Metal Hunter: Drowning Pool

Drowning Pool is a four-piece alternative metal band from Dallas, Texas.

History

Early days (1996–2002)

Drowning Pool rose to fame while playing along with Ozzy Osbourne during an Ozzfest tour. Their 2001 debut album, Sinner, was certified platinum within six weeks, and the video for its first single "Bodies" was widely aired on various music video channels. On August 14, 2002, the band's lead singer Dave Williams was found dead inside his tour bus.^[1] A spokesperson for the medical examiner from the Northern District of Virginia said he suffered from a form of heart disease.^[2] When asked if the band had any unreleased songs, according to a 2002 Blabbermouth article, drummer Mike Luce replied that "only 3–4 songs were done, including one called "Heroes," which is a tribute to dead rock musicians such as Layne Staley. I don't know if we will ever release them."

Jason Jones (2003–2004)

After Williams' death, the band tried to carry on and begin searching for a new singer.^[3] Many were considered, such as Ben Schigel of Switched, Vince Mullins of Haji's Kitchen, Robb Flynn of Machine Head and many others. But in 2003, the band decided on Jason 'Gong' Jones to replace Williams^[4] and released the album Desensitized in 2004. During this era, Drowning Pool also experienced a considerable shift in visual style: rather than the dark, grimacing, anti-social demeanor seen with Williams as the frontman, they shifted toward rock star vanity and sex appeal. Despite the success of the album's lead single, "Step Up," the album was not nearly as successful as Sinner.

Jones' departure from Drowning Pool was publicly announced on June 14, 2004, due to irreconcilable differences.^[5] Jones would later join the alternative metal band AM Conspiracy. Almost immediately, rumors started swirling concerning the new singer's identity, like Pat Lachman of Damageplan but the biggest buzz of the rumors was about former Soil singer Ryan McCombs.^{[citation needed]} Drowning Pool announced that the new singer would be formally announced at Ozzfest in Dallas, Texas, where Drowning Pool did a one-off performance on the main stage.

On July 20, 2005, the website SMNNews received word from close sources that McCombs was indeed the new singer. According to their manager, McCombs was "really good" and someone the band had wanted when they first set out to replace original vocalist Dave Williams nearly two years prior.^[6] However, McCombs, who abruptly left his previous band while in mid tour in 2004 and forced the cancellation of several tour dates, acquired further resentment from his former bandmates for joining Drowning Pool. In particular, bassist Tim King claimed on Soil's website that McCombs would "be singing the very songs he hailed as 'average,' " and scoffed, "Drowning Pool can have him. Now we have the better singer and the better band."^[7]

New beginning (2006–2007)

In spring of 2006, Drowning Pool announced that they had parted ways with Wind-up Records.^[8] In October 2006, the new song "No More" was announced to be released on the Saw III soundtrack, their first track (besides the second version of "Rise Up") with McCombs on vocals.

On February 26, 2007, the band announced it signed a new deal with Eleven Seven Music.^[9] It was also confirmed that Drowning Pool would have a new management company, Tenth Street Entertainment.

The band's third album, Full Circle, was released on August 7, 2007 and met with moderate success, though some fans pointed out that they favored McCombs' vocals over previous vocalist Jason Jones. Two songs on the album were produced by Funny Farm Records, owned by Mötley Crüe bassist Nikki Sixx and former Beautiful Creatures guitarist DJ Ashba. The remaining tracks have been recorded with producer Ben Schigel at the Dallas-based January Sound Studio.

Loudest Common Denominator & Self Titled Album (2008–present)

In January 2008, the band members announced that they would be touring North America as special guests of Saliva.^[10] On July 26, 2008, in Dubuque, Iowa, Drowning Pool played at the Dubuque County Fair alongside the bands Sick Puppies and Seether.

In September 2008, McCombs said in a statement that Drowning Pool will be recording its next album after it finishes touring with Saliva.^[11] According to an article from the El Paso Times, Drowning Pool has written material for its new album, and the band will be in the recording studio following the holidays.

On December 9, 2008, bassist Stevie Benton was quoted by the Associated Press as considering it an honor that the U.S. military was using Drowning Pool's music to bother captured prisoners. ^[12] On December 13, 2008, Stevie Benton issued an apology on Drowning Pool's MySpace page about his comment on musical torture, stating his comment had been "taken out of context".^[13]

On March 3, 2009, the band released its live album, Loudest Common Denominator, which featured two bonus tracks of acoustic versions of "Shame" and "37 Stitches".^[14]

According to a blog posted by the band members on the website SMNNEWS, they have hinted at having six songs already completed, and they just need to finish the other half of the album. McCombs dropped teasers of possible titles to two of the songs, "L.O.M.L" and "Regret".^[15] Guitarist C.J. Pierce also said he is bringing back some effects used on debut album Sinner, but not on the previous two albums.^[15]

Drowning Pool finished recording their latest album with Kato Khandwala producing at House of Loud in New Jersey, which will be the first album in the band's history featuring the same vocalist twice since Dave Williams, who recorded two pre-Sinner albums as well as Sinner itself.

The first single off the band's upcoming self-titled album, titled "Feel Like I Do", is available as a free download on their official website, and the album will be released on April 27, 2010.^[16] Also as free downloads on their official website are "37 Stitches" and "Enemy" (link is not currently shown, but the song queues after 37 Stitches). On April 12, 2010, the band began pre-sale of the album on their official website alongside exclusive packages featuring autographed guitars and a military-based package. They are currently on tour, in support of the upcoming album, with Sevendust and Digital Summer.

Drowning pool played at the Washington county Fairplex in Hillsboro, oregon at rock fest 14 sponsored by Portland rock station 101 KUFO on Aug, 29, 2010 alongside Godsmack, Shinedown, Puddle of Mudd, Sevendust, My Darkest Days, and 10 Years.

It has also been announced that they will be touring with Godsmack and Five Finger Death Punch in an upcoming tour that starts on September 28, 2010 in Hollywood, FL and ends on November 4, 2010 in Los Angeles, CA.

The band is set to go on tour with Trust Company.

Tours

Ozzfest 2001 and 2002 Tour
Music as a Weapon 1 Tour
Sinner Tour
Desensitized Tour
Full Circle Tour
This Is For The Soldiers Tour 2007
Know Your Enemy Tour 2008
Ozzfest 2008
2008 World Tour
Escape From the Studio Tour (opening for Korn)
Spring/Summer Tour 2009
Crue Fest 2
Ozzfest 2010
Liver Die Tour 2010 (with Sevendust)
Opening for Godsmack and Five Finger Death Punch from September 28, 2010 to November 4, 2010
JJO Band Camp, Madison, WI with Dope, Sevendust, Red, etc