Third Eye Blind
Encyclopedia
Third Eye Blind is an American alternative rock
band formed in the early 1990s in San Francisco. The songwriting duo of Kevin Cadogan
and Stephan Jenkins
signed the band's first major label recording contract with Elektra records in 1996 resulting in two multi platinum albums. The band's lineup changed in 2000 ending the songwriting partnership of Kevin Cadogan
and Stephan Jenkins
. The band's current line-up is Stephan Jenkins
(vocals, guitar
), and Brad Hargreaves
(drums, percussion). Guitarist Kryz Reid
and bassist Abe Millett have replaced the departed Tony Fredianelli and Arion Salazar
respectively.
After the success of their eponymous debut album
in 1997, the band released one more album, 1999's Blue
, before guitarist Kevin Cadogan
was released under controversial circumstances. In 2003, the band released Out of the Vein
. In 2008, the band released the digital EP Red Star
. After a six-year hiatus from releasing a full-length album, Ursa Major
was released on August 17, 2009. A fifth album is also being worked on, without a tentative release date.
The band is best known for the singles "Semi-Charmed Life
", "How's It Going to Be
", "Graduate
", "Jumper
", "Never Let You Go
" and "Deep Inside of You
".
in 1993. In 1994 the band recorded its 2nd demo with band members: Kevin Cadogan
on guitar, Steve Bowman
on drums, Arion Salazar
on bass, and Stephan Jenkins
on vocals. In late 1995 through early 1996 the band recorded its third demo with funds from RCA records to record with producer engineer Eric Valentine, which resulted in the band gaining major label attention, including that of Clive Davis
, who invited the band to perform a showcase for Arista Records
in New York City
. During Third Eye Blind concerts at the time, it was customary for the band to have a piñata
release candy above their mosh pits
, yet at the showcase for the record executives, lead singer Stephan Jenkins
released live cricket
s from the piñata instead. With regard to the name of the band, Jenkins indicated during a radio interview that the name came from the metaphysical idea of a mind's eye
, a topic of a book he had read. The other group members liked it and chose it as the official name. In April 1996, after Jenkins had challenged Epic Records
executive Dave Massey in a meeting, the band landed an opening gig for Oasis
at the San Francisco Civic Auditorium
. In an unlikely scenario for an opening act, the band was invited back for an encore after playing their initial set and was paid double by the concert promoter. In addition, Stephan Jenkins' production of The Braids' cover of Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody
" gained major-label attention. Afterwards, the band found themselves in a bidding war among record labels, and after a showcase in Los Angeles
, Kevin Cadogan
and Stephan Jenkins
signed as artists professionally known as Third Eye Blind with Sylvia Rhone of Elektra Records
because they believed it offered the most artistic freedom.
was released in 1997. The album had 5 singles: "Semi-Charmed Life
", "Graduate
", "How's It Going to Be
", "Losing a Whole Year
", and "Jumper
". "Semi-Charmed Life" peaked at No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100
and was number 1 on the Modern Rock Tracks
for 8 weeks. The band also performed "How's It Going to Be" on Saturday Night Live
. To date their eponymous debut has been the group's most successful album, selling 7 million copies in the U.S. alone. Smash Mouth
drummer Michael Urbano
played drums on 4 songs on the album. During this period they also opened a number of shows on U2
's PopMart Tour
.
In 1999 the band released their second album, Blue
. Although not received as well as Third Eye Blind, the album sold 75,000 copies the first week of release and by 2003 had sold 1.25 million in the U.S. Four singles were released from the album, "Anything
", "Never Let You Go
", "10 Days Late
", and "Deep Inside of You
". In early 2000, shortly after the release of the album, Kevin Cadogan
was released from the band. The controversial circumstances of Cadogan's departure stem from his allegations that Jenkins and he were to be partners of the corporation named Third Eye Blind Inc. Instead, Jenkins directed the bands manager Eric Godtland and the bands attorney Thomas Mandelbaum to issue Jenkins 100% of the shares to himself making Stephan Jenkins the sole owner of all Third Eye Blind assets. Kevin Cadogan claimed that he was told by the band attorney that shares had not been issued to anyone. Cadogan told the NY times in 1999 that he discovered 100% of the shares had in fact been issued to Jenkins as far back as 1996 when Cadogan and Jenkins signed the definitive record contract with Elektra. Cadogan states that upon learning that Jenkins owned 100% of the band he then refused to sign off on any more recording contracts and loans until shares were also issued to Cadogan. In 1999 Cadogan was asked to sign a 1 million dollar loan from Elektra records which would allow Third Eye Blind to record an EP and release it on its own label as a subsidiary of Elektra. Cadogan refused to sign the deal citing the fact that he would not own or have any control over the assets acquired from the deal. In November 1999 Elektra records issued the funds to the Stephan Jenkins owned Third Eye Blind corporation without Cadogan's signature as Elektra had previously required. Two months later in January of 2000, Kevin Cadogan and Third Eye Blind parted ways after a concert in Utah. Despite having received the $1 million from Elektra back in 1999, the band never delivered the EP which the funds were allocated for.Cadogan filed suit, alleging wrongful termination, adding that his production, recording, and songwriter royalties were withheld since being kicked out of the band. The lawsuit was settled out of court in June 2002, with the terms of the settlement undisclosed.
Later, it was revealed that the band's total legal costs for Cadogan's suit (including settlement and attorney's fees) totaled around $3 million. This was disclosed when the band sued their financial manager, Provident Financial Management, and their insurance broker, Near North Entertainment Insurance Services, for negligently procuring a liability insurance
policy from North American Specialty Insurance (a Swiss Re
subsidiary) that excluded coverage for the "entertainment business." Naturally, when Third Eye Blind tendered Cadogan's lawsuit and demanded a defense, North American Specialty denied coverage because they were in the "entertainment business." This forced the band to defend and settle Cadogan's lawsuit with their own funds. Third Eye Blind Inc, recouped its losses from the insurance company in 2009 through the appellate process.
after Jenkins' mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. During the four year gap between albums, the band also built a recording studio in anticipation of their next album.
In 2003 the band released Out of the Vein
. Two singles were released from the album; "Blinded
", and "Crystal Baller". Out of the Vein did not sell as well as its predecessors, with numbers estimated around 500,000 copies as of March 2007. Elektra Records
was being absorbed into Atlantic Records
at the time, and the only music video created from the album was for the single "Blinded". Due to the merger, the band found themselves without label support, as Jenkins said, "Our record company ceased to exist the month the record was released, Elektra Records imploded."
In May 2004, Warner Music
cut Third Eye Blind, along with over 80 other acts, from its roster. While no specific reason was given for Third Eye Blind being cut, Atlantic co-chairman Craig Kallman
said the cuts were made to get Atlantic's roster down to an appropriate size where "we can give each of our acts top priority."
It would be over six years after the release of Out of the Vein until the band would release another full-length album. In the meantime, the band did release "A Collection", in 2006. This album was a collection of songs from the first three albums. Jude Gold, associate editor of Guitar Player Magazine, recognized that the liner notes falsely credited guitarist Tony Fredianelli with the creative work of former guitarist Kevin Cadogan, who was completely omitted from the bands biography included in the liner notes, which state: "As always, the band profited from the musical interplay between Tony Fredianelli, Stephan Jenkins, Arion Salazar and Brad Hargreaves". In regards to this, Gold stated "Its like saying Gun's N Roses music always profited from the interplay between Axl Rose and guitarist Bucket Head".
A single, "Non-Dairy Creamer", was released in November 2008 and was part of the internet exclusive digital EP
Red Star
.
Third Eye Blind's fourth studio album titled Ursa Major
was released on August 17, 2009. The album had been anticipated since mid-2007 and was previously expected to be named The Hideous Strength. The album was released under their own label Mega Collider Records.
On June 5, 2009, Third Eye Blind released their first single off Ursa Major, "Don't Believe a Word". The band later released a second single, "Bonfire". Neither were able to chart on any radio formats.
Also announced was a possible fifth album titled Ursa Minor, that is planned to follow Ursa Major. Jenkins said that Ursa Minor will consist of songs that did not make the cut for Ursa Major. It was later revealed that the title of the fifth album will not be Ursa Minor, and it will consist of new songs rather than songs that did not make the cut.
Third Eye Blind co-headlined The Bamboozle Roadshow 2010 between May and June 2010. In an interview with Stephan Jenkins and Brad Hargreaves at The Rave in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Jenkins stated that Ursa Minor was going to be recorded in July, and would be released in 2011. During 2010 Bamboozle Roadshow, Jenkins elaborated on the expected sound of Ursa Minor in an interview with WreckedRadio.net, "In the third album, we probably had use of too much technology, and then on the fourth album, we got rid of the technology and went back to just recording things on tape. And, that's what we're going to do on the fifth album that we are going to do this summer." According to a November 2010 blog by Jenkins, the fifth album will no longer be titled Ursa Minor.
On February 23, 2011, it was revealed that former guitarist Fredianelli had filed a federal lawsuit against Jenkins for over eight million dollars in damages for not giving him credit for past work in the band.
On March 16, 2011, a song entitled "Ladies and Gentlemen" was released on Japanese singer and actress Chiaki Kuriyama
's debut album. The track was written by Jenkins and Reid.
On November 16, 2011, Third Eye Blind posted a new song, "If There Ever Was a Time", to their Facebook page, for free download.
band formed in the early 1990s in San Francisco. The songwriting duo of Kevin Cadogan
and Stephan Jenkins
signed the band's first major label recording contract with Elektra records in 1996 resulting in two multi platinum albums. The band's lineup changed in 2000 ending the songwriting partnership of Kevin Cadogan
and Stephan Jenkins
. The band's current line-up is Stephan Jenkins
(vocals, guitar
), and Brad Hargreaves
(drums, percussion). Guitarist Kryz Reid
and bassist Abe Millett have replaced the departed Tony Fredianelli and Arion Salazar
respectively.
After the success of their eponymous debut album
in 1997, the band released one more album, 1999's Blue
, before guitarist Kevin Cadogan
was released under controversial circumstances. In 2003, the band released Out of the Vein
. In 2008, the band released the digital EP Red Star
. After a six-year hiatus from releasing a full-length album, Ursa Major
was released on August 17, 2009. A fifth album is also being worked on, without a tentative release date.
The band is best known for the singles "Semi-Charmed Life
", "How's It Going to Be
", "Graduate
", "Jumper
", "Never Let You Go
" and "Deep Inside of You
".
in 1993. In 1994 the band recorded its 2nd demo with band members: Kevin Cadogan
on guitar, Steve Bowman
on drums, Arion Salazar
on bass, and Stephan Jenkins
on vocals. In late 1995 through early 1996 the band recorded its third demo with funds from RCA records to record with producer engineer Eric Valentine, which resulted in the band gaining major label attention, including that of Clive Davis
, who invited the band to perform a showcase for Arista Records
in New York City
. During Third Eye Blind concerts at the time, it was customary for the band to have a piñata
release candy above their mosh pits
, yet at the showcase for the record executives, lead singer Stephan Jenkins
released live cricket
s from the piñata instead. With regard to the name of the band, Jenkins indicated during a radio interview that the name came from the metaphysical idea of a mind's eye
, a topic of a book he had read. The other group members liked it and chose it as the official name. In April 1996, after Jenkins had challenged Epic Records
executive Dave Massey in a meeting, the band landed an opening gig for Oasis
at the San Francisco Civic Auditorium
. In an unlikely scenario for an opening act, the band was invited back for an encore after playing their initial set and was paid double by the concert promoter. In addition, Stephan Jenkins' production of The Braids' cover of Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody
" gained major-label attention. Afterwards, the band found themselves in a bidding war among record labels, and after a showcase in Los Angeles
, Kevin Cadogan
and Stephan Jenkins
signed as artists professionally known as Third Eye Blind with Sylvia Rhone of Elektra Records
because they believed it offered the most artistic freedom.
was released in 1997. The album had 5 singles: "Semi-Charmed Life
", "Graduate
", "How's It Going to Be
", "Losing a Whole Year
", and "Jumper
". "Semi-Charmed Life" peaked at No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100
and was number 1 on the Modern Rock Tracks
for 8 weeks. The band also performed "How's It Going to Be" on Saturday Night Live
. To date their eponymous debut has been the group's most successful album, selling 7 million copies in the U.S. alone. Smash Mouth
drummer Michael Urbano
played drums on 4 songs on the album. During this period they also opened a number of shows on U2
's PopMart Tour
.
In 1999 the band released their second album, Blue
. Although not received as well as Third Eye Blind, the album sold 75,000 copies the first week of release and by 2003 had sold 1.25 million in the U.S. Four singles were released from the album, "Anything
", "Never Let You Go
", "10 Days Late
", and "Deep Inside of You
". In early 2000, shortly after the release of the album, Kevin Cadogan
was released from the band. The controversial circumstances of Cadogan's departure stem from his allegations that Jenkins and he were to be partners of the corporation named Third Eye Blind Inc. Instead, Jenkins directed the bands manager Eric Godtland and the bands attorney Thomas Mandelbaum to issue Jenkins 100% of the shares to himself making Stephan Jenkins the sole owner of all Third Eye Blind assets. Kevin Cadogan claimed that he was told by the band attorney that shares had not been issued to anyone. Cadogan told the NY times in 1999 that he discovered 100% of the shares had in fact been issued to Jenkins as far back as 1996 when Cadogan and Jenkins signed the definitive record contract with Elektra. Cadogan states that upon learning that Jenkins owned 100% of the band he then refused to sign off on any more recording contracts and loans until shares were also issued to Cadogan. In 1999 Cadogan was asked to sign a 1 million dollar loan from Elektra records which would allow Third Eye Blind to record an EP and release it on its own label as a subsidiary of Elektra. Cadogan refused to sign the deal citing the fact that he would not own or have any control over the assets acquired from the deal. In November 1999 Elektra records issued the funds to the Stephan Jenkins owned Third Eye Blind corporation without Cadogan's signature as Elektra had previously required. Two months later in January of 2000, Kevin Cadogan and Third Eye Blind parted ways after a concert in Utah. Despite having received the $1 million from Elektra back in 1999, the band never delivered the EP which the funds were allocated for.Cadogan filed suit, alleging wrongful termination, adding that his production, recording, and songwriter royalties were withheld since being kicked out of the band. The lawsuit was settled out of court in June 2002, with the terms of the settlement undisclosed.
