Finger Eleven
Finger Eleven | |
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Finger Eleven performing at the Hamilton Festival of Friends | |
Background information | |
Also known as | Rainbow Butt Monkeys (1990–1996) |
Origin | Burlington, Ontario, Canada |
Genres | |
Years active | 1990–present |
Labels | The Bicycle Music Company, Wind-up, Mercury |
Website |
www |
Members |
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Past members |
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Finger Eleven is a Canadian rock band from Burlington, Ontario, formed in 1990.[4] They have released seven total studio albums (six as Finger Eleven and one as Rainbow Butt Monkeys), with their album The Greyest of Blue Skies bringing them into the mainstream. The 2003 self-titled album achieved Gold status in the United States and Platinum in Canada, largely from the success of the single "One Thing", which marked the band's first placing on the US Hot 100 Chart at number 16. Their 2007 album, Them vs. You vs. Me, launched the single "Paralyzer", which went on to top numerous charts including the Canadian Hot 100 and both US rock charts, as well as reaching No. 6 on the US Hot 100 and No. 12 on the Australian Singles Chart. They won the Juno Award for Rock Album of the Year in 2008.[5] It was later certified gold status in the US and multi platinum in Canada. They released their sixth studio album, Life Turns Electric, on October 5, 2010; it was nominated for a Juno Award for Best Rock Album of the Year. They released their first single, "Living in a Dream", adding a little bit of more of funk rock and dance rock, just like their hit song "Paralyzer". Five Crooked Lines, their 7th studio album, was released July 31, 2015, with "Wolves and Doors" as the lead single.
History
Letters from Chutney (1990–96)
Finger Eleven first formed in their high school, Lester B. Pearson High School [6] in Burlington, Ontario as "Rainbow Butt Monkeys." They achieved a devoted following in Canada throughout their time as a band. One of their first shows was at a school Christmas concert in 1990. They released their first full album Letters from Chutney (1995) with money won from a rock band search contest on 97.7 CHTZ (Hits) HTZ FM's "Rocksearch" competition.
Tip (1997–99)
The group found a new management team in Coalition Entertainment (Rob Lanni & Eric Lawrence with Sarah Parham) in 1996. Once they had realized their music changed and wanted to be taken more seriously, "Rainbow Butt Monkeys" became "Finger Eleven". The name Finger Eleven comes from an earlier version of the song "Thin Spirits" from the album Tip. Scott Anderson explains: "when everything is pushing you in one direction and your instinct drives you in another that's finger eleven, I couldn't get it out of my head."
Their breakthrough album, Tip, was released on Mercury Records in Canada in 1997 and re-released by Windup Records in the United States in 1998. This marked a change in the band's sound. Tip was produced by Arnold Lanni (Our Lady Peace). By then, they managed to tour alongside bands such as Creed and Fuel.
The Greyest of Blue Skies (2000–02)
Following the release of Tip, drummer Rob Gommerman left the band and was replaced by Rich Beddoe whom James Black had met coincidentally at an Alice in Chains concert several years earlier in Toronto.
In 2000, Finger Eleven released The Greyest of Blue Skies, again produced by Arnold Lanni. They had success in Canada with this album going gold (500,000 units sold).
In 2002 they recorded the song "Slow Chemical" for (WWE) Superstar Kane as his entrance music, which he used from 2002 to 2008. It was recorded and mixed at Metalworks Studios in Mississauga, Ontario and released that year on the Canadian version of the WWF Forceable Entry compilation, were it was also released on the 2007 album Raw Greatest Hits: The Music. It was also released on the 2004 album The Punisher: The Album.
Finger Eleven (2003–06)
Their 2003 release, self-titled album Finger Eleven was produced by Johnny K. This album includes the sleeper hit single "One Thing" which pushed the band into the mainstream. The song was a hit on rock, pop, and adult radio charts; the success of the single earned the band its first US Gold Album (500,000 copies) and Canadian Platinum (1,000000 copies). "One Thing" reached No. 16 in the U.S., and had exposure on TV series such as Scrubs, Smallville and Third Watch. It was used on World Wrestling Entertainment's (WWE's) edition of June 25, 2007 of Raw during a tribute video featuring Chris Benoit who had killed himself on June 25. In 2007, a duet version with Amy Lee of Evanescence was also recorded.
