Profile of Atreyu

Type(s) of Music: Alternative metal, post-hardcore

Names of Members of Group:

• Alex Varkatzas - lead vocals

• Dan Jacobs - lead & rhythm guitars, backing vocals

• Travis Miguel - lead & rhythm guitars

• Marc McKnight - bass, vocals

• Brandon Saller - drums, percussion, lead vocals, piano, guitar

Place of Origin: Orange County, California

Year the Act Began: 1998

Musical Influences:

Play the shoot-em' up game by Atreyu entited Metal Head Zombies

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Atreyu Biography/History

Atreyu is an American metalcore band from Orange County, California, formed in 1998. The band consists of vocalist/lyricist Alex Varkatzas, guitarists Dan Jacobs and Travis Miguel, bassist Marc McKnight and drummer/vocalist Brandon Saller. The band was originally named "Retribution" but later changed their name to "Atreyu" after the character of the same name from the fantasy book (movie) The Neverending Story when they found out that another band from Hemet, California had been using their original name.[3] Since their formation the band have since released four studio albums, Suicide Notes and Butterfly Kisses, The Curse, A Death-Grip on Yesterday and Lead Sails Paper Anchor, each of which has sold more than 200,000 copies. Their fifth studio album, Congregation of the Damned, was released on 27 October, 2009. In 2008, they were on the Projekt Revolution tour with Linkin Park and headlined the smaller Revolution Stage along with 10 Years, Hawthorne Heights, and Armor for Sleep. [4]

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Background information

Origin Yorba Linda, California, United States

Genres Metalcore, Alternative metal, Post-hardcore[1][2]

Years active 1998–present

Labels Tribunal, Victory, Hollywood, Roadrunner

Website www.atreyurock.com

Members

Alex Varkatzas

Dan Jacobs

Travis Miguel

Marc McKnight

Brandon Saller

Former members

Chris Thomson

Brian O'Donnell

Kyle Stanley

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History

1999–2000: Independent years

Atreyu currently consists of drummer/vocalist Brandon Saller, vocalist Alex Varkatzas, bassist Marc McKnight and guitarists Dan Jacobs and Travis Miguel.[5][6] During the independent years though, the members were only Brandon, Alex, Dan and Kyle Stanley. The band changed its name to Atreyu, which was suggested by a friend, Scott Lloyd, aka The Mess.[7]

In 1999, Atreyu released an independent 7-track EP titled Visions. The album was sold at their live performances. Their second release, was a short 5-track EP released by underground label Tribunal Records and featured tracks that would be re-worked in later releases. Atreyu signed with Victory Records in 2001, and their most critically acclaimed works would be to come from these releases.[8]

2001–2006: Victory Records

In 2001, Atreyu signed with Victory Records, who were famous for signing young, upstart metalcore bands and making them successful, later releasing in 2002 their first full-length album Suicide Notes and Butterfly Kisses. The band also introduced another singer, Brandon Saller, the drummer, who would become more prolific in their later releases. But in this album, his parts were largely confined to choruses.[9] Music videos were filmed for the singles "Ain't Love Grand" and "Lip Gloss and Black." The latter video found significant airplay on Headbangers Ball and Uranium in fall of 2003, gaining Atreyu some of its initial mainstream attention.

The group's second album, The Curse, was released in 2004, selling 450,000 copies.[8] The band was then featured on the soundtrack to the film Mr. and Mrs. Smith with a cover of Bon Jovi's "You Give Love a Bad Name".[10] Atreyu was also featured on the soundtrack to Underworld: Evolution with "Her Portrait in Black." The band gained further fame when "Exs and Ohs" appeared on the soundtrack to Madden NFL '07. "Right Side of the Bed" also appeared on the Burnout 3 Soundtrack, a racing video game.

In 2006, Atreyu released its third studio album, A Death-Grip on Yesterday, on March 28, 2006. The album peaked at number 9 on the Billboard 200, with sales of 69,000.[11] The album was said to have a balance of Brandon Saller's melodic singing vocals and Varkatzas's aggressive screaming.[12] The album was met with positive reviews."[13]

2007–2009: Hollywood Records

In early 2007, Atreyu signed a record deal with Hollywood Records for America and an international deal with Roadrunner Records. With a new label, the band began to prepare its fourth studio album. A jigsaw puzzle was released on the band's website, as the goal was to put all the audio clips of the single "Becoming the Bull" into correct order, forming the whole song.[14] The album was received with mixed reviews, and was a notable change in sound for the band.

