Alex Band

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Alex Band
Alex Band at Donate Life Charity Concert 2007
Alex Band at Donate Life Charity Concert 2007
Background information
Birth name Alexander Max Band
Also known as Alex Band
Born June 8, 1981 (1981-06-08) (age 27)
Los Angeles, California
Origin Los Angeles, California
Genre(s) Rock
Occupation(s) singer/songwriter
Instrument(s) Guitar, Piano, Vocals, Saxophone
Years active 2000-Present
Label(s) RCA Records (2000–2005) (The Calling)
Geffen Records (2005–2008) (Solo)
Unnamed Indie Label (2008–present) (solo)
Associated acts The Calling, Jennifer Sky Charles Band
Website www.alexband.net
Notable instrument(s)
Vocals, Guitar, Songwriting

Alex Band (born Alexander Max Band, June 8, 1981, Los Angeles, California) is a solo musician best known for his work in his former band The Calling and their signature song "Wherever You Will Go" which peaked at #3 on the top 40 in 2001.[1] As a solo artist he is well known for providing the vocals on the top 10 hit, "Why Don't You & I" in 2004. In 2008 he created his own record label and released a 5 song EP, "Alex Band EP".[2] He currently resides with his wife, Jennifer Sky in Los Angeles.[3]

Contents

[edit] Early life

Band was born into an entertainment family. His mother is Meda Band, and his father Charles Band is a well known horror film director. His grandfather Albert Band was also another well known director. His family is of Italian origin and still returns to Italy on occasion to visit. They own a castle in Giove which is part of Umbria.[4] Band's father is Jewish (non practicing), and his mother is Christian (also non practicing).[5] Band explores spiritual themes in several of his songs though claims to be of no particular faith himself. Of the song "Please" Band said, "...I grew up with a Jewish Father who didn't practice and a Christian Mother whose only tie to Jesus was celebrating Christmas. Needless to say I had to find my own religion. And in this song I'm asking God what that should be…what should I believe? In a world so full of different religions and so many people fighting over whose belief is the correct one, it frustrates me to think that they all really boil down to the same thing."[5]

At a young age Band's parents divorced and his father remarried. He grew up with two of his half brothers Harlan and Zalman, and his sister Taryn. After his parents divorce his mother moved to Germany where she remarried and still resides. Band was about 8 at the time.[6] She had 3 sons after her move, who Band eventually met when he toured Germany. The single "Could it be any Harder" explains some of his feelings towards his mother's move.[5]

Growing up Alex made small appearances in his father's films. He grew up on Camino Palmero street which would later inspire his first album of the same name. He began playing guitar and song writing at the age of 8.[4]

Musically Band was influenced by Pearl Jam, Bon Jovi, Live, Train and U2.[citation needed]

He soon formed his first band with a friend named Jethro called 'Maybe Solitude'. Several bands followed including one named 'Generation gap' that consisted of him, Aaron Kamin a musician he met when Kamin began dating his sister, and a few much older musicians. The band has a brief cameo in Coyote Ugly. At the age of 14 he had a kokopelli tattooed on his wrist. This would later become a symbol for The Calling.[4]

[edit] The Calling

At the age of 15 Alex signed with RCA Records with the band he had created with Kamin now named The Calling. At this time he dropped out of school though he later received a diploma through home schooling.[4]

The Calling released their first single "Wherever You Will Go" to much acclaim. The song soon reached #1 on the Billboard Hot AC charts for 27 weeks and peaked at #3 on the Hot 100 charts.[7] The band's first album Camino Palmero soon followed peaking at #36 on the Billboard Sales charts and eventually went Platinum.[8]

The band's next singles, "Adrienne" and "Could It Be Any Harder" soon followed charting in the AC top 40. However by 2004 the second album titled, Two failed to live up to expectations charting at #54 on Billboard Top 200.[9] The album suffered from a lack of label support though the singles fared slightly better. The first single, "Our Lives" was featured in the 2004 Olympics ceremony, and charted at #34 in the Billboard top 40.[10] A final single, "Anything" performed decently with little promotion, charting at #23 in the Adult Top 40.[10]

After the lack of label support with "Two", the band announced a hiatus. On June 4th, 2005 they performed their last concert to date in Temecula, CA.[8]

The Calling has sold over 4 million record worldwide

[edit] Songwriting

During and after his time in The Calling, Band and Kamin co-wrote all of the band's songs. They also wrote songs for several other artists as well as for several movie soundtracks, most of which Band would perform on. One of the first such tracks was the single, "For you" which appeared on the Daredevil soundtrack. The OST peaked at #9 on the Billboard Top 200.[11]

A cover of "Keep your hands to yourself" was recorded for the movie Sweet Home Alabama. Band recorded a song "Take Hold of me" for use in his wife's movie Fish without a bicycle in which he has a small part.

