Shinedown Gives 'Em Hell

LOS ANGELES (Atlantic Records) - Big riffs and deep, introspective lyrics don't always mesh well, but Shinedown, have it down pat. The Jacksonville, FL band's debut album LEAVE A WHISPER is leaving an intense impression on audiences across the country. The guys were recently profiled in Metal Edge Magazine's December 2004 issue, where lead singer Brent Smith asserts, "Music saved my life." Smith, who originally hails from Knoxville, TN was a teenage loner whose parents didn't understand his musical passion. "They tried to take the music away from me, and that fueled me even more.

Influenced by '80s hair metal bands, as well as Nirvana, Alice in Chains, and his ultimate favorite, Soundgarden, Smith began writing his own tunes at a young age. In fact, the song "Burning Bright" harkens back to his moody high school days. "I very much wanted to tap into the sense of loneliness and desperation... but you have to believe that it gets better," Smith promises. And get better it has.
Nowadays, Smith's compared to the likes of Audioslave's Chris Cornell and Days of the New's Travis Meeks. Meanwhile, Metal Edge declares that Smith "possesses a roar of a voice" and "it's clear he's not just another wanna-be out there to get his face on MTV."
Over the past year Shinedown has toured with "heartland" bands like 3 Doors Down, Seether, and Tantric, among others, and they recently hit the West Coast for the first time, opening for the legendary Van Halen. What's it like to play in front of thousands of people? "It's kind of like waking up every day in a fairy tale."

The band has an undeniable musical chemistry that sets them apart from the crowd - and have even stirred up a little controversy. Their song ".45" was edited and renamed "Staring Down" by MTV (though Fuse plays it in its original format), and their hit "Simple Man" is a remake of a Lynyrd Skynyrd tune. Shinedown insists the song is a tribute to the other (late) great Jacksonville, FL band.
Regardless of all the talk, rumors and idol chatter isn't their thing - it's all about the music. "We don't take any prisoners. We go out there onstage and give them hell."

When is Shinedown rocking your hometown? Check out the rest of their tour schedule at:https://www.shinedown.com/.
10/17/04: Voodoo Island, New Oreans, LA, w/ Kid Rock, Velvet Revolver
10/20/04: Zoo Amphitheatre, Oklahoma City, OK, w/ Velvet Revolver, Staind
10/22/04: Tinker Field, Orlando, FL, w/ Chevelle, Skindred
10/23/04: Bayfront Park Ampitheater, Miami, FL , w/ Papa Roach, Saliva & Nonpoint
10/25/04: Dodge Arena, Hidalgo, TX, w/ Earshot, Breaking Benjamin & Velvet Revolver
10/27/04: Austin Music Hall, Austin, TX, w/ Earshot, Breaking Benjamin & Velvet Revolver
10/28/04: Verizon Wireless Amphitheater, Selma, TX, w/ Earshot, Breaking Benjamin & Velvet Revolver
10/30/04: Cynthia Woods Pavilion, Spring, TX , w/ Velvet Revolver, Chevelle & Papa Roach
10/31/04: Alltel Arena, Little Rock, AR, w/ Chevelle & Earshot