Later, it was revealed that the band's total legal costs for Cadogan's suit (including settlement and attorney's fees) totaled around $3 million. This was disclosed when the band sued their financial manager, Provident Financial Management, and their insurance broker, Near North Entertainment Insurance Services, for negligently procuring a liability insurance
policy from North American Specialty Insurance (a Swiss Re
subsidiary) that excluded coverage for the "entertainment business." Naturally, when Third Eye Blind tendered Cadogan's lawsuit and demanded a defense, North American Specialty denied coverage because they were in the "entertainment business." This forced the band to defend and settle Cadogan's lawsuit with their own funds. Third Eye Blind Inc, recouped its losses from the insurance company in 2009 through the appellate process.
after Jenkins' mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. During the four year gap between albums, the band also built a recording studio in anticipation of their next album.
In 2003 the band released Out of the Vein
. Two singles were released from the album; "Blinded
", and "Crystal Baller". Out of the Vein did not sell as well as its predecessors, with numbers estimated around 500,000 copies as of March 2007. Elektra Records
was being absorbed into Atlantic Records
at the time, and the only music video created from the album was for the single "Blinded". Due to the merger, the band found themselves without label support, as Jenkins said, "Our record company ceased to exist the month the record was released, Elektra Records imploded."
In May 2004, Warner Music
cut Third Eye Blind, along with over 80 other acts, from its roster. While no specific reason was given for Third Eye Blind being cut, Atlantic co-chairman Craig Kallman
said the cuts were made to get Atlantic's roster down to an appropriate size where "we can give each of our acts top priority."
It would be over six years after the release of Out of the Vein until the band would release another full-length album. In the meantime, the band did release "A Collection", in 2006. This album was a collection of songs from the first three albums. Jude Gold, associate editor of Guitar Player Magazine, recognized that the liner notes falsely credited guitarist Tony Fredianelli with the creative work of former guitarist Kevin Cadogan, who was completely omitted from the bands biography included in the liner notes, which state: "As always, the band profited from the musical interplay between Tony Fredianelli, Stephan Jenkins, Arion Salazar and Brad Hargreaves". In regards to this, Gold stated "Its like saying Gun's N Roses music always profited from the interplay between Axl Rose and guitarist Bucket Head".
A single, "Non-Dairy Creamer", was released in November 2008 and was part of the internet exclusive digital EP
Red Star
.
Third Eye Blind's fourth studio album titled Ursa Major
was released on August 17, 2009. The album had been anticipated since mid-2007 and was previously expected to be named The Hideous Strength. The album was released under their own label Mega Collider Records.
On June 5, 2009, Third Eye Blind released their first single off Ursa Major, "Don't Believe a Word". The band later released a second single, "Bonfire". Neither were able to chart on any radio formats.
Also announced was a possible fifth album titled Ursa Minor, that is planned to follow Ursa Major. Jenkins said that Ursa Minor will consist of songs that did not make the cut for Ursa Major. It was later revealed that the title of the fifth album will not be Ursa Minor, and it will consist of new songs rather than songs that did not make the cut.
Third Eye Blind co-headlined The Bamboozle Roadshow 2010 between May and June 2010. In an interview with Stephan Jenkins and Brad Hargreaves at The Rave in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Jenkins stated that Ursa Minor was going to be recorded in July, and would be released in 2011. During 2010 Bamboozle Roadshow, Jenkins elaborated on the expected sound of Ursa Minor in an interview with WreckedRadio.net, "In the third album, we probably had use of too much technology, and then on the fourth album, we got rid of the technology and went back to just recording things on tape. And, that's what we're going to do on the fifth album that we are going to do this summer." According to a November 2010 blog by Jenkins, the fifth album will no longer be titled Ursa Minor.
On February 23, 2011, it was revealed that former guitarist Fredianelli had filed a federal lawsuit against Jenkins for over eight million dollars in damages for not giving him credit for past work in the band.
On March 16, 2011, a song entitled "Ladies and Gentlemen" was released on Japanese singer and actress Chiaki Kuriyama
's debut album. The track was written by Jenkins and Reid.
On November 16, 2011, Third Eye Blind posted a new song, "If There Ever Was a Time", to their Facebook page, for free download.
band formed in the early 1990s in San Francisco. The songwriting duo of Kevin Cadogan
and Stephan Jenkins
signed the band's first major label recording contract with Elektra records in 1996 resulting in two multi platinum albums. The band's lineup changed in 2000 ending the songwriting partnership of Kevin Cadogan
and Stephan Jenkins
. The band's current line-up is Stephan Jenkins
(vocals, guitar
), and Brad Hargreaves
(drums, percussion). Guitarist Kryz Reid
and bassist Abe Millett have replaced the departed Tony Fredianelli and Arion Salazar
respectively.
After the success of their eponymous debut album
in 1997, the band released one more album, 1999's Blue
, before guitarist Kevin Cadogan
was released under controversial circumstances. In 2003, the band released Out of the Vein
. In 2008, the band released the digital EP Red Star
. After a six-year hiatus from releasing a full-length album, Ursa Major
was released on August 17, 2009. A fifth album is also being worked on, without a tentative release date.
The band is best known for the singles "Semi-Charmed Life
", "How's It Going to Be
", "Graduate
", "Jumper
", "Never Let You Go
" and "Deep Inside of You
".
in 1993. In 1994 the band recorded its 2nd demo with band members: Kevin Cadogan
on guitar, Steve Bowman
on drums, Arion Salazar
on bass, and Stephan Jenkins
on vocals. In late 1995 through early 1996 the band recorded its third demo with funds from RCA records to record with producer engineer Eric Valentine, which resulted in the band gaining major label attention, including that of Clive Davis
, who invited the band to perform a showcase for Arista Records
in New York City
. During Third Eye Blind concerts at the time, it was customary for the band to have a piñata
release candy above their mosh pits
, yet at the showcase for the record executives, lead singer Stephan Jenkins
released live cricket
s from the piñata instead. With regard to the name of the band, Jenkins indicated during a radio interview that the name came from the metaphysical idea of a mind's eye
, a topic of a book he had read. The other group members liked it and chose it as the official name. In April 1996, after Jenkins had challenged Epic Records
executive Dave Massey in a meeting, the band landed an opening gig for Oasis
at the San Francisco Civic Auditorium
. In an unlikely scenario for an opening act, the band was invited back for an encore after playing their initial set and was paid double by the concert promoter. In addition, Stephan Jenkins' production of The Braids' cover of Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody
" gained major-label attention. Afterwards, the band found themselves in a bidding war among record labels, and after a showcase in Los Angeles
, Kevin Cadogan
and Stephan Jenkins
signed as artists professionally known as Third Eye Blind with Sylvia Rhone of Elektra Records
because they believed it offered the most artistic freedom.
was released in 1997. The album had 5 singles: "Semi-Charmed Life
", "Graduate
", "How's It Going to Be
", "Losing a Whole Year
", and "Jumper
". "Semi-Charmed Life" peaked at No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100
and was number 1 on the Modern Rock Tracks
for 8 weeks. The band also performed "How's It Going to Be" on Saturday Night Live
. To date their eponymous debut has been the group's most successful album, selling 7 million copies in the U.S. alone. Smash Mouth
drummer Michael Urbano
played drums on 4 songs on the album. During this period they also opened a number of shows on U2
's PopMart Tour
.
In 1999 the band released their second album, Blue
. Although not received as well as Third Eye Blind, the album sold 75,000 copies the first week of release and by 2003 had sold 1.25 million in the U.S. Four singles were released from the album, "Anything
", "Never Let You Go
", "10 Days Late
", and "Deep Inside of You
". In early 2000, shortly after the release of the album, Kevin Cadogan
was released from the band. The controversial circumstances of Cadogan's departure stem from his allegations that Jenkins and he were to be partners of the corporation named Third Eye Blind Inc. Instead, Jenkins directed the bands manager Eric Godtland and the bands attorney Thomas Mandelbaum to issue Jenkins 100% of the shares to himself making Stephan Jenkins the sole owner of all Third Eye Blind assets. Kevin Cadogan claimed that he was told by the band attorney that shares had not been issued to anyone. Cadogan told the NY times in 1999 that he discovered 100% of the shares had in fact been issued to Jenkins as far back as 1996 when Cadogan and Jenkins signed the definitive record contract with Elektra. Cadogan states that upon learning that Jenkins owned 100% of the band he then refused to sign off on any more recording contracts and loans until shares were also issued to Cadogan. In 1999 Cadogan was asked to sign a 1 million dollar loan from Elektra records which would allow Third Eye Blind to record an EP and release it on its own label as a subsidiary of Elektra. Cadogan refused to sign the deal citing the fact that he would not own or have any control over the assets acquired from the deal. In November 1999 Elektra records issued the funds to the Stephan Jenkins owned Third Eye Blind corporation without Cadogan's signature as Elektra had previously required. Two months later in January of 2000, Kevin Cadogan and Third Eye Blind parted ways after a concert in Utah. Despite having received the $1 million from Elektra back in 1999, the band never delivered the EP which the funds were allocated for.Cadogan filed suit, alleging wrongful termination, adding that his production, recording, and songwriter royalties were withheld since being kicked out of the band. The lawsuit was settled out of court in June 2002, with the terms of the settlement undisclosed.
Later, it was revealed that the band's total legal costs for Cadogan's suit (including settlement and attorney's fees) totaled around $3 million. This was disclosed when the band sued their financial manager, Provident Financial Management, and their insurance broker, Near North Entertainment Insurance Services, for negligently procuring a liability insurance
policy from North American Specialty Insurance (a Swiss Re
subsidiary) that excluded coverage for the "entertainment business." Naturally, when Third Eye Blind tendered Cadogan's lawsuit and demanded a defense, North American Specialty denied coverage because they were in the "entertainment business." This forced the band to defend and settle Cadogan's lawsuit with their own funds. Third Eye Blind Inc, recouped its losses from the insurance company in 2009 through the appellate process.
after Jenkins' mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. During the four year gap between albums, the band also built a recording studio in anticipation of their next album.
In 2003 the band released Out of the Vein
. Two singles were released from the album; "Blinded
", and "Crystal Baller". Out of the Vein did not sell as well as its predecessors, with numbers estimated around 500,000 copies as of March 2007. Elektra Records
was being absorbed into Atlantic Records
at the time, and the only music video created from the album was for the single "Blinded". Due to the merger, the band found themselves without label support, as Jenkins said, "Our record company ceased to exist the month the record was released, Elektra Records imploded."
In May 2004, Warner Music
cut Third Eye Blind, along with over 80 other acts, from its roster. While no specific reason was given for Third Eye Blind being cut, Atlantic co-chairman Craig Kallman
said the cuts were made to get Atlantic's roster down to an appropriate size where "we can give each of our acts top priority."
It would be over six years after the release of Out of the Vein until the band would release another full-length album. In the meantime, the band did release "A Collection", in 2006. This album was a collection of songs from the first three albums. Jude Gold, associate editor of Guitar Player Magazine, recognized that the liner notes falsely credited guitarist Tony Fredianelli with the creative work of former guitarist Kevin Cadogan, who was completely omitted from the bands biography included in the liner notes, which state: "As always, the band profited from the musical interplay between Tony Fredianelli, Stephan Jenkins, Arion Salazar and Brad Hargreaves". In regards to this, Gold stated "Its like saying Gun's N Roses music always profited from the interplay between Axl Rose and guitarist Bucket Head".
A single, "Non-Dairy Creamer", was released in November 2008 and was part of the internet exclusive digital EP
Red Star
.
Third Eye Blind's fourth studio album titled Ursa Major
was released on August 17, 2009. The album had been anticipated since mid-2007 and was previously expected to be named The Hideous Strength. The album was released under their own label Mega Collider Records.
On June 5, 2009, Third Eye Blind released their first single off Ursa Major, "Don't Believe a Word". The band later released a second single, "Bonfire". Neither were able to chart on any radio formats.
Also announced was a possible fifth album titled Ursa Minor, that is planned to follow Ursa Major. Jenkins said that Ursa Minor will consist of songs that did not make the cut for Ursa Major. It was later revealed that the title of the fifth album will not be Ursa Minor, and it will consist of new songs rather than songs that did not make the cut.
Third Eye Blind co-headlined The Bamboozle Roadshow 2010 between May and June 2010. In an interview with Stephan Jenkins and Brad Hargreaves at The Rave in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Jenkins stated that Ursa Minor was going to be recorded in July, and would be released in 2011. During 2010 Bamboozle Roadshow, Jenkins elaborated on the expected sound of Ursa Minor in an interview with WreckedRadio.net, "In the third album, we probably had use of too much technology, and then on the fourth album, we got rid of the technology and went back to just recording things on tape. And, that's what we're going to do on the fifth album that we are going to do this summer." According to a November 2010 blog by Jenkins, the fifth album will no longer be titled Ursa Minor.
On February 23, 2011, it was revealed that former guitarist Fredianelli had filed a federal lawsuit against Jenkins for over eight million dollars in damages for not giving him credit for past work in the band.
On March 16, 2011, a song entitled "Ladies and Gentlemen" was released on Japanese singer and actress Chiaki Kuriyama
's debut album. The track was written by Jenkins and Reid.
