Oh, Sleeper
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (September 2010) |
Oh, Sleeper | |
|---|---|
| Oh, Sleeper performing live in Jacksonville, Florida. May 2010 Oh, Sleeper performing live in Jacksonville, Florida. May 2010 | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Fort Worth, Texas |
| Genres | Metalcore |
| Years active | 2006-Present |
| Labels | Solid State |
| Members | Micah Kinard Shane Blay James Erwin Zac Mayfield Nate Grady |
| Past members | Ryan Conley Matt Davis Lucas Starr |
| Website | www.weareohsleeper.com |
Oh, Sleeper is a American metalcore band from Ft. Worth, Texas signed to Solid State Records. They have recorded two full-length albums to date, the most recent being their second album Son of the Morning, released on August 25, 2009. They are going to record their next album sometime in 2011 looking for a summer release.
History
Formation and The Armored March EP
Oh, Sleeper was founded in April 2006 after former member, Ryan Conley, of the short-lived rock band Terminal got together with former Evelynn and Between the Buried and Me guitarist Shane Blay and former Terminal bassist Lucas Starr (who was at the time with As Cities Burn). Eventually they found a vocalist in Micah Kinard and began practicing. The four members experienced typical problems of a band start-up (no place to practice, no money and different schedules), but the biggest obstacle was finding the final member. Countless awkward auditions failed to fill the missing position, until long time friend and another Terminal member, James Erwin was found. After his addition to the lineup, the band released an EP, titled The Armored March, through 1x1 music.
When I Am God
The band signed with Solid State Records in the summer of 2007. Their debut album, When I Am God, was released on October 23, 2007. On December 28, 2007, Oh, Sleeper performed at the Plano Centre in Plano, Texas along with the briefly reunited Terminal. Oh, Sleeper also supported Demon Hunter on their tour, along with Living Sacrifice, Advent, and The Famine. The tour in support of Norma Jean was drummer Ryan Conley's last with the band.
Son of the Morning
Oh, Sleeper announced in early 2009 that they would release a new album entitled Son of the Morning, which was released on August 25. In an interview, Kinard stated that with this album, they wanted to combine crowd favorites such as "Vices Like Vipers" and "Charlatans Host" from the previous album in order to make Son of the Morning stay true to their sound and please the fans. The lyrics on this album are much more straightforward than on their debut wherein Son of the Morning is a concept album based on the final battle between the Devil and God.[1] The first single from the record was the title track, "Son of the Morning" and later in the year, Oh, Sleeper played the entire album for the first time in Waco Texas at Art Ambush.
The cover of Son of the Morning is known as a "broken pentagram". The symbol was designed by the band and it follows the same pattern as a pentagram with the horns missing.[2] The album debuted on the Billboard 200 at #120 and also charted at #46 on the Rock Albums chart, at #7 on the Christian Albums chart and at #12 on the Hard Rock Albums chart.[3]
Children of Fire
In a Solid State (Oh, Sleeper's record label) podcast, it was announced that the band would be releasing a new album in 2011. This new album will be called "Children of Fire," as announced on stage by the band at Micah's birthday show in Dallas, Texas on Friday, April 15, 2011. It's slated to be released late September.[4]
Band name
In an interview, vocalist Micah Kinard stated that the band's name was derived from the Epistle to the Ephesians on passage 5:14; which reads: "Awake oh sleeper, rise from the dead and Christ will shine upon you."[citation needed]
Members
- Current members
- Shane Blay - lead guitar, clean vocals (2006–present)
- James Erwin - rhythm guitar (2006–present)
- Micah Kinard - lead vocals, additional guitars, programming (2006–present)
- Zac Mayfield - drums (2010–present)
- Nate Grady - bass guitar (2011–present)
- Former members
- Ryan Conley - drums (2006–2008)
- Matt Davis - drums (2009–2010)
- Lucas Starr - bass guitar (2006–2011)
Discography
| Year | Title | Label | Chart peaks | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US | US Heat | US Rock | US Hard Rock | ||||
| 2007 | When I Am God | Solid State | — | 19 | — | — | |
| 2009 | Son of the Morning | 120 | 7 | — | 46 | ||
| 2011 | Children of Fire | – | – | — | – | ||
- EPs
- The Armored March (2006, 1x1)
Music videos
- "We Are The Archers" - The Armored March (2006)
- "Vices Like Vipers" - When I Am God (2007)
- "Son of The Morning" - Son of The Morning (2009)
- "The Finisher" - Son of The Morning (2009)
References
- ^ "Solid State Records | Oh, Sleeper". Solid State. Retrieved 19 July 2011.
{{cite web}}: Text "Son Of The Morning" ignored (help) - ^ "Oh, Sleeper - Explanation of "Son Of The Morning" Album Concept & Broken Pentagram Artwork (Video Interview)". Bands on Fire. Retrieved 19 July 2011.
- ^ "Oh, Sleeper chart history" Billboard
- ^ "Tooth & Nail,News | Solid State, & BEC April Update". Solid State. Indie Vision Music. Retrieved 20 July 2011.
{{cite web}}: Text "Indie Vision Music" ignored (help)