Seether
Encyclopedia
Seether is a post-grunge
/alternative metal
band from Pretoria
, South Africa
, formed in 1999. The band is currently signed to Wind-up Records
. Originally named Saron Gas and signed to Musketeer Records
in South Africa, they changed their name in 2002, coinciding with the release of their second album and major label debut, Disclaimer.
, South Africa, and the earliest days of the group saw their public appearances at parties, nightclubs, large-scale concerts, and university venues, such as the University of Cape Town
and the University of Stellenbosch, where they played for the lunch-time crowds in the Neelsie centre on the latter campus as late as the summer of 2001.
As Saron Gas, the band released its first album, Fragile
, on Musketeer Records, in 2000 in South Africa. Upon the band's achieving success on the South African Singles Chart, Wind-up Records
took an interest in Saron Gas's melodic-yet-heavy sound and signed them to the label. The band changed their name to avoid confusion with the sarin
gas, a lethal nerve gas manufactured (but never used) in World War II by the German Army Weapons Office. The band's name became Seether shortly afterward.
on a worldwide tour that postponed their recording plans by almost a year. On this tour, the band reworked the acoustic
ballad "Broken
" into an electric ballad and had Amy Lee
of Evanescence share vocal duties with Morgan during live performances. Inspired by the positive reaction the duet got on the road and perhaps fueled by a budding romance between Lee and Morgan, the band headed into the studio and quickly recorded an alternate version of "Broken" with Amy Lee on vocals. The song, along with a new song titled "Sold Me", was featured on the soundtrack for the 2004 film The Punisher and was massively successful, bringing the band fame in the US, the UK and Australia in particular. Morgan has stated that the hit song relates an incident where the band was subjected to what the record company wanted rather than what the band wanted. Disclaimer II
, an alternate version of the original album with many of the songs remixed or rerecorded as well as eight extra tracks, was released in late 2004.
. The original title for the album was Catering to Cowards, but the band's record label instructed them to change the name. "Karma and Effect" debuted at number 8 of the US Billboard 200 album charts and was certified gold in the US and Canada. The album spawned three singles, "Remedy", "Truth
" and "The Gift
". "Remedy" reached number 1 of the US Mainstream Rock Charts, becoming the band's first number one single.
Seether released an acoustic CD/DVD set titled One Cold Night
, recorded on 22 February 2006, at Grape Street in Philadelphia. Morgan, who had been suffering from a stomach ailment, decided to do an acoustic performance of their set-list rather than cancel the show. Shaun has stated that the label chose to make the album without obscenities, which is the reason why "Needles" and "Burrito" are not on the album.'
commented:
Morgan went into rehab for alcoholism
in August 2006, forcing the band to cancel their tour with Staind
and Three Days Grace
.
was delayed due to the suicide
of Morgan's brother, Eugene Welgemoed. Produced by Howard Benson
, the album finally hit the shelves on 23 October 2007. The album debuted at number 9 in the Billboard 200 album charts, selling 57,000 copies in the first week. The album's cover artwork featured "Candice the Ghost", and was illustrated by David Ho
.
The first single, "Fake It
", reached the top position in the US Mainstream Rock Charts and Modern Rock Charts, remaining on top for at least 9 weeks on both charts. It was also the theme for WWE's No Way Out 2008. After the success of "Fake It," a second single, "Rise Above This
", was released and has reached the #1 spot on the Modern Rock Tracks
chart and the top 2 with its mainstream counterpart. The final single from the album was "Breakdown", the video of which was released on 12 November 2008 after a delay from its original 23 October scheduled release date.
Seether launched a tour in support of the album in early 2008 which was to last much of the year, employing Troy McLawhorn
of Dark New Day
as a touring guitarist on 15 February 2008. McLawhorn previously did a stint as Evanescence
's replacement guitarist during the last leg of The Open Door
tour. The tour saw the band share the stage with several bands for several different legs, including Three Days Grace
, Finger Eleven
, Breaking Benjamin
, 3 Doors Down
, Skillet
, Red
, Papa Roach
, Flyleaf
, Econoline Crush
, and Staind
. After the success of the tour, McLawhorn was made an official member of the band.
Seether claimed their first South African Music Award
in the category "Best Rock: English" for Finding Beauty in Negative Spaces, as well as their first MTV Africa Music Award
for "Best Alternative Artist".
In early 2009, a new song titled "No Shelter" was featured on the NCIS Official TV Soundtrack
, released on 10 February. Also, a cover of Wham!
