Royal Bliss
Royal Bliss |
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Royal Bliss is an American Rock band formed in 1997, in Salt Lake City, Utah.[1] They are currently signed to the Capitol Music Group and have recorded a new album entitled, Life In-Between. The records is scheduled for a 2008 release via Merovingian Music and Caroline Records, both EMI affiliated labels.
History
Background
Formed in 1997, Royal Bliss regularly plays to sold-out venues in Salt Lake City, Provo, Ogden, and Park City, Utah (Liquid Joes, Port O’ Call, The Huka Bar, The Cabana Club etc.). They also play to sold-out crowds in a number of cities in California, Nevada, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Oregon, Washington, Illinois and Texas. In September, 2002 they played to a sold-out crowd at the Key Club in Hollywood, California and subsequently have been requested to come back to play. In March 2003, they headlined the Roxy Theatre and the show proved to be extremely successful.
Royal Bliss has shared the stage with Billy Corgan and Jimmy Chamberlin of the Smashing Pumpkins, Kid Rock, Everclear, Hinder, Three Days Grace, Candlebox, P.O.D., Saliva, Flyleaf, Buckcherry and The Stone Temple Pilots.
Their single "Devils and Angels" featured on After The Chaos II has been in heavy rotation on KHTB/SLC, KZDX/Idaho, KCVI/Idaho, KOMP/Las Vegas, WIIL/Chicago, and KEYJ/Abilene, TX and is #36 and climbing on the mediabase active rock charts, making it hard for record stores to keep up with the demand.
Having sold almost 30,000 CDs to date, in June of 2007, Royal Bliss signed with Jason Flom while CEO of Capitol Music Group. In August and September of 2007, the band recorded a new CD at The Commune, a recording studio in Oregon, produced by Rob Daiker and Matt Winegar, due for release in summer 2008. Royal Bliss is co-managed by Steve Walker/Contraband Management and Sam Kaiser/MVP Entertainment-DefConOne Management.
“Unluckiest Band in Rock”
The band members have had their share of bad luck.[2] The band went through a period of time that included Neal falling about 35 feet from a balcony in Southern California.[3].[3] After nearly dying and being told that he will never walk again, Neal rehabilitated himself from almost complete paralysis of the lower half of his body and has even been seen playing soccer now and again, being a long time player of the sport. The other members also were busy around the same time including, Jake becoming a father, Chris puncturing his face in a skiing accident and having to have reconstructive surgery, and Taylor breaking his foot, not to mention totaled cars, lawsuits, failed recording sessions and broken relationships.
“We’ve always told each other, as long as we keep moving steps forward, we’ll never give up, we’ll never quit,” Middleton said. “As long as each year we advance as musicians and we advance as people, then we’ll never give up. It’s kind of like going to school to become a doctor for eight or 10 years. That was our college, playing in a band.”.
Free Again (1998)
This appears to be the first CD that the band recorded in 1998 which had 7 songs. It included some long time fans favorites such as “Love Song”, and “Morning After”. A heavy metal effort also made the cut on this first one titled “Blah”
Old’s Cool (2001)
The bands first full CD endeavor came next and yielded 19 songs. Some of the more notable songs on the album, most of which had versions put on later CD’s, include “Drinkin’”, “Maybe One Day”, “Busy Bee” and an early and rough version of the bands current hit “Devils and Angels”
Gimmie a Little Bliss (1999)
This CD is considered their debut EP and with a new type of rock incorporated with a strong Reggae Rap vibe made the CDs sell quickly. They quickly sold out of about 3,500 units and had orders for more. This CD had some of the Same songs as on Old's Cool, with some new songs, such as "Smile", "Maybe One Day" and "Reggae Roll", added in.