On November 16, 2011, Third Eye Blind posted a new song, "If There Ever Was a Time", to their Facebook page, for free download.
Alternative rock
Alternative rock is a genre of rock music and a term used to describe a diverse musical movement that emerged from the independent music underground of the 1980s and became widely popular by the 1990s...
band formed in the early 1990s in San Francisco. The songwriting duo of Kevin Cadogan
Kevin Cadogan
Kevin Rene Cadogan is an American singer/songwriter, producer and rock guitarist. He is a founding member of the band Third Eye Blind. he performed with the band from 1994 to 2000...
and Stephan Jenkins
Stephan Jenkins
Stephan Douglas Jenkins , is an American musician best known as the lead singer, songwriter, and guitarist for Third Eye Blind. Under Jenkins's leadership, Third Eye Blind has sold over eight million copies of four albums: Third Eye Blind , Blue , Out of the Vein , and Ursa Major...
signed the band's first major label recording contract with Elektra records in 1996 resulting in two multi platinum albums. The band's lineup changed in 2000 ending the songwriting partnership of Kevin Cadogan
Kevin Cadogan
Kevin Rene Cadogan is an American singer/songwriter, producer and rock guitarist. He is a founding member of the band Third Eye Blind. he performed with the band from 1994 to 2000...
and Stephan Jenkins
Stephan Jenkins
Stephan Douglas Jenkins , is an American musician best known as the lead singer, songwriter, and guitarist for Third Eye Blind. Under Jenkins's leadership, Third Eye Blind has sold over eight million copies of four albums: Third Eye Blind , Blue , Out of the Vein , and Ursa Major...
. The band's current line-up is Stephan Jenkins
Stephan Jenkins
Stephan Douglas Jenkins , is an American musician best known as the lead singer, songwriter, and guitarist for Third Eye Blind. Under Jenkins's leadership, Third Eye Blind has sold over eight million copies of four albums: Third Eye Blind , Blue , Out of the Vein , and Ursa Major...
(vocals, guitar
Rhythm guitar
Rhythm guitar is a technique and rôle that performs a combination of two functions: to provide all or part of the rhythmic pulse in conjunction with singers or other instruments; and to provide all or part of the harmony, ie. the chords, where a chord is a group of notes played together...
), and Brad Hargreaves
Brad Hargreaves
Bradley William Hargreaves is an American drummer. He is currently the drummer for the alternative bands Third Eye Blind and Year Long Disaster.- Career :...
(drums, percussion). Guitarist Kryz Reid
Kryz Reid
Kryz Reid is an Irish musician and guitarist. He is the lead guitarist for American alternative rock band Third Eye Blind.Reid joined Third Eye Blind in 2010, replacing departed guitarist Tony Fredianelli...
and bassist Abe Millett have replaced the departed Tony Fredianelli and Arion Salazar
Arion Salazar
Arion Salazar is the former bassist for Third Eye Blind. Salazar was considered to be the most connected with the fans through the internet out of all the band members. He was previously in the Fremont, California band, Fungo Mungo.Salazar also played in a sessions band called Bullmark...
respectively.
After the success of their eponymous debut album
Third Eye Blind (album)
Third Eye Blind is the eponymous debut for the American alternative rock band Third Eye Blind, originally released on April 8, 1997. It spawned several singles, including top 10 charting "Semi-Charmed Life", "Jumper", and "How's It Going to Be"....
in 1997, the band released one more album, 1999's Blue
Blue (Third Eye Blind album)
* "Slow Motion" was originally released with only the chorus, due to concerns about its lyrical content. Soon thereafter, Elektra Records re-released Blue with an instrumental version. However, the full version of the song was released everywhere outside of the States and found its way around the...
, before guitarist Kevin Cadogan
Kevin Cadogan
Kevin Rene Cadogan is an American singer/songwriter, producer and rock guitarist. He is a founding member of the band Third Eye Blind. he performed with the band from 1994 to 2000...
was released under controversial circumstances. In 2003, the band released Out of the Vein
Out of the Vein
Out of the Vein is the third album by American alternative rock band Third Eye Blind. Released on May 13, 2003, it would be the group's first album with guitarist Tony Fredianelli, who replaced long time guitarist Kevin Cadogan in 2000...
. In 2008, the band released the digital EP Red Star
Red Star (EP)
Red Star is a 2008 digital-only EP by Third Eye Blind released in anticipation of their fourth studio album Ursa Major. Previews of the songs on the EP were posted to the band's myspace page on November 12, 2008, and it was released officially on November 18, 2008 through all major digital music...
. After a six-year hiatus from releasing a full-length album, Ursa Major
Ursa Major (album)
Ursa Major is the fourth studio album from American alternative rock band Third Eye Blind. Released on August 18, 2009 on the group's own Mega Collider label, Ursa Major was the group's first studio album in over six years...
was released on August 17, 2009. A fifth album is also being worked on, without a tentative release date.
The band is best known for the singles "Semi-Charmed Life
Semi-Charmed Life
"Semi-Charmed Life" is Third Eye Blind's first single off their self-titled debut album, released in 1997. It was a major hit of the 1990s, reaching number four in the U.S., number one on the Modern Rock Tracks and the Top 40 in the UK. Furthermore, it has had a pervasive cultural impact, being...
", "How's It Going to Be
How's It Going to Be
"How's It Going to Be" is a song by the American rock band Third Eye Blind, featured on their 1997 self-titled album. The B-side is a non-album track entitled "Horror Show", written by guitarist Kevin Cadogan and vocalist Stephan Jenkins...
", "Graduate
Graduate (song)
"Graduate" is a song by Third Eye Blind and written by Stephan Jenkins and Kevin Cadogan. The B-side, "Horror Show", was written by Jenkins and Cadogan as well and later released on the "How's It Going to Be" single in 1998. It reached number 26 on the Maintstream Rock Tracks chart in the U.S, and...
", "Jumper
Jumper (song)
"Jumper" is a song by the American rock band Third Eye Blind, released on their 1997 self titled album, and written by vocalist Stephan Jenkins. Released as a single, the song peaked at #5.-Meaning:...
", "Never Let You Go
Never Let You Go (Third Eye Blind song)
"Never Let You Go" is a song by American rock band Third Eye Blind, released as a single from their 1999 album, Blue. The song was very successful, peaking at #14 on the Billboard Hot 100 and also reaching #1 on Canada's Singles chart....
" and "Deep Inside of You
Deep Inside of You
"Deep Inside of You" is a song from Bay Area band Third Eye Blind. It was the fourth single from the group's second album, Blue. It peaked at number 69 on the Billboard Hot 100. It reached number 17 on the Adult Top 40 chart and number 39 on the Modern Rock Tracks chart.- Track listing :# "Deep...
".
Beginnings (1993–1996)
Third Eye Blind recorded their first demoDemo (music)
A demo version or demo of a song is one recorded for reference rather than for release. A demo is a way for a musician to approximate their ideas on tape or disc, and provide an example of those ideas to record labels, producers or other artists...
in 1993. In 1994 the band recorded its 2nd demo with band members: Kevin Cadogan
Kevin Cadogan
Kevin Rene Cadogan is an American singer/songwriter, producer and rock guitarist. He is a founding member of the band Third Eye Blind. he performed with the band from 1994 to 2000...
on guitar, Steve Bowman
Steve Bowman
Steve Bowman is an American rock drummer and songwriter. He was a founding member and drummer for the Counting Crows during the recording and period of time following their debut album, August and Everything After. The band's unexpected success led them to performancess on Late Night with David...
on drums, Arion Salazar
Arion Salazar
Arion Salazar is the former bassist for Third Eye Blind. Salazar was considered to be the most connected with the fans through the internet out of all the band members. He was previously in the Fremont, California band, Fungo Mungo.Salazar also played in a sessions band called Bullmark...
on bass, and Stephan Jenkins
Stephan Jenkins
Stephan Douglas Jenkins , is an American musician best known as the lead singer, songwriter, and guitarist for Third Eye Blind. Under Jenkins's leadership, Third Eye Blind has sold over eight million copies of four albums: Third Eye Blind , Blue , Out of the Vein , and Ursa Major...
on vocals. In late 1995 through early 1996 the band recorded its third demo with funds from RCA records to record with producer engineer Eric Valentine, which resulted in the band gaining major label attention, including that of Clive Davis
Clive Davis
Clive Davis is an American record producer and music industry executive. He has won five Grammy Awards and is a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a non-performer. From 1967 to 1973 he was the President of Columbia Records. He was the founder and president of Arista Records from 1975...
, who invited the band to perform a showcase for Arista Records
Arista Records
Arista was an American record label. It was a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Music Entertainment and operated under the RCA Music Group. The label was founded in 1974 by Clive Davis, who formerly worked for CBS Records...
in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. During Third Eye Blind concerts at the time, it was customary for the band to have a piñata
Piñata
A piñata is a papier-mâché or other type of container that is decorated, filled with toys and or candy and then broken as part of a ceremony or celebration. Piñatas are most commonly associated with Mexico, but its origins are considered to be in China...
release candy above their mosh pits
Moshing
Moshing is a dance in which participants push or slam into each other. They also flail their limbs to breakdowns of hardcore punk and its sub-genres. It is most associated with aggressive music genres, such as hardcore punk and heavy metal...
, yet at the showcase for the record executives, lead singer Stephan Jenkins
Stephan Jenkins
Stephan Douglas Jenkins , is an American musician best known as the lead singer, songwriter, and guitarist for Third Eye Blind. Under Jenkins's leadership, Third Eye Blind has sold over eight million copies of four albums: Third Eye Blind , Blue , Out of the Vein , and Ursa Major...
released live cricket
Cricket (insect)
Crickets, family Gryllidae , are insects somewhat related to grasshoppers, and more closely related to katydids or bush crickets . They have somewhat flattened bodies and long antennae. There are about 900 species of crickets...
s from the piñata instead. With regard to the name of the band, Jenkins indicated during a radio interview that the name came from the metaphysical idea of a mind's eye
Third eye
The third eye is a mystical and esoteric concept referring in part to the ajna chakra in certain spiritual traditions. It is also spoken of as the gate that leads within to inner realms and spaces of higher consciousness...
, a topic of a book he had read. The other group members liked it and chose it as the official name. In April 1996, after Jenkins had challenged Epic Records
Epic Records
Epic Records is an American record label, owned by Sony Music Entertainment. Though it was originally conceived as a jazz imprint, it has since expanded to represent various genres. L.A...
executive Dave Massey in a meeting, the band landed an opening gig for Oasis
Oasis (band)
Oasis were an English rock band formed in Manchester in 1991. Originally known as The Rain, the group was formed by Liam Gallagher , Paul "Bonehead" Arthurs , Paul "Guigsy" McGuigan and Tony McCarroll , who were soon joined by Liam's older brother Noel Gallagher...
at the San Francisco Civic Auditorium
Bill Graham Civic Auditorium
The Bill Graham Civic Auditorium is a multi-purpose arena in San Francisco, California, currently named after promoter Bill Graham...
. In an unlikely scenario for an opening act, the band was invited back for an encore after playing their initial set and was paid double by the concert promoter. In addition, Stephan Jenkins' production of The Braids' cover of Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody
Bohemian Rhapsody
"Bohemian Rhapsody" is a song by the British rock band Queen. It was written by Freddie Mercury for the band's 1975 album A Night at the Opera...
" gained major-label attention. Afterwards, the band found themselves in a bidding war among record labels, and after a showcase in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, Kevin Cadogan
Kevin Cadogan
Kevin Rene Cadogan is an American singer/songwriter, producer and rock guitarist. He is a founding member of the band Third Eye Blind. he performed with the band from 1994 to 2000...
and Stephan Jenkins
Stephan Jenkins
Stephan Douglas Jenkins , is an American musician best known as the lead singer, songwriter, and guitarist for Third Eye Blind. Under Jenkins's leadership, Third Eye Blind has sold over eight million copies of four albums: Third Eye Blind , Blue , Out of the Vein , and Ursa Major...
signed as artists professionally known as Third Eye Blind with Sylvia Rhone of Elektra Records
Elektra Records
Elektra Records is an American record label owned by Warner Music Group. In 2004, it was consolidated into WMG's Atlantic Records Group. After five years of dormancy, the label was revived by Atlantic in 2009....
because they believed it offered the most artistic freedom.
Success (1997–2000)
Third Eye Blind's first album, Third Eye BlindThird Eye Blind (album)
Third Eye Blind is the eponymous debut for the American alternative rock band Third Eye Blind, originally released on April 8, 1997. It spawned several singles, including top 10 charting "Semi-Charmed Life", "Jumper", and "How's It Going to Be"....
was released in 1997. The album had 5 singles: "Semi-Charmed Life
Semi-Charmed Life
"Semi-Charmed Life" is Third Eye Blind's first single off their self-titled debut album, released in 1997. It was a major hit of the 1990s, reaching number four in the U.S., number one on the Modern Rock Tracks and the Top 40 in the UK. Furthermore, it has had a pervasive cultural impact, being...
", "Graduate
Graduate (song)
"Graduate" is a song by Third Eye Blind and written by Stephan Jenkins and Kevin Cadogan. The B-side, "Horror Show", was written by Jenkins and Cadogan as well and later released on the "How's It Going to Be" single in 1998. It reached number 26 on the Maintstream Rock Tracks chart in the U.S, and...
", "How's It Going to Be
How's It Going to Be
"How's It Going to Be" is a song by the American rock band Third Eye Blind, featured on their 1997 self-titled album. The B-side is a non-album track entitled "Horror Show", written by guitarist Kevin Cadogan and vocalist Stephan Jenkins...
", "Losing a Whole Year
Losing a Whole Year
"Losing a Whole Year" is a song by Third Eye Blind from their 1997 self-titled debut album. It was written by Stephan Jenkins and Kevin Cadogan. Released as a single, the song received positive reviews from music critics and charted on the Billboard Alternative Songs and Mainstream Rock charts...