's "Careless Whisper
" was made available for purchase as a digital or mobile download. The song was reportedly covered as a joke. Wind-up approached Seether to do a song for Valentine's Day, so, as a joke, they turned a "Cheesy 80s pop ballad" into a Hard Rock/Metal song. "Careless Whisper" has gotten Seether lots of publicity. The music video for "Careless Whisper" premiered on 15 June 2009, and the song can be found as an additional track on the reissue of Finding Beauty in Negative Spaces.
From March until April 2009, Seether supported Nickelback
on their 2009 Dark Horse
tour. Shaun and Dale confirmed in an interview on 2 March 2009 that, after the Nickelback tour, Seether would take the rest of year off to write and record the follow-up to Finding Beauty in Negative Spaces. Despite the announced break, the band played a series of "one-off" shows during the remainder of 2009, including a gig in Japan to play for American troops as part of a USO tour on 23 May and 24 May 2009 in Okinawa at Camp Schwab, and then in MCAS Iwakuni on 26 May 2009 for the US Marines. Seether also made appearances at a number of festivals during the summer of 2009, including sets at the Chippewa Valley Music Festival and the Quebec City Festival, before concluding their tour at The Big E Festival, Springfield, MA, on 4 October 2009.
with producer Brendan O'Brien
, Seether began touring again in April 2010, with the intention of going back into the studio "in the first week of June" in order to complete the new record. In August 2010, drummer John Humphrey confirmed that Seether had finished recording the new album, and was in the mixing process. He went on to say that the album would most likely be released in January 2011. Humphrey also mentioned that the band felt that this album is their best work and concluded that the songs are "very strong, melodic, and heavy at times." In an interview with Johnny Dare in September 2010, Shaun Morgan confirmed that the new album had been finished and was awaiting release by Wind-up Records. However, Morgan also reiterated that the new album then may not have been set to release until early 2011.
On 4 September 2010, during a live show at the DuQuoin, IL State Fair, Seether debuted a new song titled "No Resolution". This song appeared on the Holding Onto Strings Better Left to Fray
album.
During a recent interview (dated 3 Jan 2011) with Planet 1051 radio in Louisiana, guitarist Troy McLawhorn and drummer John Humphrey confirmed that the band would be releasing a new album titled Holding Onto Strings Better Left to Fray
in May. The first single from the album, titled “Country Song
” was released on 8 March in the US and on 4 April in the United Kingdom, while the new album was released on 17 May 2011.
On 8 March, Seether announced via Twitter that guitarist Troy McLawhorn
had decided to leave the band to pursue other interests in which he returned to be a rhythm guitarist of Evanescence.
On 10 May 2011 Seether performed live in Cincinnati, Ohio
. On 11 May 2011 Seether performed live in South Bend, Indiana
. Both concerts were recorded and released as a limited edition CD set for each individual city.
On 25 May 2011 it was announced that Seether had reached their highest position on the US Billboard 200
Charts where "Holding Onto Strings Better Left To Fray" rose to the Number 2 position. It was also able to gain number one on the US Rock Albums, US Alternative Albums and US Hard Rock Album Charts. This was their best sales week of 61,000 records sold since Karma and Effect
bowed out at number 8 with 82,000 record sales in 2005.
Seether played mainstage on the Uproar Festival
alongside bands Avenged Sevenfold
, Three Days Grace
, Bullet For My Valentine
, and Escape The Fate
.
From 19 November to 15 March Seether will support 3 Doors Down
on their European tour.
Former
Digital albums
Post-grunge
Post-grunge is a subgenre of alternative rock that emerged in the mid-1990s as a derivative of grunge, using the sounds and aesthetic of grunge, but with a more commercially acceptable tone...
/alternative metal
Alternative metal
Alternative metal is a genre of alternative rock and heavy metal that gained popularity in the early 1990s. Most notably, alternative metal bands are characterized by heavy guitar riffs and experimental approaches to heavy music.-Origins:...
band from Pretoria
Pretoria
Pretoria is a city located in the northern part of Gauteng Province, South Africa. It is one of the country's three capital cities, serving as the executive and de facto national capital; the others are Cape Town, the legislative capital, and Bloemfontein, the judicial capital.Pretoria is...
, South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
, formed in 1999. The band is currently signed to Wind-up Records
Wind-Up Records
Wind-up Entertainment, Inc. is a record label based in New York City. It was formed in 1997 by Alan Meltzer, former owner of CD One Stop, following his 1996 purchase of Grass Records. Wind-up is currently the largest independently-owned record label in the world...
. Originally named Saron Gas and signed to Musketeer Records
Musketeer Records
Musketeer Records, an independent record label based in Johannesburg, South Africa which releases mainstream rock, adult contemporary and solo acts. It was formed in August 2000 by Brian O'Shea and Peter Lacey. Currently Musketeer has South African representation and offices in Johannesburg, Cape...
in South Africa, they changed their name in 2002, coinciding with the release of their second album and major label debut, Disclaimer.
