Drowning Pool Explained

Drowning Pool
Landscape:yes
Origin:Dallas, Texas, U.S.
Discography:Drowning Pool discography
Years Active:1996–present
Current Members:
Past Members:

Drowning Pool is an American rock band formed in Dallas, Texas, in 1996. The band was named after the 1975 film The Drowning Pool. Since its formation, the band has consisted of guitarist C.J. Pierce, drummer Mike Luce and bassist Stevie Benton, as well as a revolving cast of vocalists.

After the release of their debut album, Sinner (2001), original vocalist Dave Williams was found dead on August 14, 2002,[1] from heart disease. Jason Jones, who replaced Williams in 2003, recorded one album, Desensitized (2004), but left in 2005 due to musical differences.[1] Ryan McCombs of band SOiL, later replaced Jones and released two albums, Full Circle (2007) and Drowning Pool (2010), making it the first time Drowning Pool had not switched singers after just one album.[1] However, McCombs left the band in 2011 to rejoin SOiL.[1] Jasen Moreno was announced as McCombs' replacement in 2012, and the band has recorded three albums with him: Resilience (2013), Hellelujah (2016) and Strike a Nerve (2022). The band continued performing with Moreno until McCombs returned in March 2023.

History

Early years (1996–2000)

Drowning Pool formed in Dallas, Texas, in 1996. Guitarist C.J. Pierce and drummer Mike Luce formed Drowning Pool after relocating from New Orleans, Louisiana, to Dallas. There, they found and recruited bassist Stevie Benton. For a few years they stuck to performing as an instrumental trio, but this all changed in 1999 with the arrival of vocalist Dave Williams.[2] After recording a demo, Drowning Pool hooked up with Sevendust which got Drowning Pool in touch with Hed PE and Kittie. After touring with these bands, Drowning Pool got their demos enough radio play to get signed by Wind-up Records. The band made music with producer Jay Baumgardner.[3]

Sinner, death of Dave Williams, and Desensitized (2001–2005)

Drowning Pool rose to fame with their debut album and played at the Ozzfest in 2001.[3] Their 2001 debut album Sinner was certified platinum within six weeks.[4] A number of songs from the album were featured at various WWE events that year, and three tracks would be included on the soundtrack for the Funimation dub of in early 2002.

On August 14 that year, Dave Williams was found dead inside his tour bus.[5] He died from an undiagnosed heart condition, now known to be hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.[6] [7] [8] When asked if the band had any unreleased songs, according to a 2002 Blabbermouth article, drummer Mike Luce replied that "only 3-4 songs were done, including one called "Heroes," which is a tribute to dead rock musicians such as Layne Staley. I don't know if we will ever release them."[9]

In 2003, Jason 'Gong' Jones replaced Williams as Drowning Pool's vocalist[10] and the band released the album Desensitized in 2004. Despite the success of the album's lead single, "Step Up", the album was not nearly as successful as Sinner, and it was publicly announced on June 14, 2005, that Jones had departed from the band, due to "irreconcilable differences".[11]

Full Circle (2006–2008)

The band announced that their replacement singer would be formally announced at Ozzfest in Dallas, where the band did a one-off performance on the main stage. On July 20, 2005, the website SMNNews[12] revealed that Ryan McCombs, then former singer of SOiL, was the new vocalist. The band initially wanted McCombs to join Drowning Pool as the replacement of Dave Williams, nearly two years prior.[13] In spring of 2006, the band announced that they had parted ways with Wind-up Records.[14] In October 2006, a new song "No More" was announced to be released on the Saw III soundtrack, their first song (besides a re-recorded version of "Rise Up") with McCombs. The bands recorded version of "Rise Up", was used as the theme song for WWE SmackDown from September 30, 2004 – September 26, 2008.[15] The band signed a new deal with Eleven Seven Music[16] and also announced a new management company, Tenth Street Entertainment.[17] The band's third album, Full Circle, was released on August 7, 2007. Two songs on the album were produced by Funny Farm Records, owned by Mötley Crüe bassist Nikki Sixx and former Beautiful Creatures guitarist DJ Ashba. The remaining songs were produced by Ben Schigel at the Ohio-based Spider Studios.[18] The band then toured with Saliva in North America and also Sick Puppies and Seether in support of the album.[19] [20]

