He Is Legend
is a hard rock band formed in Wilmington, North Carolina and recently signed to Tragic Hero Records. The band consists of vocalist frontman Schuylar Croom, guitarist Adam Tanbouz, drummer Steven Bache, and bassist Matt Williams. [1]
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HE IS LEGEND TICKETS
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He is Legend Tickets 5/15 | May 15, 2024 Wed, 8:00 PM | | He is Legend Tickets 5/17 | May 17, 2024 Fri, 7:00 PM | | He is Legend Tickets 5/19 | May 19, 2024 Sun, 8:00 PM | | He is Legend Tickets 5/20 | May 20, 2024 Mon, 6:00 PM | | He is Legend Tickets 5/30 | May 30, 2024 Thu, 8:00 PM | |
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History
Formation & Beginnings
The band's roots reach back into the late 1990s when Adam Tanbouz, Steven Bache, Matt Williams, guitarist McKenzie Bell, and vocalist Schuylar Croom began writing and performing around Wilmington, NC while still in high school. In 2003, having previously played under the names of Stronghold, No One Wins, and The Uriah Omen, the name He Is Legend was adopted by members Tanbouz, Bache, Bell, Croom, and Williams. The name He Is Legend is an adaptation of the 1954 book
I am Legend by Richard Matheson. After releasing their first
EP in June 2004 entitled
91025
, the band signed on with
Solid State Records and released their first full length album in November.
I Am Hollywood
was a massive success and the band immediately began to experience a surge in popularity that extended far beyond their NC roots. After almost two years of extensive touring in the United States and Europe, the band temporarily relocated to California to record their next release. However, the release almost never saw the light of day as the group would almost break up right after they had finished recording.
Suck Out the Poison
was released on October 3, 2006 and triggered mixed reviews from long-time fans. It was evident, however, that the band believed firmly in the album and as a result were largely indifferent to often cruel criticisms from offended fans. Their confident, care-free response is portrayed in their music video "Attack of the Dungeon Witch" which was released in March 2007.
The band members each contributed humorous articles to the blog site about random topics such as Cats, Having Long Hair, Death Metal, and Zombies among others.
Departure of McKenzie Bell, Mitchell Marlow, and Worth Weaver
Soon after the release of Suck Out the Poison, guitarist McKenzie Bell left the band without explanation. The bands website addresses what happened to McKenzie:
"People move on, over time bands change, sometimes people are asked to leave, sometimes they quit. It usually happens during the life of a band. We wish only the best for Mckenzie."
McKenzie was replaced by guitarist Mitch Marlow (previously of
Classic Case). Bell later joined the band
Bloodjinn. During their tour with
Chimaira,
Dragonforce, and
Killswitch Engage in spring of 2007, the first few weeks were played as a 4-piece without Marlow. During the Peanut Butt Tour '07, a different second guitarist was seen playing in Marlow's spot, and it has been revealed that his name is "Worth" (Worth Weaver, who has also worked with
Halogen,
Thousand Foot Krutch, and Friends For Hire). At their show at the School of Rock in New Jersey, Bache stated that Marlow had accidentally booked himself to produce a record for another band back in North Carolina. The dates of recording coincided with much of the tour, so he was not able to tour with the band. Worth stepped in and was, by the account of Bache, excellent in his performance. At their final show before beginning their tour in Australia, Marlow performed with the band, confirming that at the time he was still a member of He Is Legend.
In February 2008, it was announced that Mitch Marlow was no longer a member of He Is Legend, and would be replaced with Worth Weaver. Marlow is now playing guitar for
Filter.
The band's more recent performances throughout the 2009 SXSW festival have featured them as a four-piece once again. After a Plano, Texas performance on March 17, Adam stated that Weaver, not performing with the band that evening, is planning on getting married soon and with that, focusing more on his solo musical career with his personal studio and music. Worth Weaver had begun standing in on the 2007 "Peanut Butt Tour" with the band, and later was announced that he was the new second guitar player.
It Hates You
According to a recent blog, He Is Legend announced that they will be taking a musical sabbatical in the forest surrounding North Carolina recording studio, Warrior Sound Studio. The blog continues, saying that the material written during this hiatus will be used to create a record "literally made of solid gold (figuratively speaking)."
On April 24, 2008, He Is Legend posted four demo songs from said sabbatical, entitled "Decisions Decisions Decisions", "Stranger Danger", "Don't Touch That Dial", and "Everyone I Know Has Fangs". These are from their recent demo sessions for their upcoming record.
At a small venue show in Plano Texas on March 17, the band played some of the new material that is to be released on their new album coming out this June. The music has a very bluesy, rock and roll, and border-line stoner metal feel to it with very melodic yet raspy vocals provided by Croom. The name of the new album, as confirmed by Croom at a large venue in Raleigh North Carolina, is 'It Hates You' and is to be released June 2009. During the show they played two singles from the new album, "Party Time" and "The Primary Blues" as well as the previously released demo "Everyone I Know Has Fangs".
On April 16, 2009, the band confirmed that their newest album,
It Hates You
was being released through Tragic Hero records. It is set to be released on
July 21,
2009 (Originally set to be released on June 23, but has been set back a month). On May 27, 2009, the band posted "The Primarily Blues" and in early July "China White III", and "Future's Bright, Man" on their myspace.
It Hates You
was released on July 21, 2009.
Influences
He is Legend is musically influenced mainly by metal and alternative acts from the '80s/'90s such as:
- AC/DC
- Slayer
- Nirvana
- Pantera
- Alice in Chains
- Stone Temple Pilots
- Queens of the Stone Age
All these bands have been covered by He is Legend in concert. The band is also more recently known for tying the Stone Temple Pilots song
Dead and Bloated
into their hit
I am Hollywood
in concert. Among other cover tie-ins, they often replace the lyrics taken from
Blind Melon's No Rain
in
China White
with the lyrics from a multitude of other songs including
Soundgarden's Black Hole Sun
.
Members
;Current
- Schuylar Croom – lead vocals (2003–present)
- Adam Tanbouz – guitar (2003–present)
- Matt Williams – bass (2003–present)
- Steven Bache – drums, percussion (2003–present)
;Former
- McKenzie Bell – rhythm guitar, backing vocals (2003–2006)
- Mitchell Marlow – rhythm guitar (2006–2007)
- Worth Weaver – rhythm guitar (2007–2009)
Discography
;Studio albums
- 2000: A Kiss That Killed The One We Love
(as The Uriah Omen)
- 2004: I Am Hollywood
- 2006: Suck Out the Poison
U.S. #158 [2]
- 2009: It Hates You
U.S. #126
;EPs
- 2004: 91025
- 2006: Black Unicorn Split
;Compilations
- 2006: The Song Lives On: A Tribute To Third Eye Blind
- * contributes "Wounded" (Third Eye Blind cover) [3]
;Demos
- 2003: 2003 Demo
(as The Uriah Omen)
;Music Videos
- 2004: "The Seduction"
- 2006: "Attack Of The Dungeon Witch"
References
- Official He is Legend web site
- Billboard, Allmusic
- http://heislegend.bigcartel.com/product/the-song-lives-on-a-tribute-to-third-eye-blind-cd