Lead Sails Paper Anchor was released on August 28, 2007, and debuted at number 8 on the Billboard 200 with first-week sales of 43,000 copies.[15] The American release of the album had a bonus track, a cover of the song "Epic" by Faith No More while the European and Australian bonus track was a cover of "Clean Sheets" by The Descendents.

They toured in the United States, in the Taste of Chaos 2008 tour, alongside bands such as Avenged Sevenfold, Bullet for My Valentine, and Blessthefall. The band also toured with co-headliners Avenged Sevenfold and Bullet for My Valentine in Australia and New Zealand, to positive reactions from audiences and stated on a blog on their MySpace that they're planning another tour down there later in the year.

On April 22, 2008, Lead Sails Paper Anchor was re-released with two previously unreleased bonus tracks, a DVD, and a digital booklet. It also featured new cover art. A trailer was released promoting the CD on their MySpace page.

On May 23, 2008, Varkatzas was forced to drop out of two shows — the shows being May Day in Indianapolis and Balloon Fest in El Paso - due to a throat infection, which resulted in Saller and McKnight taking over vocal duties for both dates.

Apart from being on the US Taste of Chaos they are also headlining the international leg of the tour. Other bands playing are Story of the Year, As I Lay Dying and Mucc. Travis Miguel stated that the band will do "whatever it takes" to get food on the road.[16]

From July to August 2008, Atreyu headlined the Revolution Stage of Linkin Park's Projekt Revolution. Their setlist consisted of 45 minutes of various songs. With them on the stage were 10 Years, Hawthorne Heights, Armor for Sleep, and Street Drum Corps. Several interviews with various band members have stated that the tour was one of the best touring cycles they've been on, and cited Chris Cornell as the most surprising performer on the tour for his performance of his various projects, and his introduction of his new music from his latest album entitled Scream, produced by Timbaland. Here is a recent interview with the guys: http://app.synclive.com?show/29398

Atreyu was part of the KROQ Epicenter '09 Show where they did a meet a greet to benefit the non-profit organization Music Saves Lives

2009–present: Congregation of the Damned

Atreyu's fifth studio album, Congregation of the Damned, was released on October 27, 2009.[17] The album, which was produced by Bob Marlette (Ozzy Osbourne, Airbourne) and mixed by Rich Costey (System of a Down, Rage Against the Machine), was said to be "darker" and "heavier" than the band's previous albums. Prior to release, the album was expected to contain heavier tracks such as "You Were the King, Now You're Unconscious" and "Bleeding Is a Luxury," as well as slower songs such as "Wait for You." According to lead singer Alex Varkatzas, the record is a "mix of everything we've ever done. For every song that's more melodic or rock-driven there's a total shitkicker, and I think that's what makes us a well-rounded band."[17]

The band started a co-headlining tour with Hollywood Undead and Escape The Fate in October, and as promotion of album have debuted songs like "Bleeding Is A Luxury" at K-Rockathon 14 in New York State Fairgrounds, Syracuse, NY., and "Gallows".[17][18] Atreyu has also promoted their new album in many other ways. For example, 5 webisodes, between September 1 to October 20 every two weeks, have been released advertising the album. They describe the album to "Make more sense than the other ones because they finally realise what they are".

Congregation of The Damned debuted at #18 on the Billboard 200, selling 27,412 copies on its first week.

Band members

Current members

Alex Varkatzas — lead vocals, (1998–present)

Brandon Saller — drums, percussion, lead vocals, piano, additional guitar (1998–present)

Dan Jacobs — lead & rhythm guitars, backing vocals (1998–present)

Travis Miguel — lead & rhythm guitars (2000–present)

Marc McKnight — bass, vocals (2004–present)

Former members

Chris Thomson — bass (2001–2003)

Kyle Stanley — bass (1998–2001)

Brian O'Donnell — bass

Discography

Studio albums

Year Album details Peak chart positions

US US Rock US Indie US Heat AUS UK

2002 Suicide Notes and Butterfly Kisses

Released: June 4, 2002

Label: Victory Records

 — — 30 37 — —

2004 The Curse

Released: June 29, 2004

Label: Victory Records

 32 — 1 — — —

2006 A Death-Grip on Yesterday

Released: March 28, 2006

Label: Victory Records

 9 — 1 — 49 92

2007 Lead Sails Paper Anchor

Released: August 28, 2007

Label: Hollywood Records

 8 1 — — 38 61

2009 Congregation of the Damned

Released: October 27, 2009

Label: Hollywood Records

 18 8 — — 39 116[19]

"—" denotes releases that did not chart

EPs

Year Album details

1999 Visions

Released: 1999

Label: Die Trying Records

2002 Fractures in the Facade of Your Porcelain Beauty

Released: January 29, 2002

Label: Tribunal Records

Compilation albums

Year Album details Peak positions

US US Indie

2007 The Best Of... Atreyu

Released: January 23, 2007

Label: Victory Records

 103 6

Singles

Year Single Peak positions Album

US US Main US

Alt.