Drowning Pool and departure of Ryan McCombs (2009–2011)

Later in the year, work on a fourth album was announced.[21] On March 3, 2009, the band released a live album, Loudest Common Denominator, which featured acoustic versions of "Shame" and "37 Stitches" from Full Circle.[22] The band finished recording their self-titled album with producer Kato Khandwala at House of Loud in New Jersey.[23] It was the first studio album in the band's history not to feature a change of vocalist from the preceding album. The album's first single "Feel Like I Do", was released as a free download on their official website, and the album was released on April 27, 2010.[24] On November 7, 2011, C.J. Pierce and Mike Luce announced a new project with former Nonpoint members Zach Broderick and Ken McMillan titled Voodoo Corps.[25] In November 2011, McCombs left the band to reunite with SOiL for touring and a new album. The band, now once again without a singer, began writing new material for a fifth studio album while holding vocalist auditions.[26]

Resilience and Hellelujah (2012–2016)

In July 2012, Jasen Moreno, from The Suicide Hook, was announced to be the band's new vocalist.[27] On August 14, the 10th anniversary of Dave Williams' death, the band released a song in tribute of him, their first with Moreno titled "In Memory Of...".[28] Two further singles were released with Moreno, "Saturday Night" in November 2012,[29] and "One Finger and a Fist" in December 2012, before the band released their fifth album, Resilience, on April 9, 2013.[30] On September 10, the band announced that they would celebrate the thirteenth anniversary of Sinner with a U.S. tour starting from October 22, in which they plan to dig deep into the songs from their debut album.[31] Drowning Pool released a reissue of their album "Sinner" called the "Unlucky 13th Anniversary Edition" in 2014.[32]

The band signed to eOne Music in August 2015.[33] On October 13, it was announced the band's sixth album titled Hellelujah would be released January 22, 2016, via eOne Music with producer Jason Suecof;[34] the date was later postponed to February 5. "By the Blood" was released as the first single from the album.[35]

On May 17, 2016, the band announced that they would be taking part in the Make America Rock Again super tour on select dates throughout the summer and fall 2016. The tour featured other artists who had success throughout the 2000s, including Trapt, Saliva, Saving Abel, Crazy Town, 12 Stones and Tantric, Fuel, Puddle Of Mudd and P.O.D.[36]

Strike a Nerve (2017–2023)

In December 2017, it was reported that Drowning Pool had begun writing their seventh studio album. In an interview with 97.1 The Eagle, guitarist C.J. Pierce stated, "We're working on new songs right now, which is awesome. We're working on tunes for the next record. We have a bunch of stuff on the plate. Everybody's brought amazing stuff, material. The thing with this is just to try and go through and see what we're gonna do on the next record. So we'll hash out all the ideas and songs and then start narrowing it down. So it's nice to have more than enough to go through."[37] The band began recording their new album in February 2019.[38] Within the next three years, there had been no news regarding the state of the album. On February 16, 2022, Drowning Pool announced Strike a Nerve as the name of their seventh studio album, which had already been completed by early 2020, but the COVID-19 pandemic meant that its release date was then postponed.[39]

Prior to the release of Strike a Nerve, Drowning Pool embarked on the North American tour Brothers in Arms with Ill Niño and (hed)p.e. in early 2022,[40] and during this tour, they played two tracks from the upcoming album: "Strike a Nerve" and "Hate Against Hate".[41] On August 5, 2022, the band announced the album would be released on September 30.[42]

Reunion with Ryan McCombs (2023–present)

On March 16, 2023, the band announced that Ryan McCombs (while continuing his vocal duties with SOiL) has rejoined, replacing Moreno. This marks his return to the band, since leaving in 2011. [43] [44] The band also planned to release new music with McCombs before the end of 2023; however, this did not happen.[45]

Controversy and military's use of "Bodies"

