Kevin Martin (U.S. musician)
Encyclopedia
Kevin Martin is an American hard rock
singer who is best known as lead vocalist of the band Candlebox
. He also provides lead vocals for the bands The Gracious Few
and The Hiwatts.
top 10 hit in 1993 with their self-titled debut album
, released by Maverick Records
. The album's success was largely due to the single "Far Behind
," a song written about two of Martin's friends who suffered heroin overdoses. The single reached number 18 on the US Hot 100
and was a top 10 hit in both the US Modern Rock and US Mainstream Rock charts.
Candlebox released two more albums in the 1990s, but following several line-up changes and diminishing commercial success, the group broke up in an apparent attempt to be released from the Maverick label. Maverick considered Martin the sole remaining member of Candlebox and demanded a fourth studio album before finally terminating his contract in 2000. As a result, he would no longer receive album sale royalties while the other band members would.
Following Candlebox's demise, Martin became lead vocalist for the band The Hiwatts. The group began touring in early 2003 and recorded the album The Possibility of Being in 2005. The following year, Martin was asked to rejoin Candlebox to promote their The Best of Candlebox compilation. The band subsequently signed with the Silent Majority Group
label and began working on a new album. In 2007, Martin recorded vocals with label mates Tantric
for the song "The One" from their album, The End Begins
. The new Candlebox album, Into the Sun
, was released in 2008 and was promoted by an extensive tour.
In 2009 Martin was invited by three former members of the band Live
to form The Gracious Few
, a supergroup
which also includes Sean Hennesy
, a member of the Hiwatts who had also joined the re-formed Candlebox as rhythm guitarist for their live shows. The Gracious Few released their self-titled debut
album in September 2010 and toured the US and Europe into 2011 to promote it.
Kevin Martin & the Hiwatts
The Gracious Few
Other appearances
Hard rock
Hard rock is a loosely defined genre of rock music which has its earliest roots in mid-1960s garage rock, blues rock and psychedelic rock...
singer who is best known as lead vocalist of the band Candlebox
Candlebox
Candlebox is an American alternative rock band from Seattle, Washington. Since their debut, the group has released four studio albums, which have achieved multi-platinum and gold certification, as well as numerous charting singles, a compilation, and a CD+DVD....
. He also provides lead vocals for the bands The Gracious Few
The Gracious Few
The Gracious Few is an American rock supergroup featuring guitarist Chad Taylor, bassist Patrick Dahlheimer and drummer Chad Gracey from the band Live, along with lead vocalist Kevin Martin and guitarist Sean Hennesy from the band Candlebox....
and The Hiwatts.
Career
Martin and drummer Scott Mercado set out to start a band in 1990. Candlebox was formed in 1991 after guitarist Peter Klett and bassist Bardi Martin joined them. They gained a Billboard 200Billboard 200
The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists...
top 10 hit in 1993 with their self-titled debut album
Candlebox (album)
Candlebox is the debut album by Seattle post-grunge band Candlebox. It contains their best known hit, "Far Behind", as well as the hit singles "You" and "Cover Me." Released in 1993, the album has since been certified 4x Platinum in the United States....
, released by Maverick Records
Maverick Records
Maverick Recording Company is an American record label owned and operated by Warner Music Group, and distributed through Warner Bros. Records.-Company history:...
. The album's success was largely due to the single "Far Behind
Far Behind
"Far Behind" is a song by American post-grunge band Candlebox and the third single from their eponymous debut album. It is one of the band's most well known, entering the charts in July 1993 and remaining there until January the following year when it was officially released as a single...
," a song written about two of Martin's friends who suffered heroin overdoses. The single reached number 18 on the US Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
and was a top 10 hit in both the US Modern Rock and US Mainstream Rock charts.
Candlebox released two more albums in the 1990s, but following several line-up changes and diminishing commercial success, the group broke up in an apparent attempt to be released from the Maverick label. Maverick considered Martin the sole remaining member of Candlebox and demanded a fourth studio album before finally terminating his contract in 2000. As a result, he would no longer receive album sale royalties while the other band members would.
Following Candlebox's demise, Martin became lead vocalist for the band The Hiwatts. The group began touring in early 2003 and recorded the album The Possibility of Being in 2005. The following year, Martin was asked to rejoin Candlebox to promote their The Best of Candlebox compilation. The band subsequently signed with the Silent Majority Group
Silent Majority Group
Silent Majority Group is a record label founded in 2006 by artist manager Jeff Hanson that concentrates on finding up-and-coming rock bands such as Framing Hanley, as well as providing a home for established acts such as Candlebox and Tantric. The label also provides artist and producer management...
label and began working on a new album. In 2007, Martin recorded vocals with label mates Tantric
Tantric (band)
Tantric is a rock band from Louisville, Kentucky. The group has released four studio albums since 2001; although, their last two albums only retain Tantric's original singer, Hugo Ferreira...
for the song "The One" from their album, The End Begins
The End Begins
The End Begins is the third studio album from Louisville, KY-based band Tantric. It is the first one recorded without the band's original members Todd Whitener, Matt Taul, and Jesse Vest...
