.: The band :.
Live's career as a band began in a small Pennsylvania town called
York, in about 1985. "First Aid" was the breakthrough name
of the original band, composing of Patrick Dahlheimer, Chad Taylor and
Chad Gracy. The name was changed to "Public Affection" with
the addition of Ed Kowalcyzk. The four members, then about 15 years
old worked hard to get tighter as a band for about four years
and then in 1989 they released their first album, called "Death
of a Dictionary".
"Death of a Dictionary" had limited success, and in 1990 the
band signed a record deal with Radioactive Records. They then decided
to rename the band Live. It has been said that the band liked this
name because of its simplicity. Also perhaps the fact that Live
spelled backwards is Evil. Once they settled on Live, they went into
the studio, and created their first album with Radioactive. With help
of their producer, former Talking Head, Jerry Harrison, Live released
their album- "Mental Jewelry" in 1991. The bands first hit
was Operation Spirit. The band toured and gained more and more
popularity, then took a break for a couple of years-writing and
composing.
Next up in 1994, Live released "Throwing Copper", another
album produced by Jerry Harrison. This album is Live's claim to fame.
"Throwing Copper" was a huge success. With several hits like
Selling the Drama, Lightning Crashes, I Alone, and White, Discussion,
the band climbed the charts, all the way to number one on the
Billboard. Later, in 1995 they were voted as Billboard's Artist of the
year.
Then in 1996 they were voted as artist of the year in Rolling Stone
Magazine's Readers Poll. Also in 1996, Live went back into the studio
to record their next album "Secret Samadhi". In 1997 they
released "Secret Samadhi" which did not have the success
that "Throwing Copper" did, but it still debuted at number
1. Hits off of this album were songs like Turn My Head and Lakini's
Juice.
The fourth album in 1999, The Distance To
Here, is also the band's
fourth for Radioactive, makes no exception. All of the elements that
make Live a truly great rock band are in place. As a recent UK show
review in Kerrang! raved, "Live's new album is already shaping up
as one of the great rock records of the year, perhaps of the
decade." Melodies soar like never before, evident on standout
tracks like "Run To The Water," "They Stood Up For
Love" and "The Dolphins Cry." In addition, Jerry
Harrison reunites with the band as producer, having manned the helm
for both Mental Jewelry and Throwing Copper, and last but not least,
mixmaster Tom Lord-Alge does his magic on the whole of the new
offering. Kowalczyk ruminates on the new record, "The message of
The Distance To Here is no secret. It is a message of love and an
invitation to myself and to those who want to come along to ask the
big questions and not feel uncool doing it."
Live is a rock band that still embraces this conviction whole
heartedly. And it is this confidence alone that renders their very
existence dangerous business. But today, it is what fortifies their
importance and it can be heard in Taylor's wide-as-the-sky,
sharp-as-a-razor guitar playing, Dahlheimer's articulate,
multi-dimensional bass playing and Gracey's dynamic drumming. But it
also often lies within the lines of Edward Kowalczyk's masterful
poetry. Lyrics like "I've got to learn to live until no end/But
first I must learn to swim all over again," from "Pain Lies
On The Riverside" off of the 1991 debut LP Mental Jewelry and
"It's the sun that burns/It's the wheel that turns/It's the way
we sing that makes 'em dream," from "Selling The Drama"
from 1994's seven million-selling smash Throwing Copper have always
been a vital thread running through Live-- as important as the voice
with which those words are sung. Kowalczyk attributes that lyrical
thread to a dedication and devotion to the great mystery of life
itself; says Kowalczyk, "I have never been able to separate, nor
have I wanted to, my personal love and desire for truth, passion and
understanding from my lyrics. I've always been into asking the big
questions; I'm the last guy out the door at closing time cuz I was
sittin' around 'til the wee hours with the other ones who were asking
the same things. That's what it's all about for me."
September 18, 2001 Live release their fifth album (roman numeral)
"V". This time Alain Johannes produces their album. Simple
Creed is the first single released from this album. Unfortunately the
album is released exactly one week from the September 11 terrorist
attacks in the United States. A cameraman who was filming the World
Trade Center disaster adopts Live's song "Overcome" as the
background to his video, and releases it on Camera Planet, and also
ends up being played on the video channels. The song is quickly
released, and dedicated to the victims and rescue workers who were
affected by this tragedy...
Live released their sixth LP Birds Of Pray in May of 2003. The release
marked a return to the big guitars of the band's earlier work. The
leadoff single Heaven received decent airplay in Adult Contemporary
markets, but it never took off in the Modern Rock or Alternative Rock
formats. The band began touring abroad in support of the album in May
and will likely begin their American tour in early 2004.
LIVE released a Greatest Hits package, "Awake: The Best Of",
in November, 2004. The album contains the song: I walk the line. This
is a cover from Johnny Cash. This album has 2 versions of it. A CD and
a CD/DVD. This DVD contains Live´s single video´s. This greatest hit
album from Live, is the last album under Universal studios. They leave
universal studio and sign a new record label.