The band has faced some controversies and criticism due to the alleged misinterpretation of the lyrics to their most well-known song "Bodies". In 2011, the song was associated with the assassination attempt of Congresswoman Gabby Giffords.[46] Shortly after the shooting, the band made a statement addressing the link: "We were devastated this weekend to learn of the tragic events that occurred in Arizona and that our music has been misinterpreted. 'Bodies' was written about the brotherhood of the moshpit and was never about violence." The band also added: "For someone to put out a video misinterpreting a song about a moshpit as fuel for a violent act shows just how sick they really are. We support those who do what they can to keep America safe. Our hearts go out to the victims and their families of this terrible tragedy".[46]

"Bodies" was used consistently by interrogators at the Guantanamo Bay detention camps in 2003, and was consistently played over a 10-day period in 2006 during interrogations of Mohamedou Ould Slahi while he was "exposed to variable lighting patterns" at the same time.[47] [48]

Musical style and influences

Drowning Pool's style has been considered alternative metal,[49] [50] hard rock,[51] [52] post-grunge[53] and nu metal,[54] [55] as well as being part of the new wave of American heavy metal. The band's influences include Metallica, Guns N' Roses, Anthrax, Testament, Slipknot, Alice in Chains, SOiL, Opeth, Nirvana, Soundgarden, Black Sabbath, Slayer, AC/DC, Led Zeppelin, Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, Mötley Crüe, the Beatles, Pantera, Sepultura and Suicidal Tendencies.[47] [56] [57]

Band members

Current members

Former members

Timeline

Gallery

Discography

See main article: Drowning Pool discography.