. The new Candlebox album, Into the Sun
Into the Sun (Candlebox album)
Into the Sun is the fourth studio album by Seattle post-grunge band Candlebox. Released in 2008, it is their first album since 1998's Happy Pills and would mark both the band's studio return after a seven-year hiatus as well as their first album with Silent Majority Group.-Recording and...
, was released in 2008 and was promoted by an extensive tour.
In 2009 Martin was invited by three former members of the band Live
Live (band)
Live is an American rock band from York, Pennsylvania, composed of Chad Taylor , Patrick Dahlheimer , and Chad Gracey . Lead singer and principal songwriter Ed Kowalczyk left the band in November 2009....
to form The Gracious Few
The Gracious Few
The Gracious Few is an American rock supergroup featuring guitarist Chad Taylor, bassist Patrick Dahlheimer and drummer Chad Gracey from the band Live, along with lead vocalist Kevin Martin and guitarist Sean Hennesy from the band Candlebox....
, a supergroup
Supergroup (music)
In the late 1960s, the term supergroup was coined to describe "a rock music group whose performers are already famous from having performed individually or in other groups"....
which also includes Sean Hennesy
Sean Hennesy
Sean Hennesy is a guitarist currently playing for the bands Candlebox and The Gracious Few. He has previously played for the bands The Hiwatts and The Kings Royal.-History:...
, a member of the Hiwatts who had also joined the re-formed Candlebox as rhythm guitarist for their live shows. The Gracious Few released their self-titled debut
The Gracious Few (album)
-Band:* Kevin Martin: lead vocals* Chad Taylor: rhythm guitar* Sean Hennesy: lead guitar* Patrick Dahlheimer: bass guitar* Chad Gracey: drums-Album credits:*Jerry Harrison - producer*Tom Lord-Alge - mixing*Lawrence Goldfarb - executive producer...
album in September 2010 and toured the US and Europe into 2011 to promote it.
Discography
Candlebox- CandleboxCandlebox (album)Candlebox is the debut album by Seattle post-grunge band Candlebox. It contains their best known hit, "Far Behind", as well as the hit singles "You" and "Cover Me." Released in 1993, the album has since been certified 4x Platinum in the United States....
(July 20, 1993) US #7, 4x Platinum - Lucy (October 3, 1995) US #11, Gold
- Happy PillsHappy Pills (album)Happy Pills is the third studio album by Seattle post-grunge band, Candlebox. It features former Pearl Jam drummer Dave Krusen who replaced Scott Mercado in 1997. Happy Pills did not gain the success of its predecessors and would be the last Candlebox album before their hiatus in 2000...
(July 21, 1998) US #65 - The Best of Candlebox (May 23, 2006)
- Into the SunInto the Sun (Candlebox album)Into the Sun is the fourth studio album by Seattle post-grunge band Candlebox. Released in 2008, it is their first album since 1998's Happy Pills and would mark both the band's studio return after a seven-year hiatus as well as their first album with Silent Majority Group.-Recording and...
(July 22, 2008) US #32 - Alive in Seattle (September 2, 2008)
Kevin Martin & the Hiwatts
- The Possibility of Being (2005)
The Gracious Few
- The Gracious FewThe Gracious Few (album)-Band:* Kevin Martin: lead vocals* Chad Taylor: rhythm guitar* Sean Hennesy: lead guitar* Patrick Dahlheimer: bass guitar* Chad Gracey: drums-Album credits:*Jerry Harrison - producer*Tom Lord-Alge - mixing*Lawrence Goldfarb - executive producer...
(2010)
Other appearances
- TantricTantric (band)Tantric is a rock band from Louisville, Kentucky. The group has released four studio albums since 2001; although, their last two albums only retain Tantric's original singer, Hugo Ferreira...
- The End BeginsThe End BeginsThe End Begins is the third studio album from Louisville, KY-based band Tantric. It is the first one recorded without the band's original members Todd Whitener, Matt Taul, and Jesse Vest...
(2008) ("The One") - CenturyCentury (US band)Century is an American metalcore band formed in 2005 by multi-instrumentalist Carson Slovak. Century was originally conceived as a solo project, but later evolved into a complete band. Slovak writes all of Century's music, and designs all of the artwork and merchandise. In 2005 the band signed a...
- Red Giant (2011) ("Oak God")