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Collective Soul




  Img Cs6jpg
  Background group_or_band
  Origin Stockbridge , Georgia , United States
  Genre Rock <br/> Alternative Rock <br> Post-Grunge
  Years Active 1992 &ndashpresent
  Label Atlantic Records (1994-2001)<br> EL Music Group (2004-Present)
  URL http://wwwcollectivesoulcom/
  Current Members Ed Roland <br/> Dean Roland <br/> Joel Kosche <br/> Will Turpin <br /> Ryan Hoyle
  Past Members Ross Childress <br/> Shane Evans


Collective Soul is an American Post-grunge / Rock band from Stockbridge, Georgia .They have been enjoying major popularity on Alternative Rock and Mainstream Rock radio. Seven of their singles reached the #1 position on the Mainstream Rock Tracks chart(See List Of Artists Who Reached Number One On The U.S. Mainstream Rock Chart ). Their music is characterized by heavy guitar riffs and catchy melodies. Their lyrics are generally spiritual and thought provoking in nature.


HISTORY


Early Years

Prior to forming Collective Soul, Ed Roland studied songwriting/composing and guitar at Berklee College Of Music in Boston . Ed began working at "Real 2 Reel Studios" in Atlanta during the 1980s and early 1990s. The studio is owned by Will Turpin's father. Ed did production and engineering work for local Atlanta artists. He also recorded his own demos and his independent solo album "Ed-E Roland" in 1991. Ed had been in garage bands and did some performing of his own. He had a pre-Collective Soul band in the late 80's/early 90's called "Marching Two-Step" which also included Shane Evans; they were a legitimate band for about 3 years.

Around 1992, Ed started shifting focus and was trying to secure contracts and deals for songwriting and publishing. However, as he was doing this and submitting his demos to labels, he was finding rejection. That would change in 1993 when his song "Shine" from the Rising Storm label release of "Hints, Allegations, and Things Left Unsaid" became an underground hit on a legendary College radio station in Orlando . It was around this time that Ed brought along Shane Evans , his brother Dean Roland , Will Turpin and Ross Childress . This would become the official line-up.

Ed Roland was reading Ayn Rand 's The Fountainhead and came across the phrase "collective soul." Author Ayn Rand actually uses the phrase in a negative connotation, using the "collective soul" as a threat to the main character's sense of individualism, but Ed is quick to point out, "...we're not preaching Ayn Rand, objectivism, egoism, or anything...we just dug the name..." and "it band's name could've come out of Motorcycle Magazine.[http://www.csoul.8k.com/faqs.html]

Atlantic Records got word of the popularity of "Shine" and signed the band, simply because the song and the independent release of the album were selling, and people were taking notice. The band went from rejections to being on a major label and it all happened very quickly.


Atlantic Records (1994-2001)


Hints, Allegations, and Things Left Unsaid (1994)


Musical Information

  Name The original Collective Soul line up
  Img cs18jpg



Collective Soul exploded out of their hometown of Stockbridge, Georgia onto the national consciousness with 1994’s double-platinum '' Hints, Allegations, And Things Left Unsaid ''. The album, a collection of Ed Roland's early demos, was highlighted by the #1 hit song " Shine ". The band was invited to perform at the Woodstock 1994 festival.


Collective Soul (1995)

The group’s Self-titled second album arrived the following year, and more than lived up to the promise of the debut, scoring RIAA triple platinum and logging a 76-week run on the Billboard 200. '' Collective Soul '' offered a remarkable quartet of singles – "December," "Where The River Flows," and "The World I Know" – all rose to the #1 spot on the nation’s rock chart and "Gel" peaked at #2. They would go onto to gain heavy rotation on MTV and Much Music.


Musical Information

  Name Joel Kosche Of Collective soul
  Img jksjpg


Collective Soul was headlining their own club tour, their 2 albums had sold a combined 5 million...and they were receiving a meager $150 a week to cover food expenses on the road. Ed had received no money from publishing; the band had received no royalties...all thanks to their manager who had taken it upon himself to claim both the money and the publishing rights. ("December," off the self-titled album, was written when all of this began.) Following a nasty split with him, Collective Soul found themselves their tour dates canceled and called into the courtroom to face a legal battle that would drag on for part of 1995 and most of 1996.

During this time, funds were frozen, and Collective Soul could not tour or record in a "real" studio; for a period, they weren't sure that they even owned the rights to their own band's name. While the legal battles continued, the band went to a tiny cabin in Stockbridge, situated in the middle of 40 acres of cow pasture...and let the music flow. They recorded into a computer their impromptu rehearsals of the songs Ed wrote during this time. These songs would become known as Disciplined Breakdown , chronicling this bleak time period and "directed at the emotions" they were feeling at the time. The case was eventually settled and both parties have been instructed to keep mum.


Disciplined Breakdown (1997)

Released in 1997, '' Disciplined Breakdown '' did not sell as well as the band's previous records but eventually went platinum, while Collective Soul’s chart-topping streak continued: Both "Precious Declaration" and "Listen" went on to hit #1 on the rock charts. The album showcased a more progressive and melodic set of songs. The album was inspired by the break up between the band and their manager.


