Seether
- For the song, see Seether (song)
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Seether is a post-grunge/alternative metal band from South Africa. They are currently signed to Wind-up Records. Originally called Saron Gas and signed to Musketeer Records in South Africa, they changed their name in 2002, coinciding with the release of their second album and major label debut, Disclaimer.
History
Early days, Fragile, Disclaimer
Saron Gas had their origins in Pretoria, and the earliest days of the group saw their public appearances at parties, nightclubs, small-scale concerts and University venues, such as the University of Cape Town and the University of Stellenbosch, where they played for the lunch-time crowds in the Neelsie centre on the latter campus as late as the summer of 2001.
As Saron Gas, the band released its first album, Fragile on Musketeer Records, in 2000 in South Africa. Upon achieving success on the South African music charts, Wind-up Records took an interest in Saron Gas' melodic-yet-heavy sound and signed them to the label. The band was asked to change their name, however, due to Saron Gas being a homophone of sarin gas, a deadly nerve agent. The band chose the name Seether, inspired by a single by the band Veruca Salt.
Their first major release came in 2002 with their second album Disclaimer. The album spawned three singles, "Fine Again", "Driven Under" and "Gasoline," but only "Fine Again" charted with any success. The remaining singles got semi-frequent radio play on modern rock stations, but were not major chart hits. The biggest hit off the album, "Broken", was not even released as a single. Shaun Morgan has cited Nirvana (and specifically the album Nevermind) as 'the reason he picked up a guitar,' and also quotes Pearl Jam, Alice in Chains and Deftones. [1]
Success and Disclaimer II
After Disclaimer was released, the band went on a non-stop touring route in hopes of boosting sales and name recognition. Upon completing the tour, the band had planned to go into the studio and record their second release. However, they were instead tapped to support Evanescence on a worldwide tour that postponed their recording plans by almost a year. On this tour, the band reworked the acoustic ballad "Broken" into an electric ballad and had Amy Lee of Evanescence share vocal duties with Morgan during live performances. Inspired by the positive reaction the duet got on the road and perhaps fueled by a budding romance between Lee and Morgan, the band headed into the studio and quickly recorded an alternate version of "Broken" with Amy Lee on vocals. The song, along with a new song titled "Sold Me", was featured on the soundtrack for the 2004 film The Punisher and was massively successful, bringing the band fame in the US, the UK and Australia in particular. Morgan has stated that the hit song relates an incident where the band was subjected to what the record company wanted rather than what the band wanted. [1] Disclaimer II, an alternate version of the original album with many of the songs remixed or re-recorded as well as eight extra tracks, was released in late 2004.
Karma and Effect, One Cold Night
In 2005, the band released their follow-up album Karma and Effect. The original title for the album was Catering to Cowards, but the band's record label instructed them to change the name. [1]
While on tour for the album with Shinedown, Seether released an acoustic CD/DVD set titled One Cold Night, recorded on 22 February 2006 at Grape Street in Philadelphia. Morgan, who had been suffering from a stomach ailment, decided to do an acoustic performance of their set-list rather than cancel the show. On instruction from the label, the album did not contain obscenities, unlike their previous releases, which is the reason why "Needles" and Burrito" are not on the album.
Guitarist departure, rehab
On June 16, 2006, it was announced via Seether's official site that lead guitarist Pat Callahan had chosen to leave the band. The exact reason for Callahan's departure is unknown. Shaun Morgan said, "Um… relieved a little… actually a lot, He was the guy in the band that was always our naysayer, and he was the negative energy as far as writing. I personally have no love lost, which is weird for some reason ‘cus he was my friend for four years. But when he walked out – it kinda walked out with him."[1]
Shaun Morgan went into rehab for Alcohol and Cocaine addictions in August 2006, forcing the band to cancel their tour with Staind and Three Days Grace. Morgan is now out of rehab. Evanescence's hit "Call Me When You're Sober" was written about this incident[citation needed].
Finding Beauty in Negative Spaces
Morgan claimed the new album will be more diverse than previous ones. The album was released on October 23, 2007, but until the release the date had been changed frequently. [1]. In an interview, Morgan claims one song has a piano in it.[1] This song is "Walk Away From The Sun." According to a posting by Shaun on the band's official message board, Seether has hired Howard Benson to produce the new album.
According to an interview, the new album doesn't include any song in response to Evanescence's "Call Me When You're Sober", written by Shaun's ex-girlfriend Amy Lee about their breakup. The single "Fake it" can be heard on their myspace blog, with the cover revealed on myspace (album cover art illustrated by David Ho [2]), also a minute long sample of "6 Gun Quota" has been added to their myspace.
The full album was already leaked over the internet and from various sites. Bassist Dale Stewart confirmed that Seether had produced a video for the single "Fake It". This video can now be viewed on the official website or on YouTube
Seether had to cancel several shows due to the sudden death of Shaun Morgan's brother Eugene Welgemoed. On the official website there is a review of the album that states that the song 'Rise Above This' is an optimistic-sounding song about Eugene before his death.
Discography
- 2000: Fragile (as Saron Gas)
- 2002: Disclaimer
- 2004: Disclaimer II
- 2005: Karma and Effect
- 2006: One Cold Night
- 2007: Finding Beauty in Negative Spaces
Songs in Popular Culture
Television
- "Out of My Way" is feautured on the Soundtrack for The World's Strongest Man, an annual made for TV Event.
- The One Cold Night version of "Needles" was featured on the "Masters Of Horror II Original Soundtrack"
- "Broken" was featured on a career retrospective DVD for Eddie Guerrero as well as their video for "Gasoline".
Film
- "Sold Me" and "Broken" were featured on the soundtrack to The Punisher Film.
- "Hang On" was featured on the soundtrack for the movie Daredevil, and was featured in the movie.
- "Out of My Way" was featured on the soundtrack of the 2003 movie, Freddy vs. Jason.
- "Pig" was featured on "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre" Soundtrack.
Gaming
- "Fine Again" was one of the songs on the soundtrack of the video game Madden NFL 2003 and NHL 2002 by EA Sports, and was also featured on Nintendo's GameCube-game 1080° Avalanche.
- "Fake It" is included in Burnout Paradise soundtrack