The band toured throughout Europe, Australia and North America from 2003 to 2005. They have won a MuchMusic Video Award.
Them vs. You vs. Me (2007–09)
Finger Eleven's fifth studio album titled Them vs. You vs. Me was released on March 6, 2007, again produced by Johnny K. The first single was "Paralyzer" which gradually became the band's most successful single to date, becoming their first career Top Ten hit on the U.S. Hot 100 in November 2007, as well as reaching No. 1 in Canada, and both U.S. rock charts. The album also features the singles "Falling On", "I'll Keep Your Memory Vague" and "Talking to the Walls".
In December 2007 the DVD Us-vs-Then-vs-Now was released, with footage spanning their whole career.
Them vs. You vs. Me was certified Gold in the U.S. in March 2008. Them vs. You vs. Me won the 2008 Juno Award for Rock Album of the Year. The band performed live with the Calgary Youth Orchestra at the Juno Awards on April 6, 2008 in Calgary, Alberta. The performance was broadcast on national television.
They have performed "Talking to the Walls", "One Thing" and "Paralyzer" on the end of the Steve Wilkos Show Tour in NY.
The band was planning a European tour in the summer, including Download Festival 2008 in England, Rock Am Ring and Rock Im Park in Germany. However, these were canceled after Scott sprained his neck.
In December 2008, the band toured Europe supporting Kid Rock including one date at London Hammersmith Apollo.
Life Turns Electric (2010–12)
In early 2010, the band entered the studio to begin work on their sixth studio album.[7] On July 30, the band announced that the title of their sixth album would officially be Life Turns Electric which was released on October 5, 2010. The first single from the album, "Living in a Dream", was released on iTunes on July 20, 2010.[8] The band announced on November 30, 2010 that the second single for Life Turns Electric will be "Whatever Doesn't Kill Me". January 13, 2011 was the release date for the "Whatever Doesn't Kill Me" music video, with producing credits going to reactiv pictures.[9] The video was directed by Alon Isocianu and art directed by Rachelle Scarfo.
The third single "Stone Soul" was released in the spring of 2011, with no video being filmed. During the summer the fourth single "Pieces Fit" hit radio. Currently a video is in the works involving fans recording themselves rocking out to the video.
Finger Eleven also played two shows in December 2011 in Toronto, and announced three dates in the summer of 2012. They performed in Ohio on July 14, Manitoba on August 4, and Pennsylvania on August 17, 2012.[8]
Five Crooked Lines (2013–present)
On April 5, 2013 they posted on Twitter "The official inertia of our new album is growing".[10]
Towards the end of the year, the band parted ways with longtime drummer Rich Beddoe. In November 2014, the band announced via their Facebook page that drums on the upcoming album were done by drummer Chris Powell.[11]
They recorded the album between November 8, 2014[12] and November 28, 2014.[13] An update on January 29, 2015 indicated that preparations were in the final stages of production and promised new details and artwork in the near future.[14]
The band toured during the summer of 2015 with Three Days Grace.[15] Then on April 25, 2015, the band announced an open casting call for the filming of the video for the new album's first single. The song appears to be titled "Wolves and Doors".[16]
The Single Five Crooked lines was released July 20, 2015 along with an official lyric video.[17] Following they released their 7th studio album Finger Eleven Five Crooked Lines July 31, 2015 [18]
