Based in Miami the band formed in a fairly unconventional manner. Producer Paul Trust first discovered Sergio Sanchez in 2006 and immediately they dove into the songwriting process. “I then found Z via an online classified,” tells Sergio. “I sent him a few songs, and he quickly sent me back demos of the songs with his own twist. I was blown away, but I realized he was in Austria. He had the classified setup as if he wanted to live in South Florida. I flew him over, and a two-week vacation visa turned into a three-month vacation visa and, before you know it, we got him an entertainer visa.”

Alex “Z” Zilinski’s addition was just the beginning. Dirk Hemsath of Working Group Artist Management came on board after hearing a demo at the SXSW Music Conference in 2007 and the band’s lineup solidified in late 2008 when bassist Arnold Nese and drummer Mark Annino joined the fold permanently and finally in the spring of 2010 the final piece was the addition of guitarist Luke Rice. Atom Smash had been working with producer Paul Trust on the songs that would eventually comprise their Sacrifice EP. In support of the EP’s release, they immediately hit the road in early 2009. Through sharing stages with the likes of Saliva, Tantric and Halestorm, Atom Smash cultivated a raucous live show, winning new fans every night.

Atom Smash harness just the right sonic chemistry on their full-length Jive Records debut, Love Is In The Missile. Over the course of the record’s eleven tracks, the quartet pumps out one anthem after another. First single “Do Her Wrong” is loaded with rumbling riffs, calculated grooves and an unforgettable hook. Energy bubbles over as Arnold and Mark lock into impenetrable rhythms. Z’s guitar curls around the grooves with screeching leads and a jagged echo, while vocalist Sergio carries massive choruses to arena-ready heights.

“Do Her Wrong” stands out for us,” exclaims Sergio. “The story is pretty simple; it’s an anthem for every guy out there. No matter how perfect of a girl you have and how amazing the situation could be, you could still do it wrong. She could have everything, and it still wouldn’t work. It’s an anthem for how foolish we can be as men.”

Atom Smash’s songs burst at the seams with the kind of tangible charisma that Stone Temple Pilots and Alice in Chains conjured along with a sexy, slick industrial bent a la Nine Inch Nails. Cuts like “Sacrifice” and “Naked” exude both sides of Atom Smash—the splitting heavy edge and the catchy core.

Sergio describes the band’s style best. “Our sound is modern grunge. It’s straight-forward rock ‘n’ roll with some electro thrown in for good measure. When I was around ten, my older brother started jamming a lot of Nirvana and Soundgarden, and that definitely paved the way for me musically.”

Another standout, “Ashes,” shows the band consciously nodding to their influences and giving some serious respect. Sergio continues, “The song really embodies all of our influences, and it lyrically celebrates the people that came before us. We’re basically living on the ashes of these amazing artists that preceded us. We want to keep that spirit alive in modern music and pay homage.”

The band caught Jive’s attention after producer David Bendeth [Paramore, UnderOATH, Breaking Benjamin] encouraged them to shop “Do Her Wrong” and “Erase Those Days” to various labels. Jive officially signed the band in January 2010, and the label instantly felt like home for Atom Smash. “Jive was the obvious choice for us,” Sergio adds. “We all felt right about it and we could tell they believed in us enough to take us to the next level.”

In the studio, the group translated their power-packed live show into eleven album cuts. With David Bendeth and Paul Trust behind the board, these four musicians quickly churned out a complete vision. “When we met David for the first time, he inspired us to write better songs. After the Jive deal was done, we immediately went in the studio with him. I write songs in an organic way. If it feels right and fits the mood, we go for it. We just want to write great songs that embody this particular chapter of our lives. It’s a very human record, and the lyrics come from a genuine place.”

In the end, it’s all revealed in the band’s name for Sergio. “It’s a pretty simple and literal moniker. The band has a certain quality where we can break into a pop song and then on the next song I’ll be screaming my guts out, performing and throwing down as hard as anyone out there. As Atom Smash, we’re basically creating energy.”

