Third Eye Blind

Third Eye Blind (sometimes abbreviated 3eb) is an American alternative rock band formed in the early 1990s in San Francisco. The band's current line-up is Stephan Jenkins (vocals, guitar), Brad Hargreaves (drums, percussion), and Tony Fredianelli (guitar, vocals). Original bassist Arion Salazar has not been playing with the band, and his future as part of the band is unclear. It is reported on the band's Facebook page that he is able to return whenever he wishes, as there is an "open door policy" for him. Abe Millet, of Inviolet Row, has been filling in for Salazar during recent concerts.

After the success of their eponymous debut album in 1997, the band released one more album, 1999's Blue, before guitarist Kevin Cadogan was released under controversial circumstances. In 2003, the band released Out of the Vein. In 2008 the band released the digital EP Red Star.

Beginnings (1993–1996)
Third Eye Blind recorded their first demo in 1993. The band gained major label attention after their second demo was released in 1995, including that of Clive Davis, who invited the band to perform a showcase for Arista Records in New York City. During Third Eye Blind concerts at the time, it was customary for the band to have a piñata release candy above their mosh pits, yet at the showcase for the record executives, lead singer Stephan Jenkins released live crickets from the piñata instead. With regard to the name of the band, Jenkins indicated during a radio interview that the name came from the metaphysical idea of a mind's eye, a topic of a book he had read. The other group members liked it and chose it as the official name. In the past, Stephan Jenkins has also joked about a Ouija board and vodka being the sources of the name. In April 1996, after Jenkins had challenged Epic Records executive Dave Massey in a meeting, the band landed an opening gig for Oasis at the San Francisco Civic Auditorium. In an unlikely scenario for an opening act, the band was invited back for an encore after playing their initial set and was paid double by the concert promoter. In addition, Stephan Jenkins' production of The Braids' cover of Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" gained major-label attention. Afterwards, the band found themselves in a bidding war among record labels, and after a showcase in Los Angeles, signed with Sylvia Rhone of Elektra Records because they believed it offered the most artistic freedom.

Success (1997–2000)
Third Eye Blind's first album, Third Eye Blind was released in 1997. The album had 5 singles: "Semi-Charmed Life", "Graduate", "How's It Going to Be", "Losing a Whole Year", and "Jumper". "Semi-Charmed Life" peaked at #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was number 1 on the Modern Rock Tracks for 8 weeks. The band also performed "How's It Going to Be" on Saturday Night Live. To date their eponymous debut has been the group's most successful album, selling 6 million copies in the U.S. alone. Smash Mouth drummer Michael Urbano played drums on 4 songs on the album. During this period they also opened a number of shows on U2's PopMart Tour.

In 1999 the band released their second album, Blue. Although not received as well as Third Eye Blind, the album sold 75,000 copies the first week of release and by 2003 had sold 1.25 million in the U.S. Four singles were released from the album, "Anything", "Never Let You Go", "10 Days Late", and "Deep Inside of You". In early 2000, shortly after the release of the album, Kevin Cadogan was released from the band. Cadogan filed suit, alleging wrongful termination, adding that his production, recording, and songwriter royalties were withheld since being kicked out of the band. The lawsuit was settled out of court in June 2002.

Hiatus (2001–2002)
After extensive international touring, the band took a break from performing, appearing only at charity events. They put on shows for the Tiger Woods Foundation and the Breathe Benefit Concert in Los Angeles after Jenkins' mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. During the hiatus the band also built a recording studio in anticipation of their next album.

Out of the Vein (2003)
In 2003 the band released Out of the Vein. Two singles were released from the album; "Blinded", and "Crystal Baller". Out of the Vein didn't sell as well as its predecessors, with numbers estimated around 500,000 copies as of March 2007. Elektra Records was being absorbed into Atlantic Records at the time, and the only music video created from the album was for the single "Blinded". Due to the merger, the band found themselves without label support, as Jenkins said, "Our record company ceased to exist the month the record was released, Elektra Records imploded."

In April, 2003, the band embarked on the Within Arms Reach tour, targeting clubs and other smaller venues to promote their third album in a more intimate setting than in recent years. "The 'Within Arm's Reach Tour' means the audience and the band literally get within arm's reach of each other," Jenkins said.

This album came out right after the break up of Stephan Jenkins and actress Charlize Theron. During various concerts Jenkins has stated that the songs "Forget Myself" and "Palm Reader" are written for her and the lyrics reveal some interesting aspects of their relationship.