Early days, Fragile, Disclaimer (2000–2002)
Saron Gas was started in JohannesburgJohannesburg
Johannesburg also known as Jozi, Jo'burg or Egoli, is the largest city in South Africa, by population. Johannesburg is the provincial capital of Gauteng, the wealthiest province in South Africa, having the largest economy of any metropolitan region in Sub-Saharan Africa...
, South Africa, and the earliest days of the group saw their public appearances at parties, nightclubs, large-scale concerts, and university venues, such as the University of Cape Town
University of Cape Town
The University of Cape Town is a public research university located in Cape Town in the Western Cape province of South Africa. UCT was founded in 1829 as the South African College, and is the oldest university in South Africa and the second oldest extant university in Africa.-History:The roots of...
and the University of Stellenbosch, where they played for the lunch-time crowds in the Neelsie centre on the latter campus as late as the summer of 2001.
As Saron Gas, the band released its first album, Fragile
Fragile (Saron Gas album)
Fragile is the debut album by the band Saron Gas, which would eventually become Seether. The album was released only in South Africa. After this album, Wind-up Records asked the band to change their name, as Saron Gas was a homophone for sarin gas, a deadly nerve agent...
, on Musketeer Records, in 2000 in South Africa. Upon the band's achieving success on the South African Singles Chart, Wind-up Records
Wind-Up Records
Wind-up Entertainment, Inc. is a record label based in New York City. It was formed in 1997 by Alan Meltzer, former owner of CD One Stop, following his 1996 purchase of Grass Records. Wind-up is currently the largest independently-owned record label in the world...
took an interest in Saron Gas's melodic-yet-heavy sound and signed them to the label. The band changed their name to avoid confusion with the sarin
Sarin
Sarin, or GB, is an organophosphorus compound with the formula [2CHO]CH3PF. It is a colorless, odorless liquid, which is used as a chemical weapon. It has been classified as a weapon of mass destruction in UN Resolution 687...
gas, a lethal nerve gas manufactured (but never used) in World War II by the German Army Weapons Office. The band's name became Seether shortly afterward.
Success and Disclaimer II (2002–2004)
After Disclaimer was released, the band went on a non-stop touring route in hopes of boosting sales and name recognition. Upon completing the tour, the band had planned to go into the studio and record their second release. However, they were instead tapped to support EvanescenceEvanescence
Evanescence is an American rock band founded in Little Rock, Arkansas in 1995 by singer/pianist Amy Lee and guitarist Ben Moody. After recording private albums, the band released their first full-length album, Fallen, on Wind-up Records in 2003. Fallen sold more than 17 million copies worldwide...
on a worldwide tour that postponed their recording plans by almost a year. On this tour, the band reworked the acoustic
Acoustic music
Acoustic music comprises music that solely or primarily uses instruments which produce sound through entirely acoustic means, as opposed to electric or electronic means...
ballad "Broken
Broken (Seether song)
"Broken" is a song by post-grunge/alternative metal South-African band Seether featuring American singer Amy Lee. The original acoustic version is the twelfth track on Seether's debut album Disclaimer. It was re-recorded with Amy Lee, the future girlfriend of Seether vocalist Shaun Morgan, for The...
" into an electric ballad and had Amy Lee
Amy Lee
Amy Lynn Hartzler , best known as Amy Lee, is an American singer-songwriter and classically trained pianist. She is co-founder and lead vocalist of the rock band Evanescence. She cites influences ranging from classical musicians such as Mozart to modern artists Björk, Tori Amos, Danny Elfman and...
of Evanescence share vocal duties with Morgan during live performances. Inspired by the positive reaction the duet got on the road and perhaps fueled by a budding romance between Lee and Morgan, the band headed into the studio and quickly recorded an alternate version of "Broken" with Amy Lee on vocals. The song, along with a new song titled "Sold Me", was featured on the soundtrack for the 2004 film The Punisher and was massively successful, bringing the band fame in the US, the UK and Australia in particular. Morgan has stated that the hit song relates an incident where the band was subjected to what the record company wanted rather than what the band wanted. Disclaimer II
Disclaimer II
Disclaimer II is the second album released by the post-grunge rock band Seether. This disc is a recompilation of the band's first album, Disclaimer, from 2002. Although the 12 tracks from the original album are present, they have been slightly remixed and differ from the original...
, an alternate version of the original album with many of the songs remixed or rerecorded as well as eight extra tracks, was released in late 2004.
