Hinder and Finger Eleven

Once recruiting bass player Cole Parker, the now completed line-up set began their quest for fame as they began producing original material with the result in the form of demos “Someday” and “Broken” which would end up featuring in their debut EP “Far From Close” eventually released in 2003 through indie label Brickden Records. Having drummed up local support by playing in plenty of hometown shows and taking part in music competitions to help fund their releases.

In 2004 after Parker’s departure, the band were joined by Mark King (rhythm guitar) and Mike Rodden (bass). Following the release of “Far From Close”, the band received label interest from Atlantic, Roadrunner and Universal, eventually signing with Universal Records in 2005. With their new label on board Hinder released their debut full length album “Extreme Behaviour” later that year peaking at number three in the US charts and going triple platinum. The album featured the hit singles “Lips of an Angel”, “Get Stoned” and “Better Than Me”. Spending subsequent years touring nationwide and across the glove, Hinder shared the stage with the likes of: Papa Roach, Puddle of Mudd, Buckcherry, “3 Doors Down” and “Theory of a Deadman”.

Bestowed with one of the highest local honours, in 2007 Hinder were inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame with the Rising Star Award joining Carrie Underwood, Woody Guthrie and Wanda Jackson. The following year the band released their second album “Take It to the Limit” which debuted in the US album charts at number four. After releasing two further albums “All American Nightmare” (2010) and “Welcome to the Freakshow” (2012), the band parted ways with Winkler and was later replaced by Marshall Dutton.

In 2015, Hinder took to crowdfunding website Pledge for their fifth studio album “When The Smoke Clears”, offering rewards and exclusive access to contents to loyal fans also known as the Hinder Army who pledge from opportunities to tour manage the band for a day to personalised gifts. With an independent label and an allegiance of fans behind them, Hinder are stronger than even ever as they embark on this new chapter.

Originally formed under the moniker Rainbow Butt Monkeys, the funk fusion band generated significant local buzz and a devoted following during their early years. Having played an early show at Lester B. Pearson High School’s Christmas concert in 1990, the band won a rock contest for 97.7 CHTZ, and used the money to record a debut album “Letters from Chutney” in 1995. In 1996 the group began to be managed by Coalition Entertainment, and opted to take their music in a more serious direction, later changing the name to Finger Eleven.

Formed of vocalist Scott Anderson, bassist Sean Anderson, drummer Rich Beddoe, and a pair of guitarists James Black and Rick Jackett, the band released their sophomore album “Tip” in 1997. Markedly far-removed from their earlier releases the album features a hard rock sound and resulted in Finger Eleven touring alongside Creed and Fuel in support of the record. The full-length “The Greyest of Blue Skies”, like its predecessor was produced by Our Lady Peace’s Arnold Lanni, and released in July 2000. Whilst failing to cause a stir in the U.S, “The Greyest of Blue Skies” represented their biggest Canadian release to date with over 50,000 units sold. Peaking at No. 17 on the Canadian Albums Chart, the record earned positive reviews aided by the singles “First Time”, “Drag You Down”, and “Bones + Joints”.

The band’s subsequent album, 2003’s “Finger Eleven” represented the band’s mainstream breakthrough with over 500,000 albums sold in the U.S. alone. Aided by appearances on the TV series “Scrubs”, “Smallville”, and “Third Watch” the record significantly increased Finger Eleven’s international exposure, later peaking at No. 4 on the Canadian Albums Chart. Following an extensive touring period which included parts of Europe, Australia, and North America, the group issued their fifth studio album “Them vs. You vs. Me” in March 2007. Led by the single “Paralyzer”, which topped the Canadian Single Chart, the record cemented the group’s popularity, and later won the 2008 Juno Award for Rock Album of the Year. The studio album “Life Turns Electric” appeared in 2010, after which drummer Rich Beddoe left the group and was replaced by Chris Powell.