Hey everyone, Benjamin here. I am officially letting everyone know that Breaking Benjamin has NOT broken up! This is just a false rumor that, through the miracle of modern technology, has unfortunately spread.

I am currently taking some time off from touring to further address some health issues that I have been dealing with for some years now which has been posted previously on the shallow bay website and expressed in many recent interviews. I am performing two solo acoustic shows in July but this in no way means that I have left, or am ever going to leave, Breaking Benjamin.

In closing I’d like to thank our incredible fans for their concern. The only thing that I ask, is for everyone to not believe any rumors you hear on the Internet especially when it does not come directly from the band. We hope that our fans know that we love them and are forever grateful of their continuing support.

Much love,
Benjamin Burnley

The statement is in response to our earlier posting, which we still maintain is accurate.

The website/community of Shallow Bay will be shutting down completely, and they will be holding a “Gathering by the Bay” send-off for the site tentatively planned for August that will feature Lifer as a headlining act.  Mark Klepaski and Aaron Fink had brought up the idea of a Lifer reunion a few months ago, and original vocalist Nick Coyle has already agreed to help make it happen. The Shallow Bay will still be shut down regardless of whether Ben decides to return with a re-formed Breaking Benjamin or not.

Update 1:08pm EST: Just as a clarification, the one Lifer show is not confirmed, just in the works. Also, the label is pushing hard to discredit TuneLab and say that the info is incorrect, despite it being true.  As of right now, they are compiling “statements” from band members that will all say they are not broken up and that the band is still together that they will post on the official site.  Despite these forthcoming statements, we stand by our original story, which in the end will prove to be true.

Update 2 1:51pm EST: The label has asked that I clarify that our “confirmation” is through our sources and not official.  The only “official” sources who can “officially confirm” the information are Ben Burnley, the band’s management, or Hollywood Records.  Again, Ben will be releasing a statement shortly stating that the band is not broken up.

Update 3 3:08pm EST: Statement from Benjamin Burnley that the band is not broken up.

Update: Another admin is saying that they have not broken up.

Update 2: There likely won’t be any further information from any official source. At least not for a while.

Final Update: Confirmed.

Single Releases

Anchored – “Dirty in Texas” (Trynd Ent.) – Amazon MP3
As I Lay Dying – “Parallels” (Metal Blade) – Amazon MP3
Atom Smash – “Do Her Wrong” (Jive) – Amazon MP3
Breaking Benjamin – “Lights Out” (Hollywood) – Amazon MP3
Disturbed – “Another Way to Die” (Reprise) – Amazon MP3
Ed Kowalczyk – “Grace” (Soul Whisper/RED) – Amazon MP3
Rob Zombie – “Mars Needs Women” (Roadrunner) – Amazon MP3
Stone Temple Pilots – “Take a Load Off” (Atlantic) – Amazon MP3

Album Releases

Oasis – ‘Time Flies…1994-2009‘ (Big Brother/Columbia) – Amazon MP3
Under the Flood – ‘Alive in the Fire‘ (Join or Die Records) – TuneLab Music Store

Tenacity, passion, dedication and drive, are the only four words that can possibly describe Black Sunshine. With an explosive debut album ready to be unleashed on the masses, Black Sunshine’s future looks blindingly bright.

Black Sunshine initially was the brainchild of extreme sports icon and Volkl team rider Matt Reardon, one of the top freeskiers in the world. After a horrific accident, 11 leg operations and a complicated staph infection nearly derailed his career in extreme sports entirely, he decided to jump into the shark infested waters of the music business head first. During this down time he wrote over 40 songs determined to turn tragedy into triumph.

Armed with an arsenal full of heavy guitar riffs and infectious melodies, Reardon assembled Black Sunshine to bring his signature brand of hard rock to the masses. Ultimately, perseverance paid off as he was able to recruit drummer Matt “Toast” Young who has worked with industry giants, Billy Idol, Ray Luzier (Korn, Army of Anyone), Vinnie Colaiuta (Recording legend, Sting, Zappa) and Brian Tichy to execute his musical vision.