Karma and Effect, One Cold Night (2005–2006)
In 2005, the band released their follow-up album Karma and EffectKarma and Effect
Karma and Effect is the third album by the South African post-grunge/alternative metal band Seether. It was released on May 24, 2005 by Wind-up Records. It is certified gold in the US and Canada....
. The original title for the album was Catering to Cowards, but the band's record label instructed them to change the name. "Karma and Effect" debuted at number 8 of the US Billboard 200 album charts and was certified gold in the US and Canada. The album spawned three singles, "Remedy", "Truth
Truth (Seether song)
Truth" is a song by post grunge/alternative metal band Seether. It is the third track and second single from their album Karma and Effect.The music video was directed by Dean Karr, who had also directed the video for their previous single Remedy, and features singer Shaun Morgan dressed as a ring...
" and "The Gift
The Gift (Seether song)
"The Gift" is a song by post grunge and alternative metal band Seether. It is the fourth track and third and final single off their album Karma and Effect.-Music video:...
". "Remedy" reached number 1 of the US Mainstream Rock Charts, becoming the band's first number one single.
Seether released an acoustic CD/DVD set titled One Cold Night
One Cold Night
One Cold Night is an acoustic album by South African post-grunge/alternative metal band Seether, released on July 11, 2006, that features 12 acoustic tracks plus bonus DVD footage recorded in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in the Grape Street Club on February 22, 2006...
, recorded on 22 February 2006, at Grape Street in Philadelphia. Morgan, who had been suffering from a stomach ailment, decided to do an acoustic performance of their set-list rather than cancel the show. Shaun has stated that the label chose to make the album without obscenities, which is the reason why "Needles" and "Burrito" are not on the album.'
Guitarist departure, rehab (2006)
On 16 June 2006, it was announced via Seether's official site that lead guitarist Pat Callahan had chosen to leave the band. The exact reason for Callahan's departure is unknown, but regarding his feelings over the situation, Shaun MorganShaun Morgan
Shaun Morgan Welgemoed is a South African musician known as the lead singer and the lead/rhythm guitarist of the post-grunge rock/alternative metal band Seether.-Early life:...
commented:
- "Um… relieved a little… actually a lot. He was the guy in the band that was always our naysayer, and he was the negative energy as far as writing. I personally have no love lost, which is weird for some reason 'cause he was my friend for four years. But when he walked out, it kinda walked out with him."
Morgan went into rehab for alcoholism
Alcoholism
Alcoholism is a broad term for problems with alcohol, and is generally used to mean compulsive and uncontrolled consumption of alcoholic beverages, usually to the detriment of the drinker's health, personal relationships, and social standing...
in August 2006, forcing the band to cancel their tour with Staind
Staind
Staind is an American rock band that was formed in 1995 in Springfield, Massachusetts. For 16 years, the band consisted of lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Aaron Lewis, lead guitarist Mike Mushok, bassist Johnny April, and drummer Jon Wysocki...
and Three Days Grace
Three Days Grace
Three Days Grace is a Canadian rock band, formed in Norwood, Ontario, Canada in 1992, originally under the name Groundswell. After a breakup in late 1997, the band regrouped in the same year under its current name and with a line-up consisting of guitarist and lead vocalist Adam Gontier, drummer...
.
Finding Beauty in Negative Spaces (2007–2009)
Frontman Shaun Morgan claimed prior to the new album's debut that it would be more "diverse" than previous efforts. Originally aimed at an August release, Finding Beauty in Negative SpacesFinding Beauty in Negative Spaces
Finding Beauty in Negative Spaces is the fourth studio album by South African post-grunge/alternative metal band Seether. The album was released in South Africa and Switzerland on October 19, 2007, and released worldwide on October 23, 2007....
was delayed due to the suicide
Suicide
Suicide is the act of intentionally causing one's own death. Suicide is often committed out of despair or attributed to some underlying mental disorder, such as depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, alcoholism, or drug abuse...
of Morgan's brother, Eugene Welgemoed. Produced by Howard Benson
Howard Benson
Howard Benson is a two-time Grammy-nominated music producer and aerospace engineer.-Biography:Howard Benson has a degree in materials engineering from Drexel University and studied composition at the Philadelphia College for Performing Arts. Later he worked for Garrett AiResearch, where he worked...
, the album finally hit the shelves on 23 October 2007. The album debuted at number 9 in the Billboard 200 album charts, selling 57,000 copies in the first week. The album's cover artwork featured "Candice the Ghost", and was illustrated by David Ho
David Ho (artist)
David G. Ho is a Chinese-American artist.Ho was born in New Jersey. He moved to Taiwan with his family when he was a child, and moved back to California as a teenager...
.
