Group US # 25( Billboard Comprehensive Albums Chart )

Compilation albums

Live album

EP

Singles

Year Title USA Billboard Charts Album
Hot 100 Mainstream Rock Modern Rock Adult Top 40
1994 Shine 11 1(8) 4 - Hints, Allegations, and Things Left Unsaid
1994 Breathe - 12 - - Hints, Allegations, and Things Left Unsaid
1994 Wasting Time - - - - Hints, Allegations, and Things Left Unsaid
1995 Gel - 2(4) 14 - Collective Soul
1995 December 20 1(9) 2(1) 11 Collective Soul
1995 Smashing Young Man - 8 - - Collective Soul
1995 The World I Know 19 1(4) 6 18 Collective Soul
1996 Where the River Flows - 1(2) - - Collective Soul
1996 Reunion - - - - Collective Soul
1997 Precious Declaration 65 1(4) 6 - Disciplined Breakdown
1997 Listen 72 1(5) 17 - Disciplined Breakdown
1997 Blame - 11 - - Disciplined Breakdown
1997 Maybe - - - - Disciplined Breakdown
1998 She Said - 16 39 - Scream 2 Soundtrack
1999 Run 76 - 36 12 Dosage
1999 Heavy 73 1(14) 5 - Dosage
1999 No More, No Less 123^^ 10 32 - Dosage
1999 Needs - - - - Dosage
1999 Tremble for My Beloved - 35 - - Dosage
2000 Why, Pt. 2 111^^ 2(7) 19 - Blender
2001 Vent - 34 - - Blender
2001 Perfect Day - - - 29 Blender
2001 Next Homecoming - 39 - - 7even Year Itch
2004 Counting The Days - 8 - - Youth
2005 Better Now 117^^ 35 - 9 Youth
2005 How Do You Love? - - - 16 Youth
2007 Hollywood - - - 22 Afterwords
2008 All That I Know - - - 39 Afterwords

^^Singles that peak lower than 100 on the "Hot 100 Singles" appear on the "Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles" - 101-125.

Official music videos

  1. "Shine"
  2. "Breathe"
  3. "Gel"
  4. "December"
  5. "Smashing Young Man"
  6. "The World I Know"
  7. "Precious Declaration"
  8. "Listen"
  9. "Blame"
  10. "She Said"
  11. "Run"
  12. "Needs "
  13. "Why, Pt. 2"
  14. "Perfect Day"
  15. "Better Now"
  16. "How Do You Love?"
  17. "Hollywood"
  18. "All That I Know"

References

  1. ^ Billboard - Collective Soul Chart History
  2. ^ "Collective Soul Inks With Target For New Album". Retrieved 2007-07-12.
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