Vertical Horizon

Vertical Horizon is an American alternative rock band formed at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. in 1991. The band is best known for its 1999 number one single "Everything You Want".

Vertical Horizon
Vertical Horizon performing at the Hartford Block Party in 2010.
Background information
OriginWashington, D.C., U.S.
Genres
Years active1991–present
Labels
Websitewww.verticalhorizon.com
Members
Past members
  • Keith Kane
  • Sean Hurley
  • Ed Toth
  • Steve Fekete
  • Jenn Oberle
  • Seth Horan
  • Ryan "Chopper" Fisher
  • Jeffrey Jarvis
  • Corey McCormick
  • Jason Sutter
  • Eric Holden
  • Craig McIntyre
  • Richie Noble

History

Early years (1991–1998)

Vertical Horizon was formed in 1991 by Georgetown University undergrads Matthew Scannell and Keith Kane.[1] In 1992, after graduating from Georgetown, the duo relocated to Boston and self-released their debut album There and Back Again.[2] Scannell and Kane toured as a duo for the next few years, mostly appearing with similar bands, such as Jackopierce. Their next album was 1995's Running on Ice, produced by John Alagia (Dave Matthews Band, John Mayer), Doug Derryberry, and Scannell.[1] Drummer Ed Toth joined the band in 1996.[3]

The band released a live album, Live Stages, in January 1997.[4] In 1998, bassist Sean Hurley was invited to join Vertical Horizon.[5][6] The band's indie albums began to attract record executives from several record labels during the late 1990s.[1] The band signed with RCA Records in 1998.[1] RCA re-released Vertical Horizon's independent albums, with new packaging and graphics.[1] Before the RCA re-release, the band's first three albums had sold 70,000 combined units.[1]

Everything You Want (1999–2000)

The band's first album with a major label was 1999's Everything You Want.[7] It was a breakthrough album for the band.[8] Four singles were released from the album.[9] The album's first single was "We Are," which reached the Modern Rock Tracks chart and peaked at no. 21.[10] 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.[8] As of 2020, "Everything You Want" is Vertical Horizon's most successful single.[11] 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.[12]

In 2001, the Everything You Want album was certified double platinum by the RIAA, having sold 2,000,000 copies in the United States.[13]

Go and Go 2.0 (2001–2005)

Vertical Horizon's next album, Go, was released in September 2003.[14] Go was released while RCA was going through a major restructuring and as a result, the album received little support from the label.[15] The album's first single, "I'm Still Here," peaked at number 17 on the Adult Top 40.[16] RCA did little to promote the album.[17] Scannell was upset that RCA didn't support the album, saying "Without the label behind us, it just floundered and sort of withered on the vine, which is just a heartbreaker."[15]

Burning the Days (2006–2010)
Matt Scannell performing at Borders in support of 2009's Burning the Days.

Burning the Days was released on September 22, 2009, and is the group's first release after a five-year hiatus.[18] Singer/songwriter Matt Scannell has said that Burning the Days marks a shift in his songwriting, both musically and lyrically.[19] 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."[19]

Neil Peart of the Canadian rock band Rush plays drums on three songs on the album, "Save Me From Myself," "Welcome to the Bottom," and "Even Now." "Even Now" is a co-write between Matt Scannell and Neil Peart, with Peart writing the lyrics and Scannell writing the music.[18][20][21] Scannell asked Peart if he would be interested in playing drums on the song, and Peart responded, "No one else can play drums on it — I won’t let anyone else play drums on it. I have to play the drums on it."[21]

On June 2, 2010, Matt Scannell announced via Facebook that Keith Kane was "not touring with Vertical Horizon. We've been friends for a long time so please join me in supporting his solo and Boys Gone Wild performances." On June 3, 2010, Kane confirmed his departure from the band, saying he would not be touring with Vertical Horizon "as I shift my focus to my solo career. I am thrilled to currently be writing my first solo album as well as working on collaborations with Brian Fechino and Chardy McEwan, and with my friends from Stroke 9 in our band 'Boys Gone Wild'."[22]

Echoes from the Underground and The Lost Mile (2011–present)

Vertical Horizon announced in June 2011 that they had begun recording new material for a new album.[23] The album, Echoes from the Underground, was released on October 8, 2013.[24] In June 2017, Scannell announced at a concert in Fairfax, VA, that a new album was forthcoming. Their seventh album, The Lost Mile, was released on February 23, 2018.[25]

