Lifer (band)

Lifer
Also known as	Bloodmouth, Driver, Strangers with Candy
Origin	Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, United States
Genres	Alternative metal, nu metal
Years active	1999–2002, 2010
Labels	Universal Music Group/Republic

Lifer was an American nu metal and alternative metal band from Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. They were active from 1999 to 2002, releasing their sole full-length album through the major label Universal/Republic Records.

History

The group originally formed as Strangers with Candy in 1999, performing covers of modern acts such as Deftones, Korn, Limp Bizkit and Tool. In 2000, Strangers with Candy entered MTV's Ultimate Band Contest, quickly becoming a fan-favorite with covers of "Take On Me" (by A-ha), "Guerilla Radio" (by Rage Against the Machine) and "Nookie" (by Limp Bizkit). The MTV exposure helped the band gain fans all over the United States, and also caught the attention of the music industry. Shortly afterwards, they signed a six-record contract with Universal/Republic Records. Vocalist Nick Coyle claimed in 2001 that the band's success on the series was not the sole reason they landed a major label deal, recalling "We sold a lot regionally. Some record labels saw us and were like 'who is this band selling all these CDs' and they picked us up." The band went on to change their name to Lifer, as to avoid legal complications with the Comedy Central series of the same name.

In late 2000, Alex Lifeson (of progressive rock pioneers Rush) agreed to produce the band's debut. Regarding their choice of producer, guitarist Aaron Fink said in November 2000 "We wanted a player rather than just a standard producer." Following the August 14, 2001 release of their self-titled debut, Lifer toured with like-minded acts such as Cold and Dope. By 2002, Lifer's founding guitarist and bassist Aaron Fink and Mark Klepaski had quit due to internal disagreements and the self-titled record's lack of success. Fink recalled in 2003 "We got a small deal on Universal and they are so huge. They're like the biggest company. Their roster is so huge. We weren't a band that had a lot of hits so, there were obviously more important things for the label to do. They kinda caught wind that there were problems in the band so they didn't want to push it, I think. It's hard. Our first single didn't hit. LA was very hit oriented. If you didn't have a hit - we couldn't even get our manager on the phone and you know that's a bad sign. So Mark [James Kelpaski - the bass player] quit." Fink and Kelpask went on to join the popular Hollywood Records rock act Breaking Benjamin. Allmusic claims they are "far from a carbon copy of Lifer -- instead, they favored a radio-friendly post-grunge approach that was aggressive and forceful yet melodic." DJ Tony Kruszka, who had joined in 2000, also departed the band for unknown reasons.

Lifer continued into 2002, with Derek Spencer and Ian Wiseman handling guitar and bass duties. This lineup recorded an independent EP that year titled IV. Nick Coyle subsequently decided to rename Lifer under the moniker myDownfall, as the recent material the new lineup had been writing featured a distinctly different melodic rock sound. myDownfall would eventually split in 2003.

Coyle has since gone on to play in several bands as both a vocalist and guitarist, such as The Drama Club, Stardog Champion and, most recently, Cold.

2010 reunion

Lifer performed an acoustic reunion show in support of 3 year old Emalee Kate Kachurkain, who had cancer. The concert took place in Berwick, Pennsylvania on August 14, 2010 with all the original members minus Chris Lightcap, who was on tour with Shinedown. Turntablist Tony Kruszka handled drum duties. Lifer performed 10 previously released songs which included, "Ugly", "Parade", "New", "Key of Me", "Swallow", "No Need", "Perfect with Silence", "Not Like You", "Boring" and "Breathless". "Key of Me" hadn't been played since Lifer was known as Strangers With Candy in 2000.

Musical style and influences

The members of Lifer claimed their influences as Tool, Sevendust, Godsmack, Deftones and Faith No More. According to Allmusic, the band travels "within the darkest lines of alternative metal inspirations, presenting soul-rupturing themes composed of raging guitar strains and fierce and brutal rhythms controlled by mind-gazing lyrics."

Reception

Allmusic's Kurt Morris gave Lifer's self-titled debut a highly negative one and half star review, criticizing their apparent lack of creativity. He wrote "Lifer's self-titled debut amounts to little more than another filler in music bins at major chain music stores and a quick single at airplay on the local hard rock radio station. Singer Nick Coyle has a good voice and shows himself capable of good harmonies, especially on such songs as 'Ugly', but this quickly dissipates into the aptly named song 'Boring.'"

Members

Final line-up

• Nick Coyle – vocals (1999-2002, 2010)
• Aaron Fink – guitar (1999-2001, 2010)
• Mark Klepaski – bass (1999-2001, 2010)
• Tony Kruszka – turntables, drums (2000-2001, 2010)

Past members

• Derek Spencer - guitar (2002)
• Ian Wiseman - bass (2002)
• Chris Lightcap – drums (1999-2002)

Timeline

Discography

Albums

• Lifer (2001)

EPs

• No Need (2000, as Strangers with Candy)
• IV (2002, songs would later appear as part of Nick Coyle's band myDownfall)

Singles

• "Boring" (2001)
• "Not Like You" (2001)
• "Breathless" (2001)

Music Videos

• "Boring" (2001)

Appearances

• "White Lines (Don't Don't Do It)" (2000, Take a Bite Outta Rhyme: A Rock Tribute to Rap compilation) (as Driver)
• "Breathless" (2002, The Scorpion King soundtrack)