3 (band)
Encyclopedia
3, also known as Three, is an American
hybrid band (named such on Joey Eppard's myspace page) formed in Woodstock, New York
in the early 90s
.
on guitar
and lead vocals, Josh Eppard
on drums
and Chris Bittner on bass
. They came to the attention of Universal Records
after well-received performances at the Woodstock festival
in 1994, eventually getting signed in 1998, but following an unstable relationship with the label through its series of corporate mergers, the band was left with little prospect of releasing their album. Eventually, the band decided to release it on Planet Noise Records, a small indie label, and thenceforth managed themselves independently, until their 2005 signing with Metal Blade
, on whose label they re-released Wake Pig
in late 2005. Their career has been marked by several line-up changes, most notably Josh Eppard
's departure to join Coheed and Cambria
; the two bands used to be regular touring partners. The band has toured nationally several times, and have appeared on radio stations throughout the United States
. Joey Eppard also has an active solo career and released a solo album, Been to the Future
, in 2002.
When questioned about the band's name in an interview with Rock Something, Joey Eppard stated that they considered changing the name of the band several times, but always decided to keep the name 3. According to the same interview, the name of the band originally stems from Joey Eppard's own "fascination" with the number: "It is a reference to the construct of our reality as having predominantly 3 aspects. For example, we live in a 3 dimensional universe on the 3rd planet from the sun, experiencing time as past, present and future in a form that consists of mind, body and spirit."
In separate tours in May and October 2007 the band toured with the British
progressive rock
group Porcupine Tree
, on their Fear of a Blank Planet
North American tour. 3 also went on the road with 80's rock band Scorpions
, and later finished up the second leg of the Fear of a Blank Planet tour with Porcupine Tree.
The music video for the song "All That Remains" was voted the #16 Video of 2007 on MTV2's Headbanger's Ball. It was directed, shot and animated by David Brodsky.
They were a part of the "Progressive Nation '08" tour with Dream Theater
, Opeth
, and Between the Buried and Me
.
Their fifth studio album, Revisions
, a compilation of re-recordings of never before released songs as well as selections from their first 2 studio albums, was released on October 27, 2009. At the time it was planned to be their final release on Metal Blade Records
. They have already started to play a couple of their new songs ("One with the Sun" and "You are the Alien") at their live shows dating back to tours from late 2008. The band was due to record and release their next studio album for Roadrunner Records
, but were subsequently dropped before any production began.
They have since re-signed with Metal Blade Records and released their sixth studio album The Ghost You Gave to Me
on October 11, 2011.
". Their music is punctuated by dark, sometimes incomprehensible lyrics
, often rather detached from the accompanying music. Joey Eppard is considered a highly competent guitarist with a unique, primarily self-taught flamenco/slap hybrid guitar technique.
Over the course of 3's discography, the band has covered a wide variety of music genres. This spectrum of style includes the following songs: hip hop (Don't Even), R&B (You Call Me Baby), rockabilly (Paint by Number), blues (Bedroom in Hell), reggae (Brother), funk (Get 2Gether), psychedelic (Signs of Life), metal (These Iron Bones), pop rock (Live Entertainment), acoustic rock (Careless Kim), punk (Sawed Off Shotgun), progressive (Monster), instrumental (Bramfatura), experimental progressive (Dregs), rock 'n roll (One Way Town), soft rock (Lay Down the Law), pop (Soul Reality), folk (The Game), experimental (Broadway Alien), and progressive funk (Leaving on the Light). The genre-defying diversity of their music is what gives them the self-proclaimed title of a hybrid band.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
hybrid band (named such on Joey Eppard's myspace page) formed in Woodstock, New York
Woodstock, New York
Woodstock is a town in Ulster County, New York, United States. The population was 5,884 at the 2010 census, down from 6,241 at the 2000 census.The Town of Woodstock is in the northern part of the county...
in the early 90s
1990s in music
For music from a year in the 1990s, go to 90 | 91 | 92 | 93 | 94 | 95 | 96 | 97 | 98 | 99This article includes trends in popular music in the 1990s....
.