The first single, "Fake It
Fake It (Seether song)
"Fake It" is the first single from Seether's album Finding Beauty in Negative Spaces. The single quickly rose to number one on both the Billboard Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks and Hot Modern Rock Tracks charts. It also reached number 56 on the Billboard Hot 100, the second highest of their singles...
", reached the top position in the US Mainstream Rock Charts and Modern Rock Charts, remaining on top for at least 9 weeks on both charts. It was also the theme for WWE's No Way Out 2008. After the success of "Fake It," a second single, "Rise Above This
Rise Above This
"Rise Above This" is the second single from Seether's album Finding Beauty in Negative Spaces. It is the sixth track on the album and became the band's second consecutive number-one song on the U.S. Modern Rock chart. Seether's vocalist Shaun Morgan has stated that the song is about his late...
", was released and has reached the #1 spot on the Modern Rock Tracks
Modern Rock Tracks
Alternative Songs is a music chart in the United States that has appeared in Billboard magazine since September 10, 1988. It lists the 40 most-played songs on modern rock radio stations, most of which are alternative rock songs...
chart and the top 2 with its mainstream counterpart. The final single from the album was "Breakdown", the video of which was released on 12 November 2008 after a delay from its original 23 October scheduled release date.
Seether launched a tour in support of the album in early 2008 which was to last much of the year, employing Troy McLawhorn
Troy McLawhorn
William Troy McLawhorn is an American musician who is a guitarist of the band Evanescence.-Early carrer:He was formerly of the bands Seether, Dark New Day, doubleDrive and Still Rain. After the demise of his first band, Still Rain, McLawhorn helped form Dark New Day in 1995, although they were...
of Dark New Day
Dark New Day
Dark New Day is an American hard rock supergroup formed in 2004 featuring Brett Hestla of Virgos Merlot, Troy McLawhorn of DoubleDrive, Clint Lowery of Sevendust, Corey Lowery of Stereomud and Stuck Mojo, and Will Hunt of Skrape...
as a touring guitarist on 15 February 2008. McLawhorn previously did a stint as Evanescence
Evanescence
Evanescence is an American rock band founded in Little Rock, Arkansas in 1995 by singer/pianist Amy Lee and guitarist Ben Moody. After recording private albums, the band released their first full-length album, Fallen, on Wind-up Records in 2003. Fallen sold more than 17 million copies worldwide...
's replacement guitarist during the last leg of The Open Door
The Open Door
The Open Door is the second studio album by the American rock band Evanescence. It was first released in Poland on September 25, 2006, through Wind-up Records and subsequently in more than 20 other countries worldwide...
tour. The tour saw the band share the stage with several bands for several different legs, including Three Days Grace
Three Days Grace
Three Days Grace is a Canadian rock band, formed in Norwood, Ontario, Canada in 1992, originally under the name Groundswell. After a breakup in late 1997, the band regrouped in the same year under its current name and with a line-up consisting of guitarist and lead vocalist Adam Gontier, drummer...
, Finger Eleven
Finger Eleven
Finger Eleven is a Canadian rock band from Burlington, Ontario, formed in 1989. They have currently released five studio albums, with their album The Greyest of Blue Skies bringing them into the mainstream...
, Breaking Benjamin
Breaking Benjamin
Breaking Benjamin is an American rock band from Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, currently consisting of Benjamin Burnley and Chad Szeliga. The band has released four studio albums to date and a greatest hits album that was released on August 16, 2011. The group initially went on indefinite hiatus due...
, 3 Doors Down
3 Doors Down
3 Doors Down is an American rock band from Escatawpa formed in 1996. The band consists of Brad Arnold , Matt Roberts , Todd Harrell , Chris Henderson , and Greg Upchurch ....
, Skillet
Skillet (band)
Skillet is an American Christian rock band formed in Memphis, Tennessee in 1996. The band currently consists of husband and wife John and Korey Cooper , along with Jen Ledger and lead guitarist Seth Morrison. The band has released eight albums, two receiving Grammy nominations: Collide and Comatose...
, Red
Red (band)
Red is an American rock band from Nashville, Tennessee, formed in 2004. The band's lineup consists of singer Michael Barnes, guitarist Anthony Armstrong, bassist Randy Armstrong and drummer Joe Rickard. They are known for their Christian rock music which incorporates other sounds such as...
, Papa Roach
Papa Roach
Papa Roach is an American rock band from Vacaville, California. Their first major-label release was the triple-platinum album Infest . The group's success continued with their gold album Lovehatetragedy , their platinum album Getting Away with Murder , The Paramour Sessions , and Metamorphosis...