The band released their seventh album Five Crooked Lines July 31, 2015, and released the lead single "Wolves and Doors" to Canadian radio. They've recently set upon the Fall of the Hammer Tour in support of the release.[19] The “ Fall of the Hammer” tour took place across Canada; the band teamed up with radio stations and media partners to launch a contest to allow local bands to enter for the chance to perform as the opening act in their hometown.[20] The band most recently released a video for "Not Going to be Afraid" off the Five Crooked Lines album.[21] The band also performed at the 2016 CASBY awards in Toronto.[22]
Members
Current members
- Scott Anderson – lead vocals (1990–present)
- James Black – lead guitar, background vocals (1990–present)
- Rick Jackett – rhythm guitar (1990–present)
- Sean Anderson – bass (1990–present)
- Steve Molella – drums, percussion (2014–present)
Session musicians
- Chris Powell – drums, percussion (2014, Five Crooked Lines)
Former members
- Rob Gommerman – drums, percussion (1990–1998)
- Rich Beddoe – drums, percussion (1998–2013)
Discography
As Rainbow Butt Monkeys
- Letters from Chutney (1995)
As Finger Eleven
- Tip (1997 and re-released in 1998)
- The Greyest of Blue Skies (2000)
- Finger Eleven (2003)
- Them vs. You vs. Me (2007)
- Life Turns Electric (2010)
- Five Crooked Lines (2015)
Awards and nominations
Year | Nominated | Award | Category | result |
---|---|---|---|---|
1996 | Finger Eleven | Juno Awards | Breakout Group of the Year | Nominated |
2001 | The Greyest of Blue Skies | Juno Awards | Rock Album of the Year | Nominated |
2004 | Finger Eleven | Juno Awards | Group of the Year | Nominated |
2005 | "One Thing" | Juno Awards | Single of the Year | Nominated |
2006 | Finger Eleven | SOCAN Awards | International Achievement Award | Won |
2008 | Finger Eleven | Juno Awards | Group of the Year | Nominated |
2008 | "Paralyzer" | Juno Awards | Single of the Year | Nominated |
2008 | Them vs. You vs. Me | Juno Awards | Rock Album of the Year | Won |
2011 | Life Turns Electric | Juno Awards | Rock Album of the Year | Nominated |
See also
References
- 1 2 Blanford, Roxanne. "Finger Eleven". Allmusic. Retrieved July 1, 2015.
- 1 2 Steininger, Adam (August 23, 2013). "The 10 Worst Post-Grunge Bands". LA Weekly. Retrieved July 1, 2015.
- ↑ "Royalty Discussions To The Fore At CMW". Billboard. Retrieved July 1, 2015.
- ↑ "Biography". Retrieved November 23, 2015.
- ↑
- ↑ "Famous Burlingtonians". Tourismburlington.com. Retrieved November 17, 2012.
- ↑ "Finger Eleven Hit The Studio For New Album |". Rawkpit.com. January 27, 2010. Retrieved March 2, 2011.
- 1 2 "Official Site | New Album "Life Turns Electric"". Finger Eleven. Retrieved March 2, 2011.
- ↑ "Reactive Pictures |". Reactivpictures.com. April 22, 2011. Retrieved April 22, 2011.
- ↑ "Finger Eleven on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved November 5, 2015.
- ↑ "Tracking for the new album is finished!!! - Finger Eleven (F11) – Facebook". facebook.com. Retrieved November 5, 2015.
- ↑ "Finger Eleven on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved November 5, 2015.
- ↑ "Finger Eleven on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved November 5, 2015.
- ↑ "Finger Eleven on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved November 5, 2015.
- ↑ "We Apologize – Pollstar". pollstar.com.
- ↑ "Mandy's Film and TV Production Directory". mandy.com. Retrieved November 5, 2015.
- ↑ Finger Eleven (July 20, 2015). "Finger Eleven – Five Crooked Lines – Lyric Video" – via YouTube.
- ↑ "Five Crooked Lines by Finger Eleven on Apple Music". apple.com.
- ↑ "Finger Eleven (F11)". facebook.com. Retrieved November 5, 2015.
- ↑ Gonda, Christopher. "FINGER ELEVEN Announces Fall 2015 "Fall of the Hammer" Canadian Tour « News « PureGrainAudio.com". puregrainaudio.com.
- ↑ Finger Eleven - Not Going To Be Afraid (Official Music Video) - YouTube
- ↑ "The 2016 Edge CASBY Music Awards @ The Phoenix Concert Theatre | 102.…". archive.is. 22 November 2016. Retrieved 22 November 2016.