Post by gogonutz on Sept 20, 2005 6:00:49 GMT -5
www.andpop.com/article/4021
Back With Third Album, Lifehouse Almost Split After Sophomore Bomb
Posted on 3/9/05 at 1:31 AM ET
Written By: Adam Gonshor
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(andPOP) - Lifehouse almost disbanded after their sophomore album bombed.
"It was just so frustrating," frontman and guitarist Jason Wade admits. "It almost felt like it was kind of over."
The band's first single, "Hanging by a Moment," was the most played song on radio stations in 2001, leading their debut album to over 2 million copies sold.
But their second album, released in 2002, failed to go Gold.
Bass guitarist Sergio Andrade decided to leave the band. Wade considered doing a solo album. Drummer Rick Woolstenhulme started looking for other gigs.
After a few months off, Wade and Woolstenhulme decided to regroup.
"We realized how much we missed being on the road and how much we loved what we do," Wade says from his home in Los Angeles. "I though we should just go for it and see where we could take it."
The duo shared some ideas and realized Lifehouse was not yet ready to die.
"When we had that time off, I started writing some of these songs and I played them for Rick. We got inspired again to move forward, even though we hit some adversity."
Despite the very low sales, Wade, 24, says he is proud of the band's second album.
"The best thing to do is look at it as a piece of art. We did our best and we're still proud of this record and even though it didn't sell as much as the first doesn’t mean that it's not a good record."
He believes it failed for two reasons. First, it was released prematurely. When they started promoting the album, radio stations were still playing "Hanging by a Moment" on a high rotation and it was overshadowing new material.
Second, they were trying to create heavy music that would be played on alternative radio, yet their biggest supporters were those who heard their breakthrough song on more contemporary or hit music stations.
To Wade's surprise, Universal, the band's record label, decided to give Lifehouse another chance. Their self-titled third album will be released March 22.
"We've gone through so many changes," Wade says, regarding the decision to use the band's name as the album's title. "It feels like we have a clean slate."
Woolstenhulme and Wade recorded the album in Easton, Maryland, at the home of producer John Alagia.
"When you're recording in a studio in L.A., you feel like you're throwing away money," Wade says. "This record, we lived in his house so we didn't feel the pressure of having to check out at 7:00. We would record sometimes until four in the morning. It was more of an inspired environment because you feel like you could record any time you want to and the price is going to be the same."
At the end of last summer, bassist Bryce Soderberg, former member of AM Radio, joined the band.
"He came down to the studio and we really connected musically and personality wise. We realized how talented he is as a bass player and as a singer."
Wade hopes the band can one day surpass the success of "Hanging by a Moment," perhaps with their new single, "You and Me." But he's realistic.
"I can't control whether or not people are going to like it and buy it. What I can control is the music and making sure we do the best that we can. I think we've accomplished that and if it (doesn't sell well), I'll still be really proud of this record."
Take a listen to the new single.
Back With Third Album, Lifehouse Almost Split After Sophomore Bomb
Posted on 3/9/05 at 1:31 AM ET
Written By: Adam Gonshor
Options: View Comments| Leave Comment | Email Article
(andPOP) - Lifehouse almost disbanded after their sophomore album bombed.
"It was just so frustrating," frontman and guitarist Jason Wade admits. "It almost felt like it was kind of over."
The band's first single, "Hanging by a Moment," was the most played song on radio stations in 2001, leading their debut album to over 2 million copies sold.
But their second album, released in 2002, failed to go Gold.
Bass guitarist Sergio Andrade decided to leave the band. Wade considered doing a solo album. Drummer Rick Woolstenhulme started looking for other gigs.
After a few months off, Wade and Woolstenhulme decided to regroup.
"We realized how much we missed being on the road and how much we loved what we do," Wade says from his home in Los Angeles. "I though we should just go for it and see where we could take it."
The duo shared some ideas and realized Lifehouse was not yet ready to die.
"When we had that time off, I started writing some of these songs and I played them for Rick. We got inspired again to move forward, even though we hit some adversity."
Despite the very low sales, Wade, 24, says he is proud of the band's second album.
"The best thing to do is look at it as a piece of art. We did our best and we're still proud of this record and even though it didn't sell as much as the first doesn’t mean that it's not a good record."
He believes it failed for two reasons. First, it was released prematurely. When they started promoting the album, radio stations were still playing "Hanging by a Moment" on a high rotation and it was overshadowing new material.
Second, they were trying to create heavy music that would be played on alternative radio, yet their biggest supporters were those who heard their breakthrough song on more contemporary or hit music stations.
To Wade's surprise, Universal, the band's record label, decided to give Lifehouse another chance. Their self-titled third album will be released March 22.
"We've gone through so many changes," Wade says, regarding the decision to use the band's name as the album's title. "It feels like we have a clean slate."
Woolstenhulme and Wade recorded the album in Easton, Maryland, at the home of producer John Alagia.
"When you're recording in a studio in L.A., you feel like you're throwing away money," Wade says. "This record, we lived in his house so we didn't feel the pressure of having to check out at 7:00. We would record sometimes until four in the morning. It was more of an inspired environment because you feel like you could record any time you want to and the price is going to be the same."
At the end of last summer, bassist Bryce Soderberg, former member of AM Radio, joined the band.
"He came down to the studio and we really connected musically and personality wise. We realized how talented he is as a bass player and as a singer."
Wade hopes the band can one day surpass the success of "Hanging by a Moment," perhaps with their new single, "You and Me." But he's realistic.
"I can't control whether or not people are going to like it and buy it. What I can control is the music and making sure we do the best that we can. I think we've accomplished that and if it (doesn't sell well), I'll still be really proud of this record."
Take a listen to the new single.
proud of them!! 
. I'd also like to know if anybody has an HD copy of Lifehouse at Pinkpop 2003. BY far their best concert ever