", and "Jumper
Jumper (song)
"Jumper" is a song by the American rock band Third Eye Blind, released on their 1997 self titled album, and written by vocalist Stephan Jenkins. Released as a single, the song peaked at #5.-Meaning:...
". "Semi-Charmed Life" peaked at No. 4 on the Billboard 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 number 1 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...
for 8 weeks. The band also performed "How's It Going to Be" on Saturday Night Live
Saturday Night Live
Saturday Night Live is a live American late-night television sketch comedy and variety show developed by Lorne Michaels and Dick Ebersol. The show premiered on NBC on October 11, 1975, under the original title of NBC's Saturday Night.The show's sketches often parody contemporary American culture...
. To date their eponymous debut has been the group's most successful album, selling 7 million copies in the U.S. alone. Smash Mouth
Smash Mouth
Smash Mouth is an American rock band from San Jose, California. The band was formed in 1994, and was originally composed of Steve Harwell, Greg Camp, Paul De Lisle and Kevin Coleman as lead vocals, guitar, bass and drums respectively...
drummer Michael Urbano
Michael Urbano
Michael Urbano is a studio drummer, band member, programmer, and record producer.One of his first gigs was as a member of Bourgeois Tagg, a 1980s band that was fronted by Brent Bourgeois and Larry Tagg and included Lyle Workman as the guitarist...
played drums on 4 songs on the album. During this period they also opened a number of shows on U2
U2
U2 are an Irish rock band from Dublin. Formed in 1976, the group consists of Bono , The Edge , Adam Clayton , and Larry Mullen, Jr. . U2's early sound was rooted in post-punk but eventually grew to incorporate influences from many genres of popular music...
's PopMart Tour
Popmart Tour
The PopMart Tour was a worldwide concert tour by rock band U2. Launched in support of the group's 1997 album, Pop, the tour's concerts were performed in stadiums and parks from 1997 through 1998...
.
In 1999 the band released their second album, Blue
Blue (Third Eye Blind album)
* "Slow Motion" was originally released with only the chorus, due to concerns about its lyrical content. Soon thereafter, Elektra Records re-released Blue with an instrumental version. However, the full version of the song was released everywhere outside of the States and found its way around the...
. Although not received as well as Third Eye Blind, the album sold 75,000 copies the first week of release and by 2003 had sold 1.25 million in the U.S. Four singles were released from the album, "Anything
Anything (Third Eye Blind song)
"Anything" is a song by American rock band Third Eye Blind, written by vocalist Stephan Jenkins. It is the first track on, and first single from, the band's 1999 album Blue. It is also the band's only single to not appear on their greatest hits compilation A Collection....
", "Never Let You Go
Never Let You Go (Third Eye Blind song)
"Never Let You Go" is a song by American rock band Third Eye Blind, released as a single from their 1999 album, Blue. The song was very successful, peaking at #14 on the Billboard Hot 100 and also reaching #1 on Canada's Singles chart....
", "10 Days Late
10 Days Late
"10 Days Late" is a song by the American alternative rock band Third Eye Blind. Written about an unexpected pregnancy, it was the third single released from the band's 1999 album Blue. It peaked at #21 on the Alternative Songs chart. A music video was shot for the single.-Background:"10 Days Late"...
", and "Deep Inside of You
Deep Inside of You
"Deep Inside of You" is a song from Bay Area band Third Eye Blind. It was the fourth single from the group's second album, Blue. It peaked at number 69 on the Billboard Hot 100. It reached number 17 on the Adult Top 40 chart and number 39 on the Modern Rock Tracks chart.- Track listing :# "Deep...
". In early 2000, shortly after the release of the album, Kevin Cadogan
Kevin Cadogan
Kevin Rene Cadogan is an American singer/songwriter, producer and rock guitarist. He is a founding member of the band Third Eye Blind. he performed with the band from 1994 to 2000...
was released from the band. The controversial circumstances of Cadogan's departure stem from his allegations that Jenkins and he were to be partners of the corporation named Third Eye Blind Inc. Instead, Jenkins directed the bands manager Eric Godtland and the bands attorney Thomas Mandelbaum to issue Jenkins 100% of the shares to himself making Stephan Jenkins the sole owner of all Third Eye Blind assets. Kevin Cadogan claimed that he was told by the band attorney that shares had not been issued to anyone. Cadogan told the NY times in 1999 that he discovered 100% of the shares had in fact been issued to Jenkins as far back as 1996 when Cadogan and Jenkins signed the definitive record contract with Elektra. Cadogan states that upon learning that Jenkins owned 100% of the band he then refused to sign off on any more recording contracts and loans until shares were also issued to Cadogan. In 1999 Cadogan was asked to sign a 1 million dollar loan from Elektra records which would allow Third Eye Blind to record an EP and release it on its own label as a subsidiary of Elektra. Cadogan refused to sign the deal citing the fact that he would not own or have any control over the assets acquired from the deal. In November 1999 Elektra records issued the funds to the Stephan Jenkins owned Third Eye Blind corporation without Cadogan's signature as Elektra had previously required. Two months later in January of 2000, Kevin Cadogan and Third Eye Blind parted ways after a concert in Utah. Despite having received the $1 million from Elektra back in 1999, the band never delivered the EP which the funds were allocated for.Cadogan filed suit, alleging wrongful termination, adding that his production, recording, and songwriter royalties were withheld since being kicked out of the band. The lawsuit was settled out of court in June 2002, with the terms of the settlement undisclosed.
Later, it was revealed that the band's total legal costs for Cadogan's suit (including settlement and attorney's fees) totaled around $3 million. This was disclosed when the band sued their financial manager, Provident Financial Management, and their insurance broker, Near North Entertainment Insurance Services, for negligently procuring a liability insurance
Liability insurance
Liability insurance is a part of the general insurance system of risk financing to protect the purchaser from the risks of liabilities imposed by lawsuits and similar claims. It protects the insured in the event he or she is sued for claims that come within the coverage of the insurance policy...
policy from North American Specialty Insurance (a Swiss Re
Swiss Re
Swiss Reinsurance Company Ltd , generally known as Swiss Re, is a Swiss reinsurance company. It is the world’s second-largest reinsurer, after having acquired GE Insurance Solutions. The company has its headquarters in Zurich...
subsidiary) that excluded coverage for the "entertainment business." Naturally, when Third Eye Blind tendered Cadogan's lawsuit and demanded a defense, North American Specialty denied coverage because they were in the "entertainment business." This forced the band to defend and settle Cadogan's lawsuit with their own funds. Third Eye Blind Inc, recouped its losses from the insurance company in 2009 through the appellate process.
Out of the Vein and A Collection (2001–2006)
After extensive international touring, the band took a break from performing, appearing only at charity events. They put on shows for the Tiger Woods Foundation and the Breathe Benefit Concert in Los AngelesLos Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
after Jenkins' mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. During the four year gap between albums, the band also built a recording studio in anticipation of their next album.
In 2003 the band released Out of the Vein
Out of the Vein
Out of the Vein is the third album by American alternative rock band Third Eye Blind. Released on May 13, 2003, it would be the group's first album with guitarist Tony Fredianelli, who replaced long time guitarist Kevin Cadogan in 2000...
. Two singles were released from the album; "Blinded
Blinded
"Blinded" is a song by Third Eye Blind from their album, Out of the Vein released in 2003. As a single, the song was titled "Blinded " and peaked at #35 on Billboard's Modern Rock Tracks of that year. This would be Third Eye Blind's last charting single to date....
", and "Crystal Baller". Out of the Vein did not sell as well as its predecessors, with numbers estimated around 500,000 copies as of March 2007. Elektra Records
Elektra Records
Elektra Records is an American record label owned by Warner Music Group. In 2004, it was consolidated into WMG's Atlantic Records Group. After five years of dormancy, the label was revived by Atlantic in 2009....
was being absorbed into Atlantic Records
Atlantic Records
Atlantic Records is an American record label best known for its many recordings of rhythm and blues, rock and roll, and jazz...
at the time, and the only music video created from the album was for the single "Blinded". Due to the merger, the band found themselves without label support, as Jenkins said, "Our record company ceased to exist the month the record was released, Elektra Records imploded."
In May 2004, Warner Music
Warner Music Group
Warner Music Group is the third largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry, making it one of the big four record companies...
cut Third Eye Blind, along with over 80 other acts, from its roster. While no specific reason was given for Third Eye Blind being cut, Atlantic co-chairman Craig Kallman
Craig Kallman
Craig Kallman is Chairman and CEO of Atlantic Records.Craig Kallman signed the legendary lyricist Percee P and released his sought after 12" "Puttin' Heads To Bed" on his imprint Big Beat in the early 1990s. He joined the company in 1991, when Atlantic acquired Kallman's independent Big Beat...
said the cuts were made to get Atlantic's roster down to an appropriate size where "we can give each of our acts top priority."
It would be over six years after the release of Out of the Vein until the band would release another full-length album. In the meantime, the band did release "A Collection", in 2006. This album was a collection of songs from the first three albums. Jude Gold, associate editor of Guitar Player Magazine, recognized that the liner notes falsely credited guitarist Tony Fredianelli with the creative work of former guitarist Kevin Cadogan, who was completely omitted from the bands biography included in the liner notes, which state: "As always, the band profited from the musical interplay between Tony Fredianelli, Stephan Jenkins, Arion Salazar and Brad Hargreaves". In regards to this, Gold stated "Its like saying Gun's N Roses music always profited from the interplay between Axl Rose and guitarist Bucket Head".
Red Star and Ursa Major (2007–2009)
For the 10th anniversary of the release of Third Eye Blind's debut album, the band performed at the Fillmore on March 13 and 14, 2007. The shows were filmed for broadcast on HDNet on December 2, as well as normal broadcast and release on DVD and as a live album tentatively to be released in early 2008, as announced by Jenkins on November 9, 2007, on DC101's "Elliot In The Morning". However, as of early 2011, neither the DVD or live album have been released.A single, "Non-Dairy Creamer", was released in November 2008 and was part of the internet exclusive digital EP
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
Red Star
Red Star (EP)
Red Star is a 2008 digital-only EP by Third Eye Blind released in anticipation of their fourth studio album Ursa Major. Previews of the songs on the EP were posted to the band's myspace page on November 12, 2008, and it was released officially on November 18, 2008 through all major digital music...
.
Third Eye Blind's fourth studio album titled Ursa Major
Ursa Major (album)
Ursa Major is the fourth studio album from American alternative rock band Third Eye Blind. Released on August 18, 2009 on the group's own Mega Collider label, Ursa Major was the group's first studio album in over six years...
was released on August 17, 2009. The album had been anticipated since mid-2007 and was previously expected to be named The Hideous Strength. The album was released under their own label Mega Collider Records.
On June 5, 2009, Third Eye Blind released their first single off Ursa Major, "Don't Believe a Word". The band later released a second single, "Bonfire". Neither were able to chart on any radio formats.
Also announced was a possible fifth album titled Ursa Minor, that is planned to follow Ursa Major. Jenkins said that Ursa Minor will consist of songs that did not make the cut for Ursa Major. It was later revealed that the title of the fifth album will not be Ursa Minor, and it will consist of new songs rather than songs that did not make the cut.
Fifth album (2010–present)
Long time guitarist Tony Fredianelli left the band in early 2010. According to an article which quotes a lengthy letter of his, Fredianelli "... is suing the band for apparently being denied songwriting credits and benefits that he allegedly was entitled to." Irish musician Kryz Reid played guitar on the 2010 tour.Third Eye Blind co-headlined The Bamboozle Roadshow 2010 between May and June 2010. In an interview with Stephan Jenkins and Brad Hargreaves at The Rave in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Jenkins stated that Ursa Minor was going to be recorded in July, and would be released in 2011. During 2010 Bamboozle Roadshow, Jenkins elaborated on the expected sound of Ursa Minor in an interview with WreckedRadio.net, "In the third album, we probably had use of too much technology, and then on the fourth album, we got rid of the technology and went back to just recording things on tape. And, that's what we're going to do on the fifth album that we are going to do this summer." According to a November 2010 blog by Jenkins, the fifth album will no longer be titled Ursa Minor.
On February 23, 2011, it was revealed that former guitarist Fredianelli had filed a federal lawsuit against Jenkins for over eight million dollars in damages for not giving him credit for past work in the band.
On March 16, 2011, a song entitled "Ladies and Gentlemen" was released on Japanese singer and actress Chiaki Kuriyama
Chiaki Kuriyama
is a Japanese actress, singer and model. She is best known in the West for her roles in Quentin Tarantino's Kill Bill, Volume 1 and the Japanese film Battle Royale .- Biography :...
's debut album. The track was written by Jenkins and Reid.
On November 16, 2011, Third Eye Blind posted a new song, "If There Ever Was a Time", to their Facebook page, for free download.
Timeline
Third Eye Blind is an American alternative rockAlternative rock
Alternative rock is a genre of rock music and a term used to describe a diverse musical movement that emerged from the independent music underground of the 1980s and became widely popular by the 1990s...
band formed in the early 1990s in San Francisco. The songwriting duo of Kevin Cadogan
Kevin Cadogan
Kevin Rene Cadogan is an American singer/songwriter, producer and rock guitarist. He is a founding member of the band Third Eye Blind. he performed with the band from 1994 to 2000...
and Stephan Jenkins
Stephan Jenkins
Stephan Douglas Jenkins , is an American musician best known as the lead singer, songwriter, and guitarist for Third Eye Blind. Under Jenkins's leadership, Third Eye Blind has sold over eight million copies of four albums: Third Eye Blind , Blue , Out of the Vein , and Ursa Major...
signed the band's first major label recording contract with Elektra records in 1996 resulting in two multi platinum albums. The band's lineup changed in 2000 ending the songwriting partnership of Kevin Cadogan
Kevin Cadogan
Kevin Rene Cadogan is an American singer/songwriter, producer and rock guitarist. He is a founding member of the band Third Eye Blind. he performed with the band from 1994 to 2000...
and Stephan Jenkins
Stephan Jenkins
Stephan Douglas Jenkins , is an American musician best known as the lead singer, songwriter, and guitarist for Third Eye Blind. Under Jenkins's leadership, Third Eye Blind has sold over eight million copies of four albums: Third Eye Blind , Blue , Out of the Vein , and Ursa Major...