, Flyleaf
Flyleaf
Flyleaf is an American alternative metal band, formed in the Belton and Temple, Texas regions in 2000. The band has charted on mainstream rock, Christian pop and Christian metal genres. They performed around the United States in 2003 until releasing their eponymous debut album, Flyleaf, in 2005....
, Econoline Crush
Econoline Crush
Econoline Crush is a band from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada formed in 1992. Originally formed in Seattle, they eventually moved back to Vancouver...
, and Staind
Staind
Staind is an American rock band that was formed in 1995 in Springfield, Massachusetts. For 16 years, the band consisted of lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Aaron Lewis, lead guitarist Mike Mushok, bassist Johnny April, and drummer Jon Wysocki...
. After the success of the tour, McLawhorn was made an official member of the band.
Seether claimed their first South African Music Award
South African Music Awards
The South African Music Awards are an annual award ceremony, run by the Recording Industry of South Africa , where accolades are presented to members of South Africa's music industry. Winners receive a statuette is called a SAMA. The event was established in 1995...
in the category "Best Rock: English" for Finding Beauty in Negative Spaces, as well as their first MTV Africa Music Award
MTV Africa Music Awards
The MTV Africa Music Awards with Airtel were established in 2008 by MTV Networks Africa to celebrate the most popular music in Africa.-History:...
for "Best Alternative Artist".
In early 2009, a new song titled "No Shelter" was featured on the NCIS Official TV Soundtrack
NCIS (soundtrack)
-Volume 1 Songs Used In NCIS Episodes:-Volume 2 Overview:NCIS: The Official TV Soundtrack - Vol. 2 is the second soundtrack album from the television series NCIS...
, released on 10 February. Also, a cover of Wham!
WHAM!
Wham! were a short-lived British musical duo formed by George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley in the early 1980s. They were briefly known in the United States as Wham! UK due to a naming conflict with an American band....
's "Careless Whisper
Careless Whisper
"Careless Whisper" is a 1984 single by George Michael , released by Epic Records in the UK, Japan, and other countries; and by Columbia Records in North America. The song was George Michael's first solo single although he was still performing in Wham! at the time...
" was made available for purchase as a digital or mobile download. The song was reportedly covered as a joke. Wind-up approached Seether to do a song for Valentine's Day, so, as a joke, they turned a "Cheesy 80s pop ballad" into a Hard Rock/Metal song. "Careless Whisper" has gotten Seether lots of publicity. The music video for "Careless Whisper" premiered on 15 June 2009, and the song can be found as an additional track on the reissue of Finding Beauty in Negative Spaces.
From March until April 2009, Seether supported Nickelback
Nickelback
Nickelback is a Canadian rock band from Hanna, Alberta. Since 1995 the band has included guitarist and lead vocalist Chad Kroeger, guitarist and back-up vocalist Ryan Peake and bassist Mike Kroeger.. The band's current drummer and percussionist is Daniel Adair who has been with the band since 2005....
on their 2009 Dark Horse
Dark Horse (Nickelback album)
Dark Horse is the sixth studio album by the Canadian rock band Nickelback, released on November 17, 2008 in Europe and a day later elsewhere...
tour. Shaun and Dale confirmed in an interview on 2 March 2009 that, after the Nickelback tour, Seether would take the rest of year off to write and record the follow-up to Finding Beauty in Negative Spaces. Despite the announced break, the band played a series of "one-off" shows during the remainder of 2009, including a gig in Japan to play for American troops as part of a USO tour on 23 May and 24 May 2009 in Okinawa at Camp Schwab, and then in MCAS Iwakuni on 26 May 2009 for the US Marines. Seether also made appearances at a number of festivals during the summer of 2009, including sets at the Chippewa Valley Music Festival and the Quebec City Festival, before concluding their tour at The Big E Festival, Springfield, MA, on 4 October 2009.
Holding Onto Strings Better Left to Fray (2010-present)
After several months recording music for the upcoming album in Nashville, TennesseeNashville, Tennessee
Nashville is the capital of the U.S. state of Tennessee and the county seat of Davidson County. It is located on the Cumberland River in Davidson County, in the north-central part of the state. The city is a center for the health care, publishing, banking and transportation industries, and is home...
with producer Brendan O'Brien
Brendan O'Brien (music producer)
Brendan O’Brien is a record producer, mixer, engineer, and musician.At age 14, O'Brien played guitar for the Atlanta-based cover band Pranks. In the late 1970s, he moved on to writing, performing and recording with the Samurai Catfish band...