Members
Current
  • Matt Scannell – lead vocals, lead guitar (1990–present)
  • Ron LaVella – drums (2009–present)
  • Donovan White – guitar, backing vocals (2012–present)
  • Mark Pacificar – bass, backing vocals (2016–present)
Former
  • Keith Kane – vocals, guitar (1990–2010)
  • Ryan "Chopper" Fisher – bass (1995–1997)
  • Ed Toth – drums, percussion (1996–2005)
  • Seth Horan – bass, backing vocals (1997-1998)
  • Sean Hurley – bass, backing vocals (1998–2008)
  • Steve Fekete – vocals, guitar, backing vocals (2009–2012)
  • Jenn Oberle – bass, backing vocals (2011–2012)
  • Jeffrey Jarvis – bass, backing vocals (2013–2016)
Touring
  • Jason Sutter – drums (also studio) (2009–2010)
  • Corey McCormick – bass guitar (2009–2010)
  • Eric Holden – bass guitar, backing vocals (2009–2011)
  • Jason Orme – rhythm guitar, backing vocals (2011–2012)
  • Cedric LeMoyne – bass, backing vocals (2011–2012)
  • Matthew Robbins – guitar (2015–2018)

Timeline

Discography
Main article: Vertical Horizon discography
Studio albums

References
  1. "Artist Profiles: Vertical Horizon". Billboard Magazine (page 98). May 21, 2001. Retrieved July 17, 2011.
  2. "Vertical Horizon biography". TheVogue.com. Retrieved January 14, 2020.
  3. ""Jam Bands": North America's Hottest Live Groups, Plus How to Tape and Trade ... - Dean Budnick - Google Books". Books.google.com. Retrieved January 14, 2020.
  4. "Live Stages - Vertical Horizon | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic.
  5. Jisi, Chris (September 23, 1973). "Sean Hurley talks touring with John Mayer and how to succeed in the LA session scene". Guitar World. Retrieved January 14, 2020.
  6. Nancy Hall (August 20, 2009). "Nancy Hall: Vertical Horizon bringing the '90s to Mohegan Sun - News - The Bulletin - Norwich, CT". Norwichbulletin.com. Retrieved January 14, 2020.
  7. Tribune, Allison Stewart Special to the. "Vertical Horizon is enjoying their hard-won success". chicagotribune.com.
  8. "Vertical Horizon to headline World Food & Music Festival in Des Moines". Des Moines Register. August 13, 2019. Retrieved August 20, 2019.
  9. Moser, John J. "REVIEW: Vertical Horizon at Musikfest Cafe strong, but not everything you want; Tonic still has kick". mcall.com.
  10. "Artist Search for "vertical horizon"". AllMusic.
  11. "Vertical Horizon". Billboard.
  12. "Album Search for "everything you want"". AllMusic.
  13. "Gold and Platinum Database Search". Retrieved June 18, 2009.
  14. "Vertical Horizon Ready To Reacquaint Fans With 'Go'". Billboard. Archived from the original on May 17, 2017. Retrieved November 29, 2016.
  15. Chad. "Vertical Horizon Plans New Album". www.alternativeaddiction.com. November 21, 2008
  16. "Album Search for "go"". AllMusic. Retrieved November 29, 2016.
  17. Chad. "Vertical Horizon And Pat McGee to Re-Release". Alternative Addiction. May 5, 2005.
  18. Chad. "Vertical Horizon Reveals Tracklisting". Alternative Addiction. July 11, 2009.
  19. Chad. "Vertical Horizon Ready August Release". Alternative Addiction. July 6, 2009.
  20. Peart, Neil. "News, Weather, and Sports". NEP.com. June 17, 2006.
  21. Mover, Jonathan. "Matt Scannell on Neil Peart Artist P.O.V.". Drumhead Magazine. date unknown.
  22. "Keith Kane Leaves Vertical Horizon". Alternative Addiction. June 9, 2010. Retrieved July 17, 2011.
  23. "Vertical Horizon Working On New Album". Alternative Addiction. June 21, 2011. Retrieved July 17, 2011.
  24. AllMusic Review by Matt Collar (October 8, 2013). "Echoes from the Underground - Vertical Horizon | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved January 14, 2020.
  25. "Vertical Horizon - The Lost Mile (2018, CDr)". Discogs. February 23, 2018. Retrieved January 14, 2020.
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