History
The band was founded in 1994 as a three piece: Joey EppardJoey Eppard
Joey Eppard is a music writer, recording artist, and the lead vocalist and guitarist for the experimental/progressive rock band, 3. He is also the brother of Josh Eppard, the former drummer for both 3 and Coheed and Cambria....
on guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
and lead vocals, Josh Eppard
Josh Eppard
Josh Eppard is an American musician from Kingston New York and the drummer for progressive rock band Coheed and Cambria. He has worked as a solo rapper under the name Weerd Science and was the drummer for supergroup rock band Terrible Things...
on drums
Drum kit
A drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
and Chris Bittner on bass
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
. They came to the attention of Universal Records
Universal Records
Universal Records was a record label owned by Universal Music Group, and it is now owned by Manny Patino and Michael Jackson, and operated as part of the Universal Motown Republic Group.-History:...
after well-received performances at the Woodstock festival
Woodstock '94
Woodstock '94, often called the "commercial Woodstock" or "Mudstock", was a music festival organized to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the original Woodstock Festival of 1969...
in 1994, eventually getting signed in 1998, but following an unstable relationship with the label through its series of corporate mergers, the band was left with little prospect of releasing their album. Eventually, the band decided to release it on Planet Noise Records, a small indie label, and thenceforth managed themselves independently, until their 2005 signing with Metal Blade
Metal Blade Records
Metal Blade Records is a record label which was founded by Brian Slagel in 1982. The U.S. corporate office for Metal Blade is located in Agoura Hills, California. It also has offices in Arizona, Germany, Japan, Canada, and the UK. The label is distributed in the U.S. by Sony BMG Music...
, on whose label they re-released Wake Pig
Wake Pig
Wake Pig is 3's third studio album. It was released on October 26, 2004 by Planet Noise Records. It was re-released on November 1, 2005 by Metal Blade Records...
in late 2005. Their career has been marked by several line-up changes, most notably Josh Eppard
Josh Eppard
Josh Eppard is an American musician from Kingston New York and the drummer for progressive rock band Coheed and Cambria. He has worked as a solo rapper under the name Weerd Science and was the drummer for supergroup rock band Terrible Things...
's departure to join Coheed and Cambria
Coheed and Cambria
Coheed and Cambria is an American progressive rock band from Nyack, New York. Formed in 1995, the group incorporates aspects of progressive rock, punk rock, metal and post-hardcore....
; the two bands used to be regular touring partners. The band has toured nationally several times, and have appeared on radio stations throughout the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Joey Eppard also has an active solo career and released a solo album, Been to the Future
Been to the Future
Been to the Future is the solo album by Joey Eppard, the lead vocalist and guitarist for the band 3.-Track listing:# "Static" – 3:10# "Balloon" – 5:05# "Been to the Future" – 5:00# "Stranded in a Treetop" – 3:56# "Lay Down the Law" – 3:46...
, in 2002.
When questioned about the band's name in an interview with Rock Something, Joey Eppard stated that they considered changing the name of the band several times, but always decided to keep the name 3. According to the same interview, the name of the band originally stems from Joey Eppard's own "fascination" with the number: "It is a reference to the construct of our reality as having predominantly 3 aspects. For example, we live in a 3 dimensional universe on the 3rd planet from the sun, experiencing time as past, present and future in a form that consists of mind, body and spirit."
In separate tours in May and October 2007 the band toured with the British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
progressive rock
Progressive rock
Progressive rock is a subgenre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s as part of a "mostly British attempt to elevate rock music to new levels of artistic credibility." John Covach, in Contemporary Music Review, says that many thought it would not just "succeed the pop of...
group Porcupine Tree
Porcupine Tree
Porcupine Tree is a progressive rock band formed by Steven Wilson in 1987 in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, England. Their music is difficult to categorise, being associated with both psychedelic rock and progressive rock, yet having been influenced by trance, krautrock and ambient due to Steven...
, on their Fear of a Blank Planet
Fear of a Blank Planet
Fear of a Blank Planet is the ninth studio album by British progressive rock band Porcupine Tree and their best selling . Released by Roadrunner on 16 April 2007 in the UK and Europe, 24 April 2007 in the United States through Atlantic, 25 April 2007 in Japan on WHD and 1 May 2007 in Canada by WEA...
North American tour. 3 also went on the road with 80's rock band Scorpions
Scorpions (band)
Scorpions are a heavy metal/hard rock band from Hannover, Germany, formed in 1965 by guitarist Rudolf Schenker, who is the band's only constant member. They are known for their 1980s rock anthem "Rock You Like a Hurricane" and many singles, such as "No One Like You", "Send Me an Angel", "Still...
, and later finished up the second leg of the Fear of a Blank Planet tour with Porcupine Tree.
The music video for the song "All That Remains" was voted the #16 Video of 2007 on MTV2's Headbanger's Ball. It was directed, shot and animated by David Brodsky.
They were a part of the "Progressive Nation '08" tour with Dream Theater
Dream Theater
Dream Theater is an American progressive metal band formed in 1985 under the name Majesty by John Petrucci, John Myung, and Mike Portnoy while they attended Berklee College of Music in Massachusetts. They subsequently dropped out of their studies to further concentrate on the band that would...
, Opeth
Opeth
Opeth is a Swedish heavy metal band from Stockholm, formed in 1990. Though the group has been through several personnel changes, singer, guitarist, and songwriter Mikael Åkerfeldt has remained Opeth's driving force throughout the years...