, Seether began touring again in April 2010, with the intention of going back into the studio "in the first week of June" in order to complete the new record. In August 2010, drummer John Humphrey confirmed that Seether had finished recording the new album, and was in the mixing process. He went on to say that the album would most likely be released in January 2011. Humphrey also mentioned that the band felt that this album is their best work and concluded that the songs are "very strong, melodic, and heavy at times." In an interview with Johnny Dare in September 2010, Shaun Morgan confirmed that the new album had been finished and was awaiting release by Wind-up Records. However, Morgan also reiterated that the new album then may not have been set to release until early 2011.
On 4 September 2010, during a live show at the DuQuoin, IL State Fair, Seether debuted a new song titled "No Resolution". This song appeared on the Holding Onto Strings Better Left to Fray
Holding Onto Strings Better Left to Fray
Holding Onto Strings Better Left to Fray is the fifth studio album by South African post-grunge/alternative metal band Seether. It was the first Seether album to have Troy McLawhorn as the lead guitarist. However, he departed from the band just before the album's release, to once again become the...
album.
During a recent interview (dated 3 Jan 2011) with Planet 1051 radio in Louisiana, guitarist Troy McLawhorn and drummer John Humphrey confirmed that the band would be releasing a new album titled Holding Onto Strings Better Left to Fray
Holding Onto Strings Better Left to Fray
Holding Onto Strings Better Left to Fray is the fifth studio album by South African post-grunge/alternative metal band Seether. It was the first Seether album to have Troy McLawhorn as the lead guitarist. However, he departed from the band just before the album's release, to once again become the...
in May. The first single from the album, titled “Country Song
Country Song (Seether song)
"Country Song" is a song by South African post-grunge/alternative metal band Seether. It was released on March 8, 2011 as the lead single from their fifth studio album Holding Onto Strings Better Left to Fray.-Background:...
” was released on 8 March in the US and on 4 April in the United Kingdom, while the new album was released on 17 May 2011.
On 8 March, Seether announced via Twitter that guitarist Troy McLawhorn
Troy McLawhorn
William Troy McLawhorn is an American musician who is a guitarist of the band Evanescence.-Early carrer:He was formerly of the bands Seether, Dark New Day, doubleDrive and Still Rain. After the demise of his first band, Still Rain, McLawhorn helped form Dark New Day in 1995, although they were...
had decided to leave the band to pursue other interests in which he returned to be a rhythm guitarist of Evanescence.
On 10 May 2011 Seether performed live in Cincinnati, Ohio
Cincinnati, Ohio
Cincinnati is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio. Cincinnati is the county seat of Hamilton County. Settled in 1788, the city is located to north of the Ohio River at the Ohio-Kentucky border, near Indiana. The population within city limits is 296,943 according to the 2010 census, making it Ohio's...
. On 11 May 2011 Seether performed live in South Bend, Indiana
South Bend, Indiana
The city of South Bend is the county seat of St. Joseph County, Indiana, United States, on the St. Joseph River near its southernmost bend, from which it derives its name. As of the 2010 Census, the city had a total of 101,168 residents; its Metropolitan Statistical Area had a population of 316,663...
. Both concerts were recorded and released as a limited edition CD set for each individual city.
On 25 May 2011 it was announced that Seether had reached their highest position on the US Billboard 200
Billboard 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...
Charts where "Holding Onto Strings Better Left To Fray" rose to the Number 2 position. It was also able to gain number one on the US Rock Albums, US Alternative Albums and US Hard Rock Album Charts. This was their best sales week of 61,000 records sold since Karma and Effect
Karma and Effect
Karma and Effect is the third album by the South African post-grunge/alternative metal band Seether. It was released on May 24, 2005 by Wind-up Records. It is certified gold in the US and Canada....
bowed out at number 8 with 82,000 record sales in 2005.
Seether played mainstage on the Uproar Festival
Uproar Festival
The Uproar Festival, also called the Rockstar Energy Drink Uproar Festival, is an annual hard rock/heavy metal tour inaugurated in 2010 by John Reese and sponsored by Rockstar Energy Drink. The tour was also created by John Oakes, Darryl Eaton and Ryan Harlacher from the Creative Artists Agency,...
alongside bands Avenged Sevenfold
Avenged Sevenfold
Avenged Sevenfold is an American heavy metal band from Huntington Beach, California. Formed in 1999, the group consists of vocalist M. Shadows, lead guitarist Synyster Gates, rhythm guitarist Zacky Vengeance, bassist Johnny Christ....
, Three Days Grace
Three Days Grace
Three Days Grace is a Canadian rock band, formed in Norwood, Ontario, Canada in 1992, originally under the name Groundswell. After a breakup in late 1997, the band regrouped in the same year under its current name and with a line-up consisting of guitarist and lead vocalist Adam Gontier, drummer...