Dosage (1999)

The band’s fourth album, 1999’s platinum-certified and critically acclaimed '' Dosage '' saw Collective Soul further its run as rock radio superstars. The first single "Heavy" set a new high mark for weeks at #1 with a 14-week chart-topping reign. Singles such as "Run", "Needs", and "Tremble For My Beloved" were the other hits. The album displayed more of a pop-rock vibe, combining loops, electronic effects and a more polished and glossy sound. More evident than with previous releases. The band also performed at the Woodstock 1999 festival.


Blender (2000)

The group released its fifth studio album, '' Blender '' in 2000. It did not fare as well as their other albums, although the first single "Why, Pt. 2" reached #2 on the mainstream rock chart. They also had additional radio hits with "Vent" and "Perfect Day". Eventually the album was RIAA certified Gold. Rolling Stone gave Blender a very positive review as did many other critics. This was their second effort with producer Anthony J. Resta known for his work with Duran Duran and others. Similar to Dosage, the band decided to experiment with loops, electronic effects and computer based studio production, such as Digidesign/Digitech Pro Tools.


7even Year Itch: Greatest Hits 1994-2001 (2001)

In 2001, Collective Soul released their greatest hits compilation, ''''. The record marked the end of the group's contract with Atlantic Records. The band then went on a hiatus for 2 years (2002-2004), but still played several dozen shows. This also marked the departure of original lead guitarist Ross Childress . He had been with the band during their tenure with Atlantic Records and was a friend of the band members for many years. The band promoted their longtime guitar-tech Joel Kosche to be the new lead guitarist.


EL Music Group (2004-Present)


Musical Information

  Name Will Turpin Of Collective soul
  Img wtjpg




Youth (2004)

In November 2004, they released their long-awaited sixth studio album, '' Youth '', on their own indie label, El Music Group . It was re-recorded a couple of times over two years. The album debuted at a respectable #66 on the Billboard 200. The band scored a Top 10 rock hit with "Counting the Days". The record showcased a revitalized band ready to hit the road. The record was still along the lines of pop/rock, but was more balanced than ''Blender''. The second single, "Better Now" was a huge hit on Adult Top 40 radio. Their touring lasted for almost 2 years including a few dozen shows in Canada. The third single "How Do You Love" became a Top 20 hit on Adult Top 40 radio. The album sold over 225,000 copies in its first year of release, relying on steady sales which is considered a success considering their long hiatus. They received a warm and positive response when touring up in Canada, as they are popular throughout North America.


From the Ground Up (2005)


Musical Information

  Name Ryan Hoyle Of Collective soul
  Img rhl2jpg



In May 2005, they released an eight song acoustic EP compilation titled '' From The Ground Up '', which had 8 acoustic versions of some past favorites, including a new track, "Youth".

The original drummer Shane Evans left the band during this period. Session/studio drummer Ryan Hoyle has been the drummer during touring, and is credited with playing on eight of the 11 songs on "Youth". Later, Hoyle was officially named as the band's official drummer on the official Collective Soul website.


Home: A Live Concert Recording With The Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra (2005)

Collective Soul performed two shows with the '' was released in February 2006.


Afterwords (2007)


Musical Information

  Name 'Afterwords' Album Art
  Img Aftrdsjpg



Collective Soul's seventh studio album, '' Afterwords '' was released on August 28 , 2007 . The album is co-produced by Anthony J. Resta (Duran Duran, Shawn Mullins, Satellite Party). The band has made a deal with Target stores, making it the "exclusive physical retailer" for Afterwords.1 The album is available in digital form on ITunes . The song "Hollywood" was released as the first single in May.

Collective Soul has been spending most of the summer touring with Live and Counting Crows , beginning on July 22 , 2007 in Wilmington, Delaware .


LINEUP

  • Ed Roland - (1993-present) - lead vocals, guitar, keyboard, producer

  • Dean Roland - (1993-present) - rhythm guitar

  • Will Turpin - (1993-present) - bass, percussion, vocals

  • Joel Kosche - (2001-present) - lead/rhythm guitar

  • Ryan Hoyle - (2004-present) - drums, percussion



Former Members



DISCOGRAPHY


Studio albums

# '' Hints, Allegations, And Things Left Unsaid '' ( March 22 , 1994 ) - Atlantic Records
# '' Collective Soul '' ( March 14 , 1995 ) - Atlantic
# '' Disciplined Breakdown '' ( March 11 , 1997 ) - Atlantic
# '' Dosage '' ( February 9 , 1999 ) - Atlantic
# '' Blender '' ( October 10 , 2000 ) - Atlantic
# '' Youth '' ( November 16 , 2004 ) El Music Group
# '' Afterwords '' ( August 28 , 2007 ) - El Music Group


Compilation albums



Live album



EP



DVDs and Videos

  • '''' (2001) - Atlantic

  • ''Home: A Live Concert Recording With the Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra'' (2006) - El Music Group



Singles



Official Music Videos

# "Shine"
# "Breathe"
# "Gel"
# "December"
# "Smashing Young Man"
# "The World I Know"
# "Precious Declaration"
# "Listen"
# "Blame"
# "She Said"
# "Run"
# "Needs "
# "Why, Pt. 2"
# "Perfect Day"
# "Better Now"
# "How Do You Love?"
# "Hollywood"


EXTERNAL LINKS


Main Sites



REFERENCES