So after their 6th album, Live signed a new record label, EPIC
records. And not later after that, they started to write and compose
new songs for they 7th album. The band hit the studio´s in May of
2005 and after just 3 weeks in the studio, they had recorded 12 songs
for their new album "Songs from Black Mountain". The first
single from the new album is "The River".
|
.: Edward Kowalczyk:.
 |
Full
Name:
Date of Birth:
Place of Birth:
Marital Status:
Married with:
Children:
Parents:
Instruments Played: |
Edward Joel
Kowalczyk
16 July 1971
York Hospital, York, Pennsylvania
Married
Erin
2 daughter
Ed & Mary
Trumpet in High School, guitar |
Edward Kowalczyk, vocalist and
songwriter for LiVE.
Edward began singing from an early age, knowing that he "could sing in
tune", and thankfully for us, he hasn't stopped since. He has the most
totally amazing voice, that I believe, cannot be matched by anyone. He's a
very open and spiritual person, and isn't ashamed to talk about his beliefs.
Many believe that this years album release isn't as good as previous ones
due to the obscure lyrics, written by Ed. However, I believe that this is
their best album, and people need to remember that lyrics are generally
personal to the person who writes them. They cannot and should not be
dissected and analysed, they should be appreciated for what they are.
Inspirational.
.: Chad Taylor :.
 |
Full
Name:
Date of Birth:
Place of Birth:
Marital Status:
Married with:
Children:
Parents:
Instruments Played: |
Chad David
Taylor
24 November 1970
Owing Mills, Maryland
Married
Jacky
3 daughters
David & Stephanie
Trumpet in High School, piano, guitar |
Chad Taylor, lead guitarist
for LiVE.
Chad is, (as are all of the members of Live), self taught
when it comes to his instrument. He tends to play by emotion, with fierce
passion and drive. Generally playing by feel, trial and error. Once claiming
that he lacked "knowledge in the guitar department", quoted in
'95. How he could have ever said that beats me. He doesn't like to talk
about the technical side of the band; like what guitars and amps he uses,
and also the type of effects and approaches he adopts when it comes to song
writing. Suffice to say, he always comes up with some prettyunique guitar
work. Take 'Lakini's Juice' for one example, a classic track (and one of my
personal favourites), and of course the almighty 'White, Discussion', the
band's favourite song that closes all of their live stage shows. We have
Chad to thank for the birth of these songs. Basically, he is a brilliant
guitar player, and an awesome song writer. Collectively, Live make the most
intense music ever.
.: Patrick Dahlheimer :.
 |
Full
Name:
Date of Birth:
Place of Birth:
Marital Status:
Married with:
Children:
Parents:
Instruments Played: |
Patrick Michael
Dahlheimer
30 May 1971
York, Pennsylvania
Married
Jackie
Marley
Stephan & Dorinda
Bass guitar |
Patrick Dahlheimer, bass player
for LiVE.
Pat first picked up a bass at the age of 14. And now,12 years on, he has
been described as being the "best bass player this millennium",
albeit by a fan. And yet he claims, "Someone forgot to tell me I
was". Patrick appears to be the 'joker' of the band. He is, or at least
appears to be, very unique, 'different' even. Chad Taylor says that
"when I'm in a mood to have lots of fun and laugh and hootand holler
with, I go and hang out with Patrick". He is the guy to have fun with.
Even looking through Ed's tour diary, we see evidence of Pat 'clowning
around', and generally having loads of fun. I mean, just take a look at the
photographic evidence of Pat 'beating up' a table tennis table, and also the
one of Pat dressed up in, um, leather trousers and a tight shirt showing his
tummy. I've also heard rumours that Pat once coloured in a sofa, for fun. I
suppose that's what happens to you when you're famous. However, when I read
magazine articles featuring Pat, he seems quite serious about his music and
instruments. So it would appear that he has two sides to him; one side is
quiet and serious, and the other which is coming out more and more, is loud
and humorous.
.: Chad Gracey :.
 |
Full
Name:
Date of Birth:
Place of Birth:
Marital Status:
Parents:
Instruments Played: |
Chad Alan Gracey
23 July 1971
York Hospital, York, Pennsylvania
Married
Unknown
Saxaphone High School, drums |
Chad Gracey,drums
for LiVE.
Chad learnt to play drums well over 12 years ago. He learnt to play by
"listening to records and figuring out what was to be played",
practising in his bedroom; and playing bare foot which is a trade mark for
Gracey today. He still plays bare foot because that is how he learnt to
play. He also knows how to play Sax, but doesn't anymore. Being the drummer
of the band, we don't get to see Gracey often, which is a shame. All of the
pictures I found of Chad, have him hidden behind a drum kit. But I suppose
that's where we'll always find him. Even at 60, he'll be playing the drums.
He's very close to the other members of the band, who he considers to be
like brothers, he says: "My whole life as a drummer has been spent in
this band. That's the only way I know how to play and the only way I want to
play with these guys". As long as these guys stick together, they will
always be the best. And to quote: "Simply put, he's one of the best
young drummers playing today". I couldn't have put it better myself.