Afterwards the remaining pieces of the puzzle fell in to place as guitarist Charles Lee, who was a member of the John 5 (Marilyn Manson, Rob Zombie) side-project LOSER joined their ranks. Lee was playing with Filter and just recently spent two-months on the road with Theory of a Deadman during their stint on Motley Crue’s CRUEFEST. Finally, Bassist Christopher Serafini, formerly of Wind Up Recording artist Pollen, joined the group and gave Black Sunshine’s a heavy thick sounding low-end. Together the group managed to assemble the eleven blistering hard rock songs that compromise the group’s self-titled debut album.

Recorded with Grammy award winning producer Bob Marlette (Shinedown, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Black Sabbath, Seether, Filter, Saliva) at the wheel, Black Sunshine was able to record an album that stacks up against the group’s past musical accomplishments and still stands toe-to-toe with today’s modern rock heavyweights like Shinedown, Papa Roach and Breaking Benjamin. Marlette was able to bring out the soaring melodies that Black sunshine is known for, while polishing the riffs into a well oiled machine. Marlette proclaimed Black Sunshine’s debut “stands toe to toe with any top rock album out on the shelf!”

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What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. Drowning Pool’s tale of perseverance is just as inspiring as their music.

The all-American anthemic rock band has persevered through the death of their first singer and losing their second, emerging a stronger unit than ever before. From presenting the Lane Evans Health Act to Barack Obama, while senator, and coming back with their first consecutive album with a singer, vocalist Ryan McCombs, Drowning Pool continue to survive. After their biggest single ever, “37 Stitches” and four years of nonstop touring, which culminated with 2009’s Crüe Fest 2, the Dallas quartet are set to release their fourth full-length album, Drowning Pool (Due out April 2010 on Eleven Seven Music).

The album is a statement on various levels. It’s a statement that Drowning Pool can write anything—from fist-pumping arena rock songs such as “Feel Like I Do” and “Let the Sin Begin” to the introspective acoustic haze of “Alcohol Blind” and the pensive pain of “Turns So Cold.” It’s a statement that this band is airtight musically, with the combination of Ryan McCombs’s roar, C.J. Pierce’s fret fireworks, Stevie Benton’s thundering bass lines and Mike Luce’s propulsive percussive palette. It’s a statement that Drowning Pool won’t stop, coming back with the fourth album of their decade-long career after withstanding the tragic death of original vocalist Dave Williams and parting with his replacement. Most importantly, it’s a statement that Drowning Pool’s music will be here forever.

Drowning Pool proved their boundlessness on 2007’s Full Circle—the first offering with McCombs. The album’s single, the infectious “37 Stitches,” was Drowning Pool’s highest charting single to date even surpassing breakout single “Bodies,” and the band tore it up on their most successful U.S. jaunt 2009’s Crüe Fest II. When it came time to make Drowning Pool right after Crüe Fest, one thing was clear for these four musicians. “We just want to be a rock band,” says McCombs. “The material on Drowning Pool shows that. It’s what comes naturally to us.”

That’s evident from one listen. These songs were meant to be played loud—real loud.

Pierce elaborates, “An album has to be entertaining and it has to flow. This is our staple record. We’ve grown so much since Sinner. We wanted to make this the strongest rock album possible and I believe we’ve done just that. We went in the studio with the highest expectations of ourselves and took this music to a whole new level. ”

They most definitely did. First single, “Feel Like I Do,” blasts out a chorus that challenges you to shout aloud with fist in the air. Given its bombastic nature, the song is primed to be blaring out of stereos everywhere now that it has hit airwaves. For McCombs, “Feel Like I Do” possesses a deep meaning. “So many fans come up to me and say, ‘Your song helped me get through what I was going through.’ We all go through the trials and tribulations of living. This song says, ‘We’ve all felt this way, let’s just embrace it and go with it.’ Acknowledge the fact that life’s rough, but it’s nothing we all haven’t gotten through before and we’ll get through it again. It’s going to be fine. Keep that smile on!”