, and Between the Buried and Me
Between the Buried and Me
Between the Buried and Me is an American heavy metal band from Raleigh, North Carolina. They have released a total of five studio albums, as well as a cover album, an EP and a live DVD/CD...
.
Their fifth studio album, Revisions
Revisions (3 album)
Revisions is 3's fifth full length album and the third released by Metal Blade Records. On August 26, 2009, 3 announced on their about Revisions, and stating in the liner notes that they felt that those songs "...deserved a second chance, a 'revision,' if you will."-Track listing:# "Anyone Human" ...
, a compilation of re-recordings of never before released songs as well as selections from their first 2 studio albums, was released on October 27, 2009. At the time it was planned to be their final release on Metal Blade Records
Metal Blade Records
Metal Blade Records is a record label which was founded by Brian Slagel in 1982. The U.S. corporate office for Metal Blade is located in Agoura Hills, California. It also has offices in Arizona, Germany, Japan, Canada, and the UK. The label is distributed in the U.S. by Sony BMG Music...
. They have already started to play a couple of their new songs ("One with the Sun" and "You are the Alien") at their live shows dating back to tours from late 2008. The band was due to record and release their next studio album for Roadrunner Records
Roadrunner Records
Roadrunner Records is an American record label that concentrates primarily on heavy metal bands. It is currently a subsidiary of Warner Music Group.-History:...
, but were subsequently dropped before any production began.
They have since re-signed with Metal Blade Records and released their sixth studio album The Ghost You Gave to Me
The Ghost You Gave to Me
The Ghost You Gave to Me is the sixth full-length album by progressive rock band, 3, released by Metal Blade Records.-Track listing:# "Sirenum Scopuli" - 1:11# "React" - 4:11# "Sparrow" - 4:04# "High Times" - 4:37# "Numbers" - 4:39...
on October 11, 2011.
Style
The band themselves describe their music as "dark yet uplifting, spiritual without any connection to religionReligion
Religion is a collection of cultural systems, belief systems, and worldviews that establishes symbols that relate humanity to spirituality and, sometimes, to moral values. Many religions have narratives, symbols, traditions and sacred histories that are intended to give meaning to life or to...
". Their music is punctuated by dark, sometimes incomprehensible lyrics
Lyrics
Lyrics are a set of words that make up a song. The writer of lyrics is a lyricist or lyrist. The meaning of lyrics can either be explicit or implicit. Some lyrics are abstract, almost unintelligible, and, in such cases, their explication emphasizes form, articulation, meter, and symmetry of...
, often rather detached from the accompanying music. Joey Eppard is considered a highly competent guitarist with a unique, primarily self-taught flamenco/slap hybrid guitar technique.
Over the course of 3's discography, the band has covered a wide variety of music genres. This spectrum of style includes the following songs: hip hop (Don't Even), R&B (You Call Me Baby), rockabilly (Paint by Number), blues (Bedroom in Hell), reggae (Brother), funk (Get 2Gether), psychedelic (Signs of Life), metal (These Iron Bones), pop rock (Live Entertainment), acoustic rock (Careless Kim), punk (Sawed Off Shotgun), progressive (Monster), instrumental (Bramfatura), experimental progressive (Dregs), rock 'n roll (One Way Town), soft rock (Lay Down the Law), pop (Soul Reality), folk (The Game), experimental (Broadway Alien), and progressive funk (Leaving on the Light). The genre-defying diversity of their music is what gives them the self-proclaimed title of a hybrid band.
Current
- Joey EppardJoey EppardJoey Eppard is a music writer, recording artist, and the lead vocalist and guitarist for the experimental/progressive rock band, 3. He is also the brother of Josh Eppard, the former drummer for both 3 and Coheed and Cambria....
- lead vocals, acoustic & electric guitars (1994–present) - Billy RikerBilly RikerBilly Riker is the lead guitar player, for the experimental/progressive rock band, 3.In addition to his work with 3, Riker is also involved in a local Improv Rock Band known as MATH. Riker is often characterized on stage by his flowing "Jedi" like trench robe, his use of a personal fan to blow air...
- guitars, effects (1999–present) - Chris "Gartdrumm" GartmannChris GartmannChris Gartmann better known as Gartdrumm, is the drummer for experimental/progressive rock band, 3. He replaced Josh Eppard as drummer during the production of Paint by Number; to date he is the longest lasting member of 3, aside from Joey Eppard, appearing on every album released.Prior to his work...
- drums, backing vocals (1999–present) - Daniel GrimslandDaniel GrimslandDaniel Grimsland is the bassist for experimental/progressive rock band, 3. He joined the band during the Wake Pig era, after the departure of Joe Cuchelo...