. The band's current line-up is Stephan Jenkins
Stephan Jenkins
Stephan Douglas Jenkins , is an American musician best known as the lead singer, songwriter, and guitarist for Third Eye Blind. Under Jenkins's leadership, Third Eye Blind has sold over eight million copies of four albums: Third Eye Blind , Blue , Out of the Vein , and Ursa Major...
(vocals, guitar
Rhythm guitar
Rhythm guitar is a technique and rôle that performs a combination of two functions: to provide all or part of the rhythmic pulse in conjunction with singers or other instruments; and to provide all or part of the harmony, ie. the chords, where a chord is a group of notes played together...
), and Brad Hargreaves
Brad Hargreaves
Bradley William Hargreaves is an American drummer. He is currently the drummer for the alternative bands Third Eye Blind and Year Long Disaster.- Career :...
(drums, percussion). Guitarist Kryz Reid
Kryz Reid
Kryz Reid is an Irish musician and guitarist. He is the lead guitarist for American alternative rock band Third Eye Blind.Reid joined Third Eye Blind in 2010, replacing departed guitarist Tony Fredianelli...
and bassist Abe Millett have replaced the departed Tony Fredianelli and Arion Salazar
Arion Salazar
Arion Salazar is the former bassist for Third Eye Blind. Salazar was considered to be the most connected with the fans through the internet out of all the band members. He was previously in the Fremont, California band, Fungo Mungo.Salazar also played in a sessions band called Bullmark...
respectively.
After the success of their eponymous debut album
Third Eye Blind (album)
Third Eye Blind is the eponymous debut for the American alternative rock band Third Eye Blind, originally released on April 8, 1997. It spawned several singles, including top 10 charting "Semi-Charmed Life", "Jumper", and "How's It Going to Be"....
in 1997, the band released one more album, 1999's Blue
Blue (Third Eye Blind album)
* "Slow Motion" was originally released with only the chorus, due to concerns about its lyrical content. Soon thereafter, Elektra Records re-released Blue with an instrumental version. However, the full version of the song was released everywhere outside of the States and found its way around the...
, before guitarist Kevin Cadogan
Kevin Cadogan
Kevin Rene Cadogan is an American singer/songwriter, producer and rock guitarist. He is a founding member of the band Third Eye Blind. he performed with the band from 1994 to 2000...
was released under controversial circumstances. In 2003, the band released Out of the Vein
Out of the Vein
Out of the Vein is the third album by American alternative rock band Third Eye Blind. Released on May 13, 2003, it would be the group's first album with guitarist Tony Fredianelli, who replaced long time guitarist Kevin Cadogan in 2000...
. In 2008, the band released the digital EP Red Star
Red Star (EP)
Red Star is a 2008 digital-only EP by Third Eye Blind released in anticipation of their fourth studio album Ursa Major. Previews of the songs on the EP were posted to the band's myspace page on November 12, 2008, and it was released officially on November 18, 2008 through all major digital music...
. After a six-year hiatus from releasing a full-length album, Ursa Major
Ursa Major (album)
Ursa Major is the fourth studio album from American alternative rock band Third Eye Blind. Released on August 18, 2009 on the group's own Mega Collider label, Ursa Major was the group's first studio album in over six years...
was released on August 17, 2009. A fifth album is also being worked on, without a tentative release date.
The band is best known for the singles "Semi-Charmed Life
Semi-Charmed Life
"Semi-Charmed Life" is Third Eye Blind's first single off their self-titled debut album, released in 1997. It was a major hit of the 1990s, reaching number four in the U.S., number one on the Modern Rock Tracks and the Top 40 in the UK. Furthermore, it has had a pervasive cultural impact, being...
", "How's It Going to Be
How's It Going to Be
"How's It Going to Be" is a song by the American rock band Third Eye Blind, featured on their 1997 self-titled album. The B-side is a non-album track entitled "Horror Show", written by guitarist Kevin Cadogan and vocalist Stephan Jenkins...
", "Graduate
Graduate (song)
"Graduate" is a song by Third Eye Blind and written by Stephan Jenkins and Kevin Cadogan. The B-side, "Horror Show", was written by Jenkins and Cadogan as well and later released on the "How's It Going to Be" single in 1998. It reached number 26 on the Maintstream Rock Tracks chart in the U.S, and...
", "Jumper
Jumper (song)
"Jumper" is a song by the American rock band Third Eye Blind, released on their 1997 self titled album, and written by vocalist Stephan Jenkins. Released as a single, the song peaked at #5.-Meaning:...
", "Never Let You Go
Never Let You Go (Third Eye Blind song)
"Never Let You Go" is a song by American rock band Third Eye Blind, released as a single from their 1999 album, Blue. The song was very successful, peaking at #14 on the Billboard Hot 100 and also reaching #1 on Canada's Singles chart....
" and "Deep Inside of You
Deep Inside of You
"Deep Inside of You" is a song from Bay Area band Third Eye Blind. It was the fourth single from the group's second album, Blue. It peaked at number 69 on the Billboard Hot 100. It reached number 17 on the Adult Top 40 chart and number 39 on the Modern Rock Tracks chart.- Track listing :# "Deep...
".
Beginnings (1993–1996)
Third Eye Blind recorded their first demoDemo (music)
A demo version or demo of a song is one recorded for reference rather than for release. A demo is a way for a musician to approximate their ideas on tape or disc, and provide an example of those ideas to record labels, producers or other artists...
in 1993. In 1994 the band recorded its 2nd demo with band members: Kevin Cadogan
Kevin Cadogan
Kevin Rene Cadogan is an American singer/songwriter, producer and rock guitarist. He is a founding member of the band Third Eye Blind. he performed with the band from 1994 to 2000...
on guitar, Steve Bowman
Steve Bowman
Steve Bowman is an American rock drummer and songwriter. He was a founding member and drummer for the Counting Crows during the recording and period of time following their debut album, August and Everything After. The band's unexpected success led them to performancess on Late Night with David...
on drums, Arion Salazar
Arion Salazar
Arion Salazar is the former bassist for Third Eye Blind. Salazar was considered to be the most connected with the fans through the internet out of all the band members. He was previously in the Fremont, California band, Fungo Mungo.Salazar also played in a sessions band called Bullmark...
on bass, and Stephan Jenkins
Stephan Jenkins
Stephan Douglas Jenkins , is an American musician best known as the lead singer, songwriter, and guitarist for Third Eye Blind. Under Jenkins's leadership, Third Eye Blind has sold over eight million copies of four albums: Third Eye Blind , Blue , Out of the Vein , and Ursa Major...
on vocals. In late 1995 through early 1996 the band recorded its third demo with funds from RCA records to record with producer engineer Eric Valentine, which resulted in the band gaining major label attention, including that of Clive Davis
Clive Davis
Clive Davis is an American record producer and music industry executive. He has won five Grammy Awards and is a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a non-performer. From 1967 to 1973 he was the President of Columbia Records. He was the founder and president of Arista Records from 1975...
, who invited the band to perform a showcase for Arista Records
Arista Records
Arista was an American record label. It was a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Music Entertainment and operated under the RCA Music Group. The label was founded in 1974 by Clive Davis, who formerly worked for CBS Records...
in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. During Third Eye Blind concerts at the time, it was customary for the band to have a piñata
Piñata
A piñata is a papier-mâché or other type of container that is decorated, filled with toys and or candy and then broken as part of a ceremony or celebration. Piñatas are most commonly associated with Mexico, but its origins are considered to be in China...
release candy above their mosh pits
Moshing
Moshing is a dance in which participants push or slam into each other. They also flail their limbs to breakdowns of hardcore punk and its sub-genres. It is most associated with aggressive music genres, such as hardcore punk and heavy metal...
, yet at the showcase for the record executives, lead singer Stephan Jenkins
Stephan Jenkins
Stephan Douglas Jenkins , is an American musician best known as the lead singer, songwriter, and guitarist for Third Eye Blind. Under Jenkins's leadership, Third Eye Blind has sold over eight million copies of four albums: Third Eye Blind , Blue , Out of the Vein , and Ursa Major...
released live cricket
Cricket (insect)
Crickets, family Gryllidae , are insects somewhat related to grasshoppers, and more closely related to katydids or bush crickets . They have somewhat flattened bodies and long antennae. There are about 900 species of crickets...
s from the piñata instead. With regard to the name of the band, Jenkins indicated during a radio interview that the name came from the metaphysical idea of a mind's eye
Third eye
The third eye is a mystical and esoteric concept referring in part to the ajna chakra in certain spiritual traditions. It is also spoken of as the gate that leads within to inner realms and spaces of higher consciousness...
, a topic of a book he had read. The other group members liked it and chose it as the official name. In April 1996, after Jenkins had challenged Epic Records
Epic Records
Epic Records is an American record label, owned by Sony Music Entertainment. Though it was originally conceived as a jazz imprint, it has since expanded to represent various genres. L.A...
executive Dave Massey in a meeting, the band landed an opening gig for Oasis
Oasis (band)
Oasis were an English rock band formed in Manchester in 1991. Originally known as The Rain, the group was formed by Liam Gallagher , Paul "Bonehead" Arthurs , Paul "Guigsy" McGuigan and Tony McCarroll , who were soon joined by Liam's older brother Noel Gallagher...
at the San Francisco Civic Auditorium
Bill Graham Civic Auditorium
The Bill Graham Civic Auditorium is a multi-purpose arena in San Francisco, California, currently named after promoter Bill Graham...
. In an unlikely scenario for an opening act, the band was invited back for an encore after playing their initial set and was paid double by the concert promoter. In addition, Stephan Jenkins' production of The Braids' cover of Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody
Bohemian Rhapsody
"Bohemian Rhapsody" is a song by the British rock band Queen. It was written by Freddie Mercury for the band's 1975 album A Night at the Opera...
" gained major-label attention. Afterwards, the band found themselves in a bidding war among record labels, and after a showcase in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, Kevin Cadogan
Kevin Cadogan
Kevin Rene Cadogan is an American singer/songwriter, producer and rock guitarist. He is a founding member of the band Third Eye Blind. he performed with the band from 1994 to 2000...
and Stephan Jenkins
Stephan Jenkins
Stephan Douglas Jenkins , is an American musician best known as the lead singer, songwriter, and guitarist for Third Eye Blind. Under Jenkins's leadership, Third Eye Blind has sold over eight million copies of four albums: Third Eye Blind , Blue , Out of the Vein , and Ursa Major...
signed as artists professionally known as Third Eye Blind with Sylvia Rhone of Elektra Records
Elektra Records
Elektra Records is an American record label owned by Warner Music Group. In 2004, it was consolidated into WMG's Atlantic Records Group. After five years of dormancy, the label was revived by Atlantic in 2009....
because they believed it offered the most artistic freedom.
Success (1997–2000)
Third Eye Blind's first album, Third Eye BlindThird Eye Blind (album)
Third Eye Blind is the eponymous debut for the American alternative rock band Third Eye Blind, originally released on April 8, 1997. It spawned several singles, including top 10 charting "Semi-Charmed Life", "Jumper", and "How's It Going to Be"....
was released in 1997. The album had 5 singles: "Semi-Charmed Life
Semi-Charmed Life
"Semi-Charmed Life" is Third Eye Blind's first single off their self-titled debut album, released in 1997. It was a major hit of the 1990s, reaching number four in the U.S., number one on the Modern Rock Tracks and the Top 40 in the UK. Furthermore, it has had a pervasive cultural impact, being...
", "Graduate
Graduate (song)
"Graduate" is a song by Third Eye Blind and written by Stephan Jenkins and Kevin Cadogan. The B-side, "Horror Show", was written by Jenkins and Cadogan as well and later released on the "How's It Going to Be" single in 1998. It reached number 26 on the Maintstream Rock Tracks chart in the U.S, and...
", "How's It Going to Be
How's It Going to Be
"How's It Going to Be" is a song by the American rock band Third Eye Blind, featured on their 1997 self-titled album. The B-side is a non-album track entitled "Horror Show", written by guitarist Kevin Cadogan and vocalist Stephan Jenkins...
", "Losing a Whole Year
Losing a Whole Year
"Losing a Whole Year" is a song by Third Eye Blind from their 1997 self-titled debut album. It was written by Stephan Jenkins and Kevin Cadogan. Released as a single, the song received positive reviews from music critics and charted on the Billboard Alternative Songs and Mainstream Rock charts...
", and "Jumper
Jumper (song)
"Jumper" is a song by the American rock band Third Eye Blind, released on their 1997 self titled album, and written by vocalist Stephan Jenkins. Released as a single, the song peaked at #5.-Meaning:...
". "Semi-Charmed Life" peaked at No. 4 on the Billboard 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 number 1 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...
for 8 weeks. The band also performed "How's It Going to Be" on Saturday Night Live
Saturday Night Live
Saturday Night Live is a live American late-night television sketch comedy and variety show developed by Lorne Michaels and Dick Ebersol. The show premiered on NBC on October 11, 1975, under the original title of NBC's Saturday Night.The show's sketches often parody contemporary American culture...