[edit] Solo career

Band's solo career started long before the hiatus of The Calling. He was personally chosen by Chad Kroeger to perform on the Carlos Santana single "Why Don't You & I" in 2003. Originally, Kroeger wrote and sang on "Why Don't You & I" for Santana's Shaman. However, when Arista Records decided to release the song as a single, Kroeger's record label, refused permission, citing concerns that Kroeger appearing on a "high-profile single" that could conflict with his own newly released comeback album.[12][13][14]

Band's version became extremely successful charting at #3 on the Billboard Top 40, and #8 on the Billboard Top 100. It reached #1 on the AC charts and continues to be played on AC stations to this day. Band's version appears on Santana's special release album, Ceremony: remixes & rarities and Ultimate Santana.

In November 2005 it was announced Band had signed as a solo artist with Ron Fair as part of Geffin Records. A new album had been recorded and was said to be released in late 2007, but was delayed several times.[8]

During this time Band had a few releases. One of his songs titled, "It doesn't get better than this" for Bratz: The Movie soundtrack. Band performed and co-wrote the song, "Coming Home" which was featured in the film, The Final Season in late 2007.

In October 2007 Band performed at his annual charity concert for "Donate Life America" in Los Angeles, CA. The concert was taped and will air on DISH Network. Band also taped an appearance on The Real World: Hollywood which filmed at the concert.

[edit] Indie Label

Band expressed displeasure with the continued delayed release of his debut album.[15] On April 16th, 2008 Band announced via his myspace and official fan site that he had left Geffen and created his own label which he has yet to name.[16] "I've been working on leaving my label for a while now, and moving to somewhere else to put this record out finally and give it the push it deserves…and I'm happy to announce that I will be putting the record out ON MY OWN! With help from good friends in the business and an amazing team, I'm putting together my own Label. This gives me the freedom to make my own decisions, to invest in myself, and to do what I want, when I want. This is the way to go these days in the music business and I am sooooooo lucky to be able to do it. There are no firm details as to when exactly the record will be released, but I am doing everything in my power to make the process as speedy as possible. I will let you all know of course as soon as I find out more."[16]

On April 25th, 2008 Band released a 5 song EP titled, "Alex Band EP". The EP contained 4 new songs in addition to a newer version of "Coming Home". The EP is sold via his official fan site. On May 13th it was announced that the track, "Only One" would be the official single, for Brazil only, with both single and video available through Band's official fan site.[17]

The long delayed full length album has yet to be given a release date though several songs have appeared on various official sites. Two short clips of "Tonight" and "Please" appear on his official MySpace. The song "Only One" has been added as well. Band's official site contains a demo version of "Tonight". Other clips have leaked on his official fan site as well.

In addition to the album release Band has begun to tour as well. He began college area shows in April 2008, and has several shows scheduled throughout the US during the year. In June and July 2008 he completed a very successful 13 show tour of Brazil along with numerious TV and Radio appearances in Brazil.

[edit] Personal life

Band married Jennifer Sky on July 25, 2004. The couple owns two cats, Six and Parige. The couple began dating in 2000 after meeting on a blind date. In 2001 Band ended the relationship believing the success to be too hard on the couple. However Band instantly regretted the decision, "...I was a mess and I regretted it like crazy for weeks afterwards, cause I knew she was the one for me...so I won her back by writing this song, flying to Florida, finding her and performing it for her in the middle of some mini mall, and telling her I loved her for the first time. Yah, it worked". The song was "Hold on to you" and will be featured on his solo album.[5]

[edit] Charity work

Band has worked with several charities. After an illness his wife dealt with, Band became a huge supporter of organ donation, working closely with the charity Donate Life America. Annually he performs at "Alex Band's Donate Life Rocks Concert" to raise money and awareness for the cause.

Each year Debbie Hagerman, who runs his official fan site, organizes a birthday charity project in Band's name asking in lieu of gifts that fans donate to a charity instead. In addition a calendar is produced each year showcasing Alex in concert. All proceeds go to The Alex Band Education Fund for Donate Life. The projects have raised over $20,000 in honor of Band.[18]

[edit] Discography

With The Calling

Solo Releases

[edit] References

  1. ^ allmusic ((( Camino Palmero > Charts & Awards > Billboard Singles )))
  2. ^ http://alexmaxband.com/alexmaxband/frame.html
  3. ^ The Calling - Urge Music Downloads - VH1.com
  4. ^ a b c d "Facts" - Alexmaxband.com
  5. ^ a b c d Song Meanings
  6. ^ Facts
  7. ^ All Music Guide Singles - Allmusic
  8. ^ a b c Timeline
  9. ^ allmusic ((( The Calling > Charts & Awards > Billboard Albums )))
  10. ^ a b allmusic ((( The Calling > Charts & Awards > Billboard Singles )))
  11. ^ allmusic ((( Daredevil > Charts & Awards > Billboard Albums )))
  12. ^ "Nickelback's's Record Company Explains Chad Kroeger Ban on Santana Single" - Roadrunner Records - July 2, 2003
  13. ^ "Nickelback's Kroeger Not Allowed on Santana Single" - Foundry Music
  14. ^ "Carlos Santana Says Label Politics Forced Chad Kroeger/Alex Band Change On New Single" - Yahoo! Music
  15. ^ Q & A Frame
  16. ^ a b Home Frame
  17. ^ This coincided with the Brazil tour. Store Frame
  18. ^ Alex's Charity Birthday Project

[edit] External links

[edit] Streetteams

Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alex_Band"
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