Drowning Pool

Drowning Pool is an American rock band formed in Dallas, Texas, in 1996. The band was named after the 1975 film The Drowning Pool.<ref name=Joe /> 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,<ref name="Thrash Magazine">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> from heart disease. Jason Jones, who replaced Williams in 2003, recorded one album, Desensitized (2004), but left in 2005 due to musical differences.<ref name="Thrash Magazine"/> Ryan McCombs of Template:Nowrap 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.<ref name="Thrash Magazine"/> However, McCombs left the band in 2011 to rejoin SOiL.<ref name="Thrash Magazine"/> 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.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> 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.<ref name="Dave">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

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.<ref name="Dave"/> Their 2001 debut album Sinner was certified platinum within six weeks.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> 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 Dragon Ball Z: Cooler's Revenge in early 2002.

On August 14 that year, Dave Williams was found dead inside his tour bus.<ref name=Joe>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> He died from an undiagnosed heart condition, now known to be hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> 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."<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

In 2003, Jason 'Gong' Jones replaced Williams as Drowning Pool's vocalist<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> 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".<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Full Circle (2006–2008)

File:Drowning Pool at Fort Wainwright 2010 Ryan McCombs 3.jpg

Drowning Pool's third vocalist, Ryan McCombs, performing with the band in November 2010

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<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> 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.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In spring of 2006, the band announced that they had parted ways with Wind-up Records.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> 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.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The band signed a new deal with Eleven Seven Music<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and also announced a new management company, Tenth Street Entertainment.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The band then toured with Saliva in North America and also Sick Puppies and Seether in support of the album.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

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

Later in the year, work on a fourth album was announced.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> 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.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The band finished recording their self-titled album with producer Kato Khandwala at House of Loud in New Jersey.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> 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.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> 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.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> 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.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Resilience and Hellelujah (2012–2016)

File:927198 Jasen Moreno vocals performing with Drowning Pool 2013.jpg

Former vocalist Jasen Moreno performing with the band in 2013. Moreno released three studio albums with the band, until his departure in 2023.

In July 2012, Jasen Moreno, from The Suicide Hook, was announced to be the band's new vocalist.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> 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...".<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Two further singles were released with Moreno, "Saturday Night" in November 2012,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and "One Finger and a Fist" in December 2012, before the band released their fifth album, Resilience, on April 9, 2013.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> 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.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Drowning Pool released a reissue of their album "Sinner" called the "Unlucky 13th Anniversary Edition" in 2014.<ref name="Jam">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

The band signed to eOne Music in August 2015.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> 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;<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> the date was later postponed to February 5. "By the Blood" was released as the first single from the album.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

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.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

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."<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The band began recording their new album in February 2019.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> 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.<ref name="Blabbermouth">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

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,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and during this tour, they played two tracks from the upcoming album: "Strike a Nerve" and "Hate Against Hate".<ref >{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> On August 5, 2022, the band announced the album would be released on September 30.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Reunion with Ryan McCombs (2023–present)

On March 16, 2023, Drowning Pool announced that Ryan McCombs (while continuing his vocal duties with SOiL) had rejoined the band after a 12-year absence.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Although they had planned to release new music with McCombs before the end of 2023, the year ended without any.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Drowning Pool released their first song with McCombs in 14 years, "Revolution (The Final Amen)", on September 20, 2024.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The band also plans to release a new album in 2025.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

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.<ref name=NME>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> 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".<ref name=NME/>

"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.<ref name="militarymoney.com">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}Template:Dead link</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Musical style and influences

Drowning Pool's style has been considered alternative metal,<ref name="Allmusic">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> nu metal,<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> hard rock,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="Oxford">Template:Cite book</ref> and post-grunge,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> 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.<ref name="militarymoney.com"/><ref name="manchester">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Band members

Current members

• C. J. Pierce – guitars (1996–present), backing vocals (2003–present)
• Mike Luce – drums (1996–present), backing vocals (1999–present)
• Stevie Benton – bass (1996–present), backing vocals (2003–present)
• Ryan McCombs – lead vocals (2005–2011, 2023–present)

Former members

• Dave Williams – lead vocals (1999–2002; died 2002)
• Jason "Gong" Jones – lead vocals (2003–2005)
• Jasen Moreno – lead vocals (2012–2023)

Timeline <timeline> ImageSize = width:800 height:auto barincrement:20 PlotArea = left:110 bottom:60 top:0 right:10 Alignbars = justify DateFormat = mm/dd/yyyy Period = from:01/01/1996 till:{{#time:m/d/Y}} TimeAxis = orientation:horizontal format:yyyy Legend = orientation:horizontal position:bottom ScaleMajor = increment:2 start:1996 ScaleMinor = increment:1 start:1996

Colors =

id:lv     value:red      legend:Lead_vocals
id:bv     value:pink     legend:Backing_vocals
id:guitar value:green    legend:Guitar
id:bass   value:blue     legend:Bass
id:drums  value:orange   legend:Drums
id:album  value:black    legend:Studio_album

LineData =

layer:back
color:album
 at:06/05/2001
 at:04/20/2004
 at:08/07/2007
 at:04/27/2010
 at:04/02/2013
 at:02/05/2016
 at:09/30/2022

BarData =

bar:Williams text:"Dave Williams"
bar:Jones    text:"Jason Gong Jones"
bar:McCombs  text:"Ryan McCombs"
bar:Moreno   text:"Jasen Moreno" 
bar:Pierce   text:"C.J. Pierce"
bar:Benton   text:"Stevie Benton"
bar:Luce     text:"Mike Luce"

PlotData=

width:11
 bar:Williams from:01/01/1999 till:08/14/2002 color:lv
 bar:Jones    from:05/10/2003 till:06/14/2005 color:lv
 bar:McCombs  from:07/20/2005 till:11/29/2011 color:lv
 bar:Moreno   from:07/11/2012 till:03/16/2023 color:lv
 bar:McCombs  from:03/16/2023 till:end        color:lv
 bar:Pierce   from:start      till:end        color:guitar
 bar:Pierce   from:05/10/2003 till:end        color:bv     width:3
 bar:Benton   from:start      till:end        color:bass
 bar:Benton   from:05/10/2003 till:end        color:bv     width:3
 bar:Luce     from:start      till:end        color:drums
 bar:Luce     from:01/01/1999 till:end        color:bv     width:3

</timeline>

Gallery

• 927165 C.J. Pierce guitar and vocals performing with Drowning Pool 2013 .jpg

  C.J. Pierce

• Drowning Pool at Fort Wainwright 2010 Mike Luce.jpg

  Mike Luce

• 927168 Stevie Benton bass and vocals performing with Drowning Pool 2013.jpg

  Stevie Benton

• Drowning Pool at Fort Wainwright 2010 Ryan McCombs 2.jpg

  Ryan McCombs

Discography

{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}}

• Sinner (2001)
• Desensitized (2004)
• Full Circle (2007)
• Drowning Pool (2010)
• Resilience (2013)
• Hellelujah (2016)
• Strike a Nerve (2022)

External links

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• Interview with Drowning Pool on ARTISTdirect.com
• Founding member CJ Pierce talks about the 13th anniversary of the band's plans and debut album