2002 "Ain't Love Grand" — — — Suicide Notes and Butterfly Kisses

2003 "Lip Gloss and Black" — — —

2004 "Bleeding Mascara" — — — The Curse

2005 "Right Side of the Bed" — — —

"The Crimson" — — —

2006 "Her Portrait in Black" — — — Underworld: Evolution (soundtrack)

"Ex's and Oh's" — 24 — A Death-Grip on Yesterday

"The Theft" — — —

2007 "Shameful" — — —

"Becoming the Bull" 119 5 11 Lead Sails Paper Anchor

"Doomsday" (UK) — — —

2008 "Falling Down" 115 5 3

"Slow Burn" — 16 16

2009 "Storm to Pass" — 23 40 Congregation of the Damned

"—" denotes releases that did not chart

References

1.       ^ [1]

2.       ^ [2]

3.       ^ SHOEGAZER ROSS. "LAMB OF GOD — Burn The Priest". Metal Express Radio. http://www.metalexpressradio.com/menu.php?main=reviews&id=1013. Retrieved 2008-05-06. 

4.       ^ http://www.vh1.com/artists/news/1589723/20080620/atreyu.jhtml

5.       ^ Lumpkin, Sharita (2005-03-13). "Interview Travis Miguel Atreyu". Fourteeng. http://www.fourteeng.net/atreyu.html. Retrieved 2008-01-24. 

6.       ^ "Interview With Atreyu". Euro Punk. 2005-05-23. http://www.europunk.net/interviews.php?id=136. Retrieved 2008-01-24. 

7.       ^ "Metal Underground — Interview with Dan Jacobs from Atreyu". Metal Underground. 2005-07-19. http://www.metalunderground.com/interviews/details.cfm?newsid=14502. Retrieved 2007-06-17. 

8.       ^ a b Torreano, Bradley. Atreyu. Allmusic. Accessed December 8, 2007.

9.       ^ Taylor, Jason D. Suicide Notes and Butterfly Kisses review. Allmusic: 2002

10.   ^ Phares, Heather. Mr. and Mrs. Smith. Allmusic: 2005.

11.   ^ Hasty, Katie (2006-08-05). "T.I. Rules As 'King' of Album Chart". Billboard. http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/search/google/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1002312492. Retrieved 2008-01-24. 

12.   ^ Prato, Greg. A Death Grip on Yesterday. Allmusic: 2006

13.   ^ "Atreyu — A Death Grip on Yesterday Review". music.ign.com. http://music.ign.com/articles/702/702041p1.html. Retrieved 2007-09-11. 

14.   ^ Atreyu: New Album Details Revealed. Blabbermouth.net: June 20, 2007.

15.   ^ Cohen, Jonthan (2007-09-05). "'High School Musical 2' Starts Third Week At No. 1". Billboard. http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003635057. Retrieved 2008-01-24. 

16.   ^ Kerrang! Atreyu to headline Taste Of Chaos 2008

17.   ^ a b c ATREYU To Release 'Congregation Of The Damned' In October - July 31, 2009

18.   ^ Atreyu at New York State Fairgrounds, Syracuse, NY Setlist on August 8, 2009

19.   ^ [3]

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Source: Wikipedia.org at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atreyu_(band)

Listen to Music

Storm To Pass (Quicktime)
Storm To Pass (Windows Media)

Atreyu Videos

"Storm To Pass"
Atreyu - Storm To Pass - Official Music Video

ATREYU | MySpace Music Videos

Webisode #5 w/preview clip of "Leading Is A Luxory"

Atreyu Contact Information: Click the following link to Contact Any Celebrity

Discography

Visions EP (1999)

Die Trying Records

Fractures in the Facade of Your

Porcelain Beauty EP (2002)

Tribunal Records

Suicide Notes and Butterfly

Kisses (2002)

Victory Records

The Curse (2004)

Victory Records

"As the Line Between Machinery and Humanity Blurs" – 4:01
"Who Died?" – 2:51
"Love is Illness" – 3:31
"Bleeding Hearts Shed No Tears" – 3:17
"Never Too Far Gone" – 4:25
"Of Gods and Monsters" – 4:51
"Dinosaurs Became Extinct (And You're a Fossil)" – 2:43