. To date their eponymous debut has been the group's most successful album, selling 7 million copies in the U.S. alone. Smash Mouth
Smash Mouth
Smash Mouth is an American rock band from San Jose, California. The band was formed in 1994, and was originally composed of Steve Harwell, Greg Camp, Paul De Lisle and Kevin Coleman as lead vocals, guitar, bass and drums respectively...
drummer Michael Urbano
Michael Urbano
Michael Urbano is a studio drummer, band member, programmer, and record producer.One of his first gigs was as a member of Bourgeois Tagg, a 1980s band that was fronted by Brent Bourgeois and Larry Tagg and included Lyle Workman as the guitarist...
played drums on 4 songs on the album. During this period they also opened a number of shows on U2
U2
U2 are an Irish rock band from Dublin. Formed in 1976, the group consists of Bono , The Edge , Adam Clayton , and Larry Mullen, Jr. . U2's early sound was rooted in post-punk but eventually grew to incorporate influences from many genres of popular music...
's PopMart Tour
Popmart Tour
The PopMart Tour was a worldwide concert tour by rock band U2. Launched in support of the group's 1997 album, Pop, the tour's concerts were performed in stadiums and parks from 1997 through 1998...
.
In 1999 the band released their second album, Blue
Blue (Third Eye Blind album)
* "Slow Motion" was originally released with only the chorus, due to concerns about its lyrical content. Soon thereafter, Elektra Records re-released Blue with an instrumental version. However, the full version of the song was released everywhere outside of the States and found its way around the...
. Although not received as well as Third Eye Blind, the album sold 75,000 copies the first week of release and by 2003 had sold 1.25 million in the U.S. Four singles were released from the album, "Anything
Anything (Third Eye Blind song)
"Anything" is a song by American rock band Third Eye Blind, written by vocalist Stephan Jenkins. It is the first track on, and first single from, the band's 1999 album Blue. It is also the band's only single to not appear on their greatest hits compilation A Collection....
", "Never Let You Go
Never Let You Go (Third Eye Blind song)
"Never Let You Go" is a song by American rock band Third Eye Blind, released as a single from their 1999 album, Blue. The song was very successful, peaking at #14 on the Billboard Hot 100 and also reaching #1 on Canada's Singles chart....
", "10 Days Late
10 Days Late
"10 Days Late" is a song by the American alternative rock band Third Eye Blind. Written about an unexpected pregnancy, it was the third single released from the band's 1999 album Blue. It peaked at #21 on the Alternative Songs chart. A music video was shot for the single.-Background:"10 Days Late"...
", and "Deep Inside of You
Deep Inside of You
"Deep Inside of You" is a song from Bay Area band Third Eye Blind. It was the fourth single from the group's second album, Blue. It peaked at number 69 on the Billboard Hot 100. It reached number 17 on the Adult Top 40 chart and number 39 on the Modern Rock Tracks chart.- Track listing :# "Deep...
". In early 2000, shortly after the release of the album, Kevin Cadogan
Kevin Cadogan
Kevin Rene Cadogan is an American singer/songwriter, producer and rock guitarist. He is a founding member of the band Third Eye Blind. he performed with the band from 1994 to 2000...
was released from the band. The controversial circumstances of Cadogan's departure stem from his allegations that Jenkins and he were to be partners of the corporation named Third Eye Blind Inc. Instead, Jenkins directed the bands manager Eric Godtland and the bands attorney Thomas Mandelbaum to issue Jenkins 100% of the shares to himself making Stephan Jenkins the sole owner of all Third Eye Blind assets. Kevin Cadogan claimed that he was told by the band attorney that shares had not been issued to anyone. Cadogan told the NY times in 1999 that he discovered 100% of the shares had in fact been issued to Jenkins as far back as 1996 when Cadogan and Jenkins signed the definitive record contract with Elektra. Cadogan states that upon learning that Jenkins owned 100% of the band he then refused to sign off on any more recording contracts and loans until shares were also issued to Cadogan. In 1999 Cadogan was asked to sign a 1 million dollar loan from Elektra records which would allow Third Eye Blind to record an EP and release it on its own label as a subsidiary of Elektra. Cadogan refused to sign the deal citing the fact that he would not own or have any control over the assets acquired from the deal. In November 1999 Elektra records issued the funds to the Stephan Jenkins owned Third Eye Blind corporation without Cadogan's signature as Elektra had previously required. Two months later in January of 2000, Kevin Cadogan and Third Eye Blind parted ways after a concert in Utah. Despite having received the $1 million from Elektra back in 1999, the band never delivered the EP which the funds were allocated for.Cadogan filed suit, alleging wrongful termination, adding that his production, recording, and songwriter royalties were withheld since being kicked out of the band. The lawsuit was settled out of court in June 2002, with the terms of the settlement undisclosed.
Later, it was revealed that the band's total legal costs for Cadogan's suit (including settlement and attorney's fees) totaled around $3 million. This was disclosed when the band sued their financial manager, Provident Financial Management, and their insurance broker, Near North Entertainment Insurance Services, for negligently procuring a liability insurance
Liability insurance
Liability insurance is a part of the general insurance system of risk financing to protect the purchaser from the risks of liabilities imposed by lawsuits and similar claims. It protects the insured in the event he or she is sued for claims that come within the coverage of the insurance policy...
policy from North American Specialty Insurance (a Swiss Re
Swiss Re
Swiss Reinsurance Company Ltd , generally known as Swiss Re, is a Swiss reinsurance company. It is the world’s second-largest reinsurer, after having acquired GE Insurance Solutions. The company has its headquarters in Zurich...
subsidiary) that excluded coverage for the "entertainment business." Naturally, when Third Eye Blind tendered Cadogan's lawsuit and demanded a defense, North American Specialty denied coverage because they were in the "entertainment business." This forced the band to defend and settle Cadogan's lawsuit with their own funds. Third Eye Blind Inc, recouped its losses from the insurance company in 2009 through the appellate process.
Out of the Vein and A Collection (2001–2006)
After extensive international touring, the band took a break from performing, appearing only at charity events. They put on shows for the Tiger Woods Foundation and the Breathe Benefit Concert in Los AngelesLos Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
after Jenkins' mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. During the four year gap between albums, the band also built a recording studio in anticipation of their next album.
In 2003 the band released Out of the Vein
Out of the Vein
Out of the Vein is the third album by American alternative rock band Third Eye Blind. Released on May 13, 2003, it would be the group's first album with guitarist Tony Fredianelli, who replaced long time guitarist Kevin Cadogan in 2000...
. Two singles were released from the album; "Blinded
Blinded
"Blinded" is a song by Third Eye Blind from their album, Out of the Vein released in 2003. As a single, the song was titled "Blinded " and peaked at #35 on Billboard's Modern Rock Tracks of that year. This would be Third Eye Blind's last charting single to date....
", and "Crystal Baller". Out of the Vein did not sell as well as its predecessors, with numbers estimated around 500,000 copies as of March 2007. Elektra Records
Elektra Records
Elektra Records is an American record label owned by Warner Music Group. In 2004, it was consolidated into WMG's Atlantic Records Group. After five years of dormancy, the label was revived by Atlantic in 2009....
was being absorbed into Atlantic Records
Atlantic Records
Atlantic Records is an American record label best known for its many recordings of rhythm and blues, rock and roll, and jazz...
at the time, and the only music video created from the album was for the single "Blinded". Due to the merger, the band found themselves without label support, as Jenkins said, "Our record company ceased to exist the month the record was released, Elektra Records imploded."
In May 2004, Warner Music
Warner Music Group
Warner Music Group is the third largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry, making it one of the big four record companies...
cut Third Eye Blind, along with over 80 other acts, from its roster. While no specific reason was given for Third Eye Blind being cut, Atlantic co-chairman Craig Kallman
Craig Kallman
Craig Kallman is Chairman and CEO of Atlantic Records.Craig Kallman signed the legendary lyricist Percee P and released his sought after 12" "Puttin' Heads To Bed" on his imprint Big Beat in the early 1990s. He joined the company in 1991, when Atlantic acquired Kallman's independent Big Beat...
said the cuts were made to get Atlantic's roster down to an appropriate size where "we can give each of our acts top priority."
It would be over six years after the release of Out of the Vein until the band would release another full-length album. In the meantime, the band did release "A Collection", in 2006. This album was a collection of songs from the first three albums. Jude Gold, associate editor of Guitar Player Magazine, recognized that the liner notes falsely credited guitarist Tony Fredianelli with the creative work of former guitarist Kevin Cadogan, who was completely omitted from the bands biography included in the liner notes, which state: "As always, the band profited from the musical interplay between Tony Fredianelli, Stephan Jenkins, Arion Salazar and Brad Hargreaves". In regards to this, Gold stated "Its like saying Gun's N Roses music always profited from the interplay between Axl Rose and guitarist Bucket Head".
Red Star and Ursa Major (2007–2009)
For the 10th anniversary of the release of Third Eye Blind's debut album, the band performed at the Fillmore on March 13 and 14, 2007. The shows were filmed for broadcast on HDNet on December 2, as well as normal broadcast and release on DVD and as a live album tentatively to be released in early 2008, as announced by Jenkins on November 9, 2007, on DC101's "Elliot In The Morning". However, as of early 2011, neither the DVD or live album have been released.A single, "Non-Dairy Creamer", was released in November 2008 and was part of the internet exclusive digital EP
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
Red Star
Red Star (EP)
Red Star is a 2008 digital-only EP by Third Eye Blind released in anticipation of their fourth studio album Ursa Major. Previews of the songs on the EP were posted to the band's myspace page on November 12, 2008, and it was released officially on November 18, 2008 through all major digital music...
.
Third Eye Blind's fourth studio album titled Ursa Major
Ursa Major (album)
Ursa Major is the fourth studio album from American alternative rock band Third Eye Blind. Released on August 18, 2009 on the group's own Mega Collider label, Ursa Major was the group's first studio album in over six years...
was released on August 17, 2009. The album had been anticipated since mid-2007 and was previously expected to be named The Hideous Strength. The album was released under their own label Mega Collider Records.
On June 5, 2009, Third Eye Blind released their first single off Ursa Major, "Don't Believe a Word". The band later released a second single, "Bonfire". Neither were able to chart on any radio formats.
Also announced was a possible fifth album titled Ursa Minor, that is planned to follow Ursa Major. Jenkins said that Ursa Minor will consist of songs that did not make the cut for Ursa Major. It was later revealed that the title of the fifth album will not be Ursa Minor, and it will consist of new songs rather than songs that did not make the cut.
Fifth album (2010–present)
Long time guitarist Tony Fredianelli left the band in early 2010. According to an article which quotes a lengthy letter of his, Fredianelli "... is suing the band for apparently being denied songwriting credits and benefits that he allegedly was entitled to." Irish musician Kryz Reid played guitar on the 2010 tour.Third Eye Blind co-headlined The Bamboozle Roadshow 2010 between May and June 2010. In an interview with Stephan Jenkins and Brad Hargreaves at The Rave in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Jenkins stated that Ursa Minor was going to be recorded in July, and would be released in 2011. During 2010 Bamboozle Roadshow, Jenkins elaborated on the expected sound of Ursa Minor in an interview with WreckedRadio.net, "In the third album, we probably had use of too much technology, and then on the fourth album, we got rid of the technology and went back to just recording things on tape. And, that's what we're going to do on the fifth album that we are going to do this summer." According to a November 2010 blog by Jenkins, the fifth album will no longer be titled Ursa Minor.
On February 23, 2011, it was revealed that former guitarist Fredianelli had filed a federal lawsuit against Jenkins for over eight million dollars in damages for not giving him credit for past work in the band.
On March 16, 2011, a song entitled "Ladies and Gentlemen" was released on Japanese singer and actress Chiaki Kuriyama
Chiaki Kuriyama
is a Japanese actress, singer and model. She is best known in the West for her roles in Quentin Tarantino's Kill Bill, Volume 1 and the Japanese film Battle Royale .- Biography :...
's debut album. The track was written by Jenkins and Reid.
On November 16, 2011, Third Eye Blind posted a new song, "If There Ever Was a Time", to their Facebook page, for free download.
Timeline
Third Eye Blind is an American alternative rockAlternative rock
Alternative rock is a genre of rock music and a term used to describe a diverse musical movement that emerged from the independent music underground of the 1980s and became widely popular by the 1990s...
band formed in the early 1990s in San Francisco. The songwriting duo of Kevin Cadogan
Kevin Cadogan
Kevin Rene Cadogan is an American singer/songwriter, producer and rock guitarist. He is a founding member of the band Third Eye Blind. he performed with the band from 1994 to 2000...
and Stephan Jenkins
Stephan Jenkins
Stephan Douglas Jenkins , is an American musician best known as the lead singer, songwriter, and guitarist for Third Eye Blind. Under Jenkins's leadership, Third Eye Blind has sold over eight million copies of four albums: Third Eye Blind , Blue , Out of the Vein , and Ursa Major...
signed the band's first major label recording contract with Elektra records in 1996 resulting in two multi platinum albums. The band's lineup changed in 2000 ending the songwriting partnership of Kevin Cadogan
Kevin Cadogan
Kevin Rene Cadogan is an American singer/songwriter, producer and rock guitarist. He is a founding member of the band Third Eye Blind. he performed with the band from 1994 to 2000...
and Stephan Jenkins
Stephan Jenkins
Stephan Douglas Jenkins , is an American musician best known as the lead singer, songwriter, and guitarist for Third Eye Blind. Under Jenkins's leadership, Third Eye Blind has sold over eight million copies of four albums: Third Eye Blind , Blue , Out of the Vein , and Ursa Major...
. The band's current line-up is Stephan Jenkins
Stephan Jenkins
Stephan Douglas Jenkins , is an American musician best known as the lead singer, songwriter, and guitarist for Third Eye Blind. Under Jenkins's leadership, Third Eye Blind has sold over eight million copies of four albums: Third Eye Blind , Blue , Out of the Vein , and Ursa Major...
