Spoken (band)

Spoken is an American Christian rock band from Nashville, Tennessee.[1] They have released nine studio albums; three via Metro 1 Music, three via Tooth & Nail Records, one via E1 Music, one via Artery Recordings, and one independently.

Spoken
Spoken in 2015
Spoken in 2015
Background information
OriginNashville, Tennessee, U.S.
Genres
Years active1996-present
LabelsE1, Tooth & Nail, Metro 1
Members
Past members
  • Scoop Roberts
  • Isaiah Perez
  • Oliver Crumpton
  • Ryan Pei
  • Jesse McDermott
  • Jon Allen
  • Jef Cunningham
  • Steven Howk
  • Ronnie Crupper
  • B.J. Watson
  • Ryan Jordan
  • Aaron Wiese
  • Travis Pierce
  • Roy Elam
  • Brandon Thigpen
  • Michael Head
Websitespokenmusic.com

History

The band was formed in Nashville, Tennessee in 1996. Vocalist Matt Baird is the only original member of the band remaining in its current lineup since the band's formation.

The band released their debut album, On Your Feet, on September 22, 1997, through Metro 1 Music. The album showcased a rap-rock fusion of a post-hardcore or melodic rock style with a nu metal or rap rock leaning sound, similar to that utilized by bands such Rage Against the Machine or 311, or by their peers such as P.O.D., Pillar, and Thousand Foot Krutch, among others, but with more emphasis in the post-hardcore leanings of the band's style.

The band released their second album, ...What Remains, on February 2, 1999, once again through Metro 1 Music. The album's sound showcased a nu metal/rap influenced rock style very similar to that the band's debut.

The band released their third album, Echoes of the Spirit Still Dwell, on October 3, 2000, again through Metro 1 Music. The album's sound showcased once more the nu metal/rap rock leanings of the first two, but focused more on the heavy aspects of the genre. On November 19, 2001, the band released a compilation album, Spoken Greatest Hits, which compiled songs from their previous and first three albums. This was their last release through Metro 1 Music.

Spoken then signed to Tooth & Nail Records to release their fourth album, titled A Moment of Imperfect Clarity, which released on September 2, 2003. This, and their subsequent albums on Tooth and Nail, highlighted an evolving sound in which first melody and then a post-hardcore sound were introduced and stressed. The band shot music videos for "Promise"[7] and "Falling Further"[8]

On August 30, 2005, Spoken released their fifth album, Last Chance to Breathe. The style changed even more, becoming more based on screams than heavy guitar work. A music video was shot for "Bitter Taste", a single from the album, featuring Cory Brandon Putman of Norma Jean.[9]

On September 25, 2007, Spoken released their self-titled sixth album, Spoken. The sound was heavier and more mature, with both heavy vocals and heavy guitar work. Matt Baird, the lead vocalist for Spoken, said this about their sound: "Our new record has a lot of diversity. There are songs that are heavier than anything we've done before, and there is a song that is mostly piano. The songs are really all over the place as far as a similar style or genre, but it works. I think the record is extremely cohesive. I can't wait for people to hear it."[10]

Spoken has been working on their new album since 2009 with producer Jasen Rauch. They have since revealed that their seventh record is finished and will be released on February 12, 2013, through E1 Music and will be called, Illusion.[11]

Spoken performing at Lifest in 2018

The band announced via their Facebook page on November 28, 2014, that they would release a new album in 2015. A later interview with singer Matt Baird revealed the band will be recording at least one song in January as a promo track and then the remainder of the album will be recorded in May 2015.[12] On December 11, 2015, the band released their eighth album, Breathe Again, through Artery Recordings.

On November 26, 2016, Scoop Roberts announced that he was embarking on final tour with the band and that he would be on the next album.[13] The band's ninth album, titled simply IX, was released on September 8, 2017, independently via The Fuel Music.

On April 11th, 2019, the band announced that guitarist J.R. Bareis (Love & Death, ex-Islander) was joining the band. J.R. had been touring with the band as a hired gun since 2017. With this addition, they also announced that they were currently writing for the bands 10th studio album,

In light of the COVID 19 pandemic in 2020, the band released 4 new songs in the span of 5 months. "The Way Back Home" on February 21, 2020, "Awaken Me" on April 3rd, 2020, "Fallen" on June 5th, 2020, and "Nightmare" on June 12th, 2020. Lyric videos premiered on the bands YouTube channel for the songs, "The Way Back Home", and, "Nightmare", on their day of release. On February 20th, 2021, a live, "at home", acoustic performance of the song, "Nightmare", was released on the bands YouTube page.

Discography

Studio albums

Compilations

Music videos

References
  1. Yeung, Neil Z. "Spoken – Artist Biography". AllMusic. All Media Network. Retrieved July 28, 2016.
  2. Sarachik, Justin (December 11, 2014). "Spoken Starts New Album in May; Matt Baird Says 'It's Not Going to be the Same Record as Illusions' [INTERVIEW 4]". BREATHEcast. Retrieved December 12, 2015.
  3. Williams, Jeremy (January 10, 2008). "Spoken – Spoken". Cross Rhythms. Retrieved February 13, 2016.
  4. Major, Chris (December 17, 2015). "Spoken Releases Best Work Yet With 'Breathe Again'". The Christian Beat. Retrieved February 13, 2016.
  5. Cummings, Tony (October 23, 2007). "Spoken – Last Chance To Breathe". Cross Rhythms. Retrieved February 13, 2016.
  6. Rockstroh, Joe; Marihugh, Josh (August 25 – September 12, 1999). "What Remains". Retrieved February 13, 2016.
  7. Spoken - Promise. March 30, 2008. Retrieved February 14, 2016 – via YouTube.
  8. Spoken-Falling Further. June 17, 2006. Archived from the original on December 15, 2021. Retrieved February 14, 2016 – via YouTube.
  9. YouTube. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
  10. Qodesh Metal Spoken Interview Archived March 3, 2014, at the Wayback Machine
  11. Alice Roques (February 3, 2013). "INTERVIEW: SPOKEN - MATT BAIRD'". RockRevolt Magazine.
  12. "Spoken Starts New Album in May; Matt Baird Says 'It's Not Going to be the Same Record as Illusions' [INTERVIEW 4]". BREATHEcast. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
  13. Roberts, Scoop (November 26, 2016). "Scoop Roberts announcement". Instagram. Archived from the original on December 24, 2021. Retrieved November 26, 2016.
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