"Living Each Day Like You're Already Dead" – 2:59
"Tulips Are Better" – 3:26
"A Letter to Someone Like You" – 3:19
"Taking Back Every Word That I Said" – 4:11
"Someone's Standing on My Chest" – 4:41

"A Song for the Optimists" – 4:39
"Dilated" – 3:34
"Ain't Love Grand" – 3:43
"Living Each Day Like You're Already Dead" – 2:45
"Deanne the Arsonist" – 3:41
"Someone's Standing on My Chest" – 4:09
"At Least I Know I'm a Sinner" – 3:22
"Tulips Are Better" – 3:32
"A Vampire's Lament" – 3:19
"Lip Gloss and Black" – 5:04

"Blood Children (An Introduction)" – 1:14
"Bleeding Mascara" – 2:28
"Right Side of the Bed" – 3:42
"This Flesh a Tomb" – 3:59
"You Eclipsed by Me" – 3:38
"The Crimson" – 4:01
"The Remembrance Ballad" – 4:27
"An Interlude" – 2:09
"Corseting" – 2:10
"Demonology and Heartache" – 3:42
"My Sanity on the Funeral Pyre" – 3:40
"Nevada's Grace" – 3:48
"Five Vicodin Chased With a Shot of Clarity" – 4:24

A Death-Grip on Yesterday

(2006)

Victory Records

Best of Atreyu (2007)

Victory Records

Lead Sales Paper Anchor/2.0 (2007)

Hollywood Records

Congregation of the Damned (2009)

Hollywood Records

"Creature" – 2:59
"Shameful" – 3:30
"Our Sick Story (Thus Far)" – 3:32
"The Theft" – 3:58
"We Stand Up" – 3:07
"Ex's and Oh's" – 3:32
"Your Private War" – 3:34
"My Fork in the Road (Your Knife in My Back)" – 3:26
"Untitled Finale" – 5:19

"Lip Gloss and Black" – 5:04
"Ain't Love Grand" – 3:43
"Living Each Day Like You're Already Dead" – 2:45
"A Song for the Optimists" – 4:39
"Deanne the Arsonist" – 3:42
"Tulips Are Better" – 3:32
"Someone's Standing on My Chest" – 4:09
"Bleeding Mascara" – 2:26
"Right Side of the Bed" – 3:42
"You Eclipsed by Me" – 3:39
"The Crimson" – 4:02
"Demonology and Heartache" – 3:42
"My Sanity on the Funeral Pyre" – 3:40
"Creature" – 2:59
"Untitled Finale" – 5:16*
"Ex's and Oh's" – 3:31
"Shameful" – 3:29
"The Theft" – 3:58

"Doomsday" – 3:20
"Honor" – 3:09
"Falling Down" – 3:00
"Becoming the Bull" – 3:41
"When Two Are One" – 4:41
"Lose It" – 3:58
"No One Cares" – 3:03
"Can't Happen Here" – 4:02
"Slow Burn" – 3:27
"Blow" (featuring °Josh Todd° of Buckcherry) – 4:09
"Lead Sails (And a Paper Anchor)" – 4:14

Version 2.0:

"The Squeeze" – 4:05
"Epic" (Faith No More cover) – 4:55
"Clean Sheets" (Descendents cover) – 3:13

"Stop! Before It's Too Late and We've Destroyed It All" – 3:52
"Bleeding Is a Luxury" – 3:32
"Congregation of the Damned" – 3:30
"Coffin Nails" – 3:22
"Black Days Begin" – 3:54
"Gallows" – 3:28
"Storm to Pass" – 3:47
"You Were the King, Now You're Unconscious" – 5:08
"Insatiable" – 4:00
"So Wrong" – 3:20
"Ravenous" – 3:07
"Lonely" – 3:40
"Wait for You" – 4:01

Filmography

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Pictures of Atreyu (click on any image below to enlarge)

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Related Links

Official Website - AtreyuRock.com

Tour Dates

11.11.09 6:00 PM The Great Salt Air w/Hollywood Undead Magna UT
11.13.09 6:00 PM Knitting Factory Concert House w/Hollywood Undead St Boise ID
11.14.09 6:00 PM Showbox SoDo w/Hollywood Undead South Seattle WA
11.15.09 6:00 PM Roseland Theatre w/Hollywood Undead Portland OR
11.17.09 6:00 PM Sacramento Memorial Auditorium w/Hollywood Undead Sacramento CA
11.18.09 6:00 PM Event Center at San Jose State Univ. w/Hollywood Undead San Jose CA
11.20.09 5:00 PM House of Blues w/Hollywood Undead Las Vegas NV
11.21.09 6:00 PM Wiltern Theatre w/ Hollywood Undead Los Angeles CA

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