Regardless of all that was going on in their lives throughout the recording, Drowning Pool banded together during the time they were making record number four at rock radio hit factory, “House of Loud” (Breaking Benjamin, Paramore) with Kato Khandwala producing and David Bendeth mixing. Kato and David brought the band’s sound to another level. Mike excitedly explains, “Sonically, Drowning Pool squashes anything we’ve ever done. This record is really diverse too. There’s some material that could’ve been taken right off Sinner, and there’s some new stuff that goes beyond all expectations of this band. I can’t wait for people to sink their teeth into it.”

There’s a lot for fans to sink their teeth into too since the band has gone emotionally deeper than ever before, with powerful cuts such as “More than Worthless” and “Regret.” Drowning Pool chose to make the album self-titled, because they feel finally solidified into the band that they always set out to be—a powerful anthemic rock outfit with heart and a whole lot to say. Stevie continues, “There are a lot of episodes and storylines in the songs. The songs reflect our lives, but they could apply to anyone’s life. Anybody that listens to the album can have a song that he or she connects to. People will be fans for life if they feel like you’re speaking to them and for them, and we are.”

Drowning Pool also continue to give back as well. They’ve shown support for our troops overseas during tours for the soldiers in Kuwait and Iraq in 2005 and 2006 respectively. They were also instrumental in the passing of the Lane Evans Health Act providing better mental health care for our veterans. During a trip to Capitol Hill, they introduced then Senator Obama to the Lane Evans Bill, which he sponsored in the Senate and went on to become law supporting the medical rights for our returning warriors. Drowning Pool engaged in a tour of South Korea for MWR (The US Army’s Family &morale, welfare and recreation organization) and, on Memorial Day 2009, they even played Guatanamo Bay. About these special shows, Mike’s enthusiasm is palpable. “Playing for the troops on the front lines really was one of the most gratifying things we’ve ever done. To play in a rock n roll band with your buddies is like winning the lottery. It’s even grander to light someone up for a little while, bring a little bit of rock n’ roll from home and give them an escape for a few hours.”

That escape comes tenfold in the new songs. McCombs lyrically bares his soul across the course of the album. Midway through recording, his father passed away, but he was able to pen some of his most powerful material in the aftermath. “Making the record at House of Loud was such a journey in and of itself,” reveals McCombs. “With the loss of my dad and battling my own personal demons, this album enabled me as a lyricist to portray that trip. It’s the trip through all the bad, and the realization, at the end, that it’s just chapters. There’s always another chapter, and things aren’t so bad. There’s a lot wrapped up in this record—more than anything I’ve been part of putting together in my professional history.”

One of the album’s standouts, “Over My Head,” draws inspiration directly from McCombs’s bond with his father. “I originally wrote those lyrics about my significant other,” says the singer. “When my dad passed away, I realized the song was a lot deeper than just a romantic relationship. That song means so much to me in terms of my relationship with my father. When I dropped out of college to pursue music, he didn’t question it. If we played a show within a four-hour drive of Indiana, he would get in the car and drive there and spend the whole day with me wherever that was. He was so proud of what I was doing and what I had accomplished. That song turned into such an emotionally focused song, as I went through losing him. He was the greatest father that anybody could ever ask for.” In some ways, the story of “Over My Head” mirrors that of “Bodies.” “Bodies” began as a moshpit anthem and it became a song for the troops. Similarly, “Over My Head” went from covering a romantic relationship to celebrating the father and son bond between McCombs and his late-father.

In the end, the future looks brighter than ever for the band. They’ll be tearing it up across the world in support of Drowning Pool, and more great things stand on the horizon. McCombs goes on, “It is a bizarrely twisted success story that we’re still doing this in today’s climate with the music business. The fact that we’re still able to do what we do and people are standing behind us is amazing.”