King Size (2001)
Their next CD titled King Size (2001) met with similar success. At the time of release, 2,500 copies were distributed to Media Play, Sam Goody, Warehouse Music and Gray Whale stores. This CD also quickly sold out and stores had to put in subsequent orders to accommodate the demand. Many stores have had to struggle to keep this hot new disc on the shelves since its release. Some of the more notable songs on this disc include “Now She’s Leaving”, “Drink and Smoke”, “Crazy” and the much requested fan favorites “Fine Wine” and “Roll One”.
After the Chaos (2005) & After the Chaos II (2006)
The aptly named Sixth CD After the Chaos is a reference to how after all the pain and suffering that they went through to record it. The record After the Chaos has been described as "Royal Bliss at its best".[4]
The band had started production of the CD in a million-dollar California studio, but after all that happened they ended up finishing it almost two years later in a home studio located in Salt Lake City. “It’s the first CD that all of us collectively agree that this is the one we need to go out and shop to labels and tour on and really push as heavily as we possibly can,” Middleton said. “For the first time, we’ve hired a radio promoter and we’ve hired a publicist and ended up signing a distribution deal” that will get After the Chaos II into stores nationwide, while giving Royal Bliss control of all the music. Royal Bliss had opportunities to leave Salt Lake City for greener pastures, but “it’s always been our goal to come from Salt Lake City, because we believe the talent in Salt Lake deserves to be noticed.” And with the Internet, it’s even easier for bands to make an impact without leaving their hometowns. Royal Bliss plans on touring and pushing After the Chaos II as far as it can. And with their recent travails now in the rearview mirror, band members are optimistic. “It’s actually starting to feel better than it’s ever been before,” Middleton said. “We’re all feeling good and we’re all healthy. I still don’t have all the feeling back in my leg, but it doesn’t bother me.” [5]. After the Chaos II is distributed under the The Control Group label.[6]
Life In-Between (2008)
Royal Bliss's new album will mark the next chapter in the ongoing saga of Royal Bliss, as their first major label release under CMG. Life In-Between is scheduled to be released later this year as a joint collaboration between MRV, Caroline, and EMI. The album's first single, Save Me, was released July 15, 2008. It is currently available for sale digitally at all major online retailers (iTunes, Amazon.com, Rhapsody, etc.). The song impacted radio only one day earlier on the 14th with a total of 11 adds at radio and climbing to 25 within a few days. Merovingian Music (abrv MRV) has released two web sites to accompany and promote the new single Save Me. The first is an interactive e-card which provides to anyone that maybe unfamiliar, an excellent introduction to the band. The second is a media packed support site for those who want to take action and promote, this site provides to the public a plethora of marketing tools and the necessary knowledge to use them effectively.
Band members
Current members
- Neal Middleton – lead vocals, guitar
- Taylor Richards – guitar
- Chris Harding – guitar
- Jake Smith – drums
- Tommy Gunn – bass guitar (2006-present)
Former members
- Brent Bruschke – Bass, (1997-2006)
Discography
Studio albums
- 1998 – Free Again
- 2001 – Old’s Cool
- 1999 – Gimmie A Little Bliss
- 2001 – King Size
- 2005 – After the Chaos
- 2006 – After the Chaos II
- 2008 – Life In-Between
Singles
- 2008 - Save Me
References
- ^ Frost, Bill (2007-06-07). "Pride & Bliss". Salt Lake City Weekly. Retrieved 2007-08-04.
- ^ Nailen, Dan (2006-03-04). "Despite all the chaos, Royal Bliss plays on". Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved 2007-08-01.
- ^ Frost, Bill (2003-06-23). "Royal Pain: SLC's Royal Bliss hits the comeback trail after Behind the Music-worthy tribulations". Salt Lake City Weekly. Retrieved 2007-08-04.
- ^ Iwasaki, Scott (2006-05-05). "Royal Bliss CD lives up to band's name". Deseret Morning News. Retrieved 2007-08-04.
- ^ D-mode Blog » Royal Bliss Salt Lake Tribune Article
- ^ "The Control Group (independent record label distributing After the Chaos II)". Retrieved 2007-08-05.