Taproot (band)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Taproot | ||
|---|---|---|
 From left to right: Phil Lipscomb, Stephen Richards, Mike DeWolf, Jarrod Montague
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| Background information | ||
| Origin |  Ann Arbor, Michigan |
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| Genre(s) | Nu metal Post-grunge Alternative rock Rapcore |
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| Years active | 1997–present | |
| Label(s) | Atlantic Records (2000-2006) | |
| Website | TaprootMusic.com | |
| Members | ||
| Stephen Richards Mike DeWolf Phil Lipscomb Jarrod Montague |
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Taproot is a four-piece music group from Ann Arbor, Michigan. They have become well known in nu metal circles, touring with bands such as KoЯn, Linkin Park, P.O.D., Staind, Deftones, and Disturbed.
Contents |
[edit] History
[edit] The beginnings (1997-1999)
Formed in 1997, Taproot's line-up has remained unchanged, and consists of vocalist Stephen Richards, guitarist Mike DeWolf, bassist Phil Lipscomb and drummer Jarrod Montague.
In 1998, the band sent their demo to Limp Bizkit frontman Fred Durst. Impressed with their material, he offered to get them a recording contract through Interscope Records. However, after extended negotiations, Taproot looked elsewhere, where they finally landed a lucrative record deal with Atlantic Records. Feeling betrayed, Durst heavily cursed the band on vocalist Stephen Richards' answering machine.[1] He also put some blame on System of a Down, who assisted Taproot in securing the Atlantic deal. In retaliation, Durst kicked System of a Down off the 1999 Family Values Tour, replacing them with Staind.[2] During this time period, Taproot independently released three discs in ...Something More Than Nothing (1998), Mentobe (1998) and Upon Us (1999).
[edit] Gift/Welcome (2000-2004)
The band released their debut album Gift on June 27, 2000. With the album's lead single, "Again & Again", gaining heavy exposure through MTV2, the band's mainstream rise gained momentum.
With the help of Ozzy Osbourne's son Jack, Taproot landed a spot on the second stage of the 2000 and 2001 Ozzfest Tour.
After spending seven months in Los Angeles, the band released their sophomore effort Welcome on October 15, 2002. Considered to be a more melodic effort, the album debuted at #17 on the Billboard 200, selling over 51,000 copies in its first week of release.[3] Much of this was due to the success of the the album's first single, "Poem", which shot to #5 on the Mainstream Rock charts. The album's second single, "Mine", followed with more moderate success. Welcome is Taproot's most successful album to-date, achieving near gold status, with approximately 475,000+ copies sold.
After touring across the country on Disturbed's Music as a Weapon Tour, as well as a European tour, the band took a long two year break.
[edit] Blue-Sky Research (2005-2006)
Returning from exile, the band released their third major album Blue-Sky Research on August 16, 2005. Billy Corgan (Smashing Pumpkins frontman) assisted in song-writing on the album, which was produced by Toby Wright. The album saw the band moving away from the nu metal genre, and shifting towards an alternative rock sound. It debuted at #33 on the Billboard 200, with approximately 28,000 first week sales.[4]
The band headlined a major tour with Evans Blue and From Satellite to promote its release. Prior to the headline tour, Taproot acted as direct support to Chevelle on their tour alongside 30 Seconds to Mars. They also participated in the Fall Brawl Tour which featured Staind and P.O.D. as headliners, and is notable for taking the then unknown Flyleaf along as the opening act for the three bands.
On May 23, 2006, it was reported that Taproot had parted ways with Atlantic Records, after disappointing sales of Blue-Sky Research.[5] At the time, the album had sold 112,000 copies since its release.[6] On June 13, 2006, drummer Jarrod Montague, via Taproot's MySpace blog, confirmed the news.
[edit] Present news (2007-present)
On March 5, 2007, the band confirmed that they were in the process of recording their new album with producer Tim Patalan. A summer (July-September) release is expected.
[edit] Members
- Stephen Richards – Vocals, Guitar
- Mike DeWolf – Guitar
- Phil Lipscomb – Bass
- Jarrod Montague
[edit] Discography
[edit] Albums
| Album Cover | Date of Release | Title | Label | US Chart Peak | US Sales |
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Jun 27, 2000 | Gift | Atlantic Records | #160 | 250,000 + |
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Oct 15, 2002 | Welcome | Atlantic Records | #17 | 475,000 + |
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Aug 16, 2005 | Blue-Sky Research | Atlantic Records | #33 | 125,000 + |
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Early summertime, 2007 | TBA | TBR |
[edit] Singles
| Year | Song | US Hot 100 | U.S. Modern Rock | U.S. Mainstream Rock | Album |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | "Again & Again" | - | - | 39 | Gift |
| 2001 | "I" | - | - | 34 | Gift |
| 2002 | "Poem" | - | 10 | 5 | Welcome |
| 2002 | "Mine" | - | 26 | 23 | Welcome |
| 2005 | "Calling" | - | 23 | 11 | Blue-Sky Research |
| 2005 | "Birthday" | - | - | 34 | Blue-Sky Research |
[edit] Miscellanea
- The band members birth dates are: Stephen Richards (Oct 16, 1977), Mike DeWolf (Jul 5, 1976), Phil Lipscomb (Sep 2, 1976), Jarrod Montague (Jan 28, 1976).
- Bassist Phil Lipscomb is part of a side project called The Toques. They have released the song "Breakdown" which was featured on the soundtrack to the film Stick It.
- Stephen Richards was featured on the Linkin Park album Reanimation in the track "P5hng Me A*wy".
- Stephen Richards was also featured on the Pulse Ultra ablum 'Headspace', on a track called 'Big Brother' as well as a track called 'Plastic' from the band Reveille's second album.
- The song "Day by Day" featured on the Dracula 2000 soundtrack.
- The song "Poem" was featured on the MVP Baseball 2003 soundtrack, as well as the soundtrack for True Crime: Streets of L.A.
[edit] External links
[edit] References
- ^ Rolling Stone, "Taproot Laying Down New Album", Posted March 6, 2002.
- ^ MTV.com, "Did Durst Dump System Of A Down From Family Values Tour?", Posted October 6, 1999.
- ^ MTV.com, "LL Cool J Beaten To The Top By Faith Hill", Posted October 23, 2002.
- ^ MTV Asia, "Hilary Duff Scores First Billboard No, 1 With Most Wanted LP", Posted August 25, 2005.
- ^ Billboard, "Taproot Assesses Career, Options", Posted May 23, 2006.
- ^ Blabbermouth, "TAPROOT To Split With ATLANTIC RECORDS?", Posted May 23, 2006.
