3 Doors Down is an American post-grunge band formed in in 1994 by Brad Arnold (vocals and drums), Matt Roberts (guitar) and Todd Harrell (bass).
The band signed to Universal Records after the success of their song "Kryptonite". The band has since sold well over 12 million albums since their debut album,
The Better Life, was released in 2000. They also perform more than 300 concerts a year and have performed with other well-known artists such as Lynyrd Skynyrd, Staind, Alter Bridge, and Shinedown on several occasions.
History
The Better Life (2000-2001)
Brad Arnold is the vocalist for the band and played the drums on their debut album
The Better Life. He started singing full time for the band after a concert where no one else would sing except for him and he ended up enjoying it.
The Better Life was released in 2000 and has since been certified 6x Platinum thanks to the international hit singles, "Kryptonite", "Loser", and "Duck and Run". The song "Be Like That" was rerecorded for the 2001 film American Pie 2, with alternate lyrics for the first 2 lines. This version is known as "The American Pie 2 Edit".
Away from the Sun (2002-2004)
The band's second studio album,
Away from the Sun, was released in 2002 and since been certified 4x Platinum in the United States and Platinum in Australia. "Here without You" and "When I'm Gone" proved to be the most successful singles from that album. "The Road I'm On" and "Away from the Sun" also charted with less success.
Session drummer Josh Freese contributed drums for
Away from the Sun. Also, Rush guitarist Alex Lifeson produced and played on 3 tracks for the record, "Dangerous Game", "Dead Love", and "Wasted Me" (only "Dangerous Game" appeared on the album). Daniel Adair was the drummer on
Seventeen Days and during the
Away from the Sun tour.
Another 700 Miles
Since 2003, the band has held a "3 Doors Down and Friends" benefit concert, through the band's own charity The Better Life Foundation. In 2006, the event was held Dec. 2, at the Mobile Convention Center, with proceeds to benefit Hurricane Katrina survivors.
[Waddell, Ray. "3 Doors Down Plots Benefit, New Album" Billboard, October 16,2006. Accessed October 12, 2007.]The band released a live EP in 2003 which consists of part of a live performance by the band on their
Away from the Sun tour in Chicago.
Another 700 Miles has since been certified Gold in the US.
Seventeen Days (2005-2006)
The band's latest release, 2005's
Seventeen Days, has since been certified Platinum. "Let Me Go" and "Behind Those Eyes" charted with the most success. "Live for Today", "Landing in London" (on which Bob Seger provided back-up vocals and guitar), and "Here by Me" were also released as singles. During the
Seventeen Days tour, the band appeared alongside the southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd.
Also in 2005, the band released a live DVD titled "Away from the Sun Live from Houston, Texas". The DVD was produced and directed by Academy Award nominated Alex Gibney and Doug Biro.
Greg Upchurch, formerly of Puddle of Mudd, is the drummer who replaced Daniel Adair in 2005. Adair left to be the drummer for Nickelback.
3 Doors Down (2007-Present)
According to the band's website, they have completed recording a new studio album that is self titled, and is expected to be released in early 2008 around Valentines Day or Easter. This was confirmed in an interview with the band conducted on December 28, 2007 by the the Las Vegas Sun.
The video for an upcoming track titled "
Citizen/Soldier" is featured on the
National Guard Recruiting Site.
Here is a list of some of the new songs which will appear on 3 Doors Down:Put Me On A Train,Citizen Soldier,I Won't Go,All You've Got,Let Me Be Myself
Members
- Brad Arnold - Vocals
- Matt Roberts - Lead guitar
- Chris Henderson - Rhythm guitar
- Todd Harrell - Bass guitar
- Greg Upchurch - Drums & percussion
Former members
- Daniel Adair - Drums & percussion
Discography
Studio albums
- The Better Life (February 8 2000) - #7 U.S. - 6x Platinum
- Away from the Sun (November 12 2002) - #2 U.S. - 4x Platinum, #8 AUS - Platinum
- Seventeen Days (February 8 2005) - #1 U.S. - Platinum
- Fourth Studio Album - Early 2008
Live albums
- Another 700 Miles (November 11 2003, EP) - #23 U.S. - Gold
- Landing in London - Live (Summer 2006, Live EP)
Virtual albums
- iTunes Originals ? 3 Doors Down
DVDs
- 3 Doors Down: One Red Light (November 2004)
- 3 Doors Down: Live in Houston, Texas - Away from the Sun (2005, Monster Music)
- 3 Doors Down "Behind Those Eyes"?a documentary by Alex Gibney which films the transition of the band from the "Away From The Sun" tour's last two dates in Houston, TX and Jackson, MS, through the recording of "Seventeen Days" at Ocean Way Recording Studio in Nashville, TN and through the hurricane-plagued "Seventeen Days" tour ending with drummer Greg Upchurch's call to get home to witness the birth of his first child, a son named Jackson. (Still in production)
- The band produced their own live performance DVD of the unexpected end to their "Seventeen Days" tour. (Still unreleased)
Singles
Music Videos