In May 2004, Warner Music cut Third Eye Blind, along with over 80 other acts from their roster. While no specific reason was given for Third Eye Blind being cut, Atlantic co-chairman Craig Kallman said the cuts were made to get Atlantic's roster down to an appropriate size where "we can give each of our acts top priority."

Ursa Major and Ursa Minor (2009)
For the 10th anniversary of the release of Third Eye Blind's debut album, the band performed at the Fillmore on March 13 and 14. The shows were filmed for broadcast on HDNet on December 2, as well as normal broadcast and release on DVD and as a live album tentatively to be released in early 2008, as announced by Jenkins on November 9, 2007, on DC101's "Elliot In The Morning".

Third Eye Blind has announced that their fourth studio album titled Ursa Major will be released on August 18, 2009. The album has been anticipated since mid-2007 and was previously expected to be named The Hideous Strength. The album will be produced under the Sony label. Jenkins has stated that this album will be "more political" than previous Third Eye Blind works. A single, "Non-Dairy Creamer", was released in November 2008, although it will not be included on the album. This song was released on the internet exclusive digital EP Red Star.

Also announced recently is a possible fifth album titled Ursa Minor, that may be released following Ursa Major. Jenkins said that Ursa Minor will consist of songs that did not make the cut for Ursa Major. Leo Kremer, who has been filling in for Arion Salazar during recent shows is going to be playing his last time with the band after they tour Japan this Summer. Ari Ingber, from band The Upwelling, co-wrote "Break Like a Fever" with Jenkins, a new track from Ursa Major. John Evans (Vanessa Carlton) and Juan Alderette (The Mars Volta) will reportedly take over bass duties for the recording of this next album, according to Tony Fredianelli.

On June 5th 2009, Third Eye Blind released their first single off Ursa Major, "Don't Believe a Word", to radio. On June 8th, 2009 Stephan Jenkins announced to a overflow crowd at the Dallas Palladium that some of the night's songs were being recorded for possible use on future tracks on an upcoming album.. On June 9th, 2009, Stephan Jenkins announced to a sell-out crowd at Houston's House of Blues that the "B-side" of Ursa Major would include several live tracks being recorded that night.

Studio albums

 * Third Eye Blind (1997)
 * Blue (1999)
 * Out of the Vein (2003)
 * Ursa Major (2009)
 * Ursa Minor (TBA)

Extended plays

 * Red Star is a digitally-released 3-Track EP that was released on November 18 2008. The 3-Tracks Include: "Non-Dairy Creamer", "Red Star", and a live version of "Why Can't You Be". The title was voted on by fans on the band's Facebook page. Also released with the EP was a music video for Non-Dairy Creamer featuring Third Eye Blind's recent Japan tour

Popular culture and media
Soundtracks
 * Third Eye Blind's song "Horror Show" was featured on the 1999 movie Varsity Blues, and the song was also included on the film's soundtrack album. The song was actually written with the film Scream 2 in mind, hence the song's name.
 * "New Girl" was featured on the soundtrack for the movie American Pie.
 * "Semi-Charmed Life" was featured on the soundtrack for the movie Wild Things.
 * "Eye Conqueror" was featured on the soundtrack for the movie A Knight's Tale.

Films
 * "London" and "Graduate" were featured in the film Can't Hardly Wait.
 * "Never Let You Go" was featured in the films Clockstoppers, Coyote Ugly, and Say It Isn't So.
 * "I Want You," "Losing a Whole Year (Remix - Strings Up Version)," and "The Background" were all featured in the film The Corruptor.
 * "How's It Going To Be?" was used as background music in Sarcastic Gamer's parody song 'Silence CliffyB'.
 * "Horror Show" was originally an unreleased cover of The Velvet Underground's "Heroin". The band kept the music and wrote new lyrics for Varsity Blues.
 * "Deep Inside of You" was featured in Me, Myself, and Irene.
 * "Semi-Charmed Life" was featured in A Lot Like Love, American Pie, and Dirty Work.
 * "Narcolepsy" was featured in Four Horsemen, Episode 3 of Season 1 of Jericho.
 * "The Background" was used in the "Faith, Hope & Trick" episode of Buffy, the Vampire Slayer.
 * "Wounded" was used as the background music for an anti-drug commercial.
 * "Jumper" was used in a scene of the movie Yes Man in 2008.

Other
 * "Train in Vain", a Clash cover, was released on Burning London: The Clash Tribute in 1999.

Awards

 * 1997 - "Semi-Charmed Life" won the Billboard Music Award for Modern Rock Track of the Year.
 * 1998 - Nominated for two American Music Awards for Favorite New Artist (Pop/Rock) and Favorite Artist (Alternative)