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Drowning Pool, Have They Finally Hit the Floor? . Thrash Magazine . May 27, 2012 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130413050127/http://thrashmag.com/2012/05/27/drowning-pool-have-they-finally-hit-the-floor . April 13, 2013 .
  2. Web site: MusicMight :: Artists :: DROWNING POOL . Rockdetector.com . November 22, 2015 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20150924123803/http://www.rockdetector.com/artist/united+states/texas/dallas/drowning+pool . September 24, 2015 .
  3. Web site: Dave Williams . Dave Williams | Biography & History . AllMusic . November 22, 2015.
  4. Web site: Gold & Platinum Searchable Database - November 21, 2015 . RIAA . November 22, 2015 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20151123001233/http://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php . November 23, 2015 .
  5. Web site: Drowning Pool Singer Found Dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20150228161415/http://www.mtv.com/news/1457028/drowning-pool-singer-found-dead/ . dead . February 28, 2015 . . Joe D'Angelo . August 14, 2002.
  6. Web site: Blabbermouth.Net – Drowning Pool Singer Found Dead . Roadrunnerrecords.com . March 14, 2010 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20081227010918/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=5440 . December 27, 2008 .
  7. Web site: Office of Chief Medical Examiner . Vdh.state.va.us . November 17, 2014 . November 22, 2015 . October 23, 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131023060356/http://www.vdh.state.va.us/medexam/index.htm . dead .
  8. Web site: Blabbermouth.Net – Update: Drowning Pool Frontman Died From Heart Disease . Roadrunnerrecords.com . March 14, 2010 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20081227010923/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=6407 . December 27, 2008 .
  9. Web site: Top-5 metal songs that will blow your mind – Music . January 5, 2012 . NewsPakistan.PK . February 4, 2013 . October 23, 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131023055110/http://www.newspakistan.pk/2012/01/05/Top-5-metal-songs-that-will-blow-your-mind-Music/ . dead .
  10. Web site: Blabbermouth.Net – Drowning Pool Announce New Singer, Audio Clip Posted Online . Roadrunnerrecords.com . March 14, 2010 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20090910000012/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=18470 . September 10, 2009 .
  11. Web site: Drowning Pool Singer Quits | News @ . Ultimate-guitar.com . June 15, 2005 . March 14, 2010.
  12. Web site: siN's Metal News | 'heavy METAL news' . SMNnews.com . November 22, 2015.
  13. Web site: Blabbermouth.Net – Manager: Drowning Pool Have New Singer Lined Up . Roadrunnerrecords.com . March 14, 2010 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20081227010907/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=38066 . December 27, 2008 .
  14. Web site: Blabbermouth.Net – Drowning Pool Part Ways With Wind-Up Records . Roadrunnerrecords.com . March 14, 2010 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20081227010912/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=53031 . December 27, 2008 .
  15. Web site: "Saw III" Movie Soundtrack . Rebecca Murray . April 11, 2013 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130413134705/http://movies.about.com/od/saw3/a/saw3soundtrack.htm . April 13, 2013 .
  16. Web site: Drowning Pool Confirms New Album Title - Blabbermouth.net . Roadrunnerrecords.com . February 26, 2007 . November 22, 2015 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110606082608/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=67772 . June 6, 2011 .
  17. Web site: DROWNING POOL Revamps Fan Experience . Bloomberg . October 2, 2008.
  18. News: DROWNING POOL: 'Full Circle' Pushed Back To August – June 27, 2007 . . June 27, 2007.
  19. Web site: Drowning Pool Announce Tour With Saliva . Komodo Rock . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20080120133335/http://www.komodorock.com/tour-news/tour-dates/drowning-pool-announce-tour-with-saliva-200801163493/ . January 20, 2008 .
  20. Web site: Drowning Pool in Dubuque, IA - Jul 26, 2008 12:00 AM . Eventful . July 26, 2008 . November 22, 2015.
  21. Web site: Saliva, Drowning Pool together again . Livedaily.com . October 21, 2011 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20090720005702/http://www.livedaily.com/news/14948.html . July 20, 2009 .
  22. Web site: Drowning Pool Announces Live Album Release Date – in Metal News . Metal Underground.com . March 14, 2010.
  23. News: DROWNING POOL Guitarist C.J. PIERCE Talks Gear (Video) – Oct. 19, 2010 . . October 9, 2010.
  24. Web site: Drowning Pool Set Release Date – TuneLab Music – Everything Rock . Tunelab.com . February 24, 2010 . March 14, 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131110043045/http://tunelab.com/2010/02/24/drowning-pool-set-release-date/ . November 10, 2013 . dead .
  25. Web site: Blabbermouth.Net – Drowning Pool, Ex-Nonpoint Members Join Forces In Voodoo Corps . https://archive.today/20120709192011/http://legacy.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=166963 . dead . July 9, 2012 . Legacy.roadrunnerrecords.com . May 10, 2012 .
