Vertical Horizon
Template:Short description Template:Use mdy dates Template:Use American English Template:Infobox musical artist
Vertical Horizon is an American alternative rock band, formed in Washington, D.C. Vocalists and guitarists Matt Scannell and Keith Kane started the band in 1991 when they were students at Georgetown University. The band have undergone multiple line-up changes since their formation, all of which have been arranged and designated by Scannell.
Vertical Horizon are best known for their 1999 single "Everything You Want", which peaked atop the Billboard Hot 100 and preceded their third studio album of the same name (1999). The album also spawned two further chart entries: "You're a God" and "Best I Ever Had (Grey Sky Morning)." All three songs remain staples in adult contemporary music.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
HistoryEdit
Early years (1991–1998)Edit
Vertical Horizon was formed in 1991 by Georgetown University undergraduate students Matt Scannell and Keith Kane.<ref name=billboard>Template:Cite news</ref> In 1992, after graduating from Georgetown, the duo relocated to Boston and self-released their debut album There and Back Again.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Scannell and Kane toured as a duo for the next few years, mostly appearing with similar bands such as Jackopierce, and settled back in the Washington, DC area to record their next album, 1995's Running on Ice, produced by John Alagia (Dave Matthews Band, John Mayer), Doug Derryberry, and Scannell.<ref name=billboard/> Drummer Ed Toth joined the band in 1996.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
The band released a live album, Live Stages, in January 1997.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In 1998, bassist Sean Hurley was invited to join Vertical Horizon.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The band's indie albums began to attract record executives from several record labels during the late 1990s.<ref name=billboard/> The band signed with RCA Records in 1998.<ref name=billboard/> RCA re-released Vertical Horizon's independent albums, with new packaging and graphics.<ref name=billboard/> Before the RCA re-release, the band's first three albums had sold 70,000 combined units.<ref name=billboard/>
Everything You Want (1999–2000)Edit
The band's first album with a major label was 1999's Everything You Want.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> It was a breakthrough album for the band.<ref name = "DesMoines">Template:Cite news</ref> Four singles were released from the album.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The album's first single was "We Are",<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> which reached the Modern Rock Tracks chart and peaked at no. 21.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The album's second single was "Everything You Want". The song became a massive hit, reaching number one at the Billboard Hot 100 chart and the Adult Top 40 chart and becoming Billboard's Most Played Single of 2000.<ref name = "DesMoines" /> As of 2022, "Everything You Want" is Vertical Horizon's most successful single.<ref name="Chart">Template:Cite magazine</ref> Two other singles from the album, "You're a God" and "Best I Ever Had (Grey Sky Morning)", were also hits; they peaked at 23 and 58, respectively, at the Billboard Hot 100 chart.<ref name="Chart" />
The Everything You Want album was certified double platinum by the RIAA.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Go and Go 2.0 (2001–2005)Edit
Vertical Horizon's next album, Go, was released in September 2003.<ref name="billready">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Go was released while RCA was going through a major restructuring and as a result, the album received little support from the label.<ref name="Construction Time Again">"Vertical Horizon Plans New Album". www.alternativeaddiction.com. November 21, 2008</ref> The album's first single, "I'm Still Here", peaked at number 17 on the Adult Top 40.<ref name="imstillhere">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>Template:Better source needed RCA did little to promote the album<ref>"Vertical Horizon And Pat McGee to Re-Release". Alternative Addiction. May 5, 2005.</ref> causing Scannell to state, "Without the label behind us, it just floundered and sort of withered on the vine, which is just a heartbreaker."<ref name="Construction Time Again"/>
Burning the Days (2006–2010)Edit
Burning the Days was released on September 22, 2009, and was the group's first release after a five-year hiatus.<ref name="Release">"Vertical Horizon Reveals Tracklisting". Alternative Addiction. July 11, 2009.</ref> Singer/songwriter Matt Scannell has said that Burning the Days marks a shift in his songwriting, both musically and lyrically.<ref name="Changes">"Vertical Horizon Ready August Release". Alternative Addiction. July 6, 2009.</ref> According to Scannell, "There is a lot more variety and quite a few different artistic moods on this record - almost different sonic landscapes... a lot of these songs feel like a faster tempo than anything we’ve ever done before."<ref name="Changes"/>
The late Neil Peart of the Canadian rock band Rush played drums on three songs on the album: "Save Me From Myself", "Welcome to the Bottom", and "Even Now", which was co-written by Scannell and Peart, with Peart writing the lyrics and Scannell writing the music.<ref name="Release"/><ref>Peart, Neil. "News, Weather, and Sports". NEP.com. June 17, 2006.</ref><ref name="Peart">Mover, Jonathan. "Matt Scannell on Neil Peart Artist P.O.V.". Drumhead Magazine. date unknown.</ref>
On June 3, 2010, Keith Kane confirmed his departure from the band.<ref name=alteradd>Template:Cite news</ref>
Echoes from the Underground and The Lost Mile (2011–present)Edit
Vertical Horizon announced in June 2011 that they had begun recording new material for a new album.<ref name=alta>Template:Cite news</ref> The album, Echoes from the Underground, was released on October 8, 2013.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
In June 2017, Scannell announced at a concert in Fairfax, Virginia, that another album was forthcoming. The band's seventh album, The Lost Mile, was released on February 23, 2018.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
In 2024, Scannell stated that the band is working on two new albums that will be released sometime in the near future.
MembersEdit
Current
- Matt Scannell – lead vocals, lead guitar (1990–present)
- Ron LaVella – drums, percussion (2009–present)
- Mark Pacificar – bass, backing vocals (2016–present)
- John Wesley – rhythm guitar, backing vocals (2021–present)
Former
- Keith Kane – backing and lead vocals, rhythm and acoustic guitar (1990–2010)
- Ryan "Chopper" Fisher – bass (1994-1997)
- Ed Toth – drums, percussion (1996–2005)
- Seth Horan – bass, backing vocals (1997–1998)
- Sean Hurley – bass, backing vocals (1998–2009, session in 2013 & 2018)
- Steve Fekete – rhythm guitar, backing and lead vocals (2009–2012)
- Jenn Oberle – bass, backing vocals (2011–2012)
- Jeffrey Jarvis – bass, backing vocals (2013–2016)
- Donovan White – rhythm guitar, backing vocals (2012–2021)
Former touring musicians
- Jason Sutter – drums (also studio) (2009–2010)
- Corey McCormick – bass guitar (2009–2010)
- Eric Holden – bass, backing vocals (2009–2011)
- Jason Orme – rhythm guitar, backing vocals (2011–2012)
- Cedric LeMoyne – bass, backing vocals (2011–2012)
- Matthew Robbins – rhythm guitar (2015–2018)
Timeline
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</timeline>
DiscographyEdit
{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}}
- Studio albums
- There and Back Again (1992)
- Running on Ice (1995)
- Everything You Want (1999)
- Go (2003)
- Burning the Days (2009)
- Echoes from the Underground (2013)
- The Lost Mile (2018)