- bass, backing vocals (2004–present)
Former
- Josh EppardJosh EppardJosh Eppard is an American musician from Kingston New York and the drummer for progressive rock band Coheed and Cambria. He has worked as a solo rapper under the name Weerd Science and was the drummer for supergroup rock band Terrible Things...
- drums, percussion, backing vocals (1994–1999) - Chris Bittner - bass (1994–2003)
- Jason Foster - guitars (1999)
- Joe Cuchelo - bass (2002–2003)
- Joe StoteJoe StoteJoe Stote sometimes called Stotes, is the former percussionist/keyboard player for experimental/progressive rock band, 3. Prior to 3, he played guitar in the band Peacebomb, who's most notable appearance was during the Woodstock '94 Festival, in Saugerties, NY.Joe Stote was also a founding member...
- keyboards, percussion, attitude (2003–2008)
Studio Albums
- Paint by Number (19991999 in music-Events:*January 7**After eight years of marriage, Rod Stewart and supermodel wife Rachel Hunter announce their separation.**Paul McCartney attends the first of his stepdaughter Heather's first housewares collection in Georgia....
, Planet Noise Records) - Summercamp NightmareSummercamp NightmareSummercamp Nightmare is the second studio album released by the band 3. It was released in 2003. Some of the tracks that appear on this album had previously been included on the band's live album Half Life, while others were later featured again on Wake Pig, most notably "Amaze Disgrace", which has...
(20032003 in music-January:* January – following an investigation by The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry and London detectives, police raids in England and the Netherlands recover nearly 500 original Beatles studio tapes, recorded during the Let It Be sessions. Five people are arrested...
, Planet Noise Records) - Wake PigWake PigWake Pig is 3's third studio album. It was released on October 26, 2004 by Planet Noise Records. It was re-released on November 1, 2005 by Metal Blade Records...
(20042004 in musicSee also:* 2004 in music Record labels established in 2004-January:*January 1**The Vienna New Year's Concert is conducted by Riccardo Muti.**Kurt Nilsen wins World Idol....
, Planet Noise Records / 20052005 in music-Events:*During the year 2005, 12 rock music albums scored number 1 in the USA. This was the first time even ten albums have scored number 1 since 1996.-January:...
, Metal Blade RecordsMetal Blade RecordsMetal Blade Records is a record label which was founded by Brian Slagel in 1982. The U.S. corporate office for Metal Blade is located in Agoura Hills, California. It also has offices in Arizona, Germany, Japan, Canada, and the UK. The label is distributed in the U.S. by Sony BMG Music...
) - The End Is BegunThe End Is BegunThe End Is Begun, released on July 24, 2007, is 3's fourth full length studio album, and the second to be released by Metal Blade Records. On February 19, 2008, a special edition was released with one extra track and a bonus DVD.On May 8, 2007, the...
(20072007 in musicThis is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 2007.-January:*January 1 - George Shearing is knighted for services to music in the Queen's New Year Honours List. Evelyn Glennie becomes a Dame...
, Metal Blade Records) - RevisionsRevisions (3 album)Revisions is 3's fifth full length album and the third released by Metal Blade Records. On August 26, 2009, 3 announced on their about Revisions, and stating in the liner notes that they felt that those songs "...deserved a second chance, a 'revision,' if you will."-Track listing:# "Anyone Human" ...
(20092009 in musicThe following is a list of notable events and releases in 2009 in music. Susan Boyle's album I Dreamed a Dream became the biggest selling album in the world for 2009, selling 8.3 million copies in five weeks; more than any other artist's in the whole year...
, Metal Blade Records) - The Ghost You Gave to Me (2011, Metal Blade Records)
Live Albums
- Half LifeHalf Life (3 album)Half Life is a live effort released by the band 3. It contains both renditions from their debut album, Paint by Number, as well as unreleased tracks...
(20022002 in musicThis is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 2002.-Events:*February 3 – U2 perform during the halftime show for Super Bowl XXXVI...
, Planet Noise Records)
Compilations
- Where Woodstock Lives (1994, Tinker Street)
- Metal Massacre Vol. 13Metal MassacreMetal Massacre is a series of compilation albums released through Metal Blade Records. It is famous for "shedding light" on bands such as Metallica, Slayer, Overkill, Trouble, Tactics, Armored Saint, and more.-History:...
(2006, Metal BladeMetal Blade RecordsMetal Blade Records is a record label which was founded by Brian Slagel in 1982. The U.S. corporate office for Metal Blade is located in Agoura Hills, California. It also has offices in Arizona, Germany, Japan, Canada, and the UK. The label is distributed in the U.S. by Sony BMG Music...
)