  26. Web site: Drowning Pool Announce Departure Of Ryan McCombs :: Rock Access – Rock News . https://web.archive.org/web/20111203082806/http://rockaccess.net/2011/11/29/drowning-pool-announce-departure-of-ryan-mccombs/ . dead . December 3, 2011 . Rockaccess.net . May 10, 2012 .
  27. Web site: Drowning Pool Recruits The Suicide Hook Singer. July 11, 2012. BlabberMouth.
  28. Web site: Drowning Pool Stream "In Memory Of…" . Rockaccess.net . October 4, 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131030121223/http://rockaccess.net/2012/08/15/drowning-pool-stream-in-memory-of/ . October 30, 2013 . dead .
  29. Web site: Drowning Pool Unleash 'Saturday Night' Video . November 13, 2012 . Loudwire.com . November 14, 2012.
  30. News: Drowning Pool Introduces New Singer On 97.1 The Eagle Radio Station . Blabbermouth.net . October 4, 2012.
  31. Web site: Jeff. Cornell. Drowning Pool Announce Unlucky 13th Anniversary 'Sinner' Tour Read More: Drowning Pool Announce Unlucky 13th Anniversary 'Sinner' Tour . Loudwire. September 10, 2014 . September 15, 2014.
  32. Web site: New LP by Drowning Pool: 13th Anniversary Reissue of "Sinner" On The Bicycle Music Company/Concord . Jam Magazine . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20150810211906/http://jammagazine.com/cd201412-drowning-pool-cd-review-sinner-13-anniversary-deluxe-edition-the-bicycle-music-company-concord-records-writer-noah-holt.aspx . August 10, 2015 .
  33. News: Drowning Pool Signs With E One Music, Begins Recording New Album . Blabbermouth.net . August 4, 2015 . November 22, 2015.
  34. News: Drowning Pool To Release 'Hellelujuah' Album In January . Blabbermouth.net . October 13, 2015 . November 22, 2015.
  35. News: New Song Premiere: Drowning Pool's 'By The Blood' . Blabbermouth.net . April 17, 2013 . November 22, 2015.
  36. Web site: MAKE AMERICA ROCK AGAIN! - Make America Rock Again!.
  37. News: DROWNING POOL Is Working On 'Monumental' Seventh Studio Album. Blabbermouth.net. December 24, 2017. December 24, 2017.
  38. News: DROWNING POOL Begins Recording Follow-Up To 2016's 'Hellelujah'. Blabbermouth.net. February 7, 2019. April 18, 2020.
  39. Web site: DROWNING POOL Announces 'Strike A Nerve' Album. Blabbermouth.net. February 16, 2022. February 16, 2022.
  40. News: DROWNING POOL's Fall 2021 'Brothers In Arms' U.S. Tour With ILL NIÑO And (HED)P.E. Postponed To Early 2022. Blabbermouth.net. September 28, 2021. September 28, 2021.
  41. Web site: Drowning Pool return with new album, new label, new tour. Metal Edge. June 11, 2022.
  42. Web site: DROWNING POOL Pays Tribute To PANTERA On New Single 'Mind Right', Announces 'Strike A Nerve' Album. Blabbermouth.net. August 5, 2022. August 5, 2022.
  43. Web site: DROWNING POOL Rejoined By Singer RYAN MCCOMBS. Blabbermouth.net. March 17, 2023. March 16, 2023.
  44. Web site: Drowning Pool Reunite With Frontman Ryan McCombs, Part Ways With Jasen Moreno. Ultimate Guitar. March 17, 2023. March 16, 2023.
  45. Web site: New DROWNING POOL Music Coming Before the End of the Year: 'We're on Fire' . September 20, 2023 .
  46. Web site: Drowning Pool respond to Arizona shooting link with their song 'Bodies. NME. IPC Media. June 3, 2012. January 11, 2011.
  47. Web site: Military Life . Militarymoney.com . February 4, 2013 .
  48. Web site: Welcome to . Michaelmoore.com . January 9, 2012 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120229052111/http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/latest-news/rem-and-pearl-jam-campaign-close-guantanamo-bay . February 29, 2012 .
  49. Web site: Drowning Pool . . Craig Harris.
  50. Web site: Drowning Pool – gig review . https://archive.today/20130129072044/http://www.metalandbeyond.com/2011/03/drowning-pool-gig-review.html . dead . January 29, 2013 . Metal and Beyond . March 21, 2012 .
  51. Web site: Drowning Pool . Rock.about.com . November 22, 2015 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20150906201050/http://rock.about.com/od/drowningpool/p/DrowningPool.htm . September 6, 2015 .
  52. Book: The Oxford Handbook of Sound and Image in Digital Media . . Carol Vernallis . Amy Herzog . John Richardson . 2013 . 316 . 9780199757640.
  53. Web site: Drowning Pool Loudest Common Denominator . https://archive.today/20130221225233/http://hardrockhaven.net/online/2009/03/drowning-pool-loudest-common-denominator/ . dead . February 21, 2013 . Hard Rock Haven .
  54. Book: Sharpe-Young, Garry . New Wave of American Heavy Metal . 2005 . Zonda Books Limited . 0-9582684-0-1 . 124.
  55. Steve . Knopper . Dave Williams: 1972–2002 . Spin . 18 . 11 . November 2002 . 28 . 0886-3032 .
  56. Web site: INTERVIEW WITH DROWNING POOL GUITARIST C.J. PIERCE . Manchester Rocks . February 22, 2013 . April 14, 2013 . November 10, 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131110202459/http://manchesterrocks.webs.com/apps/blog/show/23963135-interview-with-drowning-pool-guitarist-c-j-pierce . dead .
  57. Web site: Craig Cummings . Dallas-based Drowning Pool to play Toys for Tots Bash | Lubbock Online | Lubbock Avalanche-Journal . Lubbock Online . November 6, 2008 . February 4, 2013 . November 20, 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131120060311/http://lubbockonline.com/stories/110608/fea_463143479.shtml . dead .

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