(vocals, guitar
Rhythm guitar
Rhythm guitar is a technique and rôle that performs a combination of two functions: to provide all or part of the rhythmic pulse in conjunction with singers or other instruments; and to provide all or part of the harmony, ie. the chords, where a chord is a group of notes played together...
), and Brad Hargreaves
Brad Hargreaves
Bradley William Hargreaves is an American drummer. He is currently the drummer for the alternative bands Third Eye Blind and Year Long Disaster.- Career :...
(drums, percussion). Guitarist Kryz Reid
Kryz Reid
Kryz Reid is an Irish musician and guitarist. He is the lead guitarist for American alternative rock band Third Eye Blind.Reid joined Third Eye Blind in 2010, replacing departed guitarist Tony Fredianelli...
and bassist Abe Millett have replaced the departed Tony Fredianelli and Arion Salazar
Arion Salazar
Arion Salazar is the former bassist for Third Eye Blind. Salazar was considered to be the most connected with the fans through the internet out of all the band members. He was previously in the Fremont, California band, Fungo Mungo.Salazar also played in a sessions band called Bullmark...
respectively.
After the success of their eponymous debut album
Third Eye Blind (album)
Third Eye Blind is the eponymous debut for the American alternative rock band Third Eye Blind, originally released on April 8, 1997. It spawned several singles, including top 10 charting "Semi-Charmed Life", "Jumper", and "How's It Going to Be"....
in 1997, the band released one more album, 1999's Blue
Blue (Third Eye Blind album)
* "Slow Motion" was originally released with only the chorus, due to concerns about its lyrical content. Soon thereafter, Elektra Records re-released Blue with an instrumental version. However, the full version of the song was released everywhere outside of the States and found its way around the...
, before guitarist Kevin Cadogan
Kevin Cadogan
Kevin Rene Cadogan is an American singer/songwriter, producer and rock guitarist. He is a founding member of the band Third Eye Blind. he performed with the band from 1994 to 2000...
was released under controversial circumstances. In 2003, the band released Out of the Vein
Out of the Vein
Out of the Vein is the third album by American alternative rock band Third Eye Blind. Released on May 13, 2003, it would be the group's first album with guitarist Tony Fredianelli, who replaced long time guitarist Kevin Cadogan in 2000...
. In 2008, the band released the digital EP Red Star
Red Star (EP)
Red Star is a 2008 digital-only EP by Third Eye Blind released in anticipation of their fourth studio album Ursa Major. Previews of the songs on the EP were posted to the band's myspace page on November 12, 2008, and it was released officially on November 18, 2008 through all major digital music...
. After a six-year hiatus from releasing a full-length album, Ursa Major
Ursa Major (album)
Ursa Major is the fourth studio album from American alternative rock band Third Eye Blind. Released on August 18, 2009 on the group's own Mega Collider label, Ursa Major was the group's first studio album in over six years...
was released on August 17, 2009. A fifth album is also being worked on, without a tentative release date.
The band is best known for the singles "Semi-Charmed Life
Semi-Charmed Life
"Semi-Charmed Life" is Third Eye Blind's first single off their self-titled debut album, released in 1997. It was a major hit of the 1990s, reaching number four in the U.S., number one on the Modern Rock Tracks and the Top 40 in the UK. Furthermore, it has had a pervasive cultural impact, being...
", "How's It Going to Be
How's It Going to Be
"How's It Going to Be" is a song by the American rock band Third Eye Blind, featured on their 1997 self-titled album. The B-side is a non-album track entitled "Horror Show", written by guitarist Kevin Cadogan and vocalist Stephan Jenkins...
", "Graduate
Graduate (song)
"Graduate" is a song by Third Eye Blind and written by Stephan Jenkins and Kevin Cadogan. The B-side, "Horror Show", was written by Jenkins and Cadogan as well and later released on the "How's It Going to Be" single in 1998. It reached number 26 on the Maintstream Rock Tracks chart in the U.S, and...
", "Jumper
Jumper (song)
"Jumper" is a song by the American rock band Third Eye Blind, released on their 1997 self titled album, and written by vocalist Stephan Jenkins. Released as a single, the song peaked at #5.-Meaning:...
", "Never Let You Go
Never Let You Go (Third Eye Blind song)
"Never Let You Go" is a song by American rock band Third Eye Blind, released as a single from their 1999 album, Blue. The song was very successful, peaking at #14 on the Billboard Hot 100 and also reaching #1 on Canada's Singles chart....
" and "Deep Inside of You
Deep Inside of You
"Deep Inside of You" is a song from Bay Area band Third Eye Blind. It was the fourth single from the group's second album, Blue. It peaked at number 69 on the Billboard Hot 100. It reached number 17 on the Adult Top 40 chart and number 39 on the Modern Rock Tracks chart.- Track listing :# "Deep...
".
Beginnings (1993–1996)
Third Eye Blind recorded their first demoDemo (music)
A demo version or demo of a song is one recorded for reference rather than for release. A demo is a way for a musician to approximate their ideas on tape or disc, and provide an example of those ideas to record labels, producers or other artists...
in 1993. In 1994 the band recorded its 2nd demo with band members: Kevin Cadogan
Kevin Cadogan
Kevin Rene Cadogan is an American singer/songwriter, producer and rock guitarist. He is a founding member of the band Third Eye Blind. he performed with the band from 1994 to 2000...
on guitar, Steve Bowman
Steve Bowman
Steve Bowman is an American rock drummer and songwriter. He was a founding member and drummer for the Counting Crows during the recording and period of time following their debut album, August and Everything After. The band's unexpected success led them to performancess on Late Night with David...
on drums, Arion Salazar
Arion Salazar
Arion Salazar is the former bassist for Third Eye Blind. Salazar was considered to be the most connected with the fans through the internet out of all the band members. He was previously in the Fremont, California band, Fungo Mungo.Salazar also played in a sessions band called Bullmark...
on bass, and Stephan Jenkins
Stephan Jenkins
Stephan Douglas Jenkins , is an American musician best known as the lead singer, songwriter, and guitarist for Third Eye Blind. Under Jenkins's leadership, Third Eye Blind has sold over eight million copies of four albums: Third Eye Blind , Blue , Out of the Vein , and Ursa Major...
on vocals. In late 1995 through early 1996 the band recorded its third demo with funds from RCA records to record with producer engineer Eric Valentine, which resulted in the band gaining major label attention, including that of Clive Davis
Clive Davis
Clive Davis is an American record producer and music industry executive. He has won five Grammy Awards and is a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a non-performer. From 1967 to 1973 he was the President of Columbia Records. He was the founder and president of Arista Records from 1975...
, who invited the band to perform a showcase for Arista Records
Arista Records
Arista was an American record label. It was a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Music Entertainment and operated under the RCA Music Group. The label was founded in 1974 by Clive Davis, who formerly worked for CBS Records...
in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. During Third Eye Blind concerts at the time, it was customary for the band to have a piñata
Piñata
A piñata is a papier-mâché or other type of container that is decorated, filled with toys and or candy and then broken as part of a ceremony or celebration. Piñatas are most commonly associated with Mexico, but its origins are considered to be in China...
release candy above their mosh pits
Moshing
Moshing is a dance in which participants push or slam into each other. They also flail their limbs to breakdowns of hardcore punk and its sub-genres. It is most associated with aggressive music genres, such as hardcore punk and heavy metal...
, yet at the showcase for the record executives, lead singer Stephan Jenkins
Stephan Jenkins
Stephan Douglas Jenkins , is an American musician best known as the lead singer, songwriter, and guitarist for Third Eye Blind. Under Jenkins's leadership, Third Eye Blind has sold over eight million copies of four albums: Third Eye Blind , Blue , Out of the Vein , and Ursa Major...
released live cricket
Cricket (insect)
Crickets, family Gryllidae , are insects somewhat related to grasshoppers, and more closely related to katydids or bush crickets . They have somewhat flattened bodies and long antennae. There are about 900 species of crickets...
s from the piñata instead. With regard to the name of the band, Jenkins indicated during a radio interview that the name came from the metaphysical idea of a mind's eye
Third eye
The third eye is a mystical and esoteric concept referring in part to the ajna chakra in certain spiritual traditions. It is also spoken of as the gate that leads within to inner realms and spaces of higher consciousness...
, a topic of a book he had read. The other group members liked it and chose it as the official name. In April 1996, after Jenkins had challenged Epic Records
Epic Records
Epic Records is an American record label, owned by Sony Music Entertainment. Though it was originally conceived as a jazz imprint, it has since expanded to represent various genres. L.A...
executive Dave Massey in a meeting, the band landed an opening gig for Oasis
Oasis (band)
Oasis were an English rock band formed in Manchester in 1991. Originally known as The Rain, the group was formed by Liam Gallagher , Paul "Bonehead" Arthurs , Paul "Guigsy" McGuigan and Tony McCarroll , who were soon joined by Liam's older brother Noel Gallagher...
at the San Francisco Civic Auditorium
Bill Graham Civic Auditorium
The Bill Graham Civic Auditorium is a multi-purpose arena in San Francisco, California, currently named after promoter Bill Graham...
. In an unlikely scenario for an opening act, the band was invited back for an encore after playing their initial set and was paid double by the concert promoter. In addition, Stephan Jenkins' production of The Braids' cover of Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody
Bohemian Rhapsody
"Bohemian Rhapsody" is a song by the British rock band Queen. It was written by Freddie Mercury for the band's 1975 album A Night at the Opera...
" gained major-label attention. Afterwards, the band found themselves in a bidding war among record labels, and after a showcase in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, Kevin Cadogan
Kevin Cadogan
Kevin Rene Cadogan is an American singer/songwriter, producer and rock guitarist. He is a founding member of the band Third Eye Blind. he performed with the band from 1994 to 2000...
and Stephan Jenkins
Stephan Jenkins
Stephan Douglas Jenkins , is an American musician best known as the lead singer, songwriter, and guitarist for Third Eye Blind. Under Jenkins's leadership, Third Eye Blind has sold over eight million copies of four albums: Third Eye Blind , Blue , Out of the Vein , and Ursa Major...
signed as artists professionally known as Third Eye Blind with Sylvia Rhone of Elektra Records
Elektra Records
Elektra Records is an American record label owned by Warner Music Group. In 2004, it was consolidated into WMG's Atlantic Records Group. After five years of dormancy, the label was revived by Atlantic in 2009....
because they believed it offered the most artistic freedom.
Success (1997–2000)
Third Eye Blind's first album, Third Eye BlindThird Eye Blind (album)
Third Eye Blind is the eponymous debut for the American alternative rock band Third Eye Blind, originally released on April 8, 1997. It spawned several singles, including top 10 charting "Semi-Charmed Life", "Jumper", and "How's It Going to Be"....
was released in 1997. The album had 5 singles: "Semi-Charmed Life
Semi-Charmed Life
"Semi-Charmed Life" is Third Eye Blind's first single off their self-titled debut album, released in 1997. It was a major hit of the 1990s, reaching number four in the U.S., number one on the Modern Rock Tracks and the Top 40 in the UK. Furthermore, it has had a pervasive cultural impact, being...
", "Graduate
Graduate (song)
"Graduate" is a song by Third Eye Blind and written by Stephan Jenkins and Kevin Cadogan. The B-side, "Horror Show", was written by Jenkins and Cadogan as well and later released on the "How's It Going to Be" single in 1998. It reached number 26 on the Maintstream Rock Tracks chart in the U.S, and...
", "How's It Going to Be
How's It Going to Be
"How's It Going to Be" is a song by the American rock band Third Eye Blind, featured on their 1997 self-titled album. The B-side is a non-album track entitled "Horror Show", written by guitarist Kevin Cadogan and vocalist Stephan Jenkins...
", "Losing a Whole Year
Losing a Whole Year
"Losing a Whole Year" is a song by Third Eye Blind from their 1997 self-titled debut album. It was written by Stephan Jenkins and Kevin Cadogan. Released as a single, the song received positive reviews from music critics and charted on the Billboard Alternative Songs and Mainstream Rock charts...
", and "Jumper
Jumper (song)
"Jumper" is a song by the American rock band Third Eye Blind, released on their 1997 self titled album, and written by vocalist Stephan Jenkins. Released as a single, the song peaked at #5.-Meaning:...
". "Semi-Charmed Life" peaked at No. 4 on the Billboard 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 number 1 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...
for 8 weeks. The band also performed "How's It Going to Be" on Saturday Night Live
Saturday Night Live
Saturday Night Live is a live American late-night television sketch comedy and variety show developed by Lorne Michaels and Dick Ebersol. The show premiered on NBC on October 11, 1975, under the original title of NBC's Saturday Night.The show's sketches often parody contemporary American culture...
. To date their eponymous debut has been the group's most successful album, selling 7 million copies in the U.S. alone. Smash Mouth
Smash Mouth
Smash Mouth is an American rock band from San Jose, California. The band was formed in 1994, and was originally composed of Steve Harwell, Greg Camp, Paul De Lisle and Kevin Coleman as lead vocals, guitar, bass and drums respectively...
drummer Michael Urbano
Michael Urbano
Michael Urbano is a studio drummer, band member, programmer, and record producer.One of his first gigs was as a member of Bourgeois Tagg, a 1980s band that was fronted by Brent Bourgeois and Larry Tagg and included Lyle Workman as the guitarist...
played drums on 4 songs on the album. During this period they also opened a number of shows on U2
U2
U2 are an Irish rock band from Dublin. Formed in 1976, the group consists of Bono , The Edge , Adam Clayton , and Larry Mullen, Jr. . U2's early sound was rooted in post-punk but eventually grew to incorporate influences from many genres of popular music...
's PopMart Tour
Popmart Tour
The PopMart Tour was a worldwide concert tour by rock band U2. Launched in support of the group's 1997 album, Pop, the tour's concerts were performed in stadiums and parks from 1997 through 1998...
.