, Bullet For My Valentine
Bullet for My Valentine
Bullet for My Valentine are a Welsh heavy metal band from Bridgend, formed in 1998. The band is composed of Matt Tuck , Michael Paget , Jason James , and Michael Thomas . They were formed under the name Jeff Killed John and started their music career by covering songs by Metallica and Nirvana...
, and Escape The Fate
Escape The Fate
Escape the Fate is an American post-hardcore band from Las Vegas, Nevada formed in 2005 and originally from Pahrump, Nevada. They have released three EPs and three full-length studio albums. Dying Is Your Latest Fashion was the band's debut album and only album to feature vocalist Ronnie Radke...
.
From 19 November to 15 March Seether will support 3 Doors Down
3 Doors Down
3 Doors Down is an American rock band from Escatawpa formed in 1996. The band consists of Brad Arnold , Matt Roberts , Todd Harrell , Chris Henderson , and Greg Upchurch ....
on their European tour.
Band members
Current- Shaun MorganShaun MorganShaun Morgan Welgemoed is a South African musician known as the lead singer and the lead/rhythm guitarist of the post-grunge rock/alternative metal band Seether.-Early life:...
– lead vocals, lead and rhythm guitarGuitarThe 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...
(2000 – present) - Dale StewartDale StewartDale William Stewart is a South African musician, best known as the bass guitarist of the post-grunge band Seether.-Seether:Studio albums*Fragile *Disclaimer *Karma and Effect...
– bassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
, backing vocals (2000 – present) - John Humphrey – drums (2004 – present)
Former
- Dave Cohoe – drums, backing vocals (2000–2002)
- Nick OshiroNick OshiroNick Oshiro is an American musician, best known as the current drummer of the industrial metal band Static-X. He has previously played with the South African post grunge band/alternative metal Seether. He started out with a drumkit made by his father as he stated in an interview with Tama. It was...
– drums (2002–2003) - Pat Callahan – lead guitarLead guitarLead guitar is a guitar part which plays melody lines, instrumental fill passages, guitar solos, and occasionally, some riffs within a song structure...
(2002–2006) - Troy McLawhornTroy McLawhornWilliam Troy McLawhorn is an American musician who is a guitarist of the band Evanescence.-Early carrer:He was formerly of the bands Seether, Dark New Day, doubleDrive and Still Rain. After the demise of his first band, Still Rain, McLawhorn helped form Dark New Day in 1995, although they were...
– lead guitarLead guitarLead guitar is a guitar part which plays melody lines, instrumental fill passages, guitar solos, and occasionally, some riffs within a song structure...
, backing vocals (2008–2011)
Discography
Studio albums- Fragile (2000) (as Saron Gas)
- DisclaimerDisclaimer (album)Disclaimer is the major label debut album by post-grunge band Seether, released in 2002. It features three successful singles which would remain some of the band's most well known songs...
(2002) - Disclaimer IIDisclaimer IIDisclaimer II is the second album released by the post-grunge rock band Seether. This disc is a recompilation of the band's first album, Disclaimer, from 2002. Although the 12 tracks from the original album are present, they have been slightly remixed and differ from the original...
(2004) - Karma and EffectKarma and EffectKarma and Effect is the third album by the South African post-grunge/alternative metal band Seether. It was released on May 24, 2005 by Wind-up Records. It is certified gold in the US and Canada....
(2005)
- Finding Beauty in Negative SpacesFinding Beauty in Negative SpacesFinding Beauty in Negative Spaces is the fourth studio album by South African post-grunge/alternative metal band Seether. The album was released in South Africa and Switzerland on October 19, 2007, and released worldwide on October 23, 2007....
(2007) - Holding onto Strings Better Left to FrayHolding Onto Strings Better Left to FrayHolding Onto Strings Better Left to Fray is the fifth studio album by South African post-grunge/alternative metal band Seether. It was the first Seether album to have Troy McLawhorn as the lead guitarist. However, he departed from the band just before the album's release, to once again become the...
(2011)
Digital albums
- iTunes Originals - SeetherITunes Originals – SeetheriTunes Originals is a compilation album by the South African post-grunge/alternative metal band Seether. It was released exclusively through iTunes on August 5, 2008. It contains seven tracks exclusively recorded for the release at Groovemaster Studios, most of which are acoustic. It has a short...
(2008) - Rhapsody Originals - SeetherRhapsody Originals - SeetherRhapsody Originals – Seether is a release by the band Seether that has four acoustic versions of a few of their famous songs.-Track listing:# "Broken" - 4:14# "Fine Again" - 4:17# "Rise Above This" - 3:35# "Fake It" - 4:14-Personnel:...
(2008)