In 1999 the band released their second album, Blue
Blue (Third Eye Blind album)
* "Slow Motion" was originally released with only the chorus, due to concerns about its lyrical content. Soon thereafter, Elektra Records re-released Blue with an instrumental version. However, the full version of the song was released everywhere outside of the States and found its way around the...
. Although not received as well as Third Eye Blind, the album sold 75,000 copies the first week of release and by 2003 had sold 1.25 million in the U.S. Four singles were released from the album, "Anything
Anything (Third Eye Blind song)
"Anything" is a song by American rock band Third Eye Blind, written by vocalist Stephan Jenkins. It is the first track on, and first single from, the band's 1999 album Blue. It is also the band's only single to not appear on their greatest hits compilation A Collection....
", "Never Let You Go
Never Let You Go (Third Eye Blind song)
"Never Let You Go" is a song by American rock band Third Eye Blind, released as a single from their 1999 album, Blue. The song was very successful, peaking at #14 on the Billboard Hot 100 and also reaching #1 on Canada's Singles chart....
", "10 Days Late
10 Days Late
"10 Days Late" is a song by the American alternative rock band Third Eye Blind. Written about an unexpected pregnancy, it was the third single released from the band's 1999 album Blue. It peaked at #21 on the Alternative Songs chart. A music video was shot for the single.-Background:"10 Days Late"...
", and "Deep Inside of You
Deep Inside of You
"Deep Inside of You" is a song from Bay Area band Third Eye Blind. It was the fourth single from the group's second album, Blue. It peaked at number 69 on the Billboard Hot 100. It reached number 17 on the Adult Top 40 chart and number 39 on the Modern Rock Tracks chart.- Track listing :# "Deep...
". In early 2000, shortly after the release of the album, Kevin Cadogan
Kevin Cadogan
Kevin Rene Cadogan is an American singer/songwriter, producer and rock guitarist. He is a founding member of the band Third Eye Blind. he performed with the band from 1994 to 2000...
was released from the band. The controversial circumstances of Cadogan's departure stem from his allegations that Jenkins and he were to be partners of the corporation named Third Eye Blind Inc. Instead, Jenkins directed the bands manager Eric Godtland and the bands attorney Thomas Mandelbaum to issue Jenkins 100% of the shares to himself making Stephan Jenkins the sole owner of all Third Eye Blind assets. Kevin Cadogan claimed that he was told by the band attorney that shares had not been issued to anyone. Cadogan told the NY times in 1999 that he discovered 100% of the shares had in fact been issued to Jenkins as far back as 1996 when Cadogan and Jenkins signed the definitive record contract with Elektra. Cadogan states that upon learning that Jenkins owned 100% of the band he then refused to sign off on any more recording contracts and loans until shares were also issued to Cadogan. In 1999 Cadogan was asked to sign a 1 million dollar loan from Elektra records which would allow Third Eye Blind to record an EP and release it on its own label as a subsidiary of Elektra. Cadogan refused to sign the deal citing the fact that he would not own or have any control over the assets acquired from the deal. In November 1999 Elektra records issued the funds to the Stephan Jenkins owned Third Eye Blind corporation without Cadogan's signature as Elektra had previously required. Two months later in January of 2000, Kevin Cadogan and Third Eye Blind parted ways after a concert in Utah. Despite having received the $1 million from Elektra back in 1999, the band never delivered the EP which the funds were allocated for.Cadogan filed suit, alleging wrongful termination, adding that his production, recording, and songwriter royalties were withheld since being kicked out of the band. The lawsuit was settled out of court in June 2002, with the terms of the settlement undisclosed.
Later, it was revealed that the band's total legal costs for Cadogan's suit (including settlement and attorney's fees) totaled around $3 million. This was disclosed when the band sued their financial manager, Provident Financial Management, and their insurance broker, Near North Entertainment Insurance Services, for negligently procuring a liability insurance
Liability insurance
Liability insurance is a part of the general insurance system of risk financing to protect the purchaser from the risks of liabilities imposed by lawsuits and similar claims. It protects the insured in the event he or she is sued for claims that come within the coverage of the insurance policy...
policy from North American Specialty Insurance (a Swiss Re
Swiss Re
Swiss Reinsurance Company Ltd , generally known as Swiss Re, is a Swiss reinsurance company. It is the world’s second-largest reinsurer, after having acquired GE Insurance Solutions. The company has its headquarters in Zurich...
subsidiary) that excluded coverage for the "entertainment business." Naturally, when Third Eye Blind tendered Cadogan's lawsuit and demanded a defense, North American Specialty denied coverage because they were in the "entertainment business." This forced the band to defend and settle Cadogan's lawsuit with their own funds. Third Eye Blind Inc, recouped its losses from the insurance company in 2009 through the appellate process.
Out of the Vein and A Collection (2001–2006)
After extensive international touring, the band took a break from performing, appearing only at charity events. They put on shows for the Tiger Woods Foundation and the Breathe Benefit Concert in Los AngelesLos Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
after Jenkins' mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. During the four year gap between albums, the band also built a recording studio in anticipation of their next album.
In 2003 the band released Out of the Vein
Out of the Vein
Out of the Vein is the third album by American alternative rock band Third Eye Blind. Released on May 13, 2003, it would be the group's first album with guitarist Tony Fredianelli, who replaced long time guitarist Kevin Cadogan in 2000...
. Two singles were released from the album; "Blinded
Blinded
"Blinded" is a song by Third Eye Blind from their album, Out of the Vein released in 2003. As a single, the song was titled "Blinded " and peaked at #35 on Billboard's Modern Rock Tracks of that year. This would be Third Eye Blind's last charting single to date....
", and "Crystal Baller". Out of the Vein did not sell as well as its predecessors, with numbers estimated around 500,000 copies as of March 2007. Elektra Records
Elektra Records
Elektra Records is an American record label owned by Warner Music Group. In 2004, it was consolidated into WMG's Atlantic Records Group. After five years of dormancy, the label was revived by Atlantic in 2009....
was being absorbed into Atlantic Records
Atlantic Records
Atlantic Records is an American record label best known for its many recordings of rhythm and blues, rock and roll, and jazz...
at the time, and the only music video created from the album was for the single "Blinded". Due to the merger, the band found themselves without label support, as Jenkins said, "Our record company ceased to exist the month the record was released, Elektra Records imploded."
In May 2004, Warner Music
Warner Music Group
Warner Music Group is the third largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry, making it one of the big four record companies...
cut Third Eye Blind, along with over 80 other acts, from its roster. While no specific reason was given for Third Eye Blind being cut, Atlantic co-chairman Craig Kallman
Craig Kallman
Craig Kallman is Chairman and CEO of Atlantic Records.Craig Kallman signed the legendary lyricist Percee P and released his sought after 12" "Puttin' Heads To Bed" on his imprint Big Beat in the early 1990s. He joined the company in 1991, when Atlantic acquired Kallman's independent Big Beat...
said the cuts were made to get Atlantic's roster down to an appropriate size where "we can give each of our acts top priority."
It would be over six years after the release of Out of the Vein until the band would release another full-length album. In the meantime, the band did release "A Collection", in 2006. This album was a collection of songs from the first three albums. Jude Gold, associate editor of Guitar Player Magazine, recognized that the liner notes falsely credited guitarist Tony Fredianelli with the creative work of former guitarist Kevin Cadogan, who was completely omitted from the bands biography included in the liner notes, which state: "As always, the band profited from the musical interplay between Tony Fredianelli, Stephan Jenkins, Arion Salazar and Brad Hargreaves". In regards to this, Gold stated "Its like saying Gun's N Roses music always profited from the interplay between Axl Rose and guitarist Bucket Head".
Red Star and Ursa Major (2007–2009)
For the 10th anniversary of the release of Third Eye Blind's debut album, the band performed at the Fillmore on March 13 and 14, 2007. The shows were filmed for broadcast on HDNet on December 2, as well as normal broadcast and release on DVD and as a live album tentatively to be released in early 2008, as announced by Jenkins on November 9, 2007, on DC101's "Elliot In The Morning". However, as of early 2011, neither the DVD or live album have been released.A single, "Non-Dairy Creamer", was released in November 2008 and was part of the internet exclusive digital EP
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
Red Star
Red Star (EP)
Red Star is a 2008 digital-only EP by Third Eye Blind released in anticipation of their fourth studio album Ursa Major. Previews of the songs on the EP were posted to the band's myspace page on November 12, 2008, and it was released officially on November 18, 2008 through all major digital music...
.
Third Eye Blind's fourth studio album titled Ursa Major
Ursa Major (album)
Ursa Major is the fourth studio album from American alternative rock band Third Eye Blind. Released on August 18, 2009 on the group's own Mega Collider label, Ursa Major was the group's first studio album in over six years...
was released on August 17, 2009. The album had been anticipated since mid-2007 and was previously expected to be named The Hideous Strength. The album was released under their own label Mega Collider Records.
On June 5, 2009, Third Eye Blind released their first single off Ursa Major, "Don't Believe a Word". The band later released a second single, "Bonfire". Neither were able to chart on any radio formats.
Also announced was a possible fifth album titled Ursa Minor, that is planned to follow Ursa Major. Jenkins said that Ursa Minor will consist of songs that did not make the cut for Ursa Major. It was later revealed that the title of the fifth album will not be Ursa Minor, and it will consist of new songs rather than songs that did not make the cut.
Fifth album (2010–present)
Long time guitarist Tony Fredianelli left the band in early 2010. According to an article which quotes a lengthy letter of his, Fredianelli "... is suing the band for apparently being denied songwriting credits and benefits that he allegedly was entitled to." Irish musician Kryz Reid played guitar on the 2010 tour.Third Eye Blind co-headlined The Bamboozle Roadshow 2010 between May and June 2010. In an interview with Stephan Jenkins and Brad Hargreaves at The Rave in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Jenkins stated that Ursa Minor was going to be recorded in July, and would be released in 2011. During 2010 Bamboozle Roadshow, Jenkins elaborated on the expected sound of Ursa Minor in an interview with WreckedRadio.net, "In the third album, we probably had use of too much technology, and then on the fourth album, we got rid of the technology and went back to just recording things on tape. And, that's what we're going to do on the fifth album that we are going to do this summer." According to a November 2010 blog by Jenkins, the fifth album will no longer be titled Ursa Minor.
On February 23, 2011, it was revealed that former guitarist Fredianelli had filed a federal lawsuit against Jenkins for over eight million dollars in damages for not giving him credit for past work in the band.
On March 16, 2011, a song entitled "Ladies and Gentlemen" was released on Japanese singer and actress Chiaki Kuriyama
Chiaki Kuriyama
is a Japanese actress, singer and model. She is best known in the West for her roles in Quentin Tarantino's Kill Bill, Volume 1 and the Japanese film Battle Royale .- Biography :...
's debut album. The track was written by Jenkins and Reid.
On November 16, 2011, Third Eye Blind posted a new song, "If There Ever Was a Time", to their Facebook page, for free download.
Awards
- 1998 - Kevin Cadogan and Stephan Jenkins won BAMBamBam is commonly used as an onomatopoeia for a sound, mostly that of an impact or collision.Bam or BAM may also refer to:Places:*Bam, Iran, a city*Bam County, an administrative subdivision of Iran*Bam Province, Burkina Faso...
Award best songwriters for their work on the debut albumThird Eye Blind (album)Third Eye Blind is the eponymous debut for the American alternative rock band Third Eye Blind, originally released on April 8, 1997. It spawned several singles, including top 10 charting "Semi-Charmed Life", "Jumper", and "How's It Going to Be"....
. - 1997 - "Semi-Charmed LifeSemi-Charmed Life"Semi-Charmed Life" is Third Eye Blind's first single off their self-titled debut album, released in 1997. It was a major hit of the 1990s, reaching number four in the U.S., number one on the Modern Rock Tracks and the Top 40 in the UK. Furthermore, it has had a pervasive cultural impact, being...
" won the Billboard Music AwardBillboard Music AwardThe Billboard Music Award is an honor given by Billboard magazine, the preeminent publication covering the music business. The Billboard Music Awards show had been held annually in December until it went dormant in 2007, but it returned in May 2011...
for Modern Rock Track of the Year. - 1998 - Nominated for two American Music AwardsAmerican Music Awards-Conception:The AMAs were created by Dick Clark in 1973 to compete with the Grammys after the move of that year's show to Nashville, Tennessee led to CBS picking up the Grammy telecasts after its first two in 1971 and 1972 were broadcast on ABC...
for Favorite New Artist (Pop/Rock) and Favorite Artist (Alternative)
Discography
- Third Eye BlindThird Eye Blind (album)Third Eye Blind is the eponymous debut for the American alternative rock band Third Eye Blind, originally released on April 8, 1997. It spawned several singles, including top 10 charting "Semi-Charmed Life", "Jumper", and "How's It Going to Be"....
(1997) - BlueBlue (Third Eye Blind album)* "Slow Motion" was originally released with only the chorus, due to concerns about its lyrical content. Soon thereafter, Elektra Records re-released Blue with an instrumental version. However, the full version of the song was released everywhere outside of the States and found its way around the...
(1999) - Out of the VeinOut of the VeinOut of the Vein is the third album by American alternative rock band Third Eye Blind. Released on May 13, 2003, it would be the group's first album with guitarist Tony Fredianelli, who replaced long time guitarist Kevin Cadogan in 2000...
(2003) - Red Star (EP)Red Star (EP)Red Star is a 2008 digital-only EP by Third Eye Blind released in anticipation of their fourth studio album Ursa Major. Previews of the songs on the EP were posted to the band's myspace page on November 12, 2008, and it was released officially on November 18, 2008 through all major digital music...
(2008) - Ursa MajorUrsa Major (album)Ursa Major is the fourth studio album from American alternative rock band Third Eye Blind. Released on August 18, 2009 on the group's own Mega Collider label, Ursa Major was